The NCLEX-RN is a challenging exam but knowing how to pass the NCLEX will help you succeed. Follow time-tested NCLEX tips, such as starting to prepare as early as your first semester in nursing school, creating a study schedule, using active study techniques and joining study groups.
The NCLEX-RN is a nationally recognized exam and the last hurdle aspiring nurses must go through before receiving their registered nurse license. It is a rigorous exam that requires thorough preparation. While the exam is challenging, understanding how to pass the NCLEX is not.
One way to help ensure you have the knowledge and skillset to pass the exam is by choosing the right nursing program. At Harding University, the accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program integrates NCLEX preparation throughout the curriculum so students feel prepared on exam day; however, you shouldn’t just rely on your program’s nursing curriculum.
Passing the NCLEX requires you to take the initiative. Start by learning the exam format and the types of questions you can expect.
Understanding the NCLEX Exam
While each state’s board of nursing establishes its own set of licensure requirements for RNs, one universal requirement is passing the NCLEX; this applies to registered nurses in the U.S. and Canada. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing develops and administers the exam.
Every aspiring RN takes the NCLEX after graduating from nursing school and before earning a license and working as a nurse. Exactly when you take the exam depends on your state’s regulations and your preferences.
In most states, nursing candidates apply to take the exam before graduation and sit for the exam 45 days after their graduation date. In Arkansas, nurse candidates submit the NCLEX application about 60 days before graduating.
Next Generation NCLEX Format
In nursing school, you might hear references to the new NCLEX format or the Next Generation NCLEX. The NCSBN periodically updates the exam, making the NGN the latest version of the NCLEX and the most significant update in recent years.
The NGN more accurately assesses a nursing candidate’s ability to exercise appropriate judgment and decision-making in clinical situations. The structure of the exam is as follows:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
Within these sections, you’ll answer types of questions like:
- Matrix Grid: Candidates choose multiple possible answers within a table.
- Cloze (drop-down): Candidates select answers after reading a narrative case study.
- Extended Drag-and-Drop: Candidates pair answers from two different columns.
How Is the NCLEX Scored?
Unlike most exams, you do not receive a numerical score for your efforts. Instead, the NCLEX results are pass or fail. Various factors influence whether your efforts will be scored above or below the passing standard:
- Difficulty level of answered questions
- Number of questions answered correctly
- Performance on previous attempts to pass the NCLEX
NCLEX Exam Requirements
Before diving into NCLEX tips, it’s worth looking at the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam, including:
- A nursing degree from an accredited program
- A minimum number of clinical hours (varies by state)
- Criminal background check
- Acceptable proof of identity
- Other requirements as determined by your state board of nursing
How to Pass the NCLEX: 8 Key Tips
Now that you’re more familiar with the Next Generation NCLEX, let’s take a closer look at how to prepare for the NCLEX to increase your chances of passing on the first try.
What can you do with a BSN? Read more to learn about 10 nursing careers here.
1. Start Preparing Early
One of the most essential NCLEX tips is to begin your preparation as early as possible. It’s best to start during your first semester of nursing school. Last-minute cramming won’t help you pass the exam, but learning how to prepare for the NCLEX from the beginning can. Early preparation can also make you feel more confident on exam day.
2. Create a Study Schedule
It’s always helpful to create a study schedule so your NCLEX prep and nursing school studies are not put on the back burner. Get into the habit of sitting down on the weekends to develop a schedule for the week ahead and determine what you’ll be reviewing during each session.
3. Join a Study Group
Even if you prefer to study alone, consider joining a study group. They are a great way to get to know your nursing cohort and build camaraderie while benefiting from others’ perspectives on nursing topics.
4. Use Active Study Techniques
Reading through the material a few times during study sessions might be tempting. Yet this passive study method doesn’t lend itself well to knowledge retention or deep learning. Instead try active study techniques like these:
- After reviewing the material, rephrase it and speak it aloud in your own words.
- As a variation of the above technique, try rephrasing a concept in simple terms, so a child can understand it.
- Develop and write down questions as you read.
- Relate nursing theories to actual examples (e.g., case studies).
5. Answer Practice Questions Daily
Even if you’ve just begun nursing school, it can be helpful to start answering practice NCLEX questions. Try to answer a few every day. Even if you don’t know the answers, this can be helpful because it familiarizes you with NCLEX-style questions and introduces you to the reasoning behind the correct answer. Remember to read the explanation thoroughly after answering a question.
Many NCLEX prep apps send you a question of the day. Check the app store to find one or two that appeal to you.
6. Take Full-Length Practice Exams
Although answering a few practice questions daily is an excellent way to start preparing for the NCLEX, go a step further and take a few full-length practice exams available online.
Consider taking at least one full-length practice exam during each semester of nursing school. During your final semester and the days leading up to the exam, increase your efforts by taking a few extra exams.
It’s best to simulate testing conditions as much as possible when taking practice exams. Ask your fellow household members to avoid interrupting you and keep to the official time limits. After each retake, focus your next few study sessions on reviewing your results paying particular attention to the questions you answered incorrectly.
Looking for more tips for success? Check out this guide on how to pass nursing school.
7. Learn Nursing Mnemonics
Nursing mnemonics are mental tricks that help you remember tricky or lengthy concepts. You can find nursing mnemonics online; however, here are a few examples:
- CATS: Convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms and stridor are the symptoms of hypocalcemia.
- SALT LOSS: Stupor/coma, anorexia, lethargy, tendon reflexes decreased, limp muscles, orthostatic hypotension, seizures/headaches and stomach cramping are the symptoms of hyponatremia.
- IDEA: A patient’s intake of isoproterenol, dopamine, epinephrine and atropine sulfate should be evaluated in instances of bradycardia.
8. Practice Stress Management and Self-Care
Nursing school is tough, and preparing for the NCLEX can be exhausting. Keep your eyes on the prize and remind yourself why you want to become a nurse. It’s also important to strive for balance in life. Do your best to minimize stress responses and practice self-care such as:
- Choosing healthy, nutritious meals
- Drinking enough water and skipping sugary beverages
- Exercising regularly, even if only for short, high-intensity bursts
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol
- Prioritizing sleep
- Spending some time with friends
- Talking to a mental health counselor if you feel overwhelmed or depressed
Taking the NCLEX in Arkansas
Taking the NCLEX after nursing school involves more than simply signing up for an exam. Every state has different regulations and NCLEX registration processes. To take the NCLEX in Arkansas, applicants must complete the application process for the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and Pearson VUE, the NCLEX testing vendor.
Students must submit the ASBN application 60 days before their nursing school graduation date; this application will be valid for one year. They must then pay fees, provide an affidavit of graduation and register with Pearson VUE before or at the same time as submitting the ASBN application.
Your nursing program will help you navigate this process and answer your questions, so you are prepared for exam day.
Arkansas NCLEX Pass Rates
NCLEX pass rates can be a helpful indicator for how well a nursing program prepares students for the exam. Keep in mind that the year-to-date national first-time pass rate for baccalaureate programs in 2025 is 89.1% and 90.2% in Arkansas.
Harding University is dedicated to facilitating students’ success. We help prepare our students for the exam by incorporating NCLEX preparation in the online nursing coursework and simulation labs.
With a year-to-date pass rate of 93.6% for 2025, our students have consistently surpassed the national and state averages for the past five years.
While it’s ideal to pass the NCLEX on your first try, some people don’t. Fortunately, you can always retake the NCLEX after taking more time to prepare. While some states place limits on the number of times you can retake the NCLEX, Arkansas does not. Applicants must wait at least 45 days from their last test date to retake the exam.
Prepare for Nursing Success at Harding University
The first step toward passing the NCLEX is choosing a nursing school that provides a comprehensive academic foundation for a nursing career. At Harding University, the Carr College of Nursing provides extensive student support services, such as our admissions counselors, and features a faculty of dedicated, knowledgeable instructors.
With Harding’s ABSN program, you can earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months by leveraging your non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits. Contact an admissions counselor today to find out if our ABSN program in Rogers, Arkansas, could be the right fit for you.