The Top 10 Most Common Mistakes Students Make on the NCLEX-PN (and How to Avoid Them)

The NCLEX-PN isn’t just a test—it’s a rite of passage. For many students, it represents the culmination of months (or years) of intense study, clinical rotations, and sleepless nights. Yet, even the most diligent nursing students can fall victim to common pitfalls that sabotage their chances of passing.

Whether you’re taking the NCLEX-PN for the first time or re-testing after an unsuccessful attempt, understanding what not to do can be just as important as knowing the content itself. In this in-depth blog post, we explore the 10 most common mistakes students make on the NCLEX-PN—and how you can avoid them.

🧠 Mistake #1: Not Studying the NCLEX Format

❌ The Problem:

Many students assume the NCLEX-PN is like their nursing school exams—multiple choice with some short answers or essays. In reality, NCLEX uses a computer-adaptive testing (CAT) format that adjusts question difficulty based on your performance. The exam also includes select-all-that-apply (SATA), prioritization, and drag-and-drop questions that can catch students off guard.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Familiarize yourself with CAT testing strategies
  
• Practice NCLEX-style questions daily, especially SATA and priority questions
  
• Use simulation software that mirrors the real NCLEX experience
  

🧠 Mistake #2: Focusing Only on Content, Not Critical Thinking

❌ The Problem:

Memorization alone won’t cut it. The NCLEX-PN tests your ability to apply knowledge in real-life nursing scenarios, especially in areas like delegation, safety, and therapeutic communication.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Use case-based questions to practice clinical judgment
  
• Ask yourself: “What is the safest, most appropriate nursing action?”
  
• Study test-taking strategies like the process of elimination, ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  

🧠 Mistake #3: Ignoring the NCLEX Test Plan

❌ The Problem:

Some students dive into studying without consulting the official NCLEX-PN Test Plan from the NCSBN. This leads to unbalanced study sessions and missed high-priority topics.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Download the NCLEX-PN Test Plan from NCSBN’s website
  
• Identify the four major Client Needs categories:
  
  • Safe and Effective Care Environment
    
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance
    
  • Psychosocial Integrity
    
  • Physiological Integrity
    
• Allocate your study time proportionally based on exam weight
  

🧠 Mistake #4: Neglecting Pharmacology

❌ The Problem:

Pharmacology is one of the most failed areas of the exam. Students often feel overwhelmed by drug names and skip over the topic.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Learn drug classes, not just individual drugs
  
• Use mnemonics and flashcards for quick recall
  
• Focus on side effects, contraindications, and nursing interventions
  
• Master high-alert drugs like insulin, warfarin, and opioids
  

🧠 Mistake #5: Cramming Before the Exam

❌ The Problem:

Burnout from last-minute studying can cloud your memory and increase test anxiety.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Begin reviewing 6–8 weeks in advance with a structured study plan
  
• Take breaks to allow for brain recovery
  
• Use the last 48 hours before the test for light review only
  
• Get a full night’s sleep the night before the exam
  

🧠 Mistake #6: Rushing Through Questions

❌ The Problem:

Due to nerves, students often click through questions too quickly—missing key words like “initial,” “priority,” or “best.”

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Read every question and all options carefully
  
• Highlight or mentally note keywords and qualifiers
  
• Use the elimination strategy to rule out clearly wrong answers
  
• Don’t second-guess your instinct without a solid reason
  

🧠 Mistake #7: Underestimating Select-All-That-Apply (SATA)

❌ The Problem:

SATA questions are not partial-credit and are notoriously tricky. Students often guess or select too few/too many options.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Understand that SATA is all-or-nothing
  
• Approach each option as a true/false statement
  
• Practice SATA format daily
  
• Don’t try to “guess a number”—evaluate each option independently
  

🧠 Mistake #8: Skipping Self-Assessment and Practice Exams

❌ The Problem:

Some students avoid taking practice exams out of fear or overconfidence, only to be blindsided by the real NCLEX.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Take timed, full-length practice exams to build stamina
  
• Review every rationale after practice quizzes—right or wrong
  
• Use assessments to identify your weak areas
  

🧠 Mistake #9: Letting Test Anxiety Take Over

❌ The Problem:

Even students who know the material can blank out due to anxiety, especially if the test shuts off early (which might mean you passed!).

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Practice deep breathing and mindfulness before the test
  
• Use positive affirmations: “I am prepared. I’ve got this.”
  
• Trust the CAT system—early shutoff doesn’t mean you failed
  
• Focus on one question at a time without overanalyzing
  

🧠 Mistake #10: Not Knowing When to Ask for Help

❌ The Problem:

Struggling in silence is a recipe for failure. Many repeat testers avoid seeking support due to embarrassment or pride.

✅ How to Avoid It:

• Join an NCLEX prep program or study group
  
• Ask mentors or instructors for clarification on difficult concepts
  
• Use online resources, forums, and tutors for targeted help
  
• Remember: Seeking help is a strength, not a weakness
  

✨ Final Thoughts: Success Is a Mindset, Not Just a Score

Passing the NCLEX-PN isn’t just about memorizing facts—it’s about thinking like a nurse. That means:

• Staying calm under pressure
  
• Prioritizing patient safety
  
• Applying theory to practice
  

Avoiding the most common NCLEX-PN mistakes can give you the edge you need to pass confidently and step into your nursing career with pride.

💬 Your Next Step: Review your current study habits. Are you making any of these 10 mistakes? If so, take this opportunity to course-correct. You’ve worked too hard to let preventable errors stand in your way.