What resources did you use to study for the ATI exam? NCLEX?
Panel Member 1: I used the Kaplan NCLEX -RN Prep Plus study guide in addition to the ATI study guides and practice tests.
Panel Member 2: I used BoardVitals, the Mastery RN NCLEX app, and the Saunders’ book.
Panel Member 3: I used the RN Mastery App and ATI practice tests.
Panel Member 4: I used U-World for all the practice questions- really hard and helpful. I used the Kaplan strategy book and did the practice test in the book in one sitting so I knew I could sit for 200 questions or whatever the max is for NCLEX.
How did you structure your study plan throughout the spring semester and how did that change or stay the same after integration?
Panel Member 1: I studied when I had the time throughout the semester. I made a plan to study about 4 hours a day for 3 weeks after Integration and I felt well prepared.
Panel Member 2: In the Spring, I tried to get into the habit of doing 1-10 practice questions every day. Then, more after the semester ended. I didn’t do many during Integration; I let that be my real-world learning experience, but put pertinent info into my mental NCLEX file of concepts that were cemented or particular outcomes, processes, or labs were cemented.
Panel Member 3: I tried to study on the weekends during the semester whereas after integration I studied 3-5 hours at least every day. I had 3 weeks until my exam after integration!
Panel Member 4: During and after integration I just had more full days to study and so I was able to create a schedule and make studying my “job”. I studied with many breaks/meals/workouts in between for 8 hours/day.
What did you do to cope with the stress and pressure of both exams?
Panel Member 1: Talking to my classmates and studying in groups. I also went to yoga regularly no matter what.
Panel Member 2: It was stressful. I tried to focus on recovering from the year and getting enough sleep, as well as good nutrition and exercise. Those let the knowledge in my brain solidify, so as I did practice questions I knew more and varied information each time. It was never easy, but I was able to keep going.
Panel Member 3: I took naps and engaged in non-studying activity at least once a day! So, maybe that was finding a good series and/or talking to a friend and debriefing with them regularly.
Panel Member 4: To cope with stress I just made sure to maintain the activities I enjoy and didn’t deprive myself of friend and family time. I made sure to step away from and forget about the books for a set number of hours in the day.
What did you do the morning of your NCLEX exam to stay in the zone?
Panel Member 1: I ate breakfast and enjoyed a cup of coffee on the couch. I just relaxed and got into a good headspace before taking the exam.
Panel Member 2: I reminded myself that I really did know the information. Our education and prep would not fail us! I just had to put the knowledge in my brain down on the “paper” of the exam. I think I did 5ish practice questions that morning just to “warm up” my brain, but should have done fewer. I had a reasonable amount of caffeine (not too much), a lot of water, and good food (the night before, too). My mantra was just to breathe deeply and remind myself the knowledge was somewhere in my brain. Or, to use the test strategies we learned if I really felt lost. All semester and that day, if I felt nervous before a quiz or test, I would do jumping jacks, push ups, or short runs down the hallway to get some big, energy-releasing (and brain-perfuming) movement going. Also, I spent time on questions I needed to. There was no rush.
The day of the test was nerve-wracking, still. Despite my logical brain knowing this was a test I was likely to pass and had worked hard for, I was very nervous. lots of deep breaths and reminders that I was having a physiological reaction to psychological stress. :-). I did have to basically look at my family at one point and say “I’m leaving now” because I was having a hard time getting through the motions of that morning with so much on my mind. Everyone is different, but I needed 10-20 minutes of time to myself, so drove to the test center early and sat in my car with music on.
Panel Member 3: I remember being told not to study the morning of and I did not! I went for a run and went to Starbucks. Luckily, my exam was in the late morning so I didn’t have time to do much else or panic!:)
Panel Member 4: I slept in as late as I could without being rushed to get there and I did not study or even look at a book.
If you could go back, what would you have done differently in regards to studying/preparing for both exams?
Panel Member 1: I would have studied with the Kaplan book before the ATI entry exam. I did not do well on the ATI entry exam and had to retake it. My score jumped 20 points after I read the strategies.
Panel Member 2: I would have stopped studying at least a full two days before the exam, maybe doing 5-10 practice questions those last two mornings (only 1-2 the day of the exam to get in the zone). I cut myself off at noon the day before the test, and I was very tired, mentally, for the exam. There was no reason to do anything besides sleep, eat, and enjoy myself those last few days. My brain could have used a little more recovery. Good luck!
Panel Member 3: I honestly would have done more of the ATI review books. I focused a lot on pathophysiology when studying but my exam was, personally, more diverse than that!
Panel Member 4: I would have been more consistent with doing practice questions all throughout the year. Practice questions make all the difference.
For more questions or resources, please reach out to: angsatutaustin@gmail.com
You’ve got this!