How to review for the NCLEX exam
The NCLEX exam is a tough challenge for many graduates of nursing programs. Many people who took the NCLEX examination reported that even though they prepared extensively they felt unsure about their test answers. This is a normal feeling due to the fact that the difficulty of the questions you are presented with increases with each correct answer you provide on the exam. Do not be discouraged if you are only sure of the correctness of your answers for two or three questions on the exam. The following tips and suggestions are intended to help future nurses pass the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams. We will keep adding to the list presented below and please keep in mind that we welcome additional recommendations which have worked for you or someone you know. If you would like to contribute to our list of NCLEX review tips feel free to contact us.
- Decide how much time you need to prepare for the NCLEX exam. Set a specific date on which you will take the exam and mark it on your calendar then mark the specific hours you will spend studying each day. This way you create a plan of study to follow in order to pass the NCLEX.
- You should study everyday for a couple of hours. Many nursing program graduates may work and have other responsibilities that limit study time however, you must set aside time to review concepts and answer questions similar to those presented on the NCLEX exam.
- Use study materials such as textbooks, NCLEX review flash cards, the NCLEX review book of your choice, and software with NCLEX review questions and exams. You should have a medical terms dictionary for quick reference of medical terms you forgot or are not familiar with. There is no set number of questions one should do every day however we suggest you do at least 100 questions each day in order to succeed in passing the NCLEX.
- You can attend an NCLEX review course of the many offered through hospitals and colleges. According to students who have participated in NCLEX preparation courses you can learn key test taking strategies and improve your critical thinking skills.
- When answering NCLEX review questions you should make sure that you understand the rationale behind correct answers. It is not enough to memorize concepts in order to do well on the NCLEX examination. If you understand the rationale you will be able to answer correctly different questions related to the same concept.
- You must set questions you answer incorrectly aside to review in a different study session. You must go over these questions again until you feel confident you have understood them and and are able to answer them correctly.
- It is best to immediately look up any disease process, concept, or medical terms you don't remember. Even though the question at hand may be answered without knowing a particular disease or medical term, you many encounter questions that can't be answered without that knowledge.
- Get a NCLEX study partner. Each of you should have a different NCLEX practice book so that you double the number of questions you answer to prepare for the exam. Study partners can help each other by sometime explaining concepts in a better way than a book does, and also by sharing unique ways to remember information (for example mnemonics).
- Identify areas of weakness and strive to improve your knowledge in these areas. Books that prepare you for the NCLEX examination have questions at the end of each review chapter. These chapter specific questions give you an idea of how well you have mastered the concepts in that chapter. After you identify your weak points it is best to review specific information only and not the whole chapter.
- Track your progress and keep yourself on the schedule and do not postpone the date you have decided to take the NCLEX exam on unless a real emergency or setback occurs.
- Set time limits and take breaks when studying. Taking breaks does not mean you're wasting time. Study breaks allow the information you reviewed to be stored properly in your memory.
- Complete all the comprehensive review tests provided in your NCLEX review book. These review tests mimic the actual NCLEX exam and as you approach your set date you should start timing yourself. The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams have a set time limit to complete. As you practice the review NCLEX tests you can track how long it takes you to answer the minimum number of questions on the NCLEX (75 on NCLEX-RN and 85 on the NCLEX-PN).
- It is best not to study the night before you scheduled the NCLEX exam. Take this time to relax and get at least eight hours of sleep. Make sure you have all the documents required to sit for the NCLEX exam.
- You should give yourself plenty of time to get to the testing center and a good meal will give you energy to stay focused and perform well on this important test. You need a positive attitude and confidence in your ability to pass the NCLEX exam.
As a student nurse or a nursing program graduate you already know that studying for an important exam is a stressful experience. Since the NCLEX is a comprehensive examination of the knowledge you gained during nursing school, preparing for this exam can seem overwhelming. Do not let yourself get discouraged before completing this last step in your quest to become a nurse! Some important things to keep in mind are to study hard, believe that you will succeed, surround yourself with supportive people, and find the time to relax and assimilate what you've learned. We hope you will find the tips and advice presented here helpful and we hope you will succeed in obtaining the Registered Nurse (RN) or Practical Nurse (PN) license.
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