NCLEX Exam - What to Do About the Dropping Pass Rate

With proper planning you can pass the NCLEX exam the first time. Most students pass the exam on their first try, but there is still a large percentage that don't. When you take the time to determine how you are going to approach your studies, you can too! Only 87.1% of US educated pupils and 47.4% of students educated abroad passed the NCLEX in the first quarter of 2008. this figure dropped 2% and 10% for US and internationally educated students compared to the first quarter of 2007 according to the NCSBN. An initial review of this statistic could be a bit disheartening, but when analyzing the numbers as a whole they are curious. Here are some interesting statistics .

US Educated Students- First Time NCLEX TestTakers 2007:

First Quarter- 26,923 Candidates 89.1% % Pass Rate

Second Quarter- 31,379 Candidates 87.6% Pass Rate

Third Quarter- 51,428 Candidates 83.5% Pass Rate

Forth Quarter- 9.849 Candidates 78.6% Pass Rate

The passing rates vary tremendously between the quarters. Does the test taken differ that much from one quarter to the next? It is not likely that the NCSBN is making changes that will cause a variance of this degree. The amount of students sitting for the exam does not appear to be a factor either, as the highest and lowest pass rates are during periods where there are the most and least number of candidates.

The only significance we may be able to ascertain from this is that it is possible that the students taking the exam during the first and second quarters were full time students and they sat for their tests as the course was completed. An amazing fact which is not mentioned above is that in 2007, on average pupils with a high school diploma passed at 87.9% ; baccalaureate degreed students 86.4%; and associate degreed students at 84.8%. Amazingly, students with only a diploma had a higher passing rate.

The most likely reason for this is that they have fewer distractions, and they have more time to study. Students with less responsibility are more likely to focus on what they have been taught, opposed to their counter parts, who must focus on the needs of their children and their careers.

It is challenging to find the time to study for the NCLEX Exam with such responsibilities It is imperative to budget your time. If you haven't begun nursing classes yet, start taking the time to determine when you will be able to study. set realistic expectations. Consider what other activities you will have to give up. If you know in advance what sacrifices you have to make and you tell those who rely on you, they will be more conscience.

Decide where you will study. This must be a location where you feel focused on your studies. The effort that you spend focused only on your studies will be productive and take less time. Surprisingly, the car is a great place to study and review what you have learned. Get NCLEX RN audios and start listening to them. Take advantage of this time, so you can reward yourself with free time later. Take full advantage of all the audio study materials. The more you listen to and learn, the less time you will be sitting down gaining weight.

Only careful planning and execution of all aspects of your studying and test preparation will help you pass the NCLEX exam. As mentioned above, it is not a matter of your prior education that will determine if you Pass the NCLEX, it is how you execute your plan for education.

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