The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is a critical exam that every nursing student must take to become a licensed nurse. Passing the NCLEX is essential to begin your nursing career, but it is also one of the most challenging exams you will ever take.
The NCLEX is designed to test your critical thinking skills and your ability to make decisions in high-pressure situations. This article will explore why the NCLEX is so hard for nursing students and provide tips on how to prepare for the exam.
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- How Hard Is the NCLEX?
- Why Is the NCLEX Exam So Hard?
- 10 Tips for Overcoming the NCLEX’s Difficulty
How Hard Is the NCLEX?
Hard. The test is adaptive and gets harder as it goes on, trying to test your ability to apply your nursing school knowledge to different situations. Our internal studies show a wide array of different outcomes, but those that stick to a study program, tend to do better.
Let’s look at the statistics. The 2024 NCLEX pass rate worldwide is 79% out of the 81,824 nursing students that took the exam. That’s up from 2023, the year next gen questions were added to the test, when the yearly total pass rate was 69.7%.
Why Is the NCLEX Exam So Hard?
To start off, the NCLEX exam covers a vast amount of material that you have learned throughout your nursing program. It’s designed to evaluate your knowledge of nursing concepts, theories, and practices.
The difficulty of the exam breaks down to several factors:
- Breadth of Content: The NCLEX covers a vast range of topics including pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric care, obstetrics, mental health, and more. Mastery of such diverse content is essential for success.
- Application of Knowledge: The exam doesn’t just test rote memorization. It requires candidates to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios, making clinical judgments and prioritizing patient care.
- Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT): The NCLEX uses a computerized format that adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your previous answers. This adaptive nature can make the test feel progressively harder as you answer more questions correctly.
- High Stakes: Passing the NCLEX is mandatory for obtaining a nursing license in the United States and other countries, adding pressure to perform well.
- Time Management: The exam has a time limit, which can add stress. Efficiently managing your time to ensure you can answer all questions is critical.
On top of this, the NCLEX questions are not straightforward, and they often require you to use your critical thinking skills to determine the correct answer. You will need to analyze the question, identify the problem, and determine the best course of action to solve the problem. In a way, it tests your test-taking abilities.
10 Tips for Overcoming the NCLEX’s Difficulty
- Create a study plan. One of the best ways to prepare for the NCLEX exam is to create a study plan. A study plan will help you to stay organized and ensure that you cover all the material you need to know before the exam. Schedule study sessions and set goals for each session.
- Practice, practice, practice. Practice is key when it comes to preparing for the NCLEX exam. Take as many practice tests as you can to get a feel for the types of questions you will encounter on the exam. Practice tests will also help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus your studying efforts accordingly.
- Review the nursing concepts. The NCLEX exam is designed to test your knowledge of nursing concepts, theories, and practices. Reviewing these concepts is crucial to succeeding on the exam. Make sure you understand the nursing concepts and how they apply to real-life situations.
- Use study aids. There are many study aids available to help you prepare for the NCLEX exam. These include review books, flashcards, and online courses. Utilize these resources to supplement your studying and reinforce the material you have learned.
- Stay calm and focused. The NCLEX exam is a stressful experience, but it is essential to remain calm and focused during the test. Take deep breaths and stay positive. Remember that you have prepared for this moment, and you can succeed.
- Create a study schedule. Create a study schedule that breaks down the material into manageable chunks and stick to it. This will help you stay on track and avoid cramming.
- Practice with NCLEX-style questions. The NCLEX exam is unique in the type of questions it asks. Practice with NCLEX sample questions to get a feel for the format and the types of questions you will encounter.
- Take breaks. Taking breaks is essential for mental and physical health. Schedule breaks into your study schedule and use them to do something relaxing or enjoyable.
- Find a study group. Studying with peers can be helpful for staying motivated and accountable. Consider forming a study group with classmates or finding a virtual study group online.
- Seek out resources. There are many resources available to nursing students preparing for the NCLEX. Consider reaching out to your nursing program faculty, a tutor, or a professional NCLEX prep service for additional support.
Read more NCLEX study tips here.
We Have the Perfect Resource Platform for NCLEX Takers
Preparing for the NCLEX exam can be a daunting task, but there are steps you can take to make it easier. Getting plenty of rest and sleep, using a digital NCLEX prep tool, creating a study schedule, practicing with NCLEX-style questions, taking breaks, finding a study group, and seeking out resources are all strategies that can help you succeed on the exam.
Remember that passing the NCLEX is an important step in your nursing career, and investing in your preparation will pay off in the long run.
Let SimpleNursing help you achieve your nursing career goals with our NCLEX Prep Course.
