The NCLEX is a standardized exam that prospective nurses are required to pass to legally become a nurse in their state. Passing the NCLEX requires months of dedication and structured independent studying with the application of several proven test-taking strategies.
The NCLEX exam, specifically the NCLEX-RN, is a major required step before becoming a registered nurse and starting your nursing career. Whether you’re first learning about the exam or you’ve already started studying for it, you probably want to know how to pass the NCLEX. With proper NCLEX test taking strategies, passing the NCLEX can become more manageable. So how do you pass the NCLEX?
Passing the NCLEX requires more than just studying; it requires a strategic approach. Understanding the test itself is one of the most important NCLEX tips to know. To pass the exam, familiarize yourself with what to expect, what the questions may look like, and proven test taking strategies. Here, you’ll learn more about how to prepare for the NCLEX.
What Is the NCLEX?
Before anything else, it’s important to understand what the NCLEX is. The NCLEX is a standardized exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Prospective nurses must pass this test to obtain licensure in their state. The NCLEX exists to ensure that entry-level nurses meet the minimum competencies required by their jurisdiction.
The exam is administered online in a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format. This format adjusts the test to the examinee’s competency level. Anyone graduating with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) must take and pass the NCLEX-RN. Passing the NCLEX requires a combination of the competencies and skills learned in nursing school and strategic study.
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Types of Questions on the Test
The NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing, which adjusts question difficulty based on your performance on previous questions. According to the NCLEX-RN Test Plan, the exam includes several question formats and tests several subject categories:
Question Formats
Most of the exam consists of multiple-choice questions, but you may encounter several formats, such as:
- Fill-in-the-blank
- Drag-and-drop
- Select-all-that-apply
- Multiple-response grouping
Subject Categories
The NCLEX tests several subject categories designed to measure whether someone can safely practice as a registered nurse. Questions fall into the following categories:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
Due to the test’s CAT format, individual examinations can differ in each category. Understanding these categories and what you know in each one are essential when preparing NCLEX test-taking strategies.
How to Prepare for the NCLEX
Preparing for the NCLEX isn’t like preparing for most other exams. It typically requires months of independent study, several practice tests and possibly prep courses. Your nursing program likely will have recommended resources.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for the NCLEX:
1. Set a Schedule
An important step in preparing for the NCLEX is deciding when you want to take the exam. The NCLEX is offered year-round, but many students take it about 45 days after graduation. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time to study, so start early in nursing school if possible.
Set yourself milestones in the period leading up to the test date. Depending on your schedule, set dedicated study blocks several times a week.
2. Evaluate Your Competencies
After setting your schedule, take a reputable practice test before you begin studying. Choose one that tracks your performance by content area. Based on your results, identify the areas in which you struggle most and devote more of your study time to improving those areas.
Schedule additional practice tests at regular intervals, with the last one taking place close to your actual test date. After each practice test, reevaluate your competencies and focus on the areas in which you are least successful.
After the last practice test, depending on how you’re scoring, it may be beneficial to focus on the areas the exam weighs most heavily. For example, study management of care questions make up 15-21% of the exam, according to the council’s test plan document.
3. Enroll in a Prep Course
Taking a prep course to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam is optional, but it can be beneficial. Test prep providers can include self-paced and live instruction options, as well as study tools, practice tests, and tutoring. This can be a helpful way to manage the stress of NCLEX preparation because it reduces some of the independence that private studying requires.
4. Take Study Breaks
While it may be tempting to study every day for weeks, schedule days to relax. Spend time with family or friends or doing something you like to do. Giving your brain time to rest can support both your mental health and help manage your stress to optimize your test performance.
What To Expect on Exam Day
Walking into the NCLEX exam can feel intimidating, but knowing what to expect can reduce much of the stress that comes with the unknown. Here’s what you should expect on exam day:
Get Plenty of Sleep
The most important thing you can do for yourself on exam day happens the night before. Allow yourself at least eight hours of sleep, so you’re fully alert.
Arrive Early
On the morning of the exam, eat a healthy breakfast and arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes early. Exams like the NCLEX are highly secure, and unexpected delays could cause you to miss your appointment. Additionally, leave personal items in your car or at home because they will not be allowed in the testing room.
Taking the Test
The NCLEX allows up to five hours, including scheduled breaks. You may take optional breaks during the exam, but unless it’s a scheduled break, the clock will continue. It’s important to manage your time and pace to prevent mental fatigue. The NCLEX uses a CAT format that adjusts question difficulty based on your performance, so it’s impossible to know exactly how many questions the exam will include.
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Proven NCLEX Test-Taking Strategies
Learning proven test-taking strategies for the NCLEX can improve your chances of passing the exam. Below are several strategies that can help you while taking the NCLEX:
Manage Your Mental Health
Managing your mental health is one of the most important NCLEX strategies you can learn. A Northwestern University study found that increased stress levels affected test performance. Managing your mental health throughout nursing school and NCLEX preparation is one of the best ways to improve your odds of passing the exam.
Use Process of Elimination
As discussed earlier, most of the NCLEX exam consists of multiple-choice questions. Even if you don’t immediately know the correct answer, you can use process of elimination to narrow down the obviously incorrect options. This can reduce the number of incorrect answers you choose on the exam.
Trust Your Instincts
By now, you’ve spent years in school, studied extensively for the NCLEX, and prepared for the exam. Now isn’t the time to second-guess your instincts. If you’ve carefully read the question and used process of elimination, your initial answer is often correct.
After you finish the exam, you may receive unofficial results within a few days, but official results are issued by your state nursing board.
Register for the NCLEX
With more information about how to pass the NCLEX, you can take the next step toward becoming a registered nurse. Use the timeline to register for the NCLEX through the NCSBN website. Additionally, you’ll find preparation materials there that can help you succeed in your nursing journey.
If you’re considering becoming a nurse and are ready to start your journey, we can help connect you with schools that meet your criteria and goals through our online form. This service is free, and you are under no obligation to enroll in any of the schools that contact you.
