Passing the NCLEX-PN exam in the first attempt is not that easy. Some people don’t pass the exam on the first attempt, but it’s okay if you work hard and keep determined towards your goal; you can achieve it.
Through comprehensive preparation and using effective study and test-taking strategies, you can increase the chances of passing your NCLEX-PN examination in the first attempt.
Here are some tips and tricks for you to be well-prepared for the exam and pass it in the first attempt:
- Understand the exam format.
- Know the question type.
- Concentrate on core content areas.
- Discover your learning style.
- Create a study plan.
- Take advantage of study resources.
- Remember your ABCs.
- Analyze yourself during test prep.
- Take care of your mental and physical health.
- Manage test anxiety.
- Know test-taking strategies.
- Keep practicing.
- Consider the time, but don’t rush things.
- The night before the exam.
- Be confident and believe in yourself.
Understand the exam format.
You should know the exam format properly to pass the exam more efficiently. It helps you in knowing what is going to be given in the exam and how to attempt the exam.
- NCLEX-PN is an exam based on CAT (computer adaptive testing), the level of the exam adjusts according to your skills and ability level.
- When you answer the question correctly, you will get another difficult question. Same as it; if your answer is wrong, you will get an easy question. To prove your knowledge and proficiency level, you must answer more questions correctly.
- The candidate will pass the exam if enough questions are answered properly to stay above the passing percentage, that is 95%, and the candidate will fail the exam if the passing percentage is not achieved.
Know the question type.
You should know the types of questions included in the exam.
There are minimum 85 and maximum 150 questions, and the passing percentage is above 95%. You have 5 to 6 hours to answer a maximum amount of questions. The types of questions include:
Multiple choice questions
Almost 80% of the questions are multiple choice questions. So prepare well for it.
Fill in the blanks
Understanding each question and then filling the spaces with the right answers.
Select-All-That-Apply
Carefully read and understand every single option and then eliminate the wrong one because you need to spell out all the right options.
Hot Spots
These questions involve different graphics and images, and you need to select a specific one.
Concentrate on core content areas.
Focus on core topics and make sure you have good command on every single topic.
It is very important to know the content of the exam so that you can prepare accordingly.
The NCLEX-PN test plan is divided into several content categories, and each category carries a specific percentage.
Categories involves:
- includes:
- Management of care
- Safety and infection control
- Health promotion and maintenance (approximately 6-12%)
- Psychological integrity (approximately 6-12%)
- Physiological integrity (approximately 41-67%) and sub-category includes:
- Basic care and comfort
- Pharmacological therapies
- Reduction of risk potential
- Physiological adaptation
Each and every content topic must be prepared well. It doesn’t matter if any content topic carries less percentage compared to the other topic; both are equally important. So look for every useful piece of information in each content and maximize your knowledge and skills in it.
Discover your learning style.
You should know your best way of learning. Whether you pick knowledge quickly and effectively from reading books or watching online videos, Are you good at note-taking?
Analyze yourself and discover the best way of learning and understanding.
Do you need any guidance or instructor, or are you good at self-study?
You should know these points in order to adapt to a better learning style.
Create a study plan.
- Create a proper study plan and make sure to follow it.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses and invest your time accordingly.
- Set specific goals for each study session.
- Assess your knowledge and skills, set clear goals, organize study materials, and monitor your progress. It helps in the effective gain of knowledge.
Take advantage of study resources.
- Utilize different resources to gain more knowledge.
- Seek help through online videos, articles, and study-guides, and make sure you are
- Take practice tests to familiarize yourself with exam patterns, to know your competencies, and to perform well in the exam.
- Listen to relevant recorded lectures and podcasts.
- Consider using online NCLEX-PN review courses.
- Participate in study groups to expand your knowledge and enhance your understanding. .
Remember your ABCs
- Remember the ABCs—airway, breathing, circulation–the most important priorities in patient care. When answering questions, choose options in A–B–C order.
- It is considered a very important concept in nursing depicting a prioritization approach for monitoring and managing patients.
Analyze yourself during test prep.
- Analyze yourself during test preparation honestly.
- Make sure to have a good understanding of the questions.
- Answer each question with confidence without the fear of answering wrong.
- Try to stay focused on the questions and don’t give up too early.
Take care of your mental and physical health.
- Always focus on your mental and physical health.
- Remember that a tired body and mind cannot perform well in the exam and can make it difficult to pass the exam.
- Being well-rested should be your top-most priority.
- Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep your mind and body fresh.
Manage test anxiety.
- Use relaxation techniques that include deep breathing and meditation to manage test anxiety.
- Know about the test environment to reduce stress on exam day.
Know test-taking strategy
- Read each question carefully and limit the amount of time you spend on each question.
- Review your answers carefully. Learn from your mistakes, but don’t panic.
- Stay focused and avoid distractions.
Keep practicing
Practice is a key to success. Keep practicing till the exam day to achieve your goal. Take practice exams regularly to evaluate your progress and know where you need to work hard.
Consider the time, but don’t rush things.
You have five to six hours to complete the test. You have a sufficient amount of time to complete your exam. So don’t rush things and focus on each question.
If you get a difficult question, don’t panic; choose the answer that you think is more appropriate and move on to the next one.
The night before the exam.
Make sure to have a good sleep and good food the night before the exam. Relax yourself and just go through your notes and avoid deep study to stay calm and relaxed.
Be confident and believe in yourself
Relax yourself, be confident, and think positively.
As you approach the NCLEX-PN exam, know that you have accomplished so much to get there. Believe in your knowledge and skills and be ready to achieve your goals.