NCLEX Retaker Success Stories
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources I believe help retakers pass.
Failing the NCLEX is one of the most disheartening experiences in a nursing student’s journey. But here’s what you don’t hear enough: thousands of nurses practicing today failed their first attempt. I interviewed four nurses who failed the NCLEX and came back to pass. Their stories might change how you approach your retake.
Sarah’s Story: “I Was Doing Everything Wrong”
Background: BSN graduate, failed at 145 questions Retake: Passed at 85 questions, 47 days later
What happened the first time?
“I used UWorld and finished the entire question bank twice. I felt completely ready. When I got the email that I failed, I was devastated. I couldn’t understand what went wrong—I’d done everything everyone said to do.”
What did you change?
“I analyzed my CPR and realized I was tanking in pharmacology and prioritization. The thing is, I knew pharmacology facts, but I wasn’t applying them to clinical scenarios. I was memorizing, not thinking like a nurse.”
What was your retake approach?
“I switched to Archer Review because I needed different questions—I’d seen all the UWorld ones. The Archer questions felt harder, which I hated at first, but it forced me to actually think through each one. I also did their live review, and the instructor explained the ‘why’ behind answers in a way that finally clicked.”
When did you know you were ready?
“When I hit ‘high’ on four consecutive Archer assessments. Before, I’d just picked a test date and hoped. This time I waited until the data said I was ready.”
Advice for retakers?
“Stop thinking more hours equals better results. I studied less the second time but studied smarter. Every question, I asked myself: what’s the clinical priority here? That mindset shift was everything.”
Marcus’s Story: “Test Anxiety Was the Real Problem”
Background: ADN graduate, failed at 75 questions Retake: Passed at 82 questions, 52 days later
What happened the first time?
“I shut down completely. By question 20, my hands were shaking. I couldn’t focus on what the questions were asking because my brain kept saying ‘you’re going to fail.’ I was clicking answers just to get through it. Looking back, I wasn’t testing my knowledge—I was testing my panic response.”
What did you change?
“I had to address the anxiety directly. I started doing practice questions under test conditions—timed, no phone, no breaks for the first hour. I also worked with a therapist who taught me breathing techniques. Sounds basic, but it works.”
What was your retake approach?
“Content-wise, I was actually fine. My CPR showed I was near passing in most areas. The problem was execution. I practiced the CAT format until it felt routine. I did one 75-question timed session every single day for three weeks.”
What helped most on test day?
“I used the earplugs they provide. I took my optional break even though I didn’t need it—just to reset my breathing. And I reminded myself: every question is independent. The computer doesn’t care what you got before. Each question is a fresh start.”
Advice for retakers?
“If anxiety affected your performance, fixing your content knowledge won’t help. You need to fix the anxiety. Practice under pressure. Develop a routine. The NCLEX is as much a mental game as a knowledge test.”
Jennifer’s Story: “I Underestimated the NGN Format”
Background: BSN graduate, December 2024 Failed: First attempt, 145 questions Retake: Passed at 96 questions, 48 days later
What happened the first time?
“I prepared using mostly multiple-choice questions because that’s what I was comfortable with. When I got my first case study on the real exam, I froze. I didn’t know how to read through all that information efficiently. The NGN questions felt completely foreign.”
What did you change?
“I found resources specifically for NGN format. The case studies require a different approach—you need to identify what information matters and what’s distractor noise. I practiced reading the stem before looking at the exhibits so I knew what I was looking for.”
What resources did you use?
“I used Archer’s NGN question bank because they have over 1,100 NGN-style questions. The partial credit scoring took getting used to—you don’t need to get everything perfect, but you need most things right. I also watched their NGN tutorial videos before diving into questions.”
Key insight from your experience?
“Case studies are actually easier than they look if you approach them systematically. First, what’s the most critical finding? Second, what does that tell me about the patient’s condition? Third, what’s my priority intervention? Once I had that framework, the NGN questions became manageable.”
Advice for retakers?
“If NGN questions tripped you up, don’t just do more of them randomly. Learn the format first. Understand what partial credit means. Practice the systematic approach. Then drill the questions. Order matters.”
David’s Story: “Third Time Was the Charm”
Background: BSN graduate, non-traditional student (career changer at 38) Failed: First and second attempts Retake: Passed at 75 questions on third attempt
That must have been incredibly difficult.
“After my second failure, I seriously considered giving up. I’d already invested so much—time, money, my family’s support. My wife sat me down and said, ‘You’ve made it this far. Two more months of studying isn’t going to break us.’ That conversation kept me going.”
What was different about each attempt?
“First attempt: I crammed for two weeks and relied on nursing school knowledge. Failed badly. Second attempt: I used UWorld and studied hard for six weeks. Got close but not enough. Third attempt: I got a tutor, switched to Archer, and finally addressed my content gaps systematically.”
What did the tutor help with?
“She identified that I was overthinking questions. I’d talk myself out of the right answer. She taught me to trust my first instinct unless I had a concrete reason to change it. She also found gaps in my knowledge I didn’t know I had—I was weak on maternal-newborn but thought I was fine.”
How did you know you were finally ready?
“I did five full-length practice tests in a row and passed all of them. Not borderline passes—solid passes. When I scheduled my third attempt, I wasn’t hopeful, I was confident. That’s a different feeling.”
Advice for retakers?
“If you’ve failed twice, get help. I know it costs money, but so does retaking the exam again. A good tutor or a structured remediation program can find blind spots you can’t see yourself. And don’t give up. Some of the best nurses I know failed the NCLEX more than once.”
Common Patterns from These Stories
Talking to these four nurses—and dozens of others—reveals patterns in successful retakes:
What Changed
| Failed Approach | Successful Approach |
|---|---|
| Same resources, more time | Different resources, strategic time |
| Passive review | Active question practice |
| Scheduled date, hoped for the best | Waited for readiness assessments |
| Studied weakest areas last | Prioritized CPR weak areas |
| Generic practice | Specific format practice (NGN) |
Resources Retakers Credited
- Archer Review — Most frequently mentioned, especially for fresh questions and readiness tracking
- NCLEX tutoring — For those who failed multiple times
- Anxiety management techniques — For test anxiety sufferers
- Study groups — For accountability and different perspectives
The Mindset Shift
Every successful retaker mentioned a psychological shift:
- From “studying hard” to “studying smart”
- From “reviewing content” to “practicing clinical thinking”
- From “hoping to pass” to “knowing I’m ready”
- From “avoiding weak areas” to “confronting weak areas first”
If You’re Preparing to Retake
Based on these interviews, here’s a practical framework:
Week 1-2: Analysis
- Get your CPR and identify specific weak areas
- Evaluate what didn’t work in your first prep
- Research alternative resources
Week 2-4: Rebuild
- Focus 70% of study time on CPR weak areas
- Use fresh questions you haven’t seen before
- Practice under test conditions (timed, no interruptions)
Week 4-6: Validate
- Take readiness assessments
- Don’t schedule until you’re consistently passing
- Address any remaining weak spots
Test Week: Execute
- Trust your preparation
- Use anxiety management techniques
- Take breaks if needed
- Remember: every question is a fresh start
You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this after failing the NCLEX, I want you to know: this doesn’t define your future as a nurse. The nurses I interviewed are proof that failure is a setback, not an endpoint.
Your next attempt can be different. It starts with understanding what went wrong, being honest about what needs to change, and committing to a new approach.
Ready to start your retake journey?
- Archer vs UWorld — Compare the top NCLEX question banks
- 30-Day NCLEX Study Plan — Structured preparation schedule for retakers
- NCLEX Study Strategies — Proven techniques that work
About the Author
License Guide Team
Clinical Editorial Team
Our editorial team includes licensed nurses and healthcare professionals dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date nursing licensure information sourced directly from state boards of nursing.