2025 NCLEX Pass Rate Secrets: What High Scorers Do Differently

I used to think the students who passed the NCLEX on their first try were just naturally smarter than me.

You know the ones I'm talking about. They seemed effortlessly confident during nursing school, answered questions correctly in clinical, and somehow made everything look easy.

When they passed the NCLEX, I assumed it was because they were born with some special "nursing gene" that I clearly didn't have.

But after failing my first attempt and then analyzing what successful students actually do differently, I realized something important: high NCLEX scorers aren't necessarily smarter. They just approach preparation and test-taking more strategically.

I spent weeks interviewing nursing students who passed on their first try, asking them detailed questions about their study methods, their mindset, and their strategies. What I discovered changed everything about how I prepared for my second attempt.

These high scorers had specific patterns in how they studied, how they thought about questions, and how they managed the exam itself. And once I started copying their strategies, my practice scores jumped from the 60s to consistently passing range.

Let me share the exact secrets that separate NCLEX passers from failers.

Secret #1: They Think Like the Test, Not Like a Student

Struggling students think: "What did I learn in nursing school about this topic?"

High scorers think: "What does the NCLEX want me to demonstrate about nursing judgment?"

This shift from content recall to clinical reasoning is huge. The NCLEX doesn't care if you can recite pharmacology facts. It cares if you can use that knowledge to keep patients safe.

Secret #2: They Study Less Content, More Application

Low scorers: Spend 6 hours re-reading textbooks and notes.

High scorers: Spend 3 hours doing practice questions and analyzing their reasoning.

Secret #3: They Learn From Every Practice Question

High scorers' approach:

• Do 10-15 questions
• Read every explanation, even for questions they got right
• Identify the reasoning process behind each correct answer
• Note any content gaps for future review
• Understand why each wrong answer was incorrect

Secret #4: They Have a System for Every Question Type

For Priority Questions: ABCs, urgency, physical vs. psychosocial

For Medication Questions: Class, effect, risks, monitoring

For Teaching Questions: Safety, misunderstandings, consequences

For Delegation Questions: Scope of practice, nursing judgment, safety

Secret #5: They Trust Their Nursing Knowledge

Struggling students: Constantly second-guess themselves

High scorers: Rely on clinical reasoning and structured thinking

Secret #6: They Study in Focused Sprints, Not Marathon Sessions

Example schedule:

• 90 min study → 30 min break
• 90 min study → long break
• 60 min review

Secret #7: They Simulate Test Conditions Regularly

• Quiet space, no distractions
• Timed full-length exams
• Computer-based format
• Same time of day as real exam

Secret #8: They Focus on Their Weak Areas (And Actually Fix Them)

High scorers: Target weakest 30% of content with 70% of study time

They go deeper to diagnose exact gaps (e.g. patho vs. meds vs. nursing actions)

Secret #9: They Master Test-Taking Mindset

• Before each Q: “What’s this really asking?”
• During stress: “One question at a time”
• After hard Q: “Move on—don’t dwell”

Secret #10: They Prepare for the Emotional Journey

They know anxiety is normal. They prepare mentally as much as academically. Confidence is built through exposure, not perfection.

The Mindset Difference

Strugglers think: "I hope I pass."

High scorers think: "I'm ready to show I can think like a nurse."

How I Applied These Secrets

• Stopped trying to relearn everything
• Used systematic approaches per question type
• Focused on deep question analysis
• Simulated test conditions regularly
• Built confidence in my nursing judgment

The result? I passed with flying colors.

The Study Materials High Scorers Use

• Realistic practice questions with deep explanations
• Resources that reinforce clinical reasoning
• Confidence-building strategies, not just content overload

What This Means for Your Preparation

• Stop studying like a student—prepare like a nurse
• Stop memorizing—start applying
• Stop guessing—start reasoning
• Stop cramming—start targeting your weak spots

The NCLEX doesn’t test for perfection. It tests whether you're safe and competent.

You already have the knowledge. The difference is how you use it.

Once you start thinking like a nurse, the exam becomes something you can absolutely pass.