Anyone pass the NCLEX without study/preparation?

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

I will be finishing up finals this week. Our school tells us that we should take our exam ASAP as extra study is really not needed, as they believe the program has us well prepared. I would like to know if there are people out there that have passed with minimal preparation. Mind you, I will be studying my butt off as soon as finals are over, but I will register to take the exam as fast as possible. It's just that I read of so many people on AN that describe what I see as strenuous study regimens and I am a bit intimidated.

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It has definitely been done, but that's not the strategy that most of us choose. Enter passed without studying into the search box at the top of the page. You'll see pages of threads that discuss taking the NCLEX after minimal formal preparation.

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I paid for the Saunders 4 week Online Review Course, but I probably didn't dedicate more than a week to it. I still think I got something out of it though. I did pass on the 1st attempt with 75 questions. If you're unsure how much time you can dedicate and you want affordable flexibility, consider the Saunders NCLEX preparation tool. On the other hand though, what's holding you back from 1 more month of preparation after years of nursing school? Maybe I was just a lucky fool!

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

I hear you Marie; I would like to study more but I have a job offer and they want me to start ASAP as we are in a 'seasonal' area. I guess I will put in as much time as possible. Thanks for the suggestion, I will look into that Saunders prep. Thanks

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So...I do NOT advocate for this in any way, but I did not study for the NCLEX. I actually took mine this morning and got the "good pop-up" but won't get my results until Wednesday morning. I worked my butt off in nursing school; I challenged myself, always strived to be the best nurse I could be and graduated with honors...but after my exit exam I was so TIRED of studying I decided that I would take a "stab in the dark" and if I passed, I passed, and if not then I knew I needed to get down to business. I got the good pop up after 1 hour and the minimum amount of questions and didn't think it was too difficult.

So, if you have a SOLID, and I mean SOLID foundation and understanding of the material then it is possible, but if you don't want to stress yourself out and want to give it a shot...it has been done.

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I wouldn't do it but I know some people don't study and go straight in. I am doing Hurst review, saunders questions, ncsbn review and flash cards.

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Specializes in ICU.

I read the Saunders book on the beach in Mexico for about two days, and took one practice test. My program prepared us well for the NCLEX and I didn't feel the need to spend weeks studying for a test that four years of college was geared to preparing me for. I passed in less than an hour with 75 questions.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

Some people understand the material and don't need to 'study'.

I studied for 2 mths because I had to. I couldn't test immediately and my first test date was cancelled.

Review is always good. Sometimes you forget things.

...but just take the exam when you feel comfortable.

I preferred to do it ASAP. I was prepared to pass or fail. Just wanted to get it over with.

After a year of schooling? Either you know it or you don't.

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I was the first one in my nursing class to test and did so with a very small amount of review. Everyone told me I was crazy to take it so fast.

I felt well prepared by my school, had an ATI predictor of 99% and just went for it. Passed, 75 questions! As soon as I got my ATT from Pearson I continually checked the website for openings as people cancelled so I got in in a matter of days. I used no prep classes, just reviewed my NCLEX books.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

WOW if your that good and can pass without any studying you might wanna continue on in your education to do bigger and better things...:up: I would love to be one of those folks...Unfortunately, i graduated in August and I am just now getting to take my test...Tomorrow actually :nailbiting: And I am hoping that all the time i have put in studying will get me through!!

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Specializes in Pedi.

I took NCLEX about 2 1/2-3 weeks weeks after I graduated from my program. In that time, I spent 10 days out of state volunteering at a program I'd been volunteering at for years and 4 days in the NCLEX review class my school offered. I did questions in between but didn't spend months or even weeks studying. Maybe an hour or 2 a day. I passed in 75 questions on my first try. I spent 4 years in nursing school, I knew I had the knowledge I needed to pass the test. That, and I'm just generally good at taking standardized tests. Everyone is different though.

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In my program, we are required to start a series of Kaplan NCLEX prep tests just after Thanksgiving break. We have tests we can take from home and you must pass with 90% or better and have 3 chances to take it, and there are some proctored tests as well. This is mandatory and part of our fundamentals grade. Not that we are discouraged from doing additional study, but these tests, along with being completely immersed and pounded over the head with NCLEX style questions the entire year is all geared toward readying us to take the NCLEX immediately upon graduating. Turns out my school has had a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the past 6 years. No pressure or anything.

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