Let me begin by acknowledging the stress you must feel by finding this blog post. I know I was a bit of a (controlled) nervous wreck for the entire month I spent studying for my exam.
It feels weird to admit this, but the global pandemic actually helped in my case (and it might in yours, too!).
I locked myself away from everyone for the entire month while I studied for this exam. Here’s how I did it.
Forget the scare tactics and commit to one program.
Yes, the NCLEX is an important exam. Yes, you need to give this exam the respect it deserves.
I know there are some people who have never studied, or studied for only two weeks, or found a magical study guide but here’s my question: why take a gamble on a license that cost so much time, money, and effort to achieve?
In my opinion, a month is the sweet spot for what it takes to not only effectively review all of the NCLEX content, but also build your confidence for this exam, which I argue is just as important as content here.
About the NCLEX (modified for COVID-19 Pandemic)
Feel free to skip this section if you’re sick of reading about this exam!
However, I find that knowing the facts about this exam really helps with your anxiety about it. Here’s what you need to know:
- The NCLEX uses a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) model to deliver the exam.
- Normally, the test ranges from 75-265 questions and you have up to six hours to complete the exam. These include ungraded questions that may be included for research purposes.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pearson Vue, the test center responsible for providing the NCLEX-RN exam, has changed some of its rules regarding taking the NCLEX. These changes were made to accommodate social distancing measures and increase the number of candidates taking the exam. At my particular testing center, I had to wear a mask during the entire exam.
- During the pandemic, this exam has changed to a range of 60-130 questions that you have up to four hours to complete. However, the difficulty and passing standards have not changed so it is just as difficult of an exam!
Commit to One Test Prep Product
All of the different options for test prep products can feel overwhelming.
I recommend committing to one study source, such as the one your school recommends. Stick with it because all the different recommendations can get into your head and actually hinder your progress.
I personally used UWorld and loved it. It was recommended to me by my school and the discount certainly incentivized me to purchase it.
How I Studied with UWorld
I found it helpful to mimic the actual exam, where you cannot predict the questions given to you.
For five weeks, I completed exams of 50-75 unused questions at a time using ALL subjects and systems. I chose to complete so many questions at a time so that I can build my stamina for this unpredictable test.
I also completed these self-made exams on timed mode so that I could learn to answer the questions decisively and not overthink them.
Please, please review those rationales! We all have different methods of studying the content in them. For me, it was writing them down and reviewing them a couple of times after that.
I would study about 4-6 hours per day, about 5-6 days a week. Most of that time was spent reviewing rationales, one by one, whether I got it correct or incorrect.
It sounds like a lot, but fortunately I wasn’t working at the time and I was alone for most of it so studying is all I really had to do. I believe that completing the entire question bank at least one day before your exam is ideal not only for content review, but also feeling secure that you completed all you could for the exam.
Action Steps
- Purchase a test prep product if you haven’t done so already. Skim through the content and see how many questions and practice exams you will need to complete so that you can begin planning your study days.
- Write out study times in blocks for 5-6 days of the week. Study for 2-6 hours during those days, completing exams in one session and reviewing them in the next one. Go ahead, block out study sessions for the entire month before your scheduled exam.
- Make time in your schedule to rest and unwind. Rest is just as important as studying, as you need the time for your brain to recharge.
- Plan walks and healthy meals around your studying. Please don’t neglect your physical and mental health while you tackle this challenge, you need all parts of you on your side!
- Comment below if you would like me to answer any more questions or you would like to read about any other specific content!
6 Tips for Exam Day!
- Do not do any studying the day before the exam.
You need your brain to stop processing and overthinking for at least 24 hours before the test. Instead, do activities you enjoy, such as going for a walk, cooking, or watching a movie.
- Please don’t sit there trying to figure out the NCLEX scoring algorithm.
Not only is it a waste of time, it can also really mess with your head during the actual exam. Just because you randomly get an easy question after a difficult question does not mean you’re doing poorly. Keep your head in the game and answer each and every question the best you can.
- Wear the brightest colors you can find!
Apparently bright colors make us think quicker, which seemed to have worked for me both in nursing school and on test day!
- Have the saltiest breakfast ever.
Apparently salt makes you think quicker as well!
- Please do not take this exam with your friends.
You will be distracted and more nervous than you already will feel! I didn’t even tell anyone when my test date was so that I did not have to deal with people asking me about it or wishing me luck.
- If you’ve never heard of something that comes up on your boards…go with your gut and move on.
I did not allow myself to linger on questions. Nursing school and UWorld develop a solid foundation for your critical thinking abilities and even when you think you are guessing on something, there is probably at least some rationality and logic that will go behind your answer so please trust yourself!