Nursing student following an NCLEX 60-day study plan with notes, mock tests, and practice questions for exam preparation.

NCLEX Study Plan: How to Prepare Smartly in 60 Days

The NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, is the final gateway to a nurse’s career in the U.S., Canada, or Australia. It is not only a theory test but an assessment of the nurse’s critical thinking, awareness of patient safety, and clinical judgment. Many candidates considerably underestimate the complexity of this exam and fail due to either poor time management or a lack of direction. That’s where the structured 60-day NCLEX study plan comes in.

A well-planned two-month strategy ensures that you cover essential topics, practice enough questions, and revise effectively — without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re a fresh nursing graduate or a working professional, this NCLEX preparation schedule will help you prepare smartly, not just harder.

Week 1–2: Fundamentals and Test Familiarisation

The first two weeks are about setting your foundation. Before delving into complex topics, understand how the NCLEX works.

Familiarisation with the NCLEX Format

Familiarise yourself with the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) system; each question answered provides the level of difficulty for the next question. These tests can run from 85 to 150 questions in length, referring to the NCLEX-RN 2023 and beyond with Next Gen updates. Understanding this pattern helps reduce test anxiety.

Review Nursing Fundamentals

Begin with fundamental nursing concepts, including infection control, safety precautions, patient positioning, and ethical practices. These are often repeated themes and form the base for more advanced questions.

Develop a Realistic Study Schedule

Commit 4–6 hours daily based on your availability. Devote morning hours to reviewing the content and evening hours for practice questions. Split each day of studying into:

2 hours: Review theory from Saunders or UWorld notes

2 hours: Practicing 75–100 NCLEX-style questions

1 hour: Reviewing rationales and taking notes

Know Your Weaknesses Early

Now, after your first week, take a diagnostic test using a question bank like UWorld or Archer Review. Analyse which subjects need more attention; that will help you shape the next four weeks efficiently.

Week 3–4: High-Yield Topics (Pharmacology, Safety, Management)

These two weeks focus on high-weightage areas that appear frequently in the NCLEX exam.

Pharmacology Simplified

Pharmacology might be intimidating, but you do not have to commit every drug to memory. You should focus on:

Common drug prefixes and suffixes (e.g., “-pril” = ACE inhibitors).

Major side effects, contraindications, and nursing responsibilities.

Medication safety and calculation practice.

Safety & Infection Control

Safety forms a major part of NCLEX questions. Review infection control precautions, sterile techniques, isolation procedures, and patient identification protocols.

Management & Leadership Questions

The NCLEX frequently challenges your skills on the delegation of tasks, prioritisation of care, and management of emergencies. Review principles related to triage, delegation, and supervision. Practice identifying “what the nurse should do first” in scenario-based items.

Apply the “Teach-Back” Technique

Explain the concept aloud after studying it, as if teaching it to a patient or a junior nurse; this enhances memory retention and emphasises weak points in your understanding.

By the end of Week 4, you should be comfortable with 70–80% of the testable content.

Consume nutrient-rich foods.

Week 5–6: Case Studies, Mock Tests & Review Strategy

The final stage is all about application and refinement. You already know the content — now it’s time to think like the NCLEX examiner.

Next Gen Case Studies Practice

The format of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) includes case studies and unfolding scenarios. Practice these extensively to get used to clinical reasoning questions, drag-and-drop sequences, and multiple-response items.

Full-Length Mock Tests

Take 2–3 full-length mock exams under real-time conditions. Create a simulated testing environment: quiet room, timed session, no distractions. Then review your results:

Identify the pattern of errors-content gap vs misunderstanding the question.

Spend your last week concentrating on your weaknesses.

Daily Quick Review

Spend 1 hour daily revising the key nursing notes, particularly lab values, infection control, safety measures, and pharmacology.

Final Week Strategy

Do not attempt to cram everything in the last 3-4 days; instead, you should review rationales, revise flashcards, and practice NCLEX quick tips reading all options carefully, eliminating distractors, and managing test stress.

Time Management & Daily Goals

A good NCLEX study schedule is not just about studying; it’s about the balance of rest, focus, and consistency.
1. Follow the 3-Block Study Method
Block 1 (Morning): Content review for one subject.
Block 2 (Afternoon): Practice questions + rationales.
Block 3 (Evening): Revision, flashcards or short quizzes.
1. Setting SMART Daily Goals
Each day, have measurable goals such as:
“Complete 100 pharmacology questions.”
Revise infection control chart.
Watch one video on prioritization.
1. Schedule Rest Days
Take one rest day every 7–10 days so that you don’t burn out. Use the time to relax, reflect, and reset mentally.
1. Track Progress
Keep a study journal or Excel tracker documenting completed subjects, scores, and weak areas.

Common mistakes made during revision

Even the most disciplined students make these common mistakes during revision.

Information Overload: Memorizing all the drug names or protocols when the focus should be on a pattern.
Not Considering Rationales : More important than the score is the reason behind why an answer is correct.
Skipping Weak Areas: Avoiding difficult subjects leads to gaps that cost marks.
Burnout from Overpractice: Doing too many questions in one sitting, without breaks, leads to fatigue and low retention.
Neglecting Test-Taking Strategy: Many fail not because of a lack of knowledge but because of poor critical thinking under pressure.

Steer clear of these pitfalls by being consistent, reviewing smartly, and practicing active recall instead of passive reading.

Conclusion

A 60-day NCLEX study plan can absolutely work if you’re consistent, focused, and reflective. Remember — every practice question attempted sharpens your reasoning, and every mistake teaches you something valuable. Allow your study plan to be flexible but structured, prioritize self-care, and approach test day with confidence. Believe in your preparation — because success in the NCLEX isn’t just about passing a test; it’s about proving your readiness to care for patients safely and professionally.