While most states allow aspiring nurses to take the NCLEX eight times per year, with a 45-day waiting period between each attempt, many have restrictions and requirements in place. In order to determine if you are eligible to retake the test, it’s important to contact your state nursing board for more information.

How many times to pass the NCLEX is scored and its time limits can help you create a study strategy that will ensure your success. In addition, understanding how the exam is administered can make you feel more confident on test day.

During the exam, you have five hours to answer a maximum of 145 questions, and questions typically proceed in difficulty. Knowing how each question type is rated can help you focus your studying on the types of questions that will most likely be asked during the exam.

The Ultimate Guide to NCLEX Exam Preparation

NCLEX questions can be presented in several formats, including multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop questions, and select all that apply (SATA) questions. In addition, some NCLEX questions are hot spots, require fill-in-the-blank answers, or involve interpreting information from charts and exhibits.

Everyone learns differently, so be sure to incorporate a variety of studying techniques into your routine. For example, if you are a visual learner, try drawing rough sketches of cardiac chambers or color-coding medication classes to help you remember key concepts. Avoid cramming for the NCLEX, as this is not an effective way to retain knowledge. Instead, study over a long period of time, and use practice questions to reinforce what you have learned.