Know what's on the exam. The NCLEX exam covers material related to the actual practice of nursing. The test is further divided into four major subjects and ten minor subjects. The four major subject areas are safe, effective care environment, health promotion and maintanence, psychosocial integrity and physiological integrity. Minor subjects that are covered include safety and infection control, prevention and early detection of disease, coping and adaptation, and reduction of risk potential. Candidates can expect to find questions related to each area on the exam.
Understand the format of the exam. The NCLEX is administered via computer. Nurses sit at a computer in a testing center and answer questions as they appear on the screen. The test starts with questions that have been deemed of medium difficulty. Answer the medium difficulty questions correctly and you will be given harder questions. Answer them incorrectly and you will be given easier questions. This process continues until you have answered at least 75 questions. You can expect to answer as many as 265 questions and spend as much as five hours taking the exam. You should receive the results of the exam within a month. If you fail the NCLEX you can retake it as many times as you need until you have passed it.
Read your textbooks and class notes. All information covered on the NCLEX centers around the field of nursing. All material on the exam should have been covered in any classes you that you took related to nursing during your course of undergraduate study. Start studying for the NCLEX with a comprehensive review of your class notes and textbooks. Consider typing up your notes to help you study. If you sold the textbooks you used, you should be able to get a copy of the text from your college library. If necessary, photocopy relevant passages of information. If possible, contact prior professors. They may be able to help you make sense of material that you have found confusing. A professor may also be able to offer additional study tips.
Consider taking a preparatory class. Some outside companies offer help preparing for the NCLEX. A company teacher can help you understand the structure of the exam better, have sample tests on hand and clear up any questions you may have about the material on the test. Think about when you want to schedule the class relative to the exam. The NCLEX is given multiple times throughout the year. If you have been out of nursing school for a period of time, it may be sensible to schedule the exam after a period of intensive study to allow you to review the material. Those who have just graduated may want to schedule the exam and the prep class within a short period of time, when the material in question remains quite fresh.