No, you can’t take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) until you complete a nursing degree. The type of degree needed depends on the nursing license you wish to obtain. In general, you’ll need to pass a diploma program or get an associate’s (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). LPN programs generally take one year to finish, whereas a registered nursing program can take anywhere from one to four years to complete. Additionally, you should consider taking an NCLEX prep course to give yourself the best chance of passing the exam on the first attempt.
How to Prepare for the NCLEX Exam
The NCLEX exam is a computerized adaptive test, so you will not get the same exam as anyone else. An algorithm creates each question based on how you answer the previous one. To obtain the best possible score, you’ll need to know how to answer different question topics and styles.
Every question has equal importance but getting a few easy questions in a row doesn’t automatically mean you entered the wrong answer somewhere along the line. Remember that the test requires endurance and confidence, and preparation can significantly reduce your stress on the day of the NCLEX exam.
Apart from studying on your own and reviewing what you have learned in nursing school, you can also take an NCLEX review course. The vast majority of people who take review courses feel more confident going into the test and statistics show that they also perform better than those who do not take review courses.
How Hard Is the NCLEX Exam?
This is a relative question. If you prepare for the exam, you have a much better chance of passing the tasks on the first try. In 2022, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN) reported that 82% of test takers passed the NCLEX in one attempt.
Here’s what to expect on the NCLEX exam. You will answer between 75 and 265 questions. You pass the test when you have answered enough questions to exceed the 95% confidence level. Those below that level typically fail the test. This may seem extreme, but you have many opportunities to maximize your chances of success.
Think of this as a horizontal line with some candidates following below the pass line while others rise above it. With each incorrect answer, you fall further below the line. Conversely, each correct answer raises your score. You have six hours to take the test, so it is important to mentally prepare yourself.
Are you wondering if you should take a NCLEX review course? While that is a personal decision, there are many benefits to studying and practicing under the guidance of industry professionals and educators.
Why Do Nurses Take the NCLEX Exam?
To become a licensed nurse, candidates need to pass the NCLEX. After passing the test, they can begin their careers as entry-level nurses. The test is designed to evaluate critical thinking skills and analyze how nurses will respond to situations they’ll encounter in their careers. In other words, the NCLEX measures how well you already think like a nurse.
Every nurse graduating from an associate’s or bachelor’s program can sit for the exam. In order to become a licensed nurse, you’ll need to pass the exam. This includes RNs, LPNs, and LVNs.
Why Should You Choose FVI School of Nursing & Technology?
First of all, our preparation course is designed for those currently enrolled in a nursing program at FVI or another accredited program. Our first-time pass rate is 90.9%. This is a significant increase for those who take the test without investing in an NCLEX prep course. Further, this is the highest pass rate among ALL Accredited Miami-Dade and Broward County nursing programs.
