How many months did you study to pass the NCLEX?

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Specializes in pediatric intensive care unit.

Hi guys! :) new member here! nice website and kudos for the admins here! :redpinkhe well anyway, just wanted to know if how many months should you prepare before the big exam. I'm planning to take it late January next year. so that means i have less than 2 months to study. any suggestions on how i will pass it with a limited time of studying? :crying2:

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I took the Kaplan review course 3 days after graduation. The course was one week long. Then, I followed the Kaplan 2 week study plan, and took my Nclex at the end of it. So, I took the NCLEX 3 weeks after graduation and passed the first time. Most of the others I knew who took Kaplan passed on the first time. I really recommend it! Good luck! It's really exciting.

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Specializes in LTC.

For the PN nclex I studied for a for 4 times a week for 4 weeks. I plan to do the same for RN exam.

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I spent three weeks review the Pearson Exam Cram book and using the Saunders (mostly the disc) and did many practice questions. More then enough time to study up and pass. I stopped at 86 questions. Some of my classmates did 205 questions and still passed.

Good luck!

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You don't want to study for too long. You don't want to "peak" early. Like in boxing, boxers train for about 6-4 weeks at most. Training longer makes them peak early meaning they're looking good at training but when the actual fight comes they just look horrible and done with it. Same with NCLEX, I'd say 4 weeks is enough. But it depends on your schedule. Lol I hope you get my analogy.

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Same as above- about 3 weeks, with a Kaplan class thrown in there. Passed in 75 questions.

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I studied for 4 weeks, 5 days a week...about 3 hours a day. I took the weekends off. Good luck! You can do it!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Statistically speaking, taking NCLEX more than 45 days after graduation leads to far higher failure rates. Those who take it close to graduation strongly tend to do better than those who wait. So jump in with both feet and get it out of the way. Don't take months off to study. It will take a week or two to get your permission to test. Once you get that, schedule NCLEX for the soonest possible date and then make studying your full time job until you take it. Good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiology, NCLEX instructor.

Take at least 4 weeks but find a system that makes the information easy to understand. There are many options out there don't focus on names just how accessible the information is made to you.

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I plan on reviewing the contents also. How many weeks and what should my hrs be spent studying?

Granted I have 10 hrs a day to dedicate for the NCLEX

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Specializes in Maternity.

The NCLEX :eek:UGH!! :) I spent 2 weeks studying and passed on my first try with 75 questions :) Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

9mos/year + 1 semester x 4 years= I studied 40 mos for my NCLEX. That is how long it took me to get my BSN. I didn't "study" one day for the exam itself- I figured if I didn't learn it in 4 1/2 years I wasn't going to pick it up "cramming". I'm not saying a review course isn't helpful for some NCLEX takers, but more often than not, I think passing depends on test taking skills rather than any renewed facts you gained when cramming for the exam. Good luck and try not to panic. I know a lot of good nurses who failed thier first attempt because they were in such a state of anxiety they had a bad case of "brain freeze" on the day of the exam.

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