Is 5 Weeks Enough to Study for the NCLEX®?

• When nursing students ask, “Is 5 weeks enough to study for the NCLEX®?” the answer is, “Yes.” 
• However, you will need a multipronged approach to set yourself up for success. 
• In addition to reviewing practice questions regularly, registering for a preparation program like Slone NCLEX and ensuring quality mental and physical health, will give you the best chance of passing the exam. 

We get asked a lot — How much time do I need to prepare for the NCLEX® exam? Is five weeks enough to study for the NCLEX®? The short answer is YES.  

The longer answer is you have to be disciplined and focused over those five weeks to be completely ready. It’s always best to take the exam as soon as possible after graduation and to prepare every day until then. Some states like Minnesota and Iowa even allow students to receive their authorization to test in two to four weeks. 

Here are some things you need to do to set yourself up for success. 

Prioritize Practice Questions

Take as many NCLEX-RN® practice questions as you can. To make sure your brain is processing and functioning at the high critical thinking level that the NCLEX RN tests you on, you’ll need to take as many practice questions as possible leading up to exam day. For example, Slone NCLEX gives you access to the 3000+ next-gen questions. And using the NCLEX Nex-Gen® trial exam, you can focus on the questions that need more study.  

You should set a goal to take 200-400 test questions every day until the day of your exam. Make sure you include a variety of questions, too. 

Register for a Preparation Program

Sign up for a preparation program like Slone NCLEX to help guide your way.  

Make sure the program you use covers every area of nursing. You will want to find something that has NCLEX® priority and delegation questions, along with questions covering the following focus areas: neuro, cardiology (including EKG), psych, GI, renal, fluid and electrolytes, endocrine disorder, pediatrics and maternity, and any other subject you covered in nursing school.  

Also make sure the prep program that you are using contains all of the new next generation NCLEX® components. In 2023, the NCSBN rolled out the new next gen NCLEX® and incorporated the clinical judgment model, new NCLEX® question item types, and updated the scoring models.  

Don’t Forget about Next-Gen NCLEX®  

You will want to take as many next generation practice questions as possible to help you prepare. 

If you’re still wondering, “Is five weeks enough time to study for the NCLEX®?” you might consider following a structured study plan. Use study guides like we provide at Slone NCLEX. These include memory tricks to help you remember key points for the NGN-NCLEX®.

Join a Review Class 

You can also take an in-person or online NCLEX® review class, use an NCLEX® tutor, or join NCLEX-RN® study groups. Often the best way we can learn after taking NCLEX preparation questions is to work with others and teach each other the content to help the information stick.

Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health

Aside from the technical preparation, make sure your mental and physical are at the best place they can be when preparing for the NGN-NCLEX®. Ensure you are getting enough sleep during your exam prep.

I know this sounds easier said than done, but trying to study on a tired brain is like trying to study with a drunk brain. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “being awake for 17 hours is similar to having a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of 0.05%, and being awake for 24 hours is similar to having a BAC of 0.10%.” To put this in context, legal intoxication in the U.S. is a BAC of 0.08% or more, but impairment can occur at a BAC of just 0.05%.

So make sure you are sleeping and that it is quality sleep. The National Institute of Health recommends at least seven to eight sleep and to keep in mind that memories cannot be strengthened for anything less than five hours of sleep. 

Set a goal to sleep at least six hours every night while you are preparing to take the NCLEX®. 

Additionally, avoid sick people! We know this is hard if you work in healthcare, so make sure you are washing those hands. Hand washing is the single most effective defense against the spread of infection (infection control NCLEX® question tip). 

Believe in Yourself 

Finally, believe in yourself! You just survived nursing school. There is nothing you can’t do! So when you ask, “Is five weeks enough time to study for NCLEX®?” tell yourself, “Yes!” With the right tools and right mindset, you pass the Next Gen NCLEX®! 

The Bottom Line 

When asking yourself, “Is five weeks enough time to study for the NCLEX®?” know that the answer is, “Yes.” Just understand that you will need to consider several study approaches to ensure success. In addition to a preparation program like Slone NCLEX, you should also consider prioritizing practice questions and registering for an in-person or online review class. 

Begin your NCLEX® preparation journey with Slone NCLEX today.