Make sure you have all paperwork in order. Once you graduate from nursing school you can apply to take the exam. You will submit your application to find out if you are eligible to take the exam to your state board of nursing. Applicants may submit forms to more than one board of nursing in case they want to work in multiple states.
Find out where the exam is held. The exam is given by Pearson, a private educational testing company. Exams are given in a formal setting such as a hotel several times a year. Check with the Pearson website to find out when you can schedule your attempt at the exam.
Understand how the exam is structured. The NCLEX, or National Counsel Licensure Exam is graded on a pass / fail basis. Test takers can expect to take up to five hours to complete the exam. Most of the questions will be multiple choice. Some questions may be in a fill in the blank format. The exam is administered by a computer system. You sit in front of a computer. Test questions will appear starting with questions judged of medium hardness. If you get the question right you will progress to harder questions until the system has judged that you've demonstrated competency. If you get the question wrong you will be given easier questions that will progress as you answer them correctly. Once the system has judged that you have answered enough questions the exam will come to an end.
Know what's on the test. The NCLEX is centered solely on nursing. Applicants will not be tested on their understanding of communications, American history or political science. The exam is divided into four major subjects and ten minor subjects. Expect to be tested on your knowledge of subjects such as safety and infection control, prevention and early detection of disease and reduction of risk potential.
Use the right study materials. Draw on your notes from nursing classes, your nursing textbooks and your understanding of nursing policies and procedures. Review all material. Anything you found difficult during nursing school should be given special attention. If necessary consult with your nursing instructors if you are still struggling. Consider taking a review class and working with other students to form a study group to help you pass.