Tips When Doing An NCLEX Review

By Elizabeth Fisher


The only purpose of the NCLEX or National Council for Licensure Examination is to determine whether you are safe to begin your entry level as a nurse. There is a big difference between this and the exams you encountered in school. NCLEX exams are application and analysis based while school exams are knowledge based. This will test you for you know on how you can learn on how to manage your thinking skills when it talks about nursing judgments.

This is the start of your career to become a nurse. It serves as a final obstacle for your your future nursing career. You need to find a way in order to conquer this. So this NCLEX review tips will surely help you in preparing for the said exam.

First is focus in memorization and critical thinking. These are necessary to be able to pass. There items that have many right answers, but it is necessary to only choose one and make sure it is the right one. Topics that are often being part of the memorization type are about drug side effects, normal lab values, and disease symptoms.

Second is avoid cramming for this. In your last few days as a student, you surely think that your final exams would kill you. If you feel like doing it in this exam, think again. Try focusing on the most difficult topics that you have encountered as a student. Avoid focusing on every details of a certain topic.

Third tip is study the exam itself. Check out some websites in order for you to know more about NCLEX. The exam uses a method which is called computerized adaptive testing. In this method, each time you answer a question, the computer will reestimate your ability based on your previous answers and the level of difficulty of those questions. Sequence of questions are different for each examinee.

Fourth, practice a lot. It is important for you to practice in giving yourself test like scenarios so you will be prepared. There are questions or items that plays a trick with you and lets you over think on that item. Through practice, you can learn to avoid that since you will be focused more on the main root of that certain scenario.

Fifth is come prepared. You should arrive at the location thirty minutes before the exam time. You must dress appropriately and bring any ID that is acceptable like the drivers license. You should expect to leave your bags and gadgets outside the room. Sixth is you should visualize every scenario. Visualize each scenario and try to think on the things that you will need to do based on your learnings.

Seventh, delete in your mind immediately those wrong answers. Think of the choices as either true or false. Choices that you think are really false, erase immediately and compare the answers that are left and think of which is true. But always remember that some answers may let you think that it is the right one but when actually it is not.

The eighth and last is keep your cool. You should never freak out. Always keep your mind relaxed and remind yourself to keep calm. So these are just some helpful tips. And now you are one step closer to your career.




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