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Nurses are expected to be knowledgeable and practically skilled. None of that is guaranteed, even for graduates at prestigious nursing programs. For public safety, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), before they are licensed. All your efforts will be for naught, if you take the test unprepared. In this article, we go over important tips on passing the exam. If you take all this to heart, you could even pass the NCLEX in 75 questions.
What is the best way to study?
You cannot build a study plan for the NCLEX without good resources. These days, there are a host of learning materials available online. Online practice tests, let you gauge your progress in your studies. No two NCLEX-RN tests are the same, but these materials let you hone your knowledge as you review. The Kaplan NCLEX-RN Test Prep is one such learning resource. Additionally, the NCSBN provides test exams on their own website. These are just two of the many learning materials available online.
How Many Hours In A Day Should You Study for the NCLEX?
2 to 3 weeks is not nearly enough time to study for the NCLEX-RN. At the same time, studying 24/7 for several months is an easy way to burn yourself out. As with all things, you want to strike a balance. It is advised that you allot 1-2 months for studying. You also want to create a comprehensive study plan that encompasses this timeframe. That way, you can provide order and clarity to your efforts.
For example, you can designate study days where you can spend 2 to 4 hours on your reviews with breaks in between. Split time between practice questions, chapters on your reviewer and working on sections you struggle with. Do not forget to set rest days as well. . You cannot work without being well-rested.
What should I focus on for NCLEX-RN?
There are four main categories: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. Any subtopics branch from these four. When you are choosing your reviewer, you need to make sure that all four of them are extensively covered.
How Hard is the NCLEX-RN:
While you should not coast, viewing the test as an insurmountable beast is equally unhelpful. If you take the time to prepare yourself, the NCLEX-RN is perfectly manageable. The NCLEX-RN passing rate for 2020 reached as high as 86.5%. In other words, most people who are qualified to take the exam will pass it. Even if you do not, you can always try again.
What is the NCLEX-RN passing score for 2021?
The licensure exam uses an adaptive testing mechanism that estimates your ability based on your answers to questions of varying difficulty. The test then asks additional questions to affirm its assumptions, until it is 95% certain of your abilities. Afterwards, you are assigned a “logit,” which is a unit of measurement that corresponds to your capabilities.
The NCLEX passing score is a logit of 0. This is the equivalent of correctly answering 50% of all medium-difficulty questions. As long as your logit is positive, you aced the exam.
Do not forget to register for the test
Before you even ask what you should focus on for the NCLEX-RN, you need to register for the exam itself. To do this, you need to apply for the proper nursing credential from your state’s board of licensure and registration. Once you are done, you have to take the NCLEX-RN at least a year after registration. Do remember that there is typically a $200 fee, and that licensure requirements can vary from state-to-state. To avoid confusion, check your state’s requirements with their regulatory board.