Why You Need an NCLEX® Preparation Plan

• Having an NCLEX® preparation plan is a common refrain among nursing professors and students alike.  
• Creating a plan tailored to your own learning style and availability will help you pass the exam. 
• Consider combining your NCLEX® preparation plan with a program like Slone NCLEX. 

Preparation is the key that unlocks the door to success, particularly where the NCLEX® is concerned. 

Having an NCLEX® preparation plan is a common refrain among nursing professors and students alike. And creating a plan that’s unique to you, your schedule, and your learning style will give you the best chance to pass the exam on the first try. 

Studies Support Having an NCLEX® Preparation Plan 

When professors and industry professionals talk about an NCLEX® preparation plan, they’re not just saying it for the sake of saying it. Studies support the use of a preparation plan.

Students who participated in a New York Nurses Association (NYNA) 2021 study on the subject reported having an “organized study plan” that included: designating a specific amount of time for practice questions, taking breaks, and balancing their NCLEX® preparation with eating, shopping, exercising, and sleeping. 

“I had a plan to separate four to five hours for studying daily, planned to take a practice test after studying each system and then go back to the rationale for each answer before studying again,” one participated stated. “I looked at the NCLEX-RN® blueprint and template from NCBSN to make my study schedule. I would say, ‘Today I should get through this section and these many questions.’ I also planned and took a break to go to the mall in between studying.” 

The NYNA study also found the following to be effective: 

• Constant practice 
• Note-taking and summarizing 
• Staying focused while preparing for the exam 
• Having a commitment to study 

Having a study plan and a schedule for that plan helped students study “by using a deep approach to learning and reinforced student success,” according to the authors. 

However, there’s no singular strategy or approach that will make your NCLEX® preparation plan more or less successful. The authors of a scoping review published in 2023 in Nursing Open determined as much, while also finding that “active learning strategies were the most founded.” 

Prepare with Professors 

Professors can also be a big part of your exam preparation. Was there a particular professor whose teaching style resonated with you? Consider asking them to lead a study group or help you create a study plan.

A faculty coaching study published in 2023 found that students who were possibly at risk for failing the exam but worked with a professor had a “90% first attempt NCLEX-RN® pass rate.” 

Once you have that foundational support, you can combine it with programs like Slone NCLEX to round out your NCLEX® preparation plan. 

The Bottom Line 

Creating an NCLEX® preparation plan is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success. Build your study plan around your learning style and don’t be afraid to ask professors for additional help. They know better than anyone what it takes to pass the exam.

Begin your NCLEX® preparation journey with Slone NCLEX today.