Nursing students often search for “how to find exams online,” but it’s critical to distinguish between unauthorized exam sharing (which violates academic integrity policies) and legitimate practice resources designed to build clinical judgment. You won’t and shouldn’t find your actual nursing school exams online. However, you can access high-quality, NCLEX-style practice exams that mirror the format and rigor of real Med-Surg and nursing school tests.
Start with resources approved or recommended by your program. Many nursing schools provide access to platforms like UWorld, Kaplan, ATI, or Elsevier’s Evolve, which include content-specific practice exams in medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and more. These are evidence-based, updated regularly, and aligned with current NCLEX test plans.
Free or low-cost alternatives include the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)’s official NCLEX practice materials, which offer authentic item types. Open educational resources (OER) from accredited institutions like those on LibreTexts or OER Commons—sometimes include case studies and review quizzes, though not full proctored exams.
Avoid websites or social media groups that claim to share “real” nursing school exams or test banks. Downloading or using these violates your school’s honor code, may constitute copyright infringement, and won’t help you develop the critical thinking needed for clinical practice or the NCLEX.
Instead, focus on active practice: use question banks that provide detailed rationales, not just answers. Track your weak areas (e.g., acid-base balance or post-op complications) and revisit them with targeted review. Many platforms offer customizable quizzes by topic ideal for Med-Surg mastery.
Remember: the goal isn’t to “find exams” to memorize, but to simulate exam conditions ethically and build decision-making skills. Legitimate online practice exams prepare you not just to pass a test, but to safely care for patients. Always consult your faculty or academic advisor before using external resources to ensure they align with your program’s standards