Ever thought about making those awesome one-page cheat sheets or reference guides for nursing school exams? Guess what—you can totally do that for the NCLEX too! An NCLEX cram sheet is a great way to organize your thoughts and concepts that you need to focus on leading up to the exam. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how make an NCLEX cram sheet and use it while studying.
**Note: This doesn’t mean you should cram for the NCLEX! We recommend 2-3 months of studying to adequately prepare. A cram sheet is essentially there for you to use as a reference when you’d like to parse through all the important information. It’s not a substitution for traditional exam prep!
💊 Free Download: 50 Most Common Medications to Know for the NCLEX
Want to skip ahead a bit? Our team of experts put together a FREE cram sheet with the most common medications to know for the NCLEX! Just fill out the form below and get the cheat sheet directly in your inbox. 💡
Step 1: Look up the NCLEX blueprint.
While NCLEX content is kept under wraps, you’re provided a comprehensive test plan that outlines what to expect. That’s where I would start when building your NCLEX cram sheet!
Depending on your level of detail, you can create cram sheets based on the four categories or subcategories detailed in the test plan. For example, you could create a cram sheet that focuses on one of the categories, like management of care. The NCLEX test plan gives you a detailed description of what’s included in each section!
Step 2: Gather all your resources.
Once you’ve decided what topics to include, it’s time to gather your resources! For this step, think textbooks, practice questions, study guides, etc. Use the study materials that helped you ace nursing school to create your cram sheet!
If you find yourself looking for resources to help you create your cram sheet, Blueprint Nursing is here to save the day! Blueprint is the one-stop shop for all of your NCLEX needs. From hours of review videos to a personalized study planner to meet your unique needs, Blueprint has you covered. Check out our Comprehensive Self-Prep Package FREE for 60 days!
Step 3: Identify your note-taking style.
Once you’ve gathered all of your resources, it’s time to create your NCLEX cram sheet. In order to do this, you need to identify your unique note-taking style. Ask yourself, “How did I organize my notes during nursing school?”
If you prefer to go old school, a paper cram sheet is a solid choice. But if you’re more comfortable with a computer, an electronic cram sheet might be a better fit for you! There is no wrong answer. Pick what works best for you!
In addition to the type of cram sheet you’ll have, you have to decide what you want it to look like. Do you prefer writing/typing information in straight lines, or writing all over the paper? What colors do you want to use? Some students find that using different colors helps them remember things more easily. Highlighting key words can also be an effective way to organize or make certain information stand out.
Regardless of format, the important thing here is to keep it simple—really hone in on what’s MOST important. Don’t waste your time or energy trying to rewrite/type all of your notes! Make sure you’re using the NCLEX test guide to help you decide what to include.
There’s one more point I’d like to emphasize here. Your style is your style for a reason. Don’t force yourself to use someone else’s approach. What works for them may not work for you, and that’s ok! Make sure your NCLEX cram sheet is conducive to how YOU best learn.
Step 4: Don’t forget the extra stuff!
When creating a cram sheet, don’t forget the extra stuff! Make sure to include mnemonics, NCLEX practice questions, visual aids, test-taking tips, and positive affirmations. Use visuals or bright colors to help them stand out!
💡 Pro tip: if you can create your own mnemonic or visual aid, you’re more likely to remember it! While it’s great to take advantage of all the resources offered to you, sometimes creating something yourself works even better.
Step 5: Use it!
Once you’ve created your cram sheet and added in your extra stuff, it’s time to use it! When is a good time? Well, your cram sheet is a quick, handy reference for review, perfect for when you’re not in a full-blown study session. For example, if you have a 20-minute window waiting for your car to be serviced, that’s a great time to pull out your cram sheet!
Still remember, as we mentioned at the beginning, you’ll want to set aside 2-3 months for your NCLEX prep. Your cram sheet should be considered a helpful extra tool to help you prepare. It’s not meant to replace your other study materials! In other words, let the cram sheet REINFORCE what you already know or have studied. Best of luck on the NCLEX, from the Blueprint Nursing team!
💡 Downloaded the cheat sheet at the beginning of this post and still looking for more? You’re in luck! Check out these other FREE NCLEX cheat sheets to give your prep a jumpstart!
