NCLEX Study Tips: How to Pass the NCLEX on Your First Try
Are you a nursing student approaching the NCLEX and wondering where to start?
In this guide, I will share with you the plan I used to pass the NCLEX on the first try. This is what worked for me, and my hope is that you can learn a little something to better equip you for this license.
When to Start Studying for the NCLEX
Start Studying While You Are in School
During nursing school, I made a point to review notes from my other classes once a month. For example, in my second semester, I did a light review of the notes from my first semester. The goal here is not to memorize everything again, but to remember the big ideas and key concepts that you will see on the NCLEX. During this review, I would also complete 20–30 practice questions like these on the topic I was reviewing to test my knowledge. Doing this allowed me to keep the knowledge fresh in my mind and prevented cramming last minute before the NCLEX.
Your Hard Work Will Pay Off
In nursing school, there is a lot to study. This leaves little time for any extra studying. Truth be told, I don’t think you need to begin dedicated NCLEX studying more than three months before your test date. Remember, you have been preparing for this test since the first day of nursing school. The knowledge you’ve learned and test taking skills you’ve mastered are going to help you tremendously on test day. There is no need to cram. You have made it this far, and have the skills you need to pass.
A Timeline for Studying for the NCLEX
Three Months Before the NCLEX
I began focusing more on studying for the NCLEX three months before my anticipated test date. I was still in nursing school, but it was helpful since I was still in “school mode.”
The NCLEX studying began gradually with 50 questions per day five times a week three months prior. It took around an hour to take a practice test and review the questions I got wrong.
Two Months Before the NCLEX
Practicing 80 questions per day two months prior to the NCLEX helped condition my mind for test-taking. I would sit down in a quiet room with my computer and a blank piece of paper and complete the questions. Timing myself was helpful to make sure I would be able to complete my test on time during the NCLEX.
You can think about it like someone who is training for a race. They run a little but each day so that by the time race day comes, it simply feels like practice. You will be prepared and have the mental endurance to “run your race” on test day.
At this point, I began to review my notes from previous classes. Choosing one course per week (starting from the first course and working my way up) worked best for me. I had around eight weeks to cover around seven courses.
To do this, I would read my notes, teach them out-loud (from the notes sheet), and do somewhere around 20 questions. Teaching the material allowed me to get confident in the material and really helped to solidify it in my mind.
One Month Before the NCLEX
With just one month to go, I upped my question count to 100 per day.
The labs I discussed in my Nursing School Tips post also became something I reviewed about once a week to make sure they were still fresh in my mind.
Free NCLEX Medication Study Chart
Want to make medication review a little easier? I’ve created a simple NCLEX medication chart to help you review common medications, side effects, and nursing considerations.
Two Weeks Before the NCLEX
My school offered an NCLEX prep course that was a good refresher of the big topics. I was relieved to know that I did not have to study in detail like I did in nursing school, but having a solid understanding of the big ideas and effective test-taking techniques was adequate.
What worked for me was to not engage in too many of these, because different teachers have different ideas that can be overwhelming at times. Perhaps it is best to stick with what has worked for you thus far in nursing school—your notes, practice questions, and asking questions when needed.
Keeping up with 100 questions per day worked well for me.
One Week Before the NCLEX
Only one week to go! At this point, I had completed nursing school and was able to dedicate a great chunk of time to studying for the NCLEX. It was so strange to have so much free time! But, this allowed me to think clearly and have the brain power needed to take the NCLEX.
Each day, I simply reviewed meds and labs and took practice questions. Again, the key is to review any missed items if possible to learn from your mistakes.
The Kaplan resource that my school supplied provided CAT tests and readiness tests that were mock NCLEX assessments. I did two of these per day. When I got to test day, it felt much easier since my mind was conditioned for doing nearly double the work.
The Night Before the NCLEX
As with other tests, the night before I tried to relax and do something fun. This usually involved my family. My dad’s birthday was the night before, so it was a great opportunity to spend time with family and enjoy the life the Lord has given me.
The Morning of the NCLEX
Our circadian rhythm is so important. This is pretty much our sleep-wake cycle. The more our bodies are in tune with the biological lock (i.e., sticking to the same sleep/wake/eat times), the better we perform. I made sure to be disciplined in this area in the weeks leading up to the NCLEX, that way my brain and body were ready to go nice and early.
Time with the Lord, a good workout, and a healthy breakfast are my keys to success on test day. No more practicing or reviewing is needed. All the hard work has been done. It’s time to show it!
Where to Get NCLEX Practice Questions
Kaplan
Kaplan was a great resource providing practice questions, practice tests, and videos.
Archer
This was another great tool that had amazing practice tests. The website was also easy to navigate, and it helps score your chances of passing the NCLEX based on your performance in the practice tests.
I found these to be most helpful in learning to take the test and focus on the basic concepts.
The NCLEX itself seemed to be more straightforward and a bit less complex, but practicing questions that were a little harder still gave me the exposure I needed to be successful
Nexus Nursing
Nexus Nursing Institute is a YouTube channel that I loved! The instructor reads a test question to you, gives you time to answer, and then gives immediate feedback on the right answers and why the others are wrong. You can easily go through 30-70 questions while walking, driving, folding clothes, or working out. She also prays for those listening before a lot of her videos. God bless her.
Final NCLEX Study Tips
You made it this far, and you have learned more than you probably realize. Passing the NCLEX isn’t about memorizing every single piece of information you’ve encountered in nursing school. It’s about knowing the foundational concepts, applying what you know, and learning how to think through questions.
Trust the work you’ve already put in. Take a deep breath, get a good night’s sleep, and walk into test day knowing you’ve prepared. You can do this!
Please let me know if you have any questions. I would love to help 🙂
