If you have failed the NCLEX multiple times, studying for it all over again is challenging, but it’s definitely possible to pass it. As NCLEX prep experts, we have seen thousands of people fail the exam every year, but with the right study strategies, most pass the next time.
If you’ve failed the NCLEX multiple times, you need time to reflect on your study habits, identify areas where you can improve, and develop a more targeted study plan.
This article explains why you might’ve failed the NCLEX in your previous attempt and how to modify your study patterns to ace the exam this time.
Why Do Students Fail the NCLEX?
There are many reasons why students fail the NCLEX. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN in 2023 was 87.6% for first-time test takers. This means that over 12% of students failed the NCLEX on their first attempt.
Here are a few of the most common reasons why students fail the NCLEX:
- Lack of preparation: The NCLEX is a challenging exam, and it is important to be well-prepared before taking it. Students who do not study enough or do not use the right materials are more likely to fail.
- Poor study habits: Cramming and memorizing information instead of applying your concepts to nursing practice is a major reason why students struggle solving the NCLEX. Remember that it is a knowledge application test, so you need to focus on applying your knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Studying from multiple resources: Studying from too many different sources can lead to sensory overload and test anxiety. It is better to focus on a few high-quality resources and learn them inside and out.
- Extensive focus on practicing questions: While practice questions are an important part of NCLEX preparation, they should not be the only focus. Make sure you understand the concepts behind the questions in order to answer them correctly on the exam.
- Test anxiety: Test anxiety can be a major obstacle for NCLEX students. Students who experience test anxiety may have difficulty focusing on the exam or make careless mistakes.
- Lack of understanding of the NCLEX format and content: The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test, which means that the difficulty of the questions changes based on the student’s performance. A lack of understanding of the NCLEX format and content is a major contributor to exam failure.
- Personal problems: Personal problems such as illness, family, or financial issues can also interfere with a student’s ability to prepare for and pass the NCLEX.
Picking Yourself Up After Failing the NCLEX
Failing the NCLEX is a temporary stumble on your path to becoming a nurse and does not tag you as an incapable healthcare professional. In fact, many of today’s great nurses had to take the exam more than once before getting their license.
Give yourself time to process your disappointment, and reach out to friends, family, or a support network for comfort.
Next, take your time to assess what went wrong. Review your test results and identify your weak areas. Statistics show that about 70% of students who retake the NCLEX pass on their second try, especially if they focus on these weak points.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Did I have enough time to study?
- Did I use the right study resources?
- Did I understand the format of the exam?
- Did I manage my test anxiety effectively?
- Did I follow a realistic and effective study plan?
- Were there any personal problems that interfered with my studying?
Stay persistent and positive. You’ve invested so much in your nursing career; don’t let one exam define your abilities. Keep studying, practicing, and believing you have the resilience and determination to succeed.
Developing a Personalized NCLEX Retake Study Plan
If you have failed the NCLEX multiple times, you must do the following to develop a personalized study plan.
Step 1: Identify Your Weaknesses
To identify your potential weaknesses, review your NCLEX results, analyze them carefully, and identify the areas where you scored the lowest.
Look for patterns in the types of questions you missed. For example, did you miss a lot of questions about a particular subject? Or did you have trouble with questions that required you to apply critical thinking skills?
Step 2: List Down Topics To Review
Once you understand your weaknesses well, you can start creating a list of topics you need to review. Include a variety of topics from all areas of the NCLEX test content and focus on the topics you struggled with the most.
You may want to group the topics by subject area (e.g., medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric nursing, etc.) or difficulty level (e.g., easy, medium, hard). This can help you break down the material into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Step 3: Set Realistic Goals
When creating your study plan, be sure to set realistic goals. Don’t try to cram everything in at the last minute. Instead, break down the material into smaller chunks and schedule regular study sessions.
A good rule of thumb is to study for at least two hours daily, five days a week. If you can, study for longer periods on the weekends.
Step 4: Choose The Right Study Materials
Many different NCLEX study materials are available; find a combination that works best for you. You may want to use textbooks, review books, online resources, or even a tutor.
If using textbooks, highlight important concepts and make notes in the margins. Use review books to get a quick overview of topics you know well, and practice previously tested questions to assess your knowledge. Find practice questions, study guides, and other NCLEX preparation materials through live or self-paced online courses.
If you are struggling with a particular topic, you may want to consider hiring a tutor. A good tutor can help you identify weaknesses, develop a study plan, and answer questions.
FAQ
Is It Common To Fail NCLEX?
Yes, it is common to fail the NCLEX on the first attempt. In 2023, the overall first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN was 83.6%, meaning that over 16% of students failed the exam on their first try.
Does NCLEX Get Harder the More Times You Take It?
No, the NCLEX does not get harder the more times you take it. It is a computer-adaptive test that adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your performance.
What Is the Hardest Part of the NCLEX?
The hardest part of the NCLEX is the critical thinking and problem-solving questions that require application of nursing concepts to real-world scenarios. They have multiple possible answers, and you need to choose the best answer(s) based on the evidence and information presented in the clinical scenario.
What should I do first after failing the NCLEX multiple times?
The first step is to slow down and review what happened in your past attempts. Look at your weak areas, your study routine, the resources you used, and how you handled test anxiety. Once you understand what went wrong, you can build a better NCLEX retake study plan instead of repeating the same approach.
Is it still possible to pass the NCLEX after failing more than once?
Yes. Failing the NCLEX more than once does not mean you cannot become a nurse. Many students pass after multiple attempts once they change their study strategy, focus on weak areas, and learn how to answer NCLEX-style questions more effectively.
Why do students fail the NCLEX multiple times?
Students may fail the NCLEX multiple times for different reasons. Some study without a clear plan, use too many resources, focus only on practice questions, struggle with test anxiety, or have trouble applying nursing concepts to real patient situations. The key is to identify your personal reason so you can fix it before your next attempt.
How should I study differently after failing the NCLEX?
After failing the NCLEX, avoid studying the exact same way again. Focus on understanding the concepts behind the questions, not just memorizing answers. Review your weak topics, practice clinical judgment questions, and use a study schedule that gives you enough time to review and apply what you learned.
Should I take a break before studying for my NCLEX retake?
Yes, a short break can help you reset emotionally and mentally. Failing the NCLEX can feel discouraging, so it is okay to take time to process it. Once you feel ready, return with a more focused study plan and a clear goal for your next exam attempt.
How do I know what my weak areas are for the NCLEX?
You can start by reviewing your NCLEX candidate performance report and looking for the content areas where you performed below the passing standard. You should also pay attention to the types of questions you miss during practice, such as prioritization, pharmacology, safety, or Next Generation NCLEX case studies.
Are practice questions enough to pass the NCLEX?
Practice questions are important, but they are not enough by themselves. You also need to understand the nursing content behind each question. If you only answer questions without reviewing the rationale and learning the concept, it can be harder to improve before your NCLEX retake.
How can I manage test anxiety after failing the NCLEX?
Test anxiety is common after a failed NCLEX attempt. To manage it, practice under timed conditions, build a realistic study schedule, take breaks, and avoid last-minute cramming. Confidence usually improves when you know you have reviewed your weak areas and practiced questions the right way.
Can Feuer Nursing Review help repeat NCLEX test-takers?
Yes. Feuer Nursing Review can help repeat NCLEX test-takers by providing structured review options, nursing content review, test-taking strategies, and NCLEX-style practice questions. This can be helpful if you need a clearer study plan and better guidance before taking the exam again.
What is the best NCLEX retake study plan?
The best NCLEX retake study plan focuses on your weak areas, gives you enough time to review core nursing topics, and includes regular practice with NCLEX-style questions. A strong plan should also include review days, breaks, and time to study rationales so you understand why each answer is correct or incorrect.
Books vs. Online Courses: Which is Right for You?
The best way to study for the NCLEX after you’ve failed it multiple times is what works best for you. If you are a visual learner, you may prefer online courses. But if you are a hands-on learner, books might work better.
If you are looking for an effective way to prepare, Feuer Nursing Review can help. We offer various tried-and-tested exam resources, including live and self-paced online courses, expert advice and tips.
Our materials are based on the latest NCLEX test plan and are designed to help you learn and retain the information you need to pass the exam. Click here to learn more about how we can help you succeed on the NCLEX and achieve your dream of becoming a nurse.
