All aspiring registered nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which is why knowing how to study for the NCLEX is important. Start by developing a study schedule, joining study groups, using nursing mnemonics, and answering practice questions.
All aspiring registered nurses (RNs) must pass the NCLEX-RN, which is a rigorous national licensure exam. It tests nursing knowledge and ability to develop appropriate nursing decisions for patient care scenarios. Given the exam’s difficulty, it’s important to know how to study for the NCLEX.
The University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program graduates competent nurse candidates who are ready to tackle the challenges of both the NCLEX-RN and nursing practice. Thanks to our 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for plenty of personalized instruction, and our Academic Success Coaches, our graduates are well-prepared to excel on the exam.
Before determining how to pass the NCLEX with an NCLEX study plan, it’s a smart idea to become familiar with the test itself. Then, dive into some actionable study strategies you can use throughout your time in nursing school.
What Is the NCLEX Like?
The current version of the test is the Next Generation NCLEX (Next Gen NCLEX or NGN), and those who want to be registered nurses take the NCLEX-RN. The NGN emphasizes clinical judgment skills, not just rote memorization of nursing concepts. You’ll answer questions in these areas:
- 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
Some common questions about the NCLEX include:
- How long is the NCLEX? The exam lasts five hours.
- How many questions is the NCLEX? Nurse candidates answer a minimum of 85 items and a maximum of 150 items. The test uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which means each candidate takes a unique test that adapts to their previous answer. This is why not every candidate will answer the same number of items.
- What score do you need to pass the NCLEX? You will not receive a percentage score. Rather, it’s graded on a pass/fail basis.
How to Study for the NCLEX
To learn how to pass the NCLEX, you’ll need to know how to study for it effectively. Try the following 11 strategies:
Become Familiar With the Next Gen NCLEX
Before diving into how to study for the NCLEX, you should understand what to expect from the exam. It assesses your clinical judgment and reasoning. You’ll be tested more on how you apply clinical judgment to cases and less on your ability to memorize nursing knowledge.
The NCLEX includes various types of questions, including extended multiple-choice questions, in which you can select as many appropriate responses as applicable. For other questions, more than one answer might be technically correct, but only one is the most appropriate given the context.
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2. Start Your NCLEX Prep Early
You’ll want to start studying for the NCLEX shortly after starting school. While you can retake the test if needed, passing on the first attempt is preferable since you’ll enter the workforce faster.
How long should you study for the NCLEX? It depends on when you start study sessions and your academic strengths and weaknesses. If you have a history of struggling with exams, you’ll want to spend more time preparing. If you start studying during your first semester in nursing school, consider setting aside several hours per week for NCLEX prep and stepping up your study schedule to several hours per day after graduation.
3. Develop a Reasonable Study Schedule
You’ll need an NCLEX study plan to succeed on the test. Make a note of your classes, labs, clinical rotations, and similar responsibilities in a day planner or scheduling app. Look for opportunities to schedule study sessions whenever possible.
It’s best to study every day, even if you can only spare a half hour. Breaking up your study sessions into shorter chunks facilitates better learning retention than a marathon study session.
4. Make the Most of Every Study Session
Establish an agenda for each session so you know exactly what you will work on. You may even want to set SMART goals for your NCLEX study sessions. A SMART goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
To enhance memory retention, begin by spending a few minutes reviewing material from your previous study session before moving on to new material. You should also set time aside to focus on your problem areas.
5. Improve Your Time Management Skills
Time management is crucial for preparing for the NCLEX. If you find yourself procrastinating during a study session, minimize distractions by shutting off your phone and finding a quiet place to study.
The Pomodoro method can also help you beat procrastination. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Focus on studying without distraction until the timer rings. Then, take a five-minute break before doing another 25-minute Pomodoro cycle. After every four Pomodoros, take a longer break.
6. Form a Study Group
One of the reasons why Mount Saint Vincent has onsite ABSN classes is that in-person work facilitates greater camaraderie within a nursing cohort. Use the opportunity to form a study group or team up with a study buddy. Like solo study sessions, study groups should establish an agenda for each session to optimize time.
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7. Use NCLEX Prep Resources
You’ll find many NCLEX study tips and prep resources online. Look for study guides, video tutorials, and sample questions. You can even find resources that send you an NCLEX question of the day. The more sample questions you answer before the exam, the more confident you’ll feel on test day.
8. Manage Test Anxiety With Stress Reduction Techniques
Even if you are well-prepared, it’s normal to experience some anxiety as your test date approaches. Manage it with stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, relaxing music, and mental visualization.
9. Memorize Nursing Mnemonics
A mnemonic is a memory aid that can help you retain important bits of information grouped together in an acronym. Memorizing nursing-specific mnemonics can help you work through the case studies presented in the NCLEX. Some examples include the following:
- ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (the steps in the nursing process)
- SLUDGE: Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, Gastric Upset, and Emesis (signs and symptoms of cholinergic crisis)
- SAMPLE: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake of medication, and Events leading up to the illness or injury (used when collecting health history)
10. Focus on Case Studies
Instead of simply rereading material, try to increase your engagement to promote a deeper understanding and better learning retention. One way to do this is with case studies. After reviewing a nursing concept, look for case studies that demonstrate it. Consider the nursing decisions that were made in each case study and determine the reasoning behind them.
11. Take Practice Tests
Take full-length practice tests during your time in nursing school and continue to do so after graduation, leading up to your test date. You’ll become more familiar with the format of the test and its questions as a result.
Ready to Prepare for an Exciting Career in Nursing?
When you’re ready to get to work as an RN, the admission team at Mount Saint Vincent is here to help you get started. They will walk you through every step of the admission process, from the initial discussion to application submission.
With three start dates per year and a graduation timeline of just 16 months after completing prerequisites, Mount Saint Vincent makes nursing education as accessible as possible. Contact us today to learn more.