Practice Tests: Will They Help You Pass the NCLEX?

For most registered nurses, the NCLEX exam is the most important test they will take in their career. Can prep courses and practice tests help you pass?

For most registered nurses, the NCLEX exam is the most important test they will take in their career. A passing grade, and you launch your career as a registered nurse. A failing grade will have you hitting the books again for another attempt. Aspiring RNs often take preparatory courses and exams to help them pass the NCLEX, but do they work?

Many nursing students choose -- or are required -- to take preliminary “practice” exams to help them feel comfortable and confident when they are taking the NCLEX.

One such exam is the ATI Comprehensive Predictor test, a three-hour, proctored test, totaling 180 items. Its goal is to figure out how ready you are to take and pass the NCLEX, and to highlight areas where you may need some extra study. The test covers nursing fundamentals and common categories of patient care. You’ll see your results by category so you’ll have an idea of your strengths and weaknesses.

The predictor exam is then graded and assigned one of three proficiency levels:

Level I – nursing students should meet the minimum requirements of the NCLEX exam.
Level II – nursing students have a very high chance of passing the exam and the minimum needed in most nursing schools.
Level III – at this level nursing students are almost assured of passing the exam.

Similar forms of pre-NCLEX assessment are offered by UWorld, Kaplan, Hurst, and nursing.com. While all are designed to help you pass “The Big One,” some may be more tailored for your needs than others -- depending on where you are in your nursing education and career.

These providers charge a fee for preparatory exams, as well as for remedial courses and study guides.

You've done your prep work, what's next?

You must first secure an Authorization to Test (ATT) in order to register for the NCLEX. After the nursing regulatory body - typically your state board of nursing -- determines that you are eligible to take the NCLEX, you’ll receive an email notification of your ATT. You will be authorized to take the test within the next 90 days; timing may vary slightly depending on your situation.

You will also need to register and pay the $200 exam fee with Pearson VUE, the firm that administers the NCLEX. At Pearson’s site you can register for an exam, schedule a date and select a testing location.

Your nursing school instructors have given you a thorough orientation as to the substance and procedures of the NCLEX exam. They want you to pass as much as you do! Once you have signed up for an account at Pearson, you can choose to take a NCLEX practice exam consisting of questions that appeared on previous exams. Each test is good for a one-time use. Be sure to put aside five hours of uninterrupted time to take the practice test. As of this writing, the fee for the practice exam was $150.

Their NCLEX practice exam will not break out your results by category, but it will provide a reasonably “true-to-life” exam experience. It is scored using the CAT model, as are many of the other providers' tests and the actual exam.

What the NCLEX practice test-taking pros say

If you're a natural test-taker, and you know you've got this, you may not need third-party prep courses. That doesn't mean skip the self-study, though! Still, many students do improve their scores after taking remedial or supplementary programs. Personalized coaching is also helpful for some learners. If you know that practicing reduces your anxiety levels and boosts your confidence, it's worth considering.

Time-honored keys to NCLEX success

Don't wait too long after nursing school to take the test.
Memorizing terminology, medications, procedures is important.
Critical thinking and situation assessment is important.
Consider practice tests -- and a prep course if warranted.
Study thoroughly and plan in advance. Cramming rarely works.

If you're already an RN, you no doubt remember that awesome feeling of pride and relief when you got word of you passing score! And if you're an RN-to-be, just remember to believe in yourself, work hard and take it one step at a time. One day you too will find yourself on the winning side of that exam!