The NCLEX is a challenging exam that requires a strong understanding of nursing concepts, critical thinking, and test-taking strategies. Many candidates fail not because they lack knowledge but because they make avoidable mistakes. This guide will break down the most common errors test-takers make and provide strategies to help you pass on your first attempt.

1. Mismanaging Time During the Exam

The Mistake:

• Spending too much time on one question, leading to rushing at the end.
• Not pacing yourself properly and running out of time.

How to Avoid It:

• Use the First 75 Questions Wisely: The NCLEX can end at 75 questions if you perform well. Focus on these early questions to demonstrate competency.
• Set a Time Limit per Question: Aim for about one to two minutes per question. If you get stuck, move on and return later if time allows.
• Use the “Mark for Review” Feature Wisely: If unsure about a question, mark it and move forward. Do not waste excessive time trying to solve difficult questions early on.

2. Overthinking and Changing Answers

The Mistake:

• Doubting your initial answer and changing it to the wrong one.
• Reading too much into the question and assuming details that are not provided.

How to Avoid It:

• Trust Your First Instinct: Studies show that your first choice is usually correct unless you misread the question.
• Stick to the Information Given: NCLEX questions include only the details you need. Do not assume extra information.
• Avoid “What If” Thinking: Answer the question based on what is presented, not what “could” happen.

3. Misreading the Question

The Mistake:

• Failing to recognize keywords like “first,” “priority,” “best,” “most important,” “least likely.”
• Ignoring negative phrasing, such as “Which intervention is NOT appropriate?”

How to Avoid It:

• Slow Down and Read Carefully: Always read the entire question before looking at the answers.
• Identify Key Terms: Look for words that indicate priority or negative phrasing.
• Rephrase the Question in Simple Terms: This can help clarify what the question is asking.

4. Struggling with Prioritization Questions

The Mistake:

• Not using the correct prioritization frameworks, leading to incorrect choices.
• Choosing interventions that are correct but not the most critical at that moment.

How to Avoid It:

• Use the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation should always guide your decision-making.
• Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy: Physiological needs, such as oxygenation, nutrition, and elimination, come before safety or psychosocial needs.
• Use the Nursing Process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation (ADPIE). Always assess before intervening unless it is an emergency.
• Recognize “Stable vs. Unstable” Patients: Prioritize unstable patients, such as those with new-onset symptoms or sudden changes in vital signs.

5. Forgetting Infection Control Principles

The Mistake:

• Choosing the wrong personal protective equipment (PPE) or isolation precautions.
• Forgetting that hand hygiene is the first line of defense.

How to Avoid It:

• Memorize Isolation Precautions: Know the difference between contact, droplet, and airborne precautions.
• Always Choose Hand Hygiene First: If “handwashing” is an answer choice and no emergency intervention is needed, it is usually the correct answer.
• Know the Order of PPE Donning and Doffing:
  • Put On: Gown, Mask, Goggles, Gloves
  • Take Off: Gloves, Gown, Goggles, Mask

6. Not Practicing Enough Select All That Apply (SATA) Questions

The Mistake:

• Expecting multiple-choice questions and struggling with “Select All That Apply” (SATA).
• Thinking that SATA questions always have a set number of correct answers.

How to Avoid It:

• Treat Each Option as True or False: Evaluate each choice independently.
• Do Not Assume a Set Number of Answers: The correct response may have two, three, four, or all five correct choices.
• Practice Daily: SATA questions are common on the NCLEX, so get comfortable answering them.

7. Memorizing Instead of Understanding Concepts

The Mistake:

• Trying to memorize every single drug and disease instead of focusing on core concepts.
• Failing to apply knowledge in different scenarios.

How to Avoid It:

• Focus on Understanding Over Rote Memorization: Learn why an intervention is done rather than just what it is.
• Use Mnemonics and Concept Mapping: These techniques help connect related ideas, making it easier to recall information.
• Apply Knowledge to Practice Questions: The NCLEX tests application and analysis, not just recall.

8. Not Managing Test Anxiety

The Mistake:

• Letting anxiety take over, leading to poor concentration and second-guessing.
• Panicking if the exam does not shut off at 75 questions.

How to Avoid It:

• Practice Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques: Stay calm and focused.
• Remember That More Questions Does Not Mean Failure: The NCLEX may continue past 75 questions if the system needs more data to assess your competency.
• Take Scheduled Breaks: If you feel overwhelmed, use the scheduled break to reset your mind.

9. Not Taking Enough Practice Tests

The Mistake:

• Only studying content without practicing NCLEX-style questions.
• Not simulating real test conditions before the actual exam.

How to Avoid It:

• Do Timed Practice Exams: This builds endurance and improves pacing.
• Review Rationales for Every Question: Understanding why an answer is correct or incorrect helps reinforce learning.
• Use a Variety of NCLEX Prep Resources: Different question banks expose you to different styles of questions.

10. Ignoring NCLEX Test Format and Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)

The Mistake:

• Not understanding how the NCLEX works, leading to confusion during the exam.
• Expecting a traditional pass or fail grading system.

How to Avoid It:

• Know That the NCLEX Uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT):
  • If you answer correctly, you get a harder question.
  • If you answer incorrectly, you get an easier question.
  • The test adapts to determine your competency level.
• Understand the Minimum and Maximum Questions:
  • The NCLEX can shut off at 75 questions if you are clearly passing or failing.
  • It can continue up to 145 questions if needed to determine your competency.
• Do Not Panic if It Keeps Going: The number of questions does not predict whether you are passing or failing.

Final Tips for NCLEX Success

• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more NCLEX-style questions you do, the more confident you will be.
• Simulate Test Conditions: Take full-length practice tests in a quiet environment to get used to the exam format.
• Master Prioritization, Infection Control, and Pharmacology: These are high-yield areas on the NCLEX.
• Get Enough Rest Before the Exam: Avoid cramming the night before. A well-rested mind performs better.
• Stay Positive and Confident: You have prepared for this, trust your knowledge and test-taking skills.

By avoiding these common mistakes and applying these strategies, you can increase your chances of passing the NCLEX on your first try.