Preparing for the NCLEX can feel like climbing a mountain—so much to cover, so much at stake, and no clear path in sight. Do you ever wonder if you’re focusing on the right things or if there’s a better way to tackle it all? You’re not alone. Many test-takers face the same struggles, but here’s the good news: a lot of those common missteps are completely avoidable with the right approach!
Think of your prep as a journey, not a sprint. Are you giving yourself the tools to stay on track? Our team has seen it all—those tricky traps that can throw you off course, the moments of doubt that can creep in. But with some smart strategies and guidance, you can dodge those pitfalls, streamline your study plan, and walk into exam day with confidence.
Ready to take the guesswork out of prepping? Here are the seven most common mistakes we’ve seen students make while prepping for the NCLEX, and how to avoid them!
Most Common Mistakes for NCLEX Prep (& How to Combat Them!)
1. Studying Harder, Not Smarter
With the amount of material needed to study for the NCLEX, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and unorganized. Would a teacher teach without a lesson plan or a coach coach without a game plan? I sure hope not! The same can be said for prepping for the NCLEX. Without a plan in place, it’s easy to miss vital information or spend too much time focusing on one topic.
A way to fix/avoid this problem? An NCLEX study plan! 🗓 A study plan not only keeps you on track, but also can make the experience enjoyable (I don’t know about you, but I LOVE checking things off on a list!).
Into the idea of a “smart” study planner that can plan your NCLEX studying for you? Blueprint offers a fully customizable study plan that prepares you for every step of your NCLEX journey, included in the NCLEX Crash Course and Live Study Group!
Not only does the study plan help you identify highly testable NCLEX information, but it also helps prevent “cramming” right before your test date (more on this to come!).
2. Making it a DIY Project
I don’t know about you, but I love DIY projects! If I can make it myself, then that is exactly what I’m going to do. What about your NCLEX prep? Well…in this case, DIY’ing isn’t always the way to go.
When deciding how to prep, you need to make sure your resources are based on the actual test outline. Who wants to waste their time studying something that won’t be on the NCLEX? Not me! 🙅
That’s where test prep resources can help. Instead of spending your time learning about the NCLEX test outline, NCLEX study resources like Qbanks and courses automatically include the information you need to know so you can spend less time figuring out what to study, and more times studying.
For example, our team at Blueprint has spent countless hours studying the test outline to create review materials to help you succeed. If you haven’t already, check out the links in the previous section for more information!
3. Cramming the Night Before
Have you ever stayed up all night cramming for a nursing exam? I sure was guilty of this! 🙋 But how did you feel taking the exam—did you feel prepared?
If you’re like me, this answer would be a no. Not only was I sleep deprived, but trying to “dump” all that information into my brain right before the exam meant I wasn’t really learning the material. The last thing you want is to feel this way right before you take the NCLEX!
As my fifth grade teacher always said, “chunking”, or studying a “chunk” of material every day, is way better than “cramming” if you want to really retain the information. (Thank you, Mrs. H.—I’m still using your advice 20 years later! 🫶)
Trust me when I tell you that by doing this method, not only will you feel prepared for the NCLEX, but it’ll also make a huge difference in your confidence level as a real deal RN. So how do you start “chunking”? By creating a study plan (see how it comes full circle?)!
4. Not Practicing How You Play
You’ve created your study planner and are “chunking” everyday, which means you’re 100% ready for the NCLEX, right? Well…..not quite. You’ve laid your foundation for success, but there are still a few more walls to build before we can call it a home. 🏡 A coach can create a perfect game plan, but if the players never practice, are they really ready to play in a game? No, they need to practice!
So, just like players on a sports team, you need to practice for the NCLEX. I recommend taking at least two practice exams before the big day. If possible, try setting up your environment like the NCLEX, including a time limit, a whiteboard for note-taking, and a quiet environment. The more comfortable you feel in the testing environment, the better off you’ll be!
If you need help with this, check out Blueprint’s FREE mock exam! The best part? Since this is part of a live event, there are two live instructors that will go over each answer and offer amazing test taking strategies. You can view the mock exam schedule here.
5. Skipping the Anxiety Plan
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about preparing for the content of the NCLEX, so we have to be ready now, right? Again… not yet! There’s a little word that likes to cause many problems: anxiety (just seeing the word gives me anxiety!).
NCLEX test anxiety can be just as detrimental to your success as being unprepared. As someone who has struggled with test anxiety their entire life, I know how easy it is to fall into this negative mindset.
So with that being said….have you spent some time thinking about what you’ll do if test anxiety creeps in while taking the NCLEX? If not, I definitely recommend you do! Make the plan now, so that you’re prepared when the moment comes. Even if you’re someone who has never struggled with test anxiety, it’s always better to be overly prepared!
So, what should you include in this plan? Well, that’s up to you. This plan should be highly individualized to fit your needs. For me, writing positive affirmations is a game changer. For others, taking a break might just do the trick. Whatever works for you, do it! 💪
6. Neglecting Your Brain 🧠
Speaking of breaks, make sure you’re taking a lot of them! Our brains are made to do amazing things, but that doesn’t mean they have to work in overdrive. Doing so can actually have negative consequences on your mood and anxiety level. My job revolves around the NCLEX, and I don’t even want to think about it 24/7!
So if you find yourself spending all your time studying/thinking about the NCLEX, that is a good sign that it’s time to take a break. And be intentional about it too! Set break times on your study planner and stick to it. Go eat at your favorite restaurant or take a walk outside—something to give your brain that much-needed rest.
7. Letting Doubt Creep In
The word doubt may only be five letters long, but it has a big impact. Much like anxiety, doubt likes to creep into our brains and wreak havoc. I think of doubt as a big ole purple monster (👾) trying to fill your head with lies. This monster doesn’t want you to be successful!
So what is the truth? The truth is, not only were you accepted into nursing school, but you’re also almost finished if you’re thinking about the NCLEX. Not everyone can say this is their truth! So be proud of your accomplishments, celebrate your wins, and keep those monsters far away from your head!
Final Thoughts
While sometimes the doubt and anxiety can tell you otherwise, us at Blueprint do want you to be successful! We would love to be your study buddy, so that you can pass the NCLEX and also have fun doing it. 💙
Best of luck on your NCLEX journey, and you know where to find us if you need additional support!
