How to Pass the NCLEX (7 Study Tips)
Published on: October 28, 2023 | 13 minute read
By: Alice Bourget
The journey to becoming a nurse often comes with challenges, from rigorous anatomy coursework to hundreds of clinical hours. However, there is one particular challenge that every nursing student must face to earn their spot in the professional world: the NCLEX.
In the United States, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized test that all prospective professional nurses must pass in order to practice. It is one of the final steps to becoming a nurse.
The NCLEX tests both the clinical knowledge from the classroom and the decision-making skills learned during practical training. For this reason, many nursing students find the exam challenging.
While this exam may loom large at the end of your nursing school road, it’s not an impassable hurdle, especially when you choose a school, such as Alliant University, that focuses on NCLEX preparation. The first Master of Science in Nursing–Direct Entry cohort at Alliant, which graduated in December 2025, achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate![1]
Knowing how best to approach the test helps, too. Keep reading to discover our top seven tips on how to study for the NCLEX and how to pass it.
Key Takeaways
- The NCLEX is a famously challenging examination for aspiring nursing students, taking up to five hours to complete.
- The best postsecondary nursing programs integrate NCLEX preparation into every aspect of the curriculum.
- With appropriate strategies and guidance, many nursing students are able to pass the NCLEX exam on the first attempt.
- The nursing programs at Alliant University are CCNE-accredited to help students feel prepared for their nursing journey.
What is the NCLEX?
Before you begin studying for a test, it is important to know just what you are studying for. If the NCLEX is unfamiliar to you, you may have a few questions running through your head, such as:
- What topics are covered on the NCLEX?
- Are there subjects I need to know more about than others?
- What kind of question types does the exam have? Multiple choice or short answer?
The NCLEX is more than a test—it is a rite of passage and one of the key steps to becoming a licensed nurse. Commissioned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the NCLEX tests students on their nursing knowledge. The exam stands as one of the requirements for students who wish to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Practical Nurse (PN). The test content is updated every three years to ensure it remains relevant to current practice.
Test Format
In April 2023, the NCSBN board implemented the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN-NCLEX), a new and revised version of the test.[2] The main difference between the old NCLEX and the NGN-NCLEX is the test’s format, which has been adopted for the digital age.
To fit this new format, the NGN exam uses several question types, including:[3]
- Multiple choice questions
- Matrix multiple-choice questions
- Drop-down cloze questions
- Bowtie questions with ranked scoring
- Select all that apply (SATA) questions
- Unfolding Case Studies (test-takers receive information from a medical record and answer questions to analyze findings, make clinical judgments, and evaluate patient response)
Additionally, the NGN uses a new framework called the Clinical Judgment Model (CJM), which evaluates a nursing candidate’s ability to make sound clinical judgments and decisions in patient care.[4] This new framework places more emphasis on long-form questions—about 10% of all NGN exam questions are long-form. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to determine a candidate’s ability level.
Test Content
At its core, the NCLEX is meant to evaluate your nursing skills and knowledge. However, nursing (and healthcare in general) is a complex field, and the NCLEX must account for the wide variety of subject matter nurses should know. During your comprehensive study, you should focus on topics that appear most frequently.
To test future nurses holistically, the NCLEX spans the entire field of nursing, covering areas like patient assessment, anatomy, safety protocols, ethical practices, and more. The exam includes questions on the following subjects, with percentages indicating how much of each topic will be present in the test:[5]
- Effective and safe care environment
- Care management (15-21%)
- Infection control and safety (10-16%)
- Health promotion and maintenance (6-12%)
- Psychosocial integrity (6-12%)
- Physiology integrity
- Primary care and comfort (6-12%)
- Pharmacological and parenteral therapies (13-19%)
- Reduction of risk potential (9-15%)
- Physiological adaptation (11-17%)
Depending on your desired career path, the NGN-NCLEX also comes in two versions—the NCLEX-RN for Registered Nurses and the NCLEX-PN for Practical Nurses. While both tests are similar, most NCLEX-RN questions center around care plans and patient evaluation, whereas NCLEX-PN questions focus on collecting patient information and supporting care plans.
Top 7 Tips for Passing the NCLEX
While the NCLEX may seem daunting, with the right NCLEX study tips, strategies, and a dash of determination, you can conquer this formidable challenge and be one step closer to achieving your nursing ambitions.
Tip 1: Create a Study Schedule
NCLEX preparation should be a marathon, not a sprint. If your plan is to confine studying to one week of all-nighters, you are setting yourself up for failure, stress, and anxiety. To set yourself up for success, you must be disciplined and create a study plan that is realistic.
To succeed on any major exam, you need a well-structured study plan. In particular, the NCLEX requires extensive study of specific nursing practices and healthcare information.
Conquer this mountain of knowledge by using these common studying techniques to create a workable schedule:
- Start studying at least 4-8 weeks ahead of the test
- Break your study materials into manageable chunks and allocate time for each
- Rank subjects by priority—what will definitely, possibly, and maybe be on the test
- Calculate how many daily study hours you will need to feel comfortable
- Track your study hours on a calendar
Tip 2: Use NCLEX Review Materials
The right study materials can transform your study sessions. Fortunately, the NCLEX offers study materials for test-takers.
Consider using any of these review materials for your study sessions:
- Free practice test plans from the NCLEX website
- Free sample questions from the NCLEX website
- Old versions of the NCLEX
- NCLEX practice exam books
- NCLEX prep courses
A well-structured nursing program will provide resources and study strategies long before your examination date. To ensure you are fully prepared, you should dedicate consistent time to your NCLEX study routine.
Tip 3: Join Study Groups
Studying for the NCLEX is a significant undertaking, but you do not have to do it alone. Split up flashcard duties and other tasks with a study group. The camaraderie and shared knowledge of a nurse study group can foster both accountability and encouragement, all while reducing the grunt work of studying.
You may be able to form a study group through any of the following outlets:
- Fellow classmates or nursing students
- Online nursing communities
- Nurse school study resources (academic advisors, student resource centers, etc.)
- Local study meetup groups
- Study apps
Tip 4: Take Breaks and Make Time for Self-Care
When studying for a major test, the amount of work can feel overwhelming. Between the NCLEX practice questions and the flashcards, the time can easily slip by.
However, a relentless cycle of studying may hurt your performance.
Neglecting your physical and mental well-being can be counterproductive to your test-taking abilities and critical-thinking skills. Research shows a correlation between sleep and test scores, so make adequate time for rest before you take the exam.[6]
Similarly, remember to take breaks when studying. Try the 20-minutes-on, 5-minutes-off Pomodoro method, and maintain at least a few elements of your normal self-care routine, such as:
- Journaling
- Exercising
- Preparing and eating healthy food
- Taking part in social activities
- Reading
- Meditating
Tip 5: Utilize Technology
In today’s digital world, technology is more than a convenience—it is also a potent tool for students and nurses. By harnessing the power of technology, you can accelerate and bolster your study efforts for a competitive edge on the day of the exam.
There are countless ways to take advantage of technology to earn a better NCLEX score, such as:
- Using digital flashcards
- Downloading eBooks and online texts
- Taking an online course
- Using study management apps (Trello, Evernote, or Notion)
- Practicing with NCLEX simulation tests
- Reviewing online nursing forums and social media
- Listening to nursing podcasts
- Watching relevant YouTube videos
- Playing NCLEX review games
- Signing up for online tutoring
Tip 6: Seek Guidance from Educators
A major component of nursing is mentorship. Almost every nursing professional can point you toward a teacher or fellow nurse who helped shape their career. To that end, when taking the NCLEX, remember to call on your mentors or other authorities in the field.
If you are unsure of how to approach these individuals, consider pursuing their guidance in these ways:
- Attending office hours
- Joining nursing associations
- Participating in networking events for nursing
- Reaching out to alumni networks
- Contacting your clinical preceptor
- Engaging with your professors or academic advisors
Tip 7: Stay Positive
Lastly, try to maintain a positive mindset.
There is a reason you have made it far enough in your nursing journey to take the NCLEX: your hard work. So, as you prepare for the exam, believe in yourself and your abilities.
The NCLEX is challenging, but you can overcome it with the right attitude. Cultivate a growth mindset, stay focused, and remind yourself of your commitment to nursing as a passion and profession.
How Long Should You Study for the NCLEX?
In a sense, every lesson and lecture throughout your nursing school program is meant to prepare you for the NCLEX. You start “studying” for the exam as soon as you start at Alliant.
That said, most nursing graduates begin studying for the NCLEX in earnest between four and eight weeks before their examination date.
Of course, every student and program is different, so study times vary. How long you may need to study can depend on factors like:
- Strength of nursing school preparation – Nursing programs that emphasize clinical judgment, exam preparation, and mentorship can help students feel more prepared for licensure exams. Reputable programs, such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing-Direct Entry programs at Alliant University, will dedicate classroom time to NCLEX-specific education.
- Familiarity with clinical concepts – Naturally, the more confident you are with the basics of nursing, the less you will need to study those concepts. Students with a firm grasp on anatomy, pathophysiology, and other core topics will be well-prepared.
- Time available for daily study – Your personal life also dictates how much time you can dedicate to studying. Nursing students with part-time jobs or families may have fewer hours to study throughout the week. Those with less free time in a week should begin studying sooner.
What Score Do You Need to Pass the NCLEX?
There is no minimum score required to pass the NCLEX. That is because the exam relies on computerized adaptive testing (CAT) technology.
With CAT, the NCLEX can automatically adapt to your competency throughout the test based on your answers.[7] You will receive more difficult questions if you perform well, and easier questions if you miss some answers. To pass, you must demonstrate consistent clinical competence by selecting the correct answer more often as the questions increase in difficulty.
In this way, the system can determine if you have the knowledge needed to practice safely as a nurse. Based on your adapted responses, the NCLEX will present you with a result of either “pass” or “fail.”
How Nursing Programs Help Students Prepare for the NCLEX
Because the NCLEX is pass/fail, the pressure to succeed is high. With that in mind, here’s how most respectable nursing programs prepare students for the exam.
Clinical Training and Patient Care Experience
Outside of the classroom, nursing programs help prepare students through hands-on training placements in healthcare environments. Even in online-first programs, in-person clinical hours are a crucial part of the curriculum.
During supervised practicums, future nurses develop real-world decision-making skills that are tested on the NCLEX. Scenarios that apply directly to the NCLEX exam include:
- Assessing and triaging patients
- Planning and implementing patient care
- Documenting and charting
Structured NCLEX Preparation
Additionally, some nursing programs incorporate NCLEX preparation into the curriculum. From practice exams to faculty support, schools like Alliant University make exam prep an integrated part of your education.
Whether you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing-Direct Entry (MSN-DE) at Alliant, every aspect of your coursework, clinical experience, and mentorships will prepare you for licensure exams and professional nursing. This commitment to preparation resulted in our first Master of Science in Nursing–Direct Entry cohort achieving a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate.[8]
Start Your Nursing Career with Alliant University
Passing the NCLEX exam is a crucial step in any nurse’s professional journey. However, that journey must start with an education that prepares you for exams and licensure.
Alliant University is poised to help pave your way. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing-Direct Entry (MSN-DE) programs are designed to take you to the next level in your nursing career, no matter your previous studies or experience.
With dedicated faculty, flexible scheduling, and ample hands-on opportunities, our nursing programs will help you feel confident and capable in passing the NCLEX.
Turn your passion for healthcare into a career. Apply to the nursing programs at Alliant University today.
Sources:
[1] “Report 1 – Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions.” Arizona Board of Nursing. https://azbn.gov/sites/default/files/RN-NCLEX-Quarterly-Report-2026.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2026.
[2] “Next Generation NCLEX (NGN).” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/next-generation-nclex.page.
[3] Jividen, Sarah. “What Is the NCLEX? Everything You Need to Know & How to Prepare.” Nurse.org, August 12, 2025. https://nurse.org/resources/what-is-the-nclex/.
[4] “Clinical Judgment Measurement Model.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/clinical-judgment-measurement-model.page.
[5] “NCLEX-RN® Test Plan: Effective April 2026.” NCLEX. AccessNCLEXed March 11, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/files/2026_RN_Test%20Plan_English-F.pdf.
[6] Hassan, Shaimaa, Najeeb M Alqahtani, Salihah M Alshahrani, Abdulkhalig A Alhefzy, Omar Alharthi, and Muhannad Alharbi. “Association Between Sleep Quality and Academic Performance Among Undergraduate Medical Health Sciences Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, September 3, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12494368/.
[7] “Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT).” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/computerized-adaptive-testing.page.
[8] “Report 1 – Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions.” Arizona Board of Nursing. https://azbn.gov/sites/default/files/RN-NCLEX-Quarterly-Report-2026.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2026.