Once you graduate from nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse) to become a registered nurse in Canada officially. You might be well versed in your subject, but knowing a few extra tricks will help you ace your examination on your first try. Here are five tips you can utilize during your NCLEX exam.
Understand the Exam Format
The NCLEX utilizes the computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format, which means every exam is unique. While attempting the exam, the algorithm presents a new question based on your previous question’s performance. The question bank is extensive and comprises various question styles among several topics. The exam consists of 75 to 265 questions, which can take up to six hours. Students pass the test when they correctly answer enough questions to score above 95%.
Don’t Self-Evaluate While Attempting the Exam
Just focus on answering the questions. You might lose track or get distracted during your examination if you try to evaluate your score while attempting the test. Doing so might even make you feel stressed and nervous, affecting your performance. Concentrate on answering the assessment and giving your best.
Learn to Manage Your Stress During the Exam
Almost everyone goes through the stress and anxiety of attempting a test. But worry not; there are several methods you can use to manage and minimize your stress. Just follow the tips mentioned below.
1) Prepare for your exams seriously but don’t overload yourself. Ensure to take enough breaks in between.
2) Allot time for proper sleep, exercise and fun activities. Maintaining a balance between study and leisure will keep your mind fresh and active.
3) Don’t study or compress all the information on the day of the NCLEX. Instead, start the day with a calm and soothing activity like listening to your favourite music or having a delicious breakfast.
Create an Efficient Study Plan
To prepare for your NCLEX, create a study plan that allows you to study and relax. The NCLEX isn’t an examination you can ace studying at the last moment. It is an assessment that tests the knowledge you gained over the years at your nursing school/college. Hence, drafting a plan will help to utilize your time effectively. Here are a few things to remember while planning a schedule.
– Mark the days you will study, you will attempt a practice test, and the days you will relax.
– Create a goal for every study session, like studying x chapters or practicing x questions.
Invest in Helpful Study Materials
It will be one of your wisest decisions to invest in test prep resources like Stellar Nursing’s NCLEX course, which provides you with smart study materials and test plans to create an efficient and effective study schedule.
If you aspire to become a nurse in Canada, Stellar Nursing will help you accomplish your goals. Our professional team of educators will guide you through the syllabus and ensure you develop the critical skills needed in the field. To learn more about us, call us today.