The NCLEX exam is a pass-or-fail test, meaning you can either get all of the questions right or none at all. It’s important to be well-rested and stay mentally and physically healthy before test day.
It’s also important to develop strong test-taking strategies. This includes limiting the amount of time you spend on each question and searching answer options for clues about the question’s topic.
1. Get a good night’s sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for mental and physical health. Studies have linked poor sleep to chronic diseases, depression, and even a shorter lifespan.
Studying for the Nclex certificate for sale can be stressful. Make sure to schedule time for relaxation so you can calm your mind. This can be anything from exercising to cooking a meal or relaxing with music.
Develop study habits that fit your learning style. Visual learners often benefit from creating cue cards and color-coding notes. Auditory learners can use podcasts and YouTube lectures to help them understand topics.
2. Eat a healthy diet
If you’ve studied hard in nursing school and practiced answering NCLEX questions, your information should still be fresh in your mind come exam day. Some students like to start doing content reviews and completing practice questions several weeks prior to taking the NCLEX, so that the test material is still fresh in their minds when they take the exam.
Eating a healthy diet will help keep your blood sugar levels stable and give you the energy you need for long study sessions. Aim for foods that contain complex carbohydrates instead of simple sugars, which burn up quickly and will leave you feeling fatigued.
3. Exercise regularly
After completing nursing school, passing the NCLEX exam is the final step before becoming a registered nurse. Learn about the questions, grading system and how to pass.
Cue cards, notes and other study materials that you created throughout your program can help as you prepare for the exam. You can also use video reviews to supplement your study.
Make sure to read all of the rationales for practice questions. This will help you understand why the correct answer was selected and why the other options were not.
4. Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital for both mental and physical health. Unfortunately, many nurses struggle with getting a good night’s rest, especially in the weeks and days leading up to exam day. When students don’t get adequate amounts of sleep, they make mistakes that can cost them points on the NCLEX exam. In addition, they are not as productive during the day and can’t perform their best at work or school. Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night.
If you have trouble sleeping, try a bedtime ritual that includes a light snack and blackout curtains.
5. Stay hydrated
Ideally, you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. But the amount of fluid you need can vary depending on your health, activity level and environment.
Dehydration can cause dizziness, confusion and fatigue. In addition, it can interfere with your ability to regulate body temperature.
Be sure to replace any lost fluids through exercise and a healthy diet. Avoid sugary drinks and swap for beverages such as diluted fruit juice, broth and non-caffeinated herbal teas to help meet your fluid needs.
6. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test
It’s best to start developing good study habits long before exam day. Practice questions help you understand what the exam is asking for and how to answer it.
Getting plenty of sleep the night before the test will help you concentrate and recall information easily during your NCLEX exam. Pulling an all-nighter will only drain your brain and make you feel physically tired. NCLEX exams are up to 6 hours long and each question matters. The exam stops when you’ve correctly answered enough questions to stay above the passing line or when time expires.
7. Stay positive
The NCLEX exam can be a nerve-wracking prospect for newly graduated nursing students. However, with the right study habits and proper preparation, this important test will not seem so scary.
Practice your NCLEX exam questions and strategies regularly. It’s also helpful to read the rationales for each question, whether it was answered correctly or not.
Stay positive and remember that the NCLEX is not a test of how smart you are, it’s a test of your knowledge and critical thinking skills. You have worked hard in school and deserve to pass the NCLEX!
8. Get enough sleep the night before the test
The NCLEX is a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before the test and plan to study a little every day. Set goals for your study sessions like completing a certain number of practice questions or reviewing a specific content area.
Be sure to read the rationales for each practice question, right or wrong, so you can better understand why the other answer choices were not correct. This will also help you during the exam when you might have to change your answer.
9. Get enough sleep the night before the test
You may have gotten away with last-minute cramming at other points in your academic journey but the NCLEX exam demands a comprehensive study plan. Develop a daily routine and stick to it.
It’s important to realize that the NCLEX exam doesn’t stop until you either pass or fail. Don’t try to self-evaluate or guess how you’re doing as you take the test.
Be sure to read the rationales for every practice question you get right or wrong, as they are helpful in understanding nursing content. Also, remember that the questions on the NCLEX are designed to look similar to real-life healthcare situations.
10. Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water is important for many reasons, and it’s often recommended that students aim to consume eight 8-ounce glasses a day. However, it’s best to prioritize hydration by taking small sips throughout the day and pairing water with meals and snacks.
Conclusion
In fact, researchers have found that students who drink water during an exam score 5% higher on average than those who don’t. This is probably due to their ability to stay focused and alert under exam pressure.