How To Pass The NCLEX

The NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, tests whether you have the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively practice as a nurse. The exam can be challenging, but you can increase your chances of success with proper preparation and a solid understanding of the requirements and format.

Study the Exam Format and Content

Understanding the exam format and content is crucial for success on the NCLEX exam [1]. The NCLEX received a major update on April 1, 2023. The Next Gen NCLEX places a greater emphasis on clinical judgment. Clinical judgment processes are measured through 18 case study questions and about 10% of the stand-alone test questions [2]. The Next Gen NCLEX is also scored differently than its predecessor, using a combination of [3]:

• +/- scoring: Candidates either receive or lose a point based on their response.
• 0/1 scoring: Candidates receive a point for correct answers but don't lose points for incorrect responses.
• Rationale scoring: Responses are linked across units, resulting in an all-or-nothing score for the item.

The NCLEX is different from most nursing school exams because it adapts to the test taker. This computer-adaptive test (CAT) adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on whether you get the correct answer. The questions become more or less challenging depending on your performance. Nursing students often describe the NCLEX as one of the most difficult exams they've encountered. Knowing what to expect on the test can help you create an effective NCLEX study plan.

What's on the Test

The NCLEX includes four sections, two of which are divided into subsections. Content distribution varies by individual but falls within the following ranges:

• Safe and effective care environment: This covers about 15-21% management of care and 10-16% safety and infection prevention and control.
• Health promotion and maintenance: This topic is around 6-12% of the exam.
• Psychosocial integrity: This is about 6-12% of the test.
• Physiological integrity: This includes around 6-12% basic care and comfort, 13-19% pharmacological and parenteral therapies, 9-15% reduction of risk potential, and 11-17% physiological adaptation.

What to Expect on Test Day

On your test day, you must present identification that exactly matches the first and last name on your test registration. Acceptable identification includes a driver's license, passport, permanent residence card, state identification card, or military identification card. You must have current identification in physical form, not digital[4]. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the test. At the test site, your test administration takes your photo, gets your signature, and takes a palm vein scan. You must place all electronic devices in a sealed plastic bag for the duration of the exam [5].

Upon admission to the test, you will get an erasable noteboard, a marker, and an on-screen calculator. You have five hours to complete the exam, including breaks. The first optional break occurs approximately two hours into the exam, with a second optional break about 90 minutes later. The test includes between 85 and 150 items.

Create a Study Plan

Outline a clear, actionable NCLEX study plan for how to pass the NCLEX the first time. Discuss your progress with your nursing program instructor to identify strengths and weaknesses. You must have a strong foundation in psychology, sociology, anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, and physics. Your NCLEX exam preparation should include the following core concepts:

• Caring
• Clinical judgment
• Communication and documentation
• Culture and spirituality
• Nursing process
• Teaching/learning

Schedule Your Study Time

In most states, you must wait 45 days after graduation to sit for the NCLEX. However, students generally need six to 12 weeks to thoroughly prepare. Aim to study for three to five hours a day, at least five days a week. An effective strategy for most people is a two-hour review session in the morning, followed by an hour or more of NCLEX practice questions in the evening. Repeat this consistently for several weeks.

Cramming for just a few days is one of the most common mistakes NCLEX students make. Aim for 60 questions a day, or 300 questions a week. Thoroughly review those that you miss and place greater emphasis on missed questions as you proceed.

Take Practice Tests

NCLEX practice questions provide an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the test's format, content, and difficulty level as you identify your strengths and weaknesses. You must answer questions one at a time and cannot go back once you've completed an item.

Time your responses. If you get the maximum 150 questions, you must finish at least 30 questions an hour to complete the five-hour exam. Practice the process of elimination to quickly throw out answers that are obviously wrong. Rewording strategies may help you grasp the meaning of the question faster.

Various resources, such as NCLEX review books, online practice tests, and review courses, are available for practice tests. Choosing a reputable source for practice tests is essential to ensure that the questions are similar in format and content to the actual NCLEX exam. Concorde's Nursing (Pre-licensure) program and Practical/Vocational Nursing program provides students access to practice tests and review materials in their curriculum.

Understand the Nursing Process

The Next-Gen NCLEX prioritizes clinical judgment. Key steps in observing and assessing presenting situations include:

• Recognizing cues: Identifying key information in the patient's medical history, vital signs, and other evaluations.
• Analyzing cues: Connecting cues to the clinical presentation.
• Prioritizing hypotheses: Ranking possible diagnoses by urgency, risk, likelihood, time constraints, and other prioritization factors.
• Generating solutions: Identifying expected outcomes based on interventions aligned with your hypotheses.
• Taking action: Implementing solutions in order of priority.
• Evaluating outcomes: Comparing observable outcomes with expected outcomes.

Practice applying these steps thoughtfully to NCLEX practice questions. Additionally, it's essential to acknowledge nursing interventions and how to implement them effectively. Review the different nursing interventions, such as pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and educational, and practice implementing them in diverse patient scenarios.

Practice Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

The NCLEX exam tests your ability to think critically and solve problems in real-world situations. Focusing too heavily on memorization is a common mistake. When studying for the NCLEX exam, focus on refining your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Review case studies and practice analyzing patient scenarios, identifying health problems, and creating a plan of care. This process can help you to understand how to think critically and solve problems in real-world situations.

You may also study how to analyze and interpret lab values and other patient data. Go over the normal ranges for lab values, and practice interpreting lab results and other patient data. Study how to prioritize patient care, keeping priority levels in mind.

Seek Help When Needed

Preparing for the NCLEX exam can be challenging. Connect with instructors or educational mentors for support if you struggle with a specific topic or question. Concorde's nursing programs offer students the necessary resources, advice, and support to help them prepare for the NCLEX exam.

Join a study group to share NCLEX study tips with other students in your situation. These groups allow you to share resources, review practice questions and patient scenarios, and receive peer feedback. Additionally, studying together is a great way to stay motivated and on track.

Stay Up-to-Date With the Latest Nursing Trends and Practices

The NCLEX exam tests your knowledge of the latest nursing trends and practices. When preparing for the NCLEX exam, stay current with nursing trends. Review nursing guidelines, read journals, and attend continuing education courses so you're up-to-date on the latest technology and equipment used in nursing and health care.

Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of yourself is crucial for passing the NCLEX exam. When studying for the NCLEX exam, ensure you get enough sleep to be alert and focused during your studies. Schedule time to recharge and destress with activities like meditation, yoga, or time with friends and family. Pay attention to your daily habits. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help boost your energy levels, improve your mood, and reduce stress. Need a digital hand? Explore these apps for students to make your life easier.

Prepare for the NCLEX With Concorde

Passing the NCLEX exam is a challenging but achievable goal. Exam results are available within six weeks of the test. Unofficial results may be available 48 hours after the exam, depending on your state. If you don't pass, you will receive a performance report to help you refine your study practices for future attempts. Most states allow candidates to take the NCLEX up to eight times a year with a 45-day waiting period between attempts [6].

Concorde's nursing programs, including Nursing (Pre-Licensure), Practical/Vocational Nursing, and RN to BSN, allow students to learn and practice the skills included in the exam. If you're interested in training for a career in nursing, consider enrolling in one of our programs today and take the first step toward passing the NCLEX exam and achieving your career goals.

Footnotes:

1. NCSBN. (2024). NCLEX & Other Exams. NCSBN. https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.page 

2. NCLEX-RN ® Test Plan. (n.d.). https://www.nclex.com/files/2026_RN_Test%20Plan_English-F.pdf 

3. admin. (2024, February 13). All About The New Next Gen NCLEX – Kaplan Test Prep. Kaptest.com. https://www.kaptest.com/study/nclex/next-generation-2023/?srsltid=AfmBOorjcIM5pYhH8fH5rnANxCx83t_rFJLN7-pNCWkrBEZ2bIdS3J2Q 

4. The Eight Steps of the NCLEX ®. (n.d.). https://www.nclex.com/files/2025_nclex_info_flyer.pdf 

5. Exam day. (n.d.). NCLEX. https://www.nclex.com/exam-day.page 

6. Results. (n.d.). NCLEX. https://www.nclex.com/results.page