How to pass the NCLEX after failing twice (Best Strategies 2025)

Failed NCLEX Twice? How to Pass the NCLEX After Failing Twice (Easy Strategies 2025)

If you’re searching for how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, you’re not alone—and the good news is, it’s absolutely possible. Many nurses who eventually pass on their third attempt admit that failing the NCLEX more than once can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t mean you’re not smart enough or cut out for nursing. It usually means your strategy needs to change.

Passing the NCLEX is about preparation, test-taking skills, and using the right resources, not about luck. By focusing on proven methods and making small but powerful adjustments, you can finally succeed in 2025.

I remember mentoring a colleague who failed the NCLEX twice before finally passing. She was devastated after her second failure, convinced she would never wear her RN badge. But once she switched her approach—using practice questions daily, focusing on weak areas, and changing how she managed test anxiety—everything clicked. On her third attempt, she passed with confidence, and today she’s thriving in pediatrics.

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical strategies designed specifically for repeat test-takers. From study schedules that actually work to proven test-day techniques, you’ll learn how to rebuild confidence, avoid common mistakes, and finally pass the NCLEX in 2025.

Effective Study Strategies for Foreign-Educated Nurses Taking the NCLEX 2025

1. Reset Your Mindset After Failing Twice

Before diving into study strategies, it’s important to acknowledge the emotional side of failing the NCLEX more than once. If you’re asking how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, the first step isn’t opening a review book—it’s rebuilding your confidence.

Failing the NCLEX doesn’t mean you’re a bad nurse or that you don’t know enough. It means your test-taking strategy didn’t align with how the NCLEX is designed. The exam measures critical thinking and prioritization, not just memorization. Shifting your mindset from “I need to know everything” to “I need to think like a nurse” can make a huge difference.

A nursing friend of mine once told me that after her second failure, she felt ashamed and almost gave up. What turned things around for her was reframing the failure as feedback. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” she asked, “What can I do differently this time?” That small shift gave her the determination to focus, rebuild, and pass on her third try.

Mindset Tips for NCLEX Success:

• Treat past attempts as practice, not proof of failure.

• Remind yourself that thousands of nurses pass after multiple tries.

• Visualize test day success—mentally rehearse yourself sitting calmly and answering with confidence.

• Create a positive study environment where you feel motivated, not defeated.

Once your mindset is reset, the next step is building a smarter, targeted study plan that addresses your weaknesses head-on.

2. Build a Smarter Study Plan That Works for You

When figuring out how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, one of the biggest mistakes repeat test-takers make is studying the exact same way they did before. If your method didn’t work the first two times, it’s time to adjust your approach. A smart study plan is not about spending endless hours with books—it’s about focused, consistent practice.

Steps to Build an Effective Study Plan:

1. Analyze Your Previous Results
Look at the performance report from your last NCLEX attempt. It breaks down which areas you struggled in, such as pharmacology, prioritization, or delegation. This is your roadmap—spend more time strengthening weak areas instead of reviewing everything equally.

2. Create a Realistic Schedule
Set aside 2–4 hours a day, 5–6 days per week. Burnout is common for repeat test-takers, so shorter, consistent sessions are more effective than marathon cramming.

3. Use Active Learning Techniques
Instead of passively reading, practice with NCLEX-style questions daily. Review rationales thoroughly—understanding why an answer is correct or incorrect is more valuable than just memorizing.

4. Mix Content Review with Practice Questions
Start your day with focused content review (30–60 minutes), then spend the bulk of your time on practice questions. For every question you miss, write down the key concept and revisit it later.

5. Include Regular Assessments
Every 1–2 weeks, take a full-length practice exam. This builds stamina, helps you track progress, and prepares you for the computer-adaptive testing format.

A colleague who passed on her third try told me her biggest change was treating practice questions like her primary teacher, not just a test of what she knew. By shifting from memorization to application, she trained her brain to think the way the NCLEX expects.

A strong study plan will give you structure, but the real game-changer is learning how to use practice questions effectively. That’s where most second and third-time passers find their breakthrough.

Ultimate Guide: The Easiest State for NCLEX Application as a Foreign Nurse in US 2025

3. Master NCLEX-Style Practice Questions and Rationales

If you’re searching for how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, the most important shift you can make is treating practice questions as your main study tool—not just a last-minute check of what you know.

The NCLEX is a thinking test, not a memorization test, and the best way to train your brain is by practicing how the exam actually asks questions.

Why Practice Questions Matter
Every NCLEX item is designed to test your ability to apply knowledge, prioritize care, and make safe clinical decisions. By working through practice questions daily, you’ll start to recognize patterns in how questions are structured and learn to eliminate wrong answers quickly.

How to Use Practice Questions Effectively:

• Set a Daily Goal: Aim for 75–100 questions per day, broken into smaller sets of 25.

• Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Don’t rush—spend time reviewing rationales for every right and wrong answer.

• Track Your Mistakes: Keep a notebook where you write down the concepts behind each missed question. Revisit it weekly.

• Simulate Test Conditions: Take at least one full-length practice test every 2 weeks to build stamina and reduce anxiety.

• Use Reputable Resources: Programs like UWorld, Archer, or NCLEX Mastery are popular because they mimic the style and difficulty of the real exam.

I once worked with a nurse who failed twice because she only “read over” her notes without practicing questions. On her third attempt, she switched to doing 80–100 questions a day with deep rationale review. Not only did her scores improve, but she also walked into the exam more confident because the question style felt familiar.

The truth is simple: if you can consistently perform well on high-quality practice questions, you’ll be prepared for the real NCLEX.

4. Test-Taking Strategies for Exam Day Success

If you’re wondering how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, remember that success isn’t only about what you study—it’s also about how you take the test. Many repeat test-takers actually know enough content but struggle with pacing, overthinking, or letting nerves take over. Mastering exam-day strategies can help you turn all your preparation into a passing score.

Key NCLEX Test-Taking Strategies:

1. Read Every Question Twice: Many failures come from rushing. Slowly read the stem, identify what it’s really asking, and underline key words in your scratch paper.

2. Eliminate Wrong Answers First: Knock out obviously unsafe or irrelevant options. This boosts your odds and helps you focus on the best choices.

3. Think Safety and Priority: Use frameworks like ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow’s Hierarchy to guide decision-making.

4. Don’t Fear “Select All That Apply” (SATA): Treat each option as true/false. Don’t guess patterns—evaluate each statement independently.

5. Manage Your Time: Don’t get stuck on one question. If you spend more than 2 minutes, make your best safe choice and move forward.

6. Control Anxiety with Breathing: If your heart races, pause, close your eyes, and take two deep breaths. Calming your body resets your focus.

Real-Life Example:
A nurse I guided had failed twice before because of severe test anxiety. On her third attempt, she practiced breathing exercises before every test block and used the “elimination” method faithfully. Not only did she feel calmer, but she also passed at 75 questions.

On NCLEX day, your preparation meets performance. By keeping your mindset steady and following structured strategies, you’ll give yourself the best chance to succeed.

5. Rebuilding Confidence After Failing Twice

One of the hardest parts of figuring out how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice is overcoming the self-doubt that creeps in. Many nursing graduates start questioning their intelligence or even whether they belong in the profession at all.

But here’s the truth: failing the NCLEX does not define your potential as a nurse—it only highlights that your approach needs adjusting.

Why Confidence Matters:
Confidence isn’t about knowing every single fact—it’s about trusting that you can reason through tough questions. The NCLEX is built to test safe decision-making, not perfection. When you walk into the test believing you are prepared, your brain processes information more clearly under stress.

Ways to Rebuild Confidence Before Your Third Attempt:

• Reframe Failure: Think of your past attempts as practice runs. Each one gave you valuable insight into the exam’s style and your weak points.

• Track Your Progress: Celebrate small wins, like scoring higher on practice tests or mastering a challenging topic.

• Visualize Success: Spend a few minutes each day picturing yourself walking out of the exam center with relief and pride. This mental rehearsal strengthens positive belief.

• Lean on Support: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, or study groups who encourage you. Avoid negativity that fuels doubt.

• Stay Future-Focused: Remind yourself of your goal—a nursing career. Passing the NCLEX is just one step, not the end of your journey.

A Personal Note:
I once worked with a nursing graduate who cried after her second failure, ready to give up completely. But with encouragement and a fresh study plan, she began to rebuild her confidence step by step. On her third attempt, she not only passed but later shared that believing in herself was the single most powerful change she made.

Remember: the NCLEX is a hurdle, not a wall. With renewed confidence and the right mindset, you’ll be ready to conquer it.

Why NCLEX Applications Get Denied for International Nurses 2025 – And How to Avoid It

5. Rebuilding Confidence After Failing Twice

One of the hardest parts of figuring out how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice is overcoming the self-doubt that creeps in. Many nursing graduates start questioning their intelligence or even whether they belong in the profession at all. But here’s the truth: failing the NCLEX does not define your potential as a nurse—it only highlights that your approach needs adjusting.

Why Confidence Matters:
Confidence isn’t about knowing every single fact—it’s about trusting that you can reason through tough questions. The NCLEX is built to test safe decision-making, not perfection. When you walk into the test believing you are prepared, your brain processes information more clearly under stress.

Ways to Rebuild Confidence Before Your Third Attempt:

• Reframe Failure: Think of your past attempts as practice runs. Each one gave you valuable insight into the exam’s style and your weak points.

• Track Your Progress: Celebrate small wins, like scoring higher on practice tests or mastering a challenging topic.

• Visualize Success: Spend a few minutes each day picturing yourself walking out of the exam center with relief and pride. This mental rehearsal strengthens positive belief.

• Lean on Support: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, or study groups who encourage you. Avoid negativity that fuels doubt.

• Stay Future-Focused: Remind yourself of your goal—a nursing career. Passing the NCLEX is just one step, not the end of your journey.

A Personal Note:
I once worked with a nursing graduate who cried after her second failure, ready to give up completely. But with encouragement and a fresh study plan, she began to rebuild her confidence step by step. On her third attempt, she not only passed but later shared that believing in herself was the single most powerful change she made.

Remember: the NCLEX is a hurdle, not a wall. With renewed confidence and the right mindset, you’ll be ready to conquer it.

Ultimate Guide: The Easiest State for NCLEX Application as a Foreign Nurse in US 2025

 Common Mistakes to Avoid After Failing Twice

If you’re searching for how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, it’s just as important to know what not to do as it is to know the right strategies.

Many nursing graduates repeat the same errors that caused them to fail in the first place. Breaking these habits can make the difference between failing again and finally passing.

1: Cramming Instead of Planning
Many students try to “study everything” in a few weeks. The NCLEX is too broad for cramming—you need strategy, not random memorization.

2: Ignoring Weak Areas
It’s tempting to focus only on subjects you enjoy, but your weak areas are usually what bring your score down. Confront them early.

3: Skipping Practice Tests
Some repeat test-takers avoid full-length practice exams because they’re stressful. But this leaves you unprepared for exam-day endurance.

4: Over-Relying on Notes and Books
Reading alone won’t prepare you. NCLEX success comes from applying knowledge through practice questions, not memorizing chapters.

5: Poor Test-Day Habits
Lack of sleep, skipping meals, or letting anxiety spiral can sabotage all your preparation. A healthy routine matters as much as study.

6: Studying in Isolation
Studying alone is fine, but not seeking support from peers, tutors, or mentors can keep you stuck in unproductive habits.

Write these mistakes down and keep them in your study area as a daily reminder of what to avoid.

Real-Life Example:
A candidate I once coached failed twice because she studied only with textbooks. On her third try, she shifted to daily practice questions, tracked her weak spots, and added weekly timed exams. That simple change led to her passing confidently.

By steering clear of these pitfalls, you’ll maximize your preparation and move closer to becoming a licensed nurse.

Guaranteed Success: From Student to RN: My NCLEX Journey (Storytelling Article) in 2025

Conclusion

Your Third Attempt Can Be the One That Counts

If you’re determined to learn how to pass the NCLEX after failing twice, remember this—your journey is not over. Failing twice doesn’t mean you can’t become a nurse. It simply means you need a new approach, one that balances focused study, practice questions, exam-day strategies, and confidence building.

On your third attempt, you have an advantage: you already know what the test feels like, you understand your weak spots, and you’re now equipped with proven strategies to tackle them. By following a structured 4–6 week plan, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping your mindset strong, you can walk into the testing center with clarity and confidence.

Final Roadmap to Success:

• Build a realistic study plan (4–6 weeks).

• Focus on weak areas, not just strengths.

• Practice 75–100 NCLEX-style questions daily with rationales.

• Simulate exam conditions at least twice before test day.

• Manage stress through rest, exercise, and breathing techniques.

• Walk in with confidence—you’ve prepared for this moment.

Your nursing career is waiting. Thousands of nurses before you have failed twice and gone on to pass on their third attempt. You are not an exception—you’re part of that story in progress. Take these strategies, trust the process, and make 2025 the year you finally succeed.

Resources to Help You Pass the NCLEX After Failing Twice

Here are some trusted tools and study aids to guide your preparation for a successful third attempt in 2025:

Official Resources:

• NCSBN NCLEX Candidate Guide – The official guide to the NCLEX exam, policies, and procedures.

• NCLEX Test Plans – Detailed outlines of the content and question categories.

Question Banks and Review Programs:

• UWorld NCLEX – Highly recommended for its realistic practice questions and detailed rationales.

• Archer Review – Affordable and designed for repeat test-takers, with adaptive testing that mirrors the NCLEX format.

• Kaplan NCLEX Prep – Strong for strategy-based learners who need help breaking down difficult questions.