How to Study for the NCLEX
Written by:
Wilson College
• Aug 7, 2024
How to Study for the NCLEX
Nursing graduates need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to become licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States and Canada. This exam tests nurses on their core competencies and clinical knowledge. Whether they’re a new nursing school graduate or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) advancing their education , knowing how to study for the NCLEX exam can prepare nurses for career success.
There’s good news for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students––90% of BSN-educated nurses passed the NCLEX-RN on their first try in 2023, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX study tips below can prepare nursing students to excel in their careers.
What’s the NCLEX?
The NCLEX measures nursing knowledge and skills. Developed by NCSBN, the NCLEX-RN is a requirement for RNs seeking licensure.
The NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing, which modifies the questions based on test takers’ answers. Questions include multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, and ordered response formats. Nursing students also evaluate charts, exhibits, audio clips, and graphics to answer questions on the exam.
Test takers have up to five hours to answer between 75 and 145 questions. The computer may end the test early if the test taker exceeds passing standards.
NCLEX Study Tips for Nursing Students
Passing the NCLEX-RN is a major milestone to becoming an RN. That makes studying for the exam a critical priority for prospective RNs. Nursing students wondering how to study for the NCLEX can follow these study tips.
Start Studying During BSN Courses
Kaplan, a test preparation company, recommends spending four to 12 weeks preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam. However, nursing students can jump-start their preparation by integrating NCLEX study into their coursework.
As nursing students take classes on health promotion, infection control, and risk reduction, taking extensive notes can lay a strong foundation for the NCLEX. Instead of cramming in the month before the exam, nursing students can leverage their study guides from nursing coursework.
Review Client Needs Categories
Understanding what the NCLEX covers and the test format will help test takers craft an efficient study plan. The NCLEX-RN test plan divides the exam’s material into four categories:
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Safe and Effective Care Environment
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Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Psychosocial Integrity
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Physiological Integrity
Subcategories include Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, and Physiological Adaptation.
In addition to reviewing the content from the text categories, nursing students can review the percentage of questions drawn from each area. For example, the Safe and Effective Care Environment category covers 25% to 37% of test questions.
Take a Practice Exam
Practice exams help students gain familiarity with the test format and questions. By taking a practice exam early in the study process, test takers can also identify areas in which they can benefit from further study. For example, the NCLEX incorporates drug calculation questions that can easily trip up students who aren’t familiar with the question type.
Many test preparation services offer free or affordable practice questions and tests. In addition, nursing students can download sample RN case studies, questions, and an exam preview from the NCLEX website.
Create a Study Plan
In the weeks before test day, nursing students should create a study plan that lays out their schedule, including study blocks for each section of the exam. While crafting the plan, test takers should note areas of weakness.
Incorporating practice questions and practice exams regularly builds mastery in the four content areas. When answering practice questions, review the rationale for right and wrong answers to improve.
Use Study Guides and Prep Courses
While some nursing students feel confident studying for the NCLEX-RN exam using material from their coursework and online question banks, others prefer to invest in study guides or prep courses. These options also help test takers who need more structure for their study plan.
Study guides and prep courses offer various approaches to study for the NCLEX. Nursing students should consider their learning style, budget, and schedule to identify the best fit for their needs.
Benefits of Earning a BSN Degree
Earning a BSN degree provides a strong foundation for the NCLEX-RN exam. Compared to first-time candidates with a nursing diploma or an associate degree, BSN-prepared test takers reported a higher pass rate, according to 2023 statistics from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. However, the benefits of a BSN go far beyond the NCLEX-RN exam.
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Demand for BSN-Prepared Nurses: In 2022, 71.7% of the RN workforce held a bachelor’s degree or higher, making the BSN the most common nursing degree for new RNs. Furthermore, employers report a strong preference for hiring BSN-prepared nurses. An American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) survey found that 28% of employers preferred BSN-prepared new hires, while 72% strongly preferred BSN-prepared nurses.
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Scope of Practice: RNs receive a broad-based education during BSN programs, allowing them to expand their scope of practice. Hands-on clinical experience and coursework in nursing leadership prepares BSN-prepared nurses for roles with greater autonomy. A BSN also helps RNs move into nursing specialties. BSN-prepared nurses also qualify for more leadership and management roles.
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Earning Potential: A BSN can help RNs increase their earning potential. According to 2024 data from Payscale, nurses with a BSN report an average base salary of $95,000 per year, compared with $77,000 per year for nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Furthermore, nurses with a BSN can pursue higher-paying roles in management or graduate nursing education.
With the BSN replacing the ADN as the most common entry-level degree for RNs, prospective RNs benefit from earning a bachelor’s degree.
Turn Your LPN Into a BSN at Wilson College Online
LPNs have extensive nursing and clinical expertise—and they’ve already passed the NCLEX-PN exam. If you’re an LPN considering advancing to an RN, Wilson College Online offers a flexible LPN to BSN program . Designed for experienced LPNs, the program emphasizes holistic, evidence-based practice, hands-on clinical experiences and significant NCLEX-RN preparation.
Complete your BSN in as little as three years while preparing for the NCLEX exam at Wilson College Online, where LPN to BSN graduates have a 90% pass rate. Contact the program today to learn more about upgrading your qualifications.
Recommended Readings
5 Benefits of a BSN: What Nurses Should Know
LPN vs. RN: Comparing Nursing Roles
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet
American Nursing Association, Tips for Passing the NCLEX Exam
Kaplan, How to Study for the NCLEX in One Month
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, About the NCLEX
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX-RN Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2023 NCLEX Pass Rates
Payscale, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Degree
