Question: Will studying for NCLEX lead to passing?

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2006

Absolutely not. Even though you have finished nursing school, regardless of the grades you got, it is important to review. After all, the NCLEX is a test you have to pass in order to practice as a nurse. I practiced over 4000 questions, reviewed material I did not know. Doing the questions gave me the confidence that I could at least attempt any question the NCLEX through my way. I passed on the first time I think it was between 83-86 questions. I remember question 83 and I think it was only one or two more after that.

It is important to review and do questions. Do enough so you feel as though you are ready to sit for the test. I always felt that there was more studying I could have done, but it reached a point when I felt that I had answered enough questions that no more studying would do any good.

Hopefully this is helpful

willdgate · Aug 16, 2006

Saunders and Kaplan are good review material

Dempather, RN · Aug 16, 2006

Unless you're incredible... or God - I feel that even the smallest amount of success in ANYTHING requires some preparation (even if it's minimal). Many people can't just graduate from nursing school and take this test without some degree of studying... I can't say it hasn't been done, but it depends on the person, their education, and their ability to critically think.

I came across a lot of information studying for this test that I never remember learning in nursing school. Kaplan taught me a new way to think - which was required for the NCLEX. To properly prepare, you have to become familiar with the way the questions are asked on the test... not to mention, comprehend the material that makes up the basis of each individual question.

I would strongly recommend enrolling in a course. If not, I hear Saunders is a wonderful book. I took Kaplan and it taught me what I needed to know.

P.S. To sum it all up -- Any amount of studying will, no doubt, help you on this test, but no amount will ever convince you that you're prepared enough. (Maybe that's what your buddies meant?)

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Aug 16, 2006

It is imperative that you answer as many questions as you can before taking the NCLEX, just to ensure that you know the material. What I used as a guide to know I studied enough is when I just couldn't stand to do anymore questions. That's how I knew I was ready. I ended up doing a couple 100 shy of 2000 questions.

texasvagal · Aug 16, 2006

The more you review, the better prepared you will be. The school I graduated from in May 30 2006 starts a review about 3 to 4 weeks before grad. My school has a 100% passing rate on board in 2005, and 98%passing rate in 2006. If you have the CD that came with your book keep reviewing over and over. You can never answer them all. An yes I did pass my boards the first time. Good luck!

ortess1971 · Aug 16, 2006

I recommend doing practice questions until you feel like if you do one more, you'll vomit. Also, I don't know about your program, but there were some topics that my program didn't even touch upon(a big one would be HIV treatment and protocols) I had to look that kind of stuff up and I did have some HIV meds and treatments on my NCLEX. Some books even have a practice test you take beforehand, and this test points out your weak areas. Again, ultimately I think practicing NCLEX type questions gives the greatest chance of passing. Saunders is good and I've heard good things about the Kaplan book, although that's not the one I used...

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

There's no guarantees that studying alot will pass you, just as there's no guarantees that not studying alot will fail you.

Seems to me, though, that you greatly increase your odds of failure by limiting your preparation. Yes, you can prepare for the NCLEX; people who say there's "no way to prepare" are overstating it a bit.

You prepare by answering a truckload of similarly-worded questions on subjects that the NCLEX is interested in, and by honing your nursing judgment skills. That's what will pass you.