Does your school really determine ability to pass the NCLEX?

[Megasa]

Does the school you attend really help determine if you will pass the NCLEX? I work full time and the option I'm considering for an ADN is at a school with a 70% pass rate. I graduated with a degree in Biology and had a 3.7 gpa and I study really hard! Should I consider another school...or can I buy study guide books for the test, work hard, and still do well? Please help! I REALLY want to start nursing school and start doing what I love and this place is my last option to start in the next couple months unless I want to wait a year and a half!

[caliotter3]

Passing the NCLEX is more a measure of how well you learn the material presented in the review materials you use to study from. People who never attended a nursing school at all are able to study the material and learn it well enough to pass a basic test on it. Very few people go into the NCLEX with only the preparation obtained from their classroom work while in school.

[O'SheaRN]

Go for it. The class before mine, had a 79% pass rate. Your success depends on how you prepare for the test.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'd be hesitant to go to a school with a pass rate below the national average. If you are a good test-taker, you will probably be one of those who pass the test ...

.... but ...

School is about more than just passing the test. That low pass rates indicates that they are not teaching their students well or that they have a low level of students in attendance. Do you really want to invest all that time, energy, and money in an inferior quality education? Just because you can pass the test (on your own) doesn't mean you will be a good nurse. I would want to go to a school that really did provide a good education worthy of my time and attention.