After studying hard and getting your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) diploma, the next step in your journey to becoming a full-fledged LPN is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) exam. In this article, we’ve compiled several helpful NCLEX-PN test-taking strategies that can help you pass the exam with flying colors.
Feeling pressured to pass the NCLEX on your first try? Don’t! Many skilled and intelligent nurses pass the exam after the second try or even after a few tries. If you fail the exam, remember not to be too hard on yourself, rest well, and when you’re ready, prep for and try again.
Helpful study tips for NCLEX-PN
1. Know what to expect on your NCLEX-PN exam
Before you start studying for the NCLEX-PN, you should understand what you’ll face on exam day. The NCLEX-PN exam comprises 85 to 150 test questions with a time limit of five hours. Typically, the NCLEX-PN exam’s content highlights care coordination and data collection topics.
Because this test Aside from two pre-programmed and optional breaks (which are prompted two hours and 3.5 hours after the start of the exam), you can also take unscheduled breaks.
Three scenarios essentially determine whether you’ll pass or fail the NCLEX-PN exam:
· The 95% Confidence Interval Rule – When the computer is 95% sure that your ability to pass the exam is above or below the passing standard, it automatically STOPS THE TEST.
· Maximum-Length Exam – The computer continues administering test questions until the maximum number of items is reached, disregarding the 95% confidence interval rule.
· Run-Out-of-Time Rule (R.O.O.T.) – If you run out of time before reaching the maximum number of test items, the computer will determine if you pass or fail based on the following:
o If you haven’t completed the minimum number of items, you’ll have a failing grade.
o If you complete the minimum number of items, you’ll be scored based on the final ability estimate based on the responses to all completed items.
2. Create a study schedule and space that works for you
Now that you know what you’re up against, it’s time to take a good look at your schedule: What does your typical day look like and what are your window hours for studying? If you work or have responsibilities in the day, dedicate an hour or two of studying in the afternoon or early evening.
Ensure that you’re able to focus well on your studying by designating a space for studying, which can help you relax and be in the right headspace for learning. The ideal study space varies per person — while some people prefer absolute silence, others tend to learn better with classical music. Creating a study space that aligns with your preferences can help boost your ability to retain information.
3. Focus on understanding the content of practice exams
Although you might be tempted to focus on going through as much information as you can per day, you should prioritize understanding the items you’re studying and not the number of items you complete. For example, instead of doing a 140-item practice test daily, you should concentrate on a realistic goal for you and your schedule, such as a 70- or 80-item test. After completing the test, write down the rationale for the correct answers on your notes or flashcards, and review that on your next study day. Doing this will allow you to focus on understanding the topics well as opposed to fixating on the scores you get on the practice exams.
4. Work on the test at a steady pace
Ensuring that you take the exam at a steady pace can eliminate many issues that can cause you to get a failing score, including running out of time and feeling forced to rapidly guess the remaining test items, which can result in a lower score. Practice answering at a steady pace by dedicating a reasonable amount of time per item when you take practice tests, such as one to two minutes per question. Don’t forget to carefully read each question and consider each option before committing to an answer.
