Start your journey to become a registered nurse in Canada! Find out everything you need to know about the NCLEX exam, a critical step in validating your competency as a nurse in Canada and achieving career success.
This comprehensive guide will serve as a compass to help you understand the structure of the exam, how to develop effective study strategies, and where to find the best support on your path to success. Ready to write the NCLEX-RN?
What is the best way to study NCLEX?
To successfully approach the NCLEX exam and achieve your goal of becoming a registered nurse in Canada, it is essential to develop an effective study strategy.
With proper planning and the right support, you will be well on your way to success on the NCLEX exam to advance your career in nursing. Ready to get the highest score on the NCLEX exam? Here are some NCLEX Study Strategies to improve your performance on test day.
- Learn about the NCLEX syllabus: The NCLEX assesses the competence, skills, and knowledge of graduate nurses seeking to become RNs in Canada and consists of four categories: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. Understanding the exam's content is crucial to establishing an effective study plan.
- Develop a study strategy: An effective study plan will allow you to manage your time, cover all the necessary topics for the exam, and, above all, set realistic goals. You are much more likely to succeed on the NCLEX if you start studying ahead of time rather than a week before the exam.
- Familiarize yourself with the types of questions: To successfully pass exams like the NCLEX, you must be familiar with the content, know how to approach the questions and know how much time you have to spend on each one. The NCLEX questions are primarily multiple-choice but include fill-in-the-blank, graphic/exposure, and drag-and-drop alternative questions.
- Use reliable study resources: With all the wonders the internet offers today, you can find excellent, reputable resources, review books, and NCLEX practice simulations online. Some excellent preparation courses are UWorld NCLEX Preparation, NURSING.com—NCLEX Test Preparation, and Kaplan NCLEX Test Preparation. In addition, NURSING.com offers good NCLEX simulation tests (SIMCLEX), Mometrix Test Preparation, and Kaplan.
- Trust your preparation: Being confident when taking an exam is crucial because it directly affects performance and results. Confidence reduces the anxiety and stress associated with the NCLEX exam and improves the ability to concentrate and make decisions under pressure. In addition, it is essential to plan the exam day to avoid last-minute surprises that can cause unnecessary stress.
How to be successful on NCLEX?
To reach the destination, we must first travel the journey. Most of the time, there are no easy shortcuts when we want to achieve a goal. The key to success on the NCLEX is to become as familiar as possible with the requirements, NCLEX eligibility criteria, and exam format, as well as the types of questions and the areas of nursing that are evaluated.
The NCLEX-RN exam consists of multiple-choice questions with four possible answers and may include charts, tables, or graphic images. In terms of content, the exam can range from health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, physiology, and pharmacological therapies to infection prevention and control.
You have up to five hours to complete the NCLEX. You can expect to answer a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 150 questions, which may vary in content, number, and time available to complete the exam depending on your Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB).
The more informed you are about the exam structure, how to approach each question, and the time allotted to answer each question, the better your results will be. Read on to find out the best NCLEX study plan in Canada!
What is the lowest score to pass the NCLEX?
The NCLEX is a pass/fail exam based on computerized adaptive testing, or CAT, which tells you whether or not you have passed the exam, so there is no minimum or maximum score you must achieve.
Among the factors used to determine the NCLEX score are the level of difficulty of the questions, the number of correct questions, and the fact that the exam is completed within a specific period.
In addition, the NCLEX scoring system uses logits, which are statistical models for analyzing and predicting variables, and determines whether candidates pass or fail by estimating their ability to address the questions and the difficulty of the questions. Then, the number of questions you must answer correctly to pass the exam will vary depending on how well you answer each question.
On the NCLEX, the minimum number of questions is 75, and the maximum is 145. If you answer most of the questions correctly, you can pass the exam after answering the minimum of 75 questions.
Otherwise, the system will continue to ask you questions until you reach the time limit and the maximum number of questions. Because CAT tests have a scoring system that involves many factors, there is no exact way to determine the lowest score to pass the NCLEX, so the only thing you should focus on is to prepare yourself as best as possible.
The NCLEX is pass or fail. It's hard to determine what the actually percentage is needed.
What is the best predictor of NCLEX success?
According to a study titled "Investigating student and faculty perspectives related to predictors of NCLEX-RN success: A mixed methods approach," conducted in the United States in 2023 and published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, the predictors of success in the NCLEX-RN are a mix between external and interpersonal factors.
By closely examining the categories in which participants scored high the first time they took the NCLEX, they found they had better stress tolerance, critical thinking, and emotional self-awareness. Conversely, common themes associated with failure to pass the NCLEX-RN included participants with poor study skills, poor test preparation, diminished self-confidence, difficulty prioritizing, personal family factors, and work demands (Jacobs and Koehn, 2006).
For these reasons, early identification of students with academic or test preparation difficulties and appropriate support for students dealing with anxiety or other mental health conditions are critical to ensuring educational and career success and achieving higher NCLEX scores.
If you struggle with test anxiety, remember you are not alone. Discover the best NCLEX test-anxiety coping strategies and techniques, and do not hesitate to seek professional help.
How can I increase my chances of passing the NCLEX?
Indeed, using online NCLEX review resources and practicing with NCLEX exam simulations are great alternatives to achieving a good NCLEX score. However, to increase your chances of passing the NCLEX, we recommend seeking support through private tutoring.
Private tutoring offers numerous benefits to successfully passing the NCLEX nursing exam. Here are three key reasons why:
Private instruction is tailored to your learning needs. A private NCLEX tutor is a professional with experience preparing for exams like the NCLEX who will assess your current knowledge, identify areas for improvement, and design a study plan that suits your availability and learning style.
During private tutoring sessions, you can instantly clarify doubts, delve deeper into specific topics covered in the NCLEX, and improve your approach to complex questions. In addition, an experienced tutor can provide effective time management strategies and improve your critical thinking skills.
The NCLEX is often considered complex and requires dedication and patience to study for. A private tutor can help you stay disciplined and motivated, set realistic goals, and focus on your ultimate goal. With the support of a committed tutor, you will feel more prepared and confident as you take on the NCLEX.
Want to know the best private instruction to prepare for the NCLEX? Keep reading to find the best private tutoring platform and excel on the NCLEX-RN with the ideal personalized support anywhere in Canada.
Excel the NCLEX with Superprof!
Private tutoring can help you develop an effective study strategy and the best approach to the NCLEX. Are you ready to strengthen your NCLEX skills with the best private tutors in Canada? Go to Superprof!
Superprof is an excellent online platform that connects millions of students with private tutors and teachers across Canada. Find the support you need to excel on the NCLEX-RN. With Superprof, you can easily find the best private tutors near you and budget-friendly instructions adapted to your needs and expectations. Ready to start your nursing career off on the right foot? With Superprof, success is closer than you think.
Wrap up!
To get the best performance and score on the NCLEX and embark on your nursing career, you must remember that success lies not only in studying eight hours a day to master the exam content but also in cultivating confidence, strategic planning, and utilizing reliable resources customized to your needs. With dedication and the guidance provided, you will undoubtedly be more than prepared to excel in your NCLEX and embark on a fulfilling nursing career.
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