Looking for how to prepare for the NCLEX exam? This article provides actionable strategies and ways to apply to pass the NCLEX exam. Sitting for this exam is a crucial point in the life of a graduate nurse since passing it means you will now have a license to operate as a qualified nurse. Therefore, preparing for the exam is key and entails several aspects. Here are brilliant ways to prepare for the exam.
1. Know What to Expect
Knowing what to expect in the exam helps ease exam tension and anxiety. Recently, the exam was revamped to focus more on the candidate’s critical thinking skills. Expect the test to take around 5 hours with a maximum of 150 questions and a minimum of 85 questions. Since the exam is adaptive, the number of questions the candidate answers will be determined by previous answers given. If you answer a question wrongly, the next question will be easier, thanks to the adaptive nature of the exam.
You will also have pre-programmed breaks, as the system will let you know when the breaks are due, even though they are optional. Each question will appear on the screen each time, and you must answer it before moving to the next question.
2. Use Different Studying Techniques
While it is common for different people to have diverse studying techniques, it is important to try various methods. Some are visual learners, meaning they love reading and watching videos to retain information. Others are more auditory learners who like listening to lectures to understand things better.
Whatever learner you are, it would not hurt to try other studying techniques. Limiting yourself to only one makes you miss valuable opportunities to make the best out of the study resources. Try different NCLEX prep materials, such as practice questions, instructional videos, charts, and flashcards. You will gather more concepts and information from these materials.
3. Have a Robust Study Plan
A stringent study plan assigns a given portion of time to different topics of study. Be specific in the study plan to indicate what topics you will cover today and when. It should also have a set time, like for how many minutes or hours you will study the topic. Focus on diverse areas such as the fundamental concepts, the clinical area, and weak areas. Revisit notes from reputable resources and personal notes to work on your weaker areas during the study sessions. You can also include practice questions in your study plan. Ensure you answer the questions just like you would in the actual exam and within the given time limit.
4. Set Realistic Goals
Having realistic goals will help you plan accordingly on how to prepare for the NCLEX exam. If you are revising using a guidebook, categorically plan the chapters or pages you want to accomplish. Set out the topics you want to master, concepts you need to go through again, or even the number of practice questions you want to try. Having goals and sticking to your schedule helps you have a target that is easy to meet. Ensure you strictly follow the study schedule to see results.
5. Apply Active Study Techniques
Are you looking to learn how to prepare for the NCLEX exam? This is one of the most impressive hacks to try. There is a difference between active and passive studying. Active techniques entail actively engaging the brain, which helps with better memory retention than passive studying. Passive studying encompasses re-reading your notes and textbooks. Some active studying techniques you can use include:
- Identification – this entails writing down everything you remember on a given topic before you open your notes or textbook to confirm if the information is factual
- Simplification – rewriting everything you read on another piece of paper in the simplest form
- Review – in this step, you open your study material and review the topics you wish to study to identify any information left out when writing on the piece of paper
- Refine – Lastly, you can organize your notes and add diagrams or color coding to make them more unique.
6. Find NCLEX Resources
Finding the ideal NCLEX resources to prepare for the exam is important. As mentioned above, you can use numerous reputable online websites and other additional materials. These are flashcards, textbooks, and online websites that offer more information on the NCLEX exam. Nursingprepexams.com is one such site that offers valuable resources that you can use to prepare for the NCLEX exams fully. Beyond our resources, you can also check out the official National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) for more resources. You can also access numerous practice worksheets and test guides at bookstores.
7. Learn Essential Nursing Mnemonics
Another brilliant way to lock in the nursing concepts is by using nursing mnemonics. These are clues that will help you remember procedures and processes easily. Example mnemonics to use include:
- Five A’s of Alzheimer’s diagnosis – Amnesia, Anomia, Apraxia, Agnosia, Aphasia
- Six L’s of hypokalemia – Lethargy, Leg cramps, Limp muscles, Lots of urine, Lethal cardiac dysrhythmia, Low breathing
- Six S’s of steroids – Sugar; hyperglycemia, Soggy bones; osteoporosis, Sick; decreased immunity, Sad; depression, Salt; water and salt retention, Sex; decreased libido
- ACHES -Abdominal pain, Chest pain, Headaches, Eye problems, Severe leg pain
These mnemonics help remember information and can be quite useful in the exam.
8. Take Practice Tests
Ensure you take as many practice tests as you can. These practice tests can also be found on our website, Nursing Prep Exams. You will find lots of practice questions and answers on site that explain why a given answer was arrived at. The full-length practice test is an active studying technique that helps in numerous ways:
- You will become more comfortable in taking exams since you know the question types and exam format
- You will remember the information better since you were actively engaged
- It is a form of self-assessment, and you will easily identify your weak areas and work hard on unknown concepts and information.
9. Preparations for the Test Day
Ensure you sleep well on the eve of the test day to relax your mind. On the test day, prepare and arrive at the examination center a few hours before the exam. You can bring a snack or bottled water after a balanced breakfast. Since you can choose the exam day and time, pick a day that works best for you. Ensure you bring along the requirements, such as the forms of identification, to avoid last-minute mishaps. Lastly, trust your exam preparations and believe you are fully prepared to sit for the exam. Relax your mind and remain calm for better results.
Conclusion
If you are searching for how to prepare for the NCLEX, nursingprepexams have you in mind. We have the right resources to ensure you are fully prepared to pass the exam and get licensed. We offer numerous prep resources to students to help them gain the requisite knowledge and also pass their NCLEX exams.