How to Pass the NCLEX on Your First Try: Study Strategies That Work

Understand What the NCLEX Actually Tests

The NCLEX isn’t a memorization exam; it tests clinical judgment and critical thinking.

Key differences from nursing school exams:

• Application over recall – You must apply knowledge to novel situations
• Priority and delegation – Many questions ask “what should you do FIRST?”
• Select All That Apply (SATA) – No partial credit; builds critical thinking
• Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) – Case studies, drag-and-drop, highlighting relevant data

Test format:

• Minimum 75 questions, maximum 145 questions
• Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) – difficulty adjusts based on performance
• Test ends when the computer determines with 95% confidence whether you pass or fail

Understanding this shapes your study approach: Focus on WHY, not just WHAT.

Create Your 6-8 Week Study Plan

Most successful candidates study 6-8 weeks full-time (or 8-12 weeks part-time if working).

Sample 8-Week Study Schedule:

Weeks 1-2: Content Review

• Review core nursing concepts (pharmacology, fundamentals, med-surg)
• Use review books (Saunders, Kaplan, UWorld content review)
• 3-4 hours daily
• Don’t get bogged down; this is a refresher, not relearning

Weeks 3-6: Practice Questions (Heavy Focus)

• 75-100 practice questions daily
• Review rationales for EVERY question (even correct ones)
• Track weak areas
• Use UWorld, NCLEX Mastery, or Kaplan Qbank

Week 7: Weak Area Intensive

• Identify your 3-4 weakest content areas
• Dedicate the entire week to a deep review
• Targeted practice questions only in weak areas
• Watch videos (RegisteredNurseRN, SimpleNursing)

Week 8: Final Review & Simulated Exams

• Take 2-3 full-length practice exams
• Mimic test conditions (timed, no breaks)
• Score 60%+ consistently = likely ready
• Light review of formulas, lab values, prioritization frameworks

Adjust timeline based on your baseline: Strong student? 6 weeks sufficient. Struggled in school? Plan 10-12 weeks.

Choose Quality Study Resources (Don’t Over-Buy)

You don’t need 10 different resources. Focus on proven tools:

Question Banks (ESSENTIAL – Pick ONE):

• UWorld – Gold standard, excellent rationales ($199-$299)
• NCLEX Mastery – Good alternative, cheaper ($49-$79)
• Kaplan Qbank – Solid, comprehensive ($99-$299)

Content Review Books (Pick ONE):

• Saunders Comprehensive Review – Most complete (1,200+ pages)
• Kaplan NCLEX Review – Concise, test-strategy focused
• Lippincott Q&A Review – Heavy on practice questions

Supplemental (Optional but Helpful):

• Mark Klimek lectures (free YouTube) – Amazing test-taking strategies
• SimpleNursing or Registered Nurse RN (YouTube/paid) – Visual learning
• NCSBN Learning Extension ($50) – From the test makers themselves

What NOT to buy: Multiple Qbanks (stick with one), excessive books (causes overwhelm), expensive bootcamps ($500+, usually unnecessary).

Budget-friendly approach: UWorld Qbank ($199) + Saunders book ($65) + free Mark Klimek = $264 total.

Master the Art of Practice Questions

Practice questions are your most important study tool, but only if used correctly.

The wrong way:

❌ Answering 200 questions rapidly
❌ Only reviewing questions you got wrong
❌ Memorizing specific questions
❌ Getting discouraged by low scores

The RIGHT way:

Read rationales for EVERY question – Even ones you got right. You may have guessed correctly or gotten it right for the wrong reason.

Focus on WHY, not WHAT:

• Why is option A correct?
• Why are options B, C, and D incorrect?
• What’s the underlying concept?

Track patterns in your mistakes:

• Misreading questions?
• Content gaps (e.g., always missing respiratory questions)?
• Test-taking errors (overthinking, second-guessing)?

Use flagging strategically: Flag questions to review later based on:

• Got it wrong
• Guessed (even if correct)
• Concept you’re shaky on

Don’t panic about percentages:

• 50-60% on first attempts is NORMAL
• UWorld is intentionally harder than the NCLEX
• Improvement matters more than absolute score

Quality over quantity: 50 questions with thorough review beats 200 questions skimmed.

Prioritize High-Yield Content Areas

Not all content is equally tested. Focus your energy strategically:

Highest yield (spend most time here):

• Pharmacology – 15%+ of exam, crosses all categories
• Safety and Infection Control – Always heavily tested
• Prioritization and Delegation – Core nursing skill
• Lab Values – Know normal ranges and what abnormals mean
• Fundamentals – Foundation for everything

Important but moderate yield:

• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Maternal-Newborn
• Pediatrics
• Mental Health

Lower yield (don’t ignore, but don’t obsess):

• Very specific disease processes
• Rare medications
• Extremely detailed A&P

Memorize these cold:

• ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) – priority framework
• Maslow’s Hierarchy – another priority tool
• Normal lab values (Na, K, glucose, BUN, creatinine, WBC, Hgb, platelets)
• Delegation rules (RN vs. LPN vs. UAP scope)
• Antidote list (Narcan for opioids, glucagon for insulin, etc.)

Test-Taking Strategies from Mark Klimek

Mark Klimek’s free lectures are legendary for test-taking strategy. Key points:

Priority questions (What should you do FIRST?):

• Use ABCs – Airway always wins
• Maslow’s – physiological before psychosocial
• Actual problem before potential problem

Select All That Apply (SATA):

• No partial credit – all correct options must be selected
• True/False: each option independently
• Don’t look for patterns (e.g., “usually 3 are correct”)

Positive vs. negative wording:

• “Which is CORRECT?” vs. “Which is CONTRAINDICATED?”
• Circle key words so you don’t miss them

Absolute words = usually wrong:

• Never, always, all, none, only – typically incorrect answers
• Exception: Safety situations (e.g., “Always check ID before giving meds”)

Similar answers = one is probably right:

• If two answers say nearly the same thing, one is likely correct
• Eliminate wildly different outliers first

When stuck between two answers:

• Re-read the question for what it’s REALLY asking
• Which is safest?
• Which addresses the question stem directly?

Final Week: Simulated Exams and Mental Prep

Week before exam:

Take 2-3 full-length practice exams:

• Simulate test conditions exactly (no phone, no breaks until scheduled)
• Use computer-based testing if possible
• Time yourself
• Review immediately after

Scoring interpretation:

• 60%+ on UWorld predictor exams = good chance of passing
• 65%+ = very likely to pass
• Below 50% = consider delaying exam

Taper studying 2 days before:

• Light review only (formulas, lab values, priority rules)
• No new content
• Prevent mental fatigue

Day before exam:

• DO NOT STUDY heavily
• Light review of must-knows (1-2 hours max)
• Prepare logistics (ID, directions, what to bring)
• Relaxing activities
• Early bedtime (8 hours sleep critical)

Test day:

• Eat a protein breakfast (avoid sugar crash)
• Arrive 30 minutes early
• Bring two forms of ID
• Use ALL your break time (stand, stretch, breathe)
• Trust your preparation

If You Don’t Pass: Recovery Plan

If you get the “bad” result, remember: you can retake.

Immediate steps:

1. Allow yourself to grieve (1-2 days)
2. Request Candidate Performance Report (CPR) from NCSBN
3. Analyze your weak areas from the CPR
4. Wait required 45 days before retesting (varies by state)
5. Create a targeted study plan addressing gaps

What to change:

• More practice questions (aim for 3,000+ total)
• Consider NCSBN Learning Extension or Kaplan live review
• Work with a tutor if specific content gaps
• Deeper review of priority/delegation/safety

Second-time pass rates are high (70%+) with focused preparation.