10 Proven Study Techniques to Pass the NCLEX Without Stress
It’s easy to get lost in what can feel like overwhelming and exhausting content when preparing for the NCLEX, but the way in which you study can be much more impactful than you think. In fact, you can implement-established-studying strategies that are not only mindful but can help build retention while keeping your thinking well-rounded. Here are ten study strategies, along with specific tactics to help pass the NCLEX without going crazy. These strategies are considered by many as the best way to study for NCLEX while balancing focus and mental health.
Divide Up Your Study Plan
Cramming study time isn’t helpful, all it does is create anxiety. Instead, divide your studying into small tasks.
- Set daily targets : For instance, studying the topic of the day (for example: pharmacology or maternal).
- The 50/10 method : Study for 50 minutes, take 10-15 minutes break. This helps keep your mind alert.
- Weekly progress : Instead of worrying about how much you completed during the day, look at your progress at least once a week to keep you motivated.
Focus on High-Yield Content
Not all NCLEX content is equal. Spend more time studying the content that will have the most impact. The best way to study for NCLEX is by identifying these areas and by putting more effort into mastering them.
- Safety and prioritization make up a lot of the NCLEX Focus heavily on safety and prioritization because it will raise your NCLEX score.
- Pharmacology requires repetition - Medications and side effects are largely based on repetition and therefore easy to forget if you do not revisit it often.
Utilize Practice Questions Daily
Practice questions work your mind to think in the NCLEX way.
- Do 30-50 daily : Quality of practice is better than doing hundreds of questions a day without review.
- Review rationales in detail : Even if you guessed the right answer, have a read to see why it was right or why it could be incorrect.
- Mix it up for question banks : Use multiple sources for questions so you aren't memorizing patterns in one question bank.
Learn From Mistakes, Not Just Scores
Mistakes can be powerful learning experiences.
- Keep a mistake journal. Write down your missed concepts and go over them every week.
- Look for patterns. If you continue to miss the pharmacology concept or pediatrics sections on every exam, change your study plan.
- Don’t be discouraged. If you are missing questions, it is an opportunity to solidify your knowledge.
Utilize Active Recall
Passive reading will not stick; demand your brain to recall the information
- Flashcards : Digital or physical. Perfect for definitions, labs, and medications.
- Teach it out loud : Pretend you are teaching a patient or classmate the concept.
- Write and cover method : Write down notes, cover them up, and quiz yourself without looking.
Space Your Review (Spaced Repetition)
Spacing helps make information last longer.
- Relearn your notes after 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week : The reason this repetition works is that it strengthens your memory.
- Rotate topics : Don't spend too much time on just a single topic - the brain prefers "variety" (basically to learn and consume information).
- Use apps : There are many tools, like Anki or Quizlet, that will provide you with maximized spaced repetition. We do have our own app Rudraa academy nclex that will provide you everything that you need.
Simulated Exam Conditions
Practice the same way you are going to test.
- Timed mock exams : This adds endurance to several hours of sitting.
- Distractions : Phone off, quiet room, and only your exam materials.
- Review after your simulation : Go through every question and review how you did.
Your body is in perfect condition when your mind is taken care of properly. When you prepare for exams without taking care of your health, it will result in stress and a lack of concentration. Sleep well -Aim to get 7-8 hours every night, rest can make your brain more capable of retaining and remembering.
Real Exam Conditions Simulated
Study as if it was an exam
- Take a full-length practice exam at one time.
- Set a quiet atmosphere to simulate the conditions at the time of the actual test.
Do a review on time management to prevent haste.
Be positive, be confident
Your thought process is as important as the preparation you come in with
- Change the negative self-talk to affirmations
- Be happy with small victories as you go along
Making it reduces the test-day stress.The NCLEX is not a challenging exam and not an insurmountable one. By breaking up the prep into small, smart chunks and making studying skills and stress reductions the priority areas you will be able to go into exam day with a clear mind focused on taking the test. And, it is not just by passing the exam but becoming the nurse that you should be. To perform a good study on NCLEX, a combination of smart techniques with frequent practice is the key to be confident and crystal-clear on the test date.