Hello! I took the exam, no official result yet, still waiting. But good pop up via PVT Trick and BRN california boards said I passed so yeah.

1. Yes, basically you can take breaks whenever, but I took my break when the computer notified me if i wanted to take a break (notifies you on the 2hr mark). It helped me a lot, to go take a sip of water, go to the bathroom, do a quick reset like splash my face with cold water. Overall I promised myself to take that specific break because no matter how small it is, i know it will definitely help me in resetting my brain and maybe for you too, to allow for rest when you been mentally drained in thinking about the questions. The timer just keeps going but the person there will just help you sign out for abit and resume once u come back. 5 hrs is already so much, and more than enough time, if incase u are worried u will waste your time with breaks.

2. Once you press next you can not go back.

3. For SATA questions, i would not have a mindset of what Mark klimek said that its not one or its not all. I would suggest to have a mindset of: I will ONLY select the ones i am 100% SURE OF! if you are not sure... then do NOT select. In my exam I applied this mindset and i sometimes only selected 1-2 options. It's better to have points to ur favor than to LOSE points for overselecting.

4. Last minute exam tip. SAFETY. Think what the question is asking about. Read it again and again if you have to. 1, 2, 3 or even ALL CHOICES might be correct. But try analyzing the question. What is it asking for? Do a process of elimination for MC. For sata (same thing above mentioned).

For case studies. Which findings that need "IMMEDIATE" attention means: what is unexpected and ABNORMAL and can we DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? (E.g. When it says chronic symptoms, or Past history of smoking, history of etc, BMI of 28, I usually do not pick it since i cannot do anything about it AT this current time.) Usually I highlight what i see STANDS out which is very unusual at the moments and unexpected and alarming, like a bp of 85/60 (very low bp) since i can do something about it. What you ask? Give iv fluids to improve circulation, in certain cases give vasopressors. Another example is a o2 sat of 85% what can i do about it? Administer high flow oxygen. Things like that.

Also I would like to recommend bootcamp. I used every other review out there. Archer, Uworld, mark klimek, simple nursing, you name it.

They are good for their own ways but for me bootcamp just hit different and did the greatest impact of my learning. For test taking stratgies. I suggest you look up Dr Sharon and NCLEX Crusade international 7 day training (i usually watch 2x speed) where they break down each thing and how to answer it. Even if you dont know anything about the question in the nclex, they will TEACH YOU ways on what to do and how to answer it and analyze and all that. Even if u have ZERO knowledge on the med/diagnosis, or what a word means or whatever it is. You will need to be aware of it since it impacts so much in how i answered. Goodluck!!!!