In this post, we’ll be exploring top tips on how to pass the NCLEX on the first try.
Why NCLEX Exam Prep Matters
According to the U.S. Labor Statistics agency, more than 194,000 nursing jobs become available each year. As new diseases emerge and the population ages, the demand for RNs is expected to keep increasing at a rapid pace. To participate in this growing field, you must first pass the NCLEX exam.
NCLEX is the National Council Licensure Examination, a standard examination required to practice nursing in the United States. There are two versions of the NCLEX test:
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- NCLEX-RN
- NCLEX-PN
The NCLEX will assess your knowledge and skills to ensure you possess the minimum competency and safety standards necessary to provide effective and safe patient care.
The NCLEX exam can be stressful and costly. Not having to retake the NCLEX at a later date can save you a great deal of time, money, and stress. So, planning to pass the NCLEX the first time around isn’t just a pleasant thought—it’s a wise one.
This is where we come in. We will give you the best NCLEX study tips to pass the exam on your first try!
Understand the NCLEX Format and Test Plan
To understand what we’re about to list on how to pass the NCLEX on the first try, you first need to understand what you’re dealing with.
The NCLEX test is not some arbitrary set of nursing questions; it’s organized, and understanding how it works will make a difference in your performance.
The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), meaning the questions’ difficulty level changes depending on your performance. If you get a question right, the next one is slightly more difficult; the next one is easier if you get it wrong. You aim to get enough questions right to achieve the standard for passing.
The NCLEX test plan is an in-depth document developed by the (NCSBN) National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It is an overview of the format and content of the NCLEX exam. It is a guide for you to know the NCLEX exam content and format so that you can focus on devising customized NCLEX exam preparation strategies.
The test plan includes several major components, with the client needs categories being a priority. These categories cover various areas of nursing practice, such as:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
Each category is further broken down into subcategories, providing a clear idea of the content to be tested in the exam.
In addition, the test plan also shows the percentage of questions allocated to each category so that you can schedule your study according to the priority of each field of nursing practice.
Here’s a breakdown and distribution of test questions:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care: 15–21%
- Safety and Infection Control: 10–16%
- Health Promotion and Maintenance: 6–12%
- Psychosocial Integrity: 6–12%
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort: 6–12%
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies: 13–19%
- Reduction of Risk Potential: 9–15%
- Physiological Adaptation: 11–17%
As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are two types of NCLEX exams: for Registered Nurses (RN) and Practical Nurses (PN). Though the material between the NCLEX PN and the NCLEX RN will be almost the same, they are not identical. Before deciding which one to pursue, you need to assess yourself and your capacity to be able to make the right decision for your planned career.
The NCLEX RN will encompass a greater proportion of “Management of Care” questions that are in charge of others. When compared, however, the NCLEX PN will comprise more “Coordination Care” questions concerned with how coordinated an LPN is to practice under the direction of an RN.
Furthermore, the material and structure of every exam are a bit different because the RN exam addresses more complicated nursing concepts and skills and emphasizes clinical problem-solving. Also, the NCLEX-RN is allowed to have a maximum of 74-145 questions, while the NCLEX-PN is allowed a maximum of 85 to 205.
Overall, both tests have a lot of the same material, and both are intended to evaluate the skills and knowledge of new nurses. The RN test, however, evaluates individuals on their assessment and critical thinking skills more so than the PN test.
Aside from test differences, the NCLEX RN and NCLEX PN also have different sets of requirements. To take the NCLEX-RN, you need a high school diploma (or its equivalent), and an Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN. The NCLEX-RN is more complex and needs more schooling. Most ADN programs last 18-24 months, whereas BSN programs last 3-4 years.
To take the NCLEX-PN, you also need a high school diploma or equivalent. You must also show your graduation certificate from a board-approved practical nursing program. The majority of practical nursing certificate programs take one year of study.
The passing standards are also different.
- NCLEX-RN: 0.00 logits
- NCLEX-PN: -0.18 logits
These standards are set by a panel of nurses to define the competencies required for entry-level practice as a nurse.
Create a Personalized Study Plan
Let’s talk about how to create an NCLEX study plan that you can actually follow. You don’t want to be too exhausted, but you do need to study for the NCLEX.
First, find out your test date. How many weeks or days do you have left? This will give you an idea of how many weeks or days you have to study. Then, you need to be realistic about how many hours you are actually going to be able to study.
If you have school, work, or other obligations, that’s okay! You just have to schedule it.
It is advisable to break your study time into smaller chunks. Rather than studying 3 hours straight, study 1 to 2 hours with breaks in between. You’ll be less stressed, and your brain will remember better.
Also, have review days. It’s just so easy to forget things, so make sure you review the material every few days. That way, you’re not only learning new stuff but also reinforcing what you’ve already learned.
Use Reliable NCLEX Study Resources
You don’t want to waste your time on poor resources, so make sure to employ good prep materials. Some of the best NCLEX review books are Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN and Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep. They break things down in simple terms and have numerous practice questions.
If you like taking online classes, UWorld is a good suggestion. It has an enormous amount of practice questions and explains to you why an answer is correct or not. Nursing.com is another good option—it has video lectures and practice questions.
When selecting resources to study for the NCLEX, select ones that best suit your learning style. If you are a reader and prefer to do practice questions, select a book. If you are a video or interactive learner, online coursework is for you.
Take NCLEX Practice Questions Daily
This is the trick—doing NCLEX practice questions daily is the secret. I know it sounds overwhelming, but believe me, this is how you will improve. The more you practice, the faster you will be at recognizing patterns and becoming familiar with the wording.
The best part? You can do it whenever it’s convenient for you. You don’t have to have a chunk of time to fit in some practice questions. You can do 10-20 questions during a lunch break or in between other activities.
UWorld, Kaplan, and NCLEX Mastery are all excellent places to get practice questions. Don’t just answer them—take the time to read the right and wrong answers and explanations.
Master Time Management Techniques
Time management is everything. The good news is, that there are a ton of ways that will help you have effective NCLEX test-taking strategies.
One of the best techniques is the Pomodoro Technique. Here’s how it works:
- Study for 25 minutes
- Take a 5-minute break
- After four rounds of studying, take a longer break (about 30 minutes)
This technique makes your mind refreshed and allows you to remain concentrated without feeling exhausted.
To truly have effective time management for NCLEX prep, base your study schedule on when you are most alert and conscious. For instance, if you’re an early riser, try to do your studying early in the morning before school or work. If you’re nocturnal, studying late at night could be more suitable for you.
Join a Study Group or Find a Study Partner
Another great tip on how to pass the NCLEX on the first try is to talk to others going through the same things as you. There’s something about discussing topics with others that really helps solidify your understanding. Quiz each other, share study tips that work, and keep each other motivated.
You can do this in person and online. Sites such as Reddit and Facebook have plenty of NCLEX-specific communities where you can find study buddies.
Develop Strong Test-Taking Strategies
It is not only important to know the content but also how to answer questions. The NCLEX adores difficult questions, particularly Select All That Apply (SATA) and priority-based questions.
On SATA questions, look at eliminating the patently wrong choices first. Having done so, consider the underlying nursing concepts—what would be most important to do under that circumstance?
For priority questions, keep the ABC rule (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) in mind. Prioritize the life-threatening things above the not-as-bad issues.
Before choosing your answer, make sure you know what the question is asking. Elimination is an excellent strategy—cross out those clearly incorrect answers, and you have fewer remaining choices to pick from.
Manage Stress and Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is real, but it can be controlled. Here’s a guide on how to avoid NCLEX test anxiety.
- Breathe. Seriously. Breathe when you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed. Practice relaxation techniques. Do some deep breathing or meditation prior to and while studying. This clears your head and keeps you on track.
- Also, sleep is crucial. If you’re staying up all night studying, you’re doing more harm than good. A well-rested brain performs better than a tired one.
- Exercise is another great way to relieve stress. A short walk or light yoga can do wonders to your focus and anxiety levels.
Simulate the NCLEX Test Day Experience
Simulating the test day experience is perhaps one of the best ways to prepare for the NCLEX. Take practice tests that are full-length and timed so you can become familiar with the pressure of the actual test. This will allow you to develop endurance and become accustomed to the test pacing.
On test day, just make sure that you know what to anticipate. Don’t attempt to cram the night off, but instead, believe that you have done the work and that you are prepared. Have your testing supplies at hand, and be sure to arrive early to prevent any last-minute anxiety.
Conclusion: Stay Confident and Trust Your Preparation
You’ve got this! Stick to your schedule, keep at it, and have faith that you’ve prepared adequately. It’s okay to be nervous, but you’ve done the work, and now it’s time to demonstrate your knowledge.
After completing the exam, remain positive and wait for your passing scores! No test center provides results. Your state board of nursing will inform you of your score and grade about six weeks after taking the exam. But if you fail, you will still be provided with a comprehensive score report to assist you in your studies for your retake.
Read various NCLEX success stories. These stories can serve as your motivation and reassurance that no matter how difficult the exam feels, you can do it!