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. With some thought about how you study, you can too! Only 87.1% of US trained students and 47.4% of students educated abroad passed the NCLEX in the first quarter of 2008. This is down 2% and 10% for US and internationally educated students compared to the first quarter of 2007 according to the NCSBN. At first glance this statistic could be a bit disheartening, but when analyzing the numbers as a whole they are quite baffling. Here are some interesting facts.
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 pass rates vary tremendously form one quarter to the others. Does the test administered vary that much from one quarter to the next? It is not likely that the NCSBN is making changes that will cause such a significant flux. The number of pupils 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 draw from this is that it is likely that the students taking the exam during the first and second quarters were full time nursing students and they took their exams as the course was completed. A very interestingfact which is not mentioned above is that in 2007, on average students 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 were able to perform better on the exam.
The most likely reason for this is that they have fewer responsibilities, and they have more time to study. Students with less responsibility are better able to concentrate on what they have been taught, opposed to their counter parts, who must concentrate on the needs of their children and their careers.
It is difficult to make the time to study for the NCLEX Exam with such responsibilities It is essential to plan your time. If you haven't begun nursing classes yet, promptly take the time to figure out when you will be able to study. Develop 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 inform those who rely on you, they will be more supportive of you.
Decide where you will study. This must be a place where you feel you can concentrate on your studies. The effort that you spend focused only on your studies will be effective and take less time. Surprisingly, the auto 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 advantage of all the audio study guides. The more you listen to and learn, the less time you will be sitting at the desk.
Only careful planning and execution of all aspects of your studying and test preparation will help you pass the NCLEX exam. As noted 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.
NCLEX Exam Study Guide- Audios
Published July 26th, 2008
