In - Depth Analysis 

of  

NCLEX style questions Guide 

By: TheNurseNellie RN, BSN  

 
 

 
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 Introduction 

This guide is an in-depth analysis of NCLEX style questions. We have included in 

this guide key tips on how to pass the NCLEX as well as in-depth information on 

analyzing a question. This book was created after requests from nursing students - we 

also felt like we needed to create an in-depth guide for the students that are taking the 

NCLEX or re-taking the NCLEX. We hope this helps you!  

Types of NCLEX questions 

1. Hot Spot - These are the ones where the question shows a graphic and the 

test-taker chooses the answer by clicking on a specific spot (usually on the 

body). Sometimes, injection locations are used, parts of the abdomen, or another 

part of the body will be the answer - pending on the answer. Remember when 

studying that locations are always important 

2. Multiple Choice - These are the most common and most students are aware of 

the multiple choice questions. It is important to cross out the ones you are sure 

are not the right answer when dealing with these.  

3. Charts/Exhibits - Students will be given information on a chart and other 

pertinent information to synthesize, then answer a question related to the chart. 

With these you must pay attention to detail and be sure that you are actually 

understanding the chart AND the question. Scratch paper is provided for the 

NCLEX and you may use it here for this type of question 
 4. Select all that apply 

These are usually the most-hated questions. This is because you will not get 

partial credit for answering SOME of the answers correctly. Its an all or none 

thing on the NCLEX. During nursing school, some teachers are more lenient 

when introducing the SATA questions on the test, however. But be careful with 

these. Whenever you are studying a section and you are provided a LIST of 

specific information within a topic - always review this more because these 

types of things could end up as a SATA question.  

Answering NCLEX Style Questions  

Identify the stem 

The stem is the part of the question that lets you know what they are asking. It 

presents the issue in the question. If you do not understand the stem, you may get the 

question wrong. Practicing more questions and reading the rationales will help you 

learn how to read NCLEX questions. These types of questions may have distractors 

within the question that has nothing to do with the stem. Reading the question 2x will 

help with comprehending what the author is asking.  

See the keywords / repeated words 

Keywords and repeated words are hints that lead you towards answering the 

question correctly. The writers of these exams do not simply just word the questions 
without care. Every word in the question means something. Words like EXCEPT and 

NOT are two words that can be used to guide you to the correct answer. 

Analyzing the answer choices 

Some answers can be automatically crossed out after reading the question twice 

and seeing unrelated answers. If you can narrow the options to two, this is ideal. 

Reason and explain the answer to yourself and decide between the two. After you 

answer the question, do not go back and change the answer unless you have an 

epiphany and know 100% this is the correct answer! 

ABC's / Hierarchy of needs 

Use the ABC's and hierarchy of needs to determine the importance of tasks. 

These two things allow you to care for the patient better by deciding which tasks can 

be put off for later and which have to be done now. Answering the NCLEX-style 

question is easier when applying these two topics because the correct answer will 

coincide with the keywords and importance given in the question. See below images 

for more information on both topics.  

Nursing process 

The nursing process is another concept that is very important. Assessment 

always comes first, even if it's a quick assessment in an emergent situation. The nurse 
will assess first in all circumstances which helps to narrow down test answers when 

the question includes "what will the nurse do FIRST?" 

Crossing out irrelevant answers  

The harder the NCLEX question is, it seems the more similar the answers are. But, this 

is not always true. If you know enough about the topic, some of the answers can be 

completely eliminated. Usually there are 5 answers to choose from. If you can eliminate 

1-2 answers and you know they are FOR SURE not the right answers, you will increase 

your chances of getting the question correct.  

Don’t Change Answers! 

Please don’t be like me! I changed my answer so many times in the beginning of 

nursing school. I just KNEW I was choosing the wrong answer, you couldn’t tell me 

anything. I don’t want to go into how I rationalised this behavior - but I am here to tell 

you that if this is YOU that’s changing the answers all the time … STOP!  

You have got to trust yourself - you used all that brain power to choose the 

answer in the first place so get in the habit of leaving it UNLESS you have an epiphany. 

If you suddenly have a bright idea as to why the answer you chose, yes you may 

change the answer. But this rarely happens - mostly we just don’t have the confidence 

to leave the test alone after we are done with it.  

If you have a serious problem with this (as I did), I am encouraging you to take 

more practice tests during your study sessions. This is the only way you will begin to 
trust that you actually answer questions correctly the first time. Then on test days, you 

might have less anxiety. ​Remember, you cannot go back when taking the NCLEX, so practice 

not going back when you are taking tests in class and doing practice questions! 

Conclusion 

We hope this guide really helped you to start answering NCLEX style questions correctly! 

Remember how you practice is how you will perform when you’re being tested. So, make sure 

that you study efficiently and take plenty of practice questions!  

 
In - Depth Analysis of NCLEX 
style questions Guide 

By: “TheNurseNellie” RN, BSN