8 Tips to Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam in 2025
The NCLEX-RN exam has a reputation for being one of the hardest and most important test in nursing education. It’s that final hurdle between you and your nursing license. Its no surprise that it is the most discussed exam on Facebook, Reddit and Quora. But here’s the truth: It’s just another exam. Yes, it’s important, but it’s not impossible to pass.
With the right strategy, you can crush it. Here are 8 solid tips to help you pass the NCLEX-RN exam with confidence.
1. Know the NCLEX-RN Format Like the Back of Your Hand
You wouldn’t walk into a battlefield without knowing your enemy, right? The NCLEX-RN is a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT), which means it adjusts the difficulty based on your answers. Answer correctly, and the questions get harder. Miss a few, and it adjusts. The goal? To figure out if you meet the minimum competency to be a nurse.
Key takeaway: It’s not about getting every question right; it’s about consistently proving you know enough. So, study the format, learn the question styles (like prioritization and “Select All That Apply” questions), and don’t let the adaptive part psych you out.
2. Build a Study Plan — Not a “Cram Plan”
No plan? No win. A solid study plan keeps you focused and prevents that last-minute "OMG I have so much to do!" panic. Break your study schedule into daily or weekly goals. Hit one topic at a time — pharmacology this week, patient care next week. Use study apps, flashcards, and nursing notes. A little progress every day beats trying to swallow the whole textbook the night before.
Pasinggrade tip: Plan "review days" to go back over weak areas.
3. Make Time for Revision — And I Mean Real Time
Time is like money. If you don’t track it, it disappears. Don't just hope you’ll find time to study. Schedule it. Treat it like a shift at work — non-negotiable. Two hours a day of focused study beats six hours of scrolling TikTok while your "NCLEX book is open."
To make it stick, use active recall and spaced repetition. Quiz yourself. Test banks (like those from PassingGrades) are a game-changer here because they simulate the actual test.
4. Use NCLEX-RN Practice Tests — Lots of Them
If you’re not doing NCLEX-style practice questions, you’re missing out. Seriously. Practice tests train your brain to think like the exam itself. But don’t just "take" the test — analyze it. Review why you got a question wrong, and understand the logic behind the right answer. This is where a solid test bank (like the one for Brunner and Suddarth) pays off. You’ll learn the content and how to think like a nurse.
5. Learn How to Manage Stress (Because It Will Show Up)
You’re not just preparing for the NCLEX, you’re preparing for the mental marathon that comes with it. It’s long. It’s intense. And if you don’t manage stress, you’ll burn out halfway through. Practice mindfulness, breathing exercises, and positive self-talk. When you sit for the test, breathe in for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for six. It works.
6. Start Early — Avoid the Last-Minute Panic
If "last-minute crammer" is your study style, I’ve got bad news for you. The NCLEX doesn’t reward cramming. It rewards preparation. Start early so you’re not pulling all-nighters two days before the exam. Your future self will thank you.
7. Prepare for NCLEX Eve — Yes, The Night Before Matters
The day before the exam can make or break your test-day vibe. Here’s a checklist to keep things under control:
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol — Don’t mess with your nervous system.
- Eat a good dinner — Fuel up, but don’t eat anything "risky" (spicy foods, I’m looking at you).
- Get rest — Sleep matters more than one last review session.
- Fill your car with gas — Don’t rely on “I’ll do it in the morning.”
- Gather documents — Photo ID, test confirmation, whatever the testing center needs.
- Map your route — Know where the testing center is and have a backup route in case of traffic.
- Don’t try new medications — It’s not the day to experiment with “natural focus enhancers.”
Wake up refreshed, ready to face the NCLEX. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing less the right way.
8. Trust Yourself — Seriously, You Got This
By the time test day rolls around, you’ve done the work. Stop doubting yourself. If you’ve studied, reviewed practice questions, and kept up with your coursework, you’re ready. Confidence matters more than you think. Walk into that test knowing you’ve got this.
Here’s a secret: Most people feel like they failed when they leave the NCLEX. The reality? Many of them pass. Trust that you know more than you think.
Parting Shot
The NCLEX-RN isn’t unbeatable. It’s not a random nightmare dropped from the sky. It’s a challenge, yes, but it’s a challenge you’re ready for. With the right strategy, proper test bank materials (like those found on PasingGrades), and a steady approach, you’ll walk away with that license in hand.
Don’t overthink it. Stick to these tips, and you’ll turn exam day into "victory day." You’ve got this, future nurse! Adios.