Key Takeaways
- A 4-8 week study plan is recommended for most students preparing for the NLN NEX
- Start with a diagnostic practice test to identify your strongest and weakest areas
- Spend 60-70% of your study time on your weakest sections for maximum score improvement
- Active recall (testing yourself) and spaced repetition are more effective than passive re-reading
- Practice tests under timed conditions are the single most effective study tool
- Study in focused 45-60 minute blocks with 10-15 minute breaks (Pomodoro technique)
- Review wrong answers carefully — understanding WHY you got it wrong is more valuable than just knowing the right answer
- Schedule your exam date first, then plan backwards to create a study timeline with milestones
Study Plan & Preparation Timeline
How Long Should You Study?
The ideal study timeline depends on your academic background and comfort level with each section:
| Timeline | Best For | Study Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 weeks | Recent graduates; strong in all three sections | 2-3 hours/day |
| 4-6 weeks | Some gaps; returning to school after time away | 1.5-2 hours/day |
| 6-8 weeks | Significant content gaps; first-time test-taker | 1-1.5 hours/day |
| 8+ weeks | Working full-time while studying; major gaps | 45 min - 1 hour/day |
Recommended Study Schedule (6-Week Plan)
| Week | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Diagnostic + Planning | Take a full practice test; identify weak areas; create a study schedule |
| Week 2 | Science (Biology) | Cell biology, DNA, mitosis/meiosis, genetics, ecology |
| Week 3 | Science (A&P) | Body systems — cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, skeletal |
| Week 4 | Mathematics | Fractions, percentages, conversions, dosage calculations, data interpretation |
| Week 5 | Verbal Ability | Vocabulary roots/prefixes/suffixes, reading comprehension strategies |
| Week 6 | Full Practice + Review | Timed practice tests; review all weak areas; light study the day before |
How to allocate study time by section:
The general rule: spend the most time on your weakest areas, because that is where you have the most room for improvement.
| If Your Weakest Area Is... | Allocate This % of Study Time |
|---|---|
| Science | 40% Science, 30% Math, 30% Verbal |
| Mathematics | 30% Science, 40% Math, 30% Verbal |
| Verbal Ability | 30% Science, 30% Math, 40% Verbal |
| Even across all three | 35% Science, 35% Math, 30% Verbal |
Evidence-Based Study Techniques
| Technique | Description | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Practice testing | Take full-length timed practice exams | Highest |
| Active recall | Close your notes and try to recall the information | Very high |
| Spaced repetition | Review material at increasing intervals (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days) | Very high |
| Elaborative interrogation | Ask "why?" and "how?" about concepts | High |
| Interleaving | Mix different topics in one study session | High |
| Teach-back | Explain concepts aloud as if teaching someone | High |
| Summarization | Write brief summaries in your own words | Moderate |
| Highlighting | Marking text with highlighter | Low |
| Re-reading | Reading the same material multiple times | Low |
Key insight: The techniques at the bottom of the list (highlighting, re-reading) feel productive but produce weak learning. The techniques at the top (practice testing, active recall) feel harder but produce much stronger, longer-lasting memory.
Daily Study Structure (Pomodoro Method)
For a 90-minute study session:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0-5 min | Quick review of previous session's key points |
| 5-50 min | New content: read, take notes, learn concepts |
| 50-55 min | Break (stand up, stretch, hydrate) |
| 55-85 min | Practice questions on today's topic |
| 85-90 min | Review wrong answers; note what to revisit |
Resources for NEX Preparation
| Resource | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| NLN Official NEX Study Guide | Book | Most aligned with actual exam content |
| This OpenExamPrep course | Online (free) | Practice questions with explanations |
| Khan Academy | Free online | Math refresher, biology, chemistry |
| Quizlet | Flashcards | Vocabulary and medical terminology |
| YouTube (Crash Course, Amoeba Sisters) | Video | Visual learners; biology and A&P |
What is the MOST effective study technique for NLN NEX preparation?
When creating a study plan, where should you spend the MOST study time?
The study technique of reviewing material at progressively longer intervals (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days) is called spaced _____.
Type your answer below
How many weeks of preparation is recommended for a student with some knowledge gaps preparing for the NEX?
Match each study technique to its effectiveness level.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right
What should be the FIRST step in your NEX study plan?