How to Pass the NCLEX: Tips, FAQs & More

Passing the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a significant milestone for nursing graduates aiming to become licensed registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs). This standardized exam is designed to assess your knowledge, skills, and ability to make sound judgments in nursing practice. Given its critical role, preparing for the NCLEX can be daunting. However, with the right strategies, study plan, and test-taking tips, you can confidently approach the exam and increase your chances of success.

In this blog, we’ll cover essential tips for passing the NCLEX, frequently asked questions, and everything you need to know about the exam.

What is the NCLEX?

The NCLEX is a comprehensive exam used by nursing regulatory bodies to determine if a candidate is ready to practice as an entry-level nurse. It comes in two forms:

• NCLEX-RN: For those seeking licensure as a Registered Nurse.
• NCLEX-PN: For those seeking licensure as a Practical or Vocational Nurse.

The test is administered using the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) method, which adjusts the difficulty level of questions based on your performance. This method ensures that the exam can accurately measure your competency.

Key Features of the NCLEX

1. Test Format: The NCLEX is a multiple-choice exam but also includes alternative formats like fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and chart/exhibit questions.
2. Duration: The NCLEX-RN can take up to six hours, and the NCLEX-PN can take up to five hours, including breaks.
3. Passing Standard: The exam evaluates whether you meet a minimum competency standard, not whether you get every question right.
4. Question Range: You may be asked anywhere from 75 to 145 questions for the NCLEX-RN and from 85 to 205 questions for the NCLEX-PN.

How to Pass the NCLEX: Top Tips

1. Understand the NCLEX Format

The first step in passing the NCLEX is knowing the structure of the exam. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions, including the alternate question formats such as:

• Select-all-that-apply (SATA)
• Prioritization questions
• Questions based on patient care and safety.

Knowing what to expect will prevent surprises during the exam and help you plan your studying accordingly.

2. Develop a Study Plan

Creating a well-structured study plan is crucial for your success. Spread your study sessions out over a few weeks or months, depending on how much time you have before your exam date. Here’s a recommended structure:

• Dedicate 4–6 hours daily to studying.
• Break your study sessions into focused blocks with short breaks in between.
• Alternate between content review and practice questions.

3. Use Practice Tests

Practice tests are invaluable because they help you get used to the NCLEX format and build confidence. Make sure to:

• Take full-length practice exams under exam-like conditions to simulate test day.
• Focus on rationales for both correct and incorrect answers to deepen your understanding.
• Identify weak areas through practice tests and allocate extra study time to improve in those areas.

4. Review High-Yield Topics

Certain areas of nursing care are emphasized on the NCLEX, so it’s essential to focus on high-yield topics such as:

• Safety and Infection Control
• Pharmacology: Know common medications, their side effects, and nursing considerations.
• Management of Care: Familiarize yourself with delegation and prioritization.
• Health Promotion and Maintenance

5. Focus on Your Weak Areas

Rather than continually reviewing topics you’re comfortable with, allocate more time to your weak areas. For example, if you struggle with pharmacology, spend additional time reviewing drug classifications and their effects on patients.

6. Practice Time Management

Time management is key to ensuring that you can complete the exam without rushing. During practice tests, time yourself and simulate real test conditions. Practice pacing so you don’t run out of time, and always answer the question at hand without overthinking.

7. Develop Test-Taking Strategies

The NCLEX tests not only your nursing knowledge but also your ability to critically think. When approaching NCLEX questions, consider the following strategies:

• Eliminate obviously incorrect answers.
• Focus on patient safety and prioritize accordingly.
• Think through each question as if you were in a clinical scenario.

8. Take Care of Yourself

Don’t neglect your physical and mental health during your preparation. Get plenty of sleep, maintain a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Your brain needs to be in peak condition to handle the exam stress.

Material that can help you pass the NCLEX exam.

1. NCLEX Review Books

• Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination by Linda Anne Silvestri
  • One of the most popular NCLEX-RN review books with detailed explanations, practice questions, and test-taking strategies.
• Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus by Kaplan Nursing
  • Kaplan offers a well-structured guide with a lot of practice questions, decision tree techniques, and detailed rationales.
• Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN by Diane Billings
  • Contains thousands of practice questions and answers with rationales for both right and wrong answers.
• HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination by HESI
  • A review book from the creators of HESI exams, which are highly aligned with the NCLEX test format.

2. Online NCLEX Review Platforms

• UWorld
  • Known for its large bank of NCLEX style practice questions with detailed rationales, UWorld is considered one of the best resources for NCLEX prep.
• NCSBN Learning Extension
  • This is the official platform from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), offering online courses and practice questions based on the NCLEX format.
• Kaplan NCLEX Test Prep
  • Offers online review courses, simulated exams, and access to thousands of practice questions.
• NurseAchieve
  • Provides adaptive NCLEX practice tests, which mimic the computer-adaptive nature of the actual exam.
• SimpleNursing
  • Offers concise and engaging video tutorials, practice questions, and explanations aimed at simplifying key nursing concepts.

3. NCLEX Practice Exam Tools

• NCLEX Mastery App
  • An app that offers thousands of NCLEX-style questions with detailed rationales. Available for both RN and PN candidates.
• Nursing.com NCLEX Academy
  • A comprehensive review with practice exams, video tutorials, and a study plan tailored to NCLEX prep.
• Picmonic for Nursing
  • A visual learning platform that uses mnemonic devices to help memorize important concepts for the NCLEX.
• Archer Review
  • Known for its challenging NCLEX practice exams and excellent customer support, it’s a great way to simulate the actual NCLEX exam.

4. Flashcards and Study Tools

• NCLEX-RN Flashcards by Barron’s
  • Portable and effective for reviewing key nursing concepts, medications, and lab values.
• Quizlet
  • Offers a variety of NCLEX related flashcards created by nursing students and professionals.

5. Nursing Content Review Books

• Pharmacology Made Easy for NCLEX-RN by Linda Gorman
  • Simplifies complex pharmacological concepts and provides NCLEX-style questions with rationales.
• Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination by Linda A. LaCharity
  • Focuses on critical thinking, prioritization, and delegation, key skills tested on the NCLEX.
• Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses by April Hazard Vallerand
  • A highly recommended resource for learning drug classifications, interactions, and nursing implications.
• Nursing Diagnosis Handbook by Betty J. Ackley and Gail B. Ladwig
  • A guide to understanding nursing diagnoses, a key component of safe patient care, often tested on the NCLEX.

6. YouTube Channels and Podcasts

• RegisteredNurseRN YouTube Channel
  • Offers free video tutorials on a wide range of topics, including NCLEX practice questions and content reviews.
• NRSNG (Nursing.com) Podcasts
  • Provides audio-based learning with episodes focusing on NCLEX preparation, nursing care plans, and clinical topics.

7. Official NCLEX Resources

• NCSBN NCLEX Candidate Bulletin
  • A must-read document that provides details about the exam format, test-taking policies, and other important guidelines.
• NCLEX Test Plans
  • Available on the NCSBN website, these test plans outline the content areas covered in the NCLEX, helping you focus your studies on the right topics.

8. NCLEX Study Groups and Forums

• AllNurses.com NCLEX Forum
  • A forum where you can interact with other NCLEX test-takers, ask questions, and exchange study tips.
• Reddit NCLEX Group (r/NCLEX)
  • Another online community where nursing students and graduates share resources, experiences, and advice about NCLEX preparation.

9. Test-Taking Strategy Guides

• Test Success: Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students by Patricia M. Nugent
  • A guide focusing on improving test-taking strategies, a critical skill for the NCLEX.
• NCLEX-RN Review Made Incredibly Easy by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
  • A lighthearted and easy-to-read book with simplified content review and test-taking strategies.

Final Recommendations:

For best results, combine content review with practice questions and adaptive testing tools. Make use of various formats—books, apps, and online platforms—to ensure comprehensive coverage of NCLEX topics. Additionally, regularly practicing with test simulators like UWorld or Kaplan will familiarize you with the adaptive nature of the exam and help build confidence.