On a scale of 1-10, how hard is the NCLEX?

You are certainly a very well informed sophomore to be asking a question about the NCLEX. Good for you young lady or young man! The NCLEX is a very challenging exam and needs to be given a lot of respect. The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams both have pretty high pass rates (over 90% for RN and over 80% for PN), but studying for them still takes months. You will want to reserve a good amount of time after completing nursing school to prepare for taking the exam. As a high school sophomore I wouldnt imagine that you have taken an adaptive test before. A lot of the preparation involves learning how to take computerized adaptive tests. There is some strategy involved in working with a test like that. Keep in mind that the study materials can cost a lot of money as well. While this may all sound a bit scary, dont worry too much about the test at this point. Youre on a great path already, I can tell. First focus on nursing school and you can worry about the NCLEX when you get closer to taking it.

You will need to focus on stress and time management. In order to manage stress you have to manage your time wisely. <span style="background-color: transparent;">You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Here is how to be successful in them:</span>

1. <span style="background-color: transparent;">Stay on track - do assignments early, finish things a head of time, and be aware of all of your deadlines</span>
2. <span style="background-color: transparent;">do all the the assignments and read all of the coursework required- do not cut corners</span>
3. <span style="background-color: transparent;">use Google calendar to keep track of deadlines</span>
4. <span style="background-color: transparent;">communicate with your professor early if something comes up</span>
5. <span style="background-color: transparent;">do not be afraid to ask for an extension if you need one</span>
6. <span style="background-color: transparent;">study, and study a lot! you don't have regular class sessions so you will need to put in more work at home.</span>
7. <span style="background-color: transparent;">Do your best and genuinely try hard to give it your all.</span>

The best way to score high on the test is to Google search an online program or book that will help you study. Once you find an online lesson plan for success you can use it as a road map for studying. Otherwise, find a book to help you study and spend 45 mins a night reading through it and studying. Depending on when you test is, the first thing you will want to do is organize a studying schedule for yourself. Target studying certain sections of the test and divide them up by the weeks/months you have until you have to take it.

Depending upon which place of higher education you chose, most RN schools will have testing similar to the NCLEX and most require their students to continually take and pass these exams along with the curriculum. Practice of this type testing helps the student take the licensing exam without "nervousness or jitters". After all, this is the exam that grants a nurse a license to work. Without a passing score, the years of training and education won't allow the person to be a RN. If not taking the exam right after graduation, it is well you the cost to take a "refresher course" to bring all the specialties back to the front of your memory! All the best to any person who has the calling to be a RN! Just give it your best, study hard, and try to get the most out of your clinical rotations, that's where you'll get the most education!