Passing the NCLEX is probably your next milestone to be a registered nurse. Although this exam is a nerve-wracking experience, it’s never impossible to pass the exam.
With proper preparation, passing the NCLEX is attainable for all nursing school graduates. For this reason, the exam must be taken seriously since earning a 4.0 GPA or straight A’s in nursing school doesn’t guarantee success on NCLEX.
In order to pass the NCLEX, students must plan to spend at least 1 or 2 months studying and practicing answering questions about mental health NCLEX and other topics covered.
Below are other tips on how you can be an NCLEX passer:
- Understand NCLEX Test Format
One of the first things that you should do when preparing for NCLEX is to understand its format, most particularly the questions that’ll be asked, the subjects covered, and the time to complete the test.
One of the highlights of an NCLEX test format includes having 3 kinds of questions such as open-ended questions, general knowledge questions, and questions on numerical analysis and application. Moreover, the exam often ranges from having 75 to 265 questions that are based on the answers provided for every question.
- Determine Your Study Style
Everybody has different learning styles, which most of you already know what works for you and what doesn’t. If you can better understand the concepts using a visual representation of information, it’d be best if you can draw out sketches of your topics, like how nurses get rid of mucus in the lungs.
If you’re an auditory learner, learn from online lectures and podcasts that discuss NCLEX and the topics covered. On the other hand, if you learn well through discussion, make sure to make a study group to talk through the concepts together.
Another golden rule is to use mnemonic devices, which help students learn difficult concepts. Never be content on copying old notes, rewriting, and rereading. If possible, try to connect the concepts and think of what you’re learning from a holistic approach and relate that to the clinical experiences you had when you’re still in school.
- Study With A Plan
One of the tips to pass the NCLEX is to study with a plan. You may start by planning the days to study. Set a schedule, like which days of the week you’ll study, that you’ll use to take your practice exams and which days you’ll be relaxing. You should also create your goals before every study session. Your goals may be doing several practice questions or mastering a particular content topic.
Studying without having any plan is just a waste of your efforts and time. Also, this won’t help you pass the exam. Remember, it isn’t all about the time you put in, but it’s about how you’ll use them. It’s an exam you can’t cram for since NCLEX is a test model, which aims to test the knowledge you’ve gained over the course of years.
- Never Draw From Your Previous Work Or Clinical Experiences
For some of you who have experienced working in hospitals or healthcare facilities as nursing aides or techs, your experience may cloud your ability to answer the questions on the exam. No matter what you’ve observed as a student nurse in the clinic, it’s typically apparent that many clinical skills are different between real-life healthcare and textbooks.
NCLEX is based on researched-based, proven, and evidence-based practice. Even though your previous work environment does something unusual and is considered safe, never assume that it applies to NCLEX. It’s essential to answer the questions on NCLEX as if you don’t have any clue about the real-life constraints involved while working as a nurse.
- Never Hesitate To Invest In Resources
It’s worthwhile to invest in practice exam books or enroll in classroom review courses. More often than not, people pick their study materials based on peer references, reviews, or personal preferences.
Every exam resource company generates exceptional guides to prepare students for NCLEX, so make sure to spend some of your time browsing reviews to know which NCLEX resources are best suited for your studying needs.
- Practice Questions
Practice exams are the most important and the best way to prepare for NCLEX. However, it’s crucial to remember that taking the practice exam questions is just half of the entire process.
As you practice questions, make sure to research the questions that you’ve answered incorrectly. The question banks offer explanations as to why every answer choice is right or wrong and outline the certain content topic that’s covered.
You should also jot down some notes of which concepts you like to revisit. This way, you can easily focus on the problems in your next study session.
Moreover, it’s especially useful to take at least one or two online mock NCLEX so you’ll be used to the experience of taking the exam. Just go with as many practice exams you can take. But, it’s important to remember that taking a few breaks may come in handy whenever possible. This will help relax your mind and body while you practice what you’ve learned from your study sessions.
- Give Yourself A Break Before The Test
As your exam day approaches, give yourself an extra day away from your NCLEX materials. You’ve worked hard and dedicated your time to study, so reward yourself with a relaxing break before you put everything you’ve learned to the test.
A rest day may relax you, prepare you to thoughtfully and calmly take the exam, and employ the knowledge you’ve recently reviewed and already gained. If you’ll just cram the day or night before the exam, it may just result in a muddled and frantic mind. So, make sure to get a lot of sleep and enjoy a healthy meal before you take the exam.
Conclusion
Regardless of your learning style or strategies when studying, always believe in yourself, and keep positivity on the top of your mind. Like other NCLEX passers, you deserve to pass the exam. All you have to do is to remember the tips above and get ready for your next journey as a registered nurse.
