The NCLEX-RN licensure exam assesses candidates’ basic competency in nursing skills and knowledge and is the last step before becoming a licensed nurse. To know how to study for the NCLEX, incorporate these tips and tricks into your study routine and preparation.
Throughout nursing school, students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for a nursing career. After graduation, passing the NCLEX-RN exam is an important step remains before you can begin practicing as a registered nurse (RN). The exam assesses your readiness to practice safely and effectively as an entry-level nurse.
Pacific Lutheran University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program near Seattle, Washington, provides students with a strong educational foundation to help them prepare for the NCLEX-RN and their future nursing career. Its 16-month curriculum includes the following components that will provide the foundation of NCLEX-RN content and testing strategies:
- Online coursework focusing on the fundamentals of professional practice
- On-site nursing skills and simulation labs where students apply their skills and receive feedback
- Clinical rotations at local health care facilities where students provide direct patient care under supervision
- NCLEX-RN test-taking strategy seminars, both virtually and in person
When considering how to study for the NCLEX, explore details about the exam and best practices for preparing.
What is the NCLEX-RN?
The NCLEX-RN is more than a test; it is a gateway to professional nursing practice. Administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), this licensure exam helps ensure that every new nurse possesses the foundational knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment necessary to provide high-quality, safe patient care.
NCLEX-RN Preparation Tips
The following NCLEX tips, such as taking practice tests and scheduling study time, will help prepare you for the exam and set you up for success.
1. Set a Study Schedule
How much time is needed to study for the NCLEX-RN depends on the individual, but preparation for the exam should start early in nursing school. The first step is to build a study plan. Successfully passing the exam depends on the nursing school graduate’s deep understanding of nursing concepts, strong test-taking skills, and consistent preparation.
The earliest one can schedule the test in most states is 45 days after graduation, but preparation should start much earlier. In the weeks leading up to your test day, follow these NCLEX study tips:
- Keep a day planner or use a calendar app.
- Dedicate time to study each day.
- Break your study time into blocks that match your attention span, such as two-hour or four-hour blocks.
- Set goals at the beginning of each session. Dive deep into subjects and concepts where you need more confidence and review topics you know well.
- Consistently review subjects during the weeks leading up to the exam to keep things fresh.
- Balance your focused study time with breaks, exercise, adequate sleep, and nutritious meals.
2. Join an NCLEX-RN Study Group
Study groups are an excellent opportunity to explore new ideas and better understand the material. Whether you join a formal study group or study with a friend to prepare for the NCLEX, study groups are a great way to cement knowledge.
Meet as often as the group members can and consider selecting topics to review beforehand to keep meetings organized and productive. While study groups are helpful, also schedule regular solo study time. A comprehensive study approach is the best way to set yourself up for success.
3. Take Practice Tests
A significant hurdle for many students when they first sit for the NCLEX-RN is unfamiliarity with the question style. Practice tests provide a glimpse into what it will be like to sit for the exam and are instrumental to learning to pass the NCLEX-RN. Pay close attention to the rationales for every practice question, not just the correct answer, to understand the underlying nursing knowledge and critical thinking required.
PLU’s nursing exams are modeled after the NCLEX-RN test plan and include multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, calculation, multiple-choice, and other question types. This will help ensure that graduates are familiar with the nature of the exam when they take it.
4. Master Test-Taking Strategies
The NCLEX-RN is not just about what you know, but how you apply that knowledge under pressure. NCLEX-RN advice includes mastering test-taking strategies that can significantly increase your chances of success. This comprises the following techniques:
- Read each question carefully.
- Identify the core issue.
- Eliminate clearly incorrect options.
- Prioritize client needs.
- Think like a nurse and focus on patient safety, risk reduction, and evidence-based practice.
Need help creating more successful study habits? Learn more about helpful study tips you can rely on during nursing school.
5. Take a Break the Day Before Your Scheduled Test Date
It may be tempting to stay up late the day before the exam to study; however, the best tactic is to take a break the day before. You have spent the weeks prior preparing for the exam, so focus on getting a whole night’s rest, eating balanced meals, and hydrating. This will help you feel centered and ready for the exam.
By this point, you have done all you can, so trust your study routine and the knowledge you gained from your nursing program.
6. Arrive at the Testing Center Prepared
When preparing for the NCLEX-RN, consider minimizing distractions on exam day. The morning of the exam, eat a balanced breakfast and wear comfortable clothing. Be ready to sit for an extended period.
Arrive early to avoid the frenzy of rushing to the location and give yourself time to settle into a test-taking mindset.
Review exam day procedures, candidate rules, and required identification.
7. Take Your Time Answering Exam Questions
As you take the NCLEX-RN, it is natural to feel rushed by the time pressure or insecure when others finish before you. One of the best test-taking strategies is to take your time. The test will be administered on a computer, so be prepared to look at a screen for several hours.
You cannot edit an answer to a question once it is submitted, so read each question carefully and thoughtfully. The exam varies in length, depending on the number of correct answers, so take your time and remain calm.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NCLEX-RN
Are There Test Prep Resources Available?
Yes. Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) resources enable students to study, take quizzes, and answer test questions from its 3,700-plus question bank.
What is the Test Like?
The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which uses computer technology and measurement to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the exam process. The exam features various question formats, including traditional multiple-choice and challenging select-all-that-apply (SATA) questions, where multiple correct answers are possible. It also features fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and extended multiple-response questions, all designed to better assess clinical judgment.
How Many Questions Are on the NCLEX-RN?
The exam ranges from 85 to 150 questions. There isn't a fixed “percentage correct” to pass; it’s about meeting or exceeding the passing standard established by the NCSBN, reflecting entry-level nursing ability. Each question is presented one at a time, so you will not know how many questions you must answer until you finish.
How Much Time Will I Have to Complete the Test?
Candidates will have up to five hours to take the exam, including breaks. There will also be a short survey at the end of the test.
When Will I Receive the Results?
Unofficial “Quick Results” are often available within two business days through the NCSBN website for a fee in participating jurisdictions. For official results, candidates must wait for their respective nursing regulatory body to process and mail them, which can take several weeks. If you do not pass, you will receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR) detailing areas for improvement. This allows you to refocus your study efforts for your next attempt.
Studying for nursing school and the NCLEX-RN exam requires time and energy. Here are seven tips for self-care.
Build Your Nursing Foundation With Pacific Lutheran University
A strong nursing program can prepare you for NCLEX-RN success. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 60 college credits, you could be eligible to earn your BSN through Pacific Lutheran University’s ABSN program in as few as 16 months, not including prerequisites.
Through a combination of online coursework and on-site nursing simulation labs and clinical rotations near Seattle, Washington, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to pass the NCLEX-RN and launch a fulfilling career in health care.
Contact an admissions representative at Pacific Lutheran University to learn more information and take the first steps toward becoming a registered nurse. While passing the NCLEX-RN depends on you, PLU’s ABSN program will help you prepare to confidently sit for the exam.