How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time by Overcoming Setbacks and Succeeding

August 11, 2025

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How To Pass Nclex Rn Second Time By Overcoming Setbacks And Succeeding 1

If youโ€™ve recently taken the NCLEX-RN exam and didnโ€™t get the results you wanted, youโ€™re not alone. Many nursing students face this challenge. The NCLEX-RN is known for being a tough test, but that doesnโ€™t mean you canโ€™t pass it on your second attempt.

With the right strategy, preparation, and mindset, you can improve your chances of success and pass the NCLEX RN second time with flying colors. In this guide, we will explore actionable steps to help you prepare for your second attempt and tackle the NCLEX-RN with confidence.

Table of Contents
Why Do Some Students Struggle to Pass the NCLEX RN?
How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time: 6 Steps for Success
1. Reflect on Your First Attempt
2. Create a Personalized Study Plan
3. Practice with NCLEX-Style Questions
4. Master Test-Taking Strategies
5. Focus on Self-Care and Mindset
6. Take a NCLEX-RN Review Course
7. Use Active Recall to Strengthen Your Memory for the NCLEX RN Second Time
8. Focus on Practice Exams and Simulate Exam Day
How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time: Key Resources to Use
NCLEX Prep Books
NCLEX Question Banks
NCLEX Review Courses
Relaxation Apps
Final Thoughts on How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time

Why Do Some Students Struggle to Pass the NCLEX RN?

Before diving into how to pass the NCLEX RN second time, it's essential to understand why some students may struggle in the first place. Identifying the underlying issues will help you adjust your approach and increase your chances of success.

The NCLEX-RN is designed to assess not only your knowledge but also your ability to apply that knowledge in real-life scenarios. The exam is challenging, and it is set up to test your ability to handle complex situations under pressure. So, why do some students find it so difficult?
  • Test Anxiety: Itโ€™s no surprise that many students experience nerves before the exam. Test anxiety can affect your ability to focus and recall information. This leads to a poor performance despite months of studying.
  • Insufficient Study Time: The NCLEX-RN is not a last-minute exam. Some students underestimate how much time they need to dedicate to studying. Cramming a few days before the exam isnโ€™t enough to master the material.
  • Poor Test-Taking Strategies: Even if you know the content, the way you approach the exam is just as important. Time management, answering questions under pressure, and understanding the question formats are key factors.
  • Unfamiliarity with the Exam Format: The NCLEX-RN uses a Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) system. This means that the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance. If you arenโ€™t familiar with this system, it can be overwhelming.

Understanding why you struggled the first time will help you address these issues and come up with a plan for success. The good news is that with the right preparation and mindset, you can pass the NCLEX RN second time.

How To Pass Nclex Rn Second Time By Overcoming Setbacks And Succeeding 2

How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time: 6 Steps for Success

If youโ€™re preparing for your second attempt at the NCLEX-RN, follow these six steps to improve your chances of success. Each of these steps addresses a critical part of the preparation process, from reflecting on your first attempt to refining your test-taking strategies.

1. Reflect on Your First Attempt

The first step toward improving your performance is reflecting on your first attempt. Take time to analyze what went well and where you went wrong. This reflection isnโ€™t about self-blame; itโ€™s about learning from the experience.

Hereโ€™s how you can reflect on your first attempt:

  • What topics tripped you up? Think about which subjects or questions caused the most confusion. Was it pharmacology, patient safety, or prioritization? Knowing your weak spots will allow you to focus your study efforts on those areas.
  • What type of questions caused issues? Were you struggling with case studies, prioritization questions, or calculation problems? This is where practicing specific question types can help.
  • Did anxiety affect your performance? Test anxiety is common, but it can have a significant impact on how well you perform. Did you feel like your nerves got the best of you? If so, think about relaxation techniques to manage that anxiety next time.

In addition, if you received the NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR), take a close look at it. This detailed report will show where you were weakest, which can help you adjust your study plan.

2. Create a Personalized Study Plan

Now that youโ€™ve reflected on your first attempt, itโ€™s time to develop a personalized study plan. Your second attempt will be much more effective if you approach it with a well-thought-out strategy.

To create an effective study plan, follow these guidelines:

  • Identify your weak areas: Use your reflections and the CPR report to identify the topics you need to focus on most. If you struggled with infection control or patient safety, allocate more time to these areas.
  • Set realistic study goals: Divide your study time into manageable chunks. For example, dedicate one week to cardiovascular conditions and another week to pediatric care.
  • Make a weekly schedule: Stick to a consistent study schedule. Whether you study 3 hours a day or 5 hours, be consistent. Itโ€™s better to study in smaller, focused sessions rather than cramming all at once.
  • Use diverse study materials: Donโ€™t rely on just one resource. Use NCLEX prep books, question banks, mobile apps, and video lectures. A variety of materials will reinforce your learning from different angles.

3. Practice with NCLEX-Style Questions

Practice is critical when it comes to passing the NCLEX. The more questions you answer, the more comfortable youโ€™ll become with the exam format and the types of questions youโ€™ll face.

Hereโ€™s how to make the most of your practice sessions:

  • Use reliable question banks: Resources like UWorld, Kaplan, and NCLEX Mastery offer extensive question banks that simulate the NCLEX-RN. These platforms help you get used to the format and level of difficulty youโ€™ll encounter on the actual exam.
  • Review the rationale: After answering each question, take the time to read the explanation behind the correct answer. Understanding why a particular answer is right and why the others are wrong is crucial for solidifying your knowledge.
  • Practice under timed conditions: The NCLEX is a timed exam, so practice answering questions under time pressure. Aim for 100 questions per day, and set a timer to simulate exam conditions. This will help you develop good pacing and ensure that you donโ€™t run out of time on exam day.

4. Master Test-Taking Strategies

Knowing the content is only half of the equationโ€”how you approach the exam is just as important. Mastering the NCLEX test-taking strategies will help you manage your time effectively and tackle even the toughest questions.

Here are some essential test-taking strategies for the NCLEX-RN:

  • Donโ€™t rush through the questions: While it might be tempting to speed through the exam, rushing can lead to mistakes. Take your time to read each question carefully and ensure you understand it before selecting an answer.
  • Use the process of elimination: If you donโ€™t know the answer right away, eliminate the most obviously incorrect options. This increases your chances of choosing the right one.
  • Stay calm under pressure: Itโ€™s easy to panic if you donโ€™t know an answer, but remember, youโ€™re prepared. If youโ€™re stuck on a question, flag it and move on. You can always come back to it later.
  • Answer the question first: Donโ€™t focus too much on the answer choices. Instead, pay close attention to what the question is asking. This will help you stay focused and choose the best answer.

5. Focus on Self-Care and Mindset

Studying for the NCLEX-RN can be intense, but self-care is a crucial part of the process. If youโ€™re not taking care of your mind and body, your performance will suffer.

Hereโ€™s how to maintain a balanced mindset during your preparation:

  • Get plenty of sleep: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is vital for memory retention and cognitive function.
  • Exercise regularly: Physical activity helps reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve your focus.
  • Take breaks: Avoid burnout by taking short breaks throughout your study sessions. A quick walk or a few minutes of stretching can help you refresh and refocus.
  • Stay positive: Focus on your strengths and progress. Remind yourself that youโ€™ve been through this before and that you have the tools to succeed this time around.
How To Pass Nclex Rn Second Time By Overcoming Setbacks And Succeeding 3

6. Take a NCLEX-RN Review Course

If youโ€™re feeling uncertain about your preparation or want to get expert help, consider enrolling in an NCLEX-RN review course. These courses provide structured learning and expert guidance, which can help ensure youโ€™re fully prepared.

Some well-known review courses include:

  • Hurst Review and Kaplan are among the most popular review courses for the NCLEX-RN. Both provide in-depth lessons, practice questions, and expert feedback.
  • NCSBN Learning Extension also offers an excellent review course that includes practice tests and study materials tailored to your needs.

These review courses can help clarify confusing topics, improve your test-taking strategies, and build your confidence before the big day.

7. Use Active Recall to Strengthen Your Memory for the NCLEX RN Second Time

One of the best study techniques you can use when preparing for your second attempt at the NCLEX RN is active recall. This method involves actively testing yourself on the material youโ€™ve studied, rather than passively reviewing notes or textbooks.

The reason active recall is so effective is that it forces your brain to retrieve information from memory, reinforcing those neural connections.

By incorporating active recall into your study routine, you can significantly boost your retention and understanding of the material. Hereโ€™s how to implement it effectively:

How to Use Active Recall in Your NCLEX Preparation:

  • Start with flashcards: Create flashcards for key concepts, drug classifications, nursing interventions, and procedures. Use these flashcards to quiz yourself regularly. There are also apps like Anki and Quizlet that can help you create digital flashcards with spaced repetition, another effective study technique.
  • Practice with NCLEX-style questions: As you work through practice questions, pause and try to recall the key concepts behind each answer. This tests both your understanding and recall abilities.
  • Summarize information in your own words: After studying a topic, close your book or notes and try to explain the material aloud as if you were teaching someone else. This reinforces your memory and highlights areas where you might need further review.

By actively recalling the information, youโ€™ll be able to retain it longer and recall it more easily when you need it on exam day. Active recall is a proven method for improving long-term retention, so if youโ€™re wondering how to pass NCLEX RN second time, this technique should be part of your strategy.

8. Focus on Practice Exams and Simulate Exam Day

Simulating the NCLEX exam experience is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your second attempt.

The pressure of the exam environment is unique, and practicing under timed conditions will help you build stamina, manage your time effectively, and ensure you're fully prepared for the real thing. Hereโ€™s how you can make the most of practice exams and exam-day simulations:

How to Simulate the NCLEX Exam Day:

  • Take full-length practice exams: Many NCLEX question banks, like UWorld, offer practice exams that mimic the format and difficulty of the actual test. Taking full-length exams under timed conditions will help you get used to the pacing of the real exam. Remember, the NCLEX-RN is a timed test, and you need to be able to answer questions quickly and accurately.
  • Review your performance: After completing a practice exam, review your answers thoroughly. Pay special attention to the questions you got wrong and the rationale behind the correct answers. This will not only help you understand your mistakes but also reinforce your understanding of the material.
  • Simulate real exam conditions: Try to recreate exam-day conditions by setting up a quiet space, limiting distractions, and following the exact time limits for each section. You can even try using the NCLEX-RN content outline as a guideline to structure your study sessions. By practicing this way, you will reduce anxiety and be better prepared when the real exam day comes.

If you're preparing for your second attempt, incorporating practice exams into your routine is essential. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with the NCLEX format, which is key to passing the NCLEX RN second time.

How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time: Key Resources to Use

Letโ€™s take a look at some additional resources you can use to prepare for your second attempt at the NCLEX-RN. These tools can help you stay on track and focus on what matters most.

NCLEX Prep Books

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination and Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep are two widely recommended resources. These books provide thorough content review and practice questions, giving you everything you need to prepare.

NCLEX Question Banks

Online platforms like UWorld and NCLEX Mastery are fantastic for practicing questions under realistic test conditions. They offer thousands of questions with detailed explanations, which can help you understand the reasoning behind each answer.

NCLEX Review Courses

Taking a review course like Hurst Review or Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep is a great way to get expert help. These courses offer structured lessons, practice tests, and additional resources to keep you on track.

Relaxation Apps

Apps like Headspace and Calm can help you manage test anxiety. They offer guided meditations and breathing exercises that can help calm your nerves and improve your focus.

How To Pass Nclex Rn Second Time By Overcoming Setbacks And Succeeding 4

Final Thoughts on How to Pass NCLEX RN Second Time

Preparing for the NCLEX RN second time isnโ€™t just about studying moreโ€”itโ€™s about studying smarter. With the right strategies in place, you can improve your chances of passing the NCLEX. Reflect on your first attempt, create a personalized study plan, and make use of all available resources.

With dedication, the right mindset, and a clear plan of action, youโ€™ll be well on your way to passing the NCLEX RN second time. Keep pushing, stay confident, and rememberโ€”youโ€™ve got this!
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