Which is harder: June or December nursing board exam?

JML_23 · Jun 18, 2007

It depends on the person's preparation... What I mean is maybe June is difficult because the preparation is shorter as compared to december... But if you really think about it... December is more difficult since you're competitors will be well prepared by then... well actually all i'm saying is.. it really depends on how prepared you are....

monodon · Jun 19, 2007

I agree with JML 23. It all depends on your preparation.Although it is amusing how some schools forbid their students from taking the june exams. Maybe they want a better batting average for their school.But, in the end it is the student who should decide when he or she is comfortable and ready to take the boards.

mushymash, ASN, RN · Jun 19, 2007

i guess they are basing it on the FACT that the passing rate of December NLE takers is always higher than those of the June NLE takers....

the review center i enrolled to during my NLE, showed us the figures of passing rate for June and December NLE for several years, and it was indeed true.

it's no accident why some school would advice their students to take the December and not the June NLE.

and some/most of my friends who fail on their June NLE, has got a rating of more than 80++ for their december NLE.

some say that BON are more kind hearted for their sets of question every december due to the HOLIDAY season :chuckle(just a theory!).

john83, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2007

I agree with JML 23. It all depends on your preparation.Although it is amusing how some schools forbid their students from taking the june exams. Maybe they want a better batting average for their school.But, in the end it is the student who should decide when he or she is comfortable and ready to take the boards.

The school dean during my time went for the December exams, hence those who really opted for the June exam had to go through the "eye of the needle"...The results came and those who took it on June got 100% while for us who took in on December, the passing rate drastically dropped.

Which the issue of which exam is difficult, I think several things/factors need to be considered, hence, there might not be an accurate standard to compare the two...

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jun 21, 2007

Before NCLEX was formed the licensing exams were called the State Board Exams. The same test was given twice a year in June and Dec. only.

My class in 1974 was among the first who were able to take boards in September. That bunch was much smaller so I would imagine we had "less stress" maybe? And it took approximately 6 weeks to 3 months to get results. There were 5 separate tests of 200 or so questions and the tests were given over a 2 day period in a BIG room with proctors walking around to make sure no one cheated. NCLEX is a LOT different now.

decartes · Jun 21, 2007

I heard that it's SUPER easy on February 30.

xinammon, RN · Mar 25, 2008

Based on my experience, the Dec. exam was harder--- or was it just because the mindset then was it was going to be patterned after June: lots of nsg. administration, CHN and research? Anyway, I just tried my best to muddle through especially as it turned out that the BON concentrated on MS-- an area that I was struggling in. I even cried on my first day because I really thought I was going to fail.

Lucky for me that I did not just pass, I got excellent grades! :nurse: Whew! Spared from getting kicked out of the house... hehehe.

bebe13 · Mar 26, 2008

I believe that it is harder to pass the June NLE than the December. This is because the passing rate is determined by some statistical computation. Usually in the June NLE, there are more examinees, and also the products of UP, UST and other reputable universities (that do not allow Octoberian graduates) take that exam. With more competitive examinees, higher board ratings can be expected which then yields higher passing rate.

spongebob6286, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2008

according to my classmate who retook the june 07 last december... june was harder.. he already passed the dec. exam

but i think it really depends on the person who is taking it, whether they are prepared or not..