NCLEX-RN FAQs

The NCLEX-RN is a specialty certification exam administered by the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and designed for registered nurses.

The NCLEX-RN consists of multiple-choice questions, which examinees have five hours to complete. The exam is administered in a computer-adaptive format, which means that each question is chosen based on the answer given to the previous question. The test continues until a pass or fail determination can be made. The computerized exam may include questions that are multiple-choice, fill in the blank, or drag and drop.

The NCLEX-RN exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions, of which you must answer a minimum of 85 items and you are given five hours to complete the exam. You may answer a maximum of 150 questions during the allotted time. Only 135 questions on the test will be scored. The other 15 are used for statistical data and trials for future tests. Of the minimum-length examination, 52 questions will come from these eight content areas:

• Physiological Adaptation (14%)
• Management of Care (18%)
• Safety and Infection Control (13%)
• Health Promotion and Maintenance (9%)
• Reduction of Risk Potential (12%)
• Pharmacological and Parental Therapies (16%)
• Basic Care and Comfort (9%)
• Psychological Integrity (9%)

There will be three clinical judgment case studies. Case studies will consist of six items that measure each of the six domains of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM): recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action and evaluating outcomes. They will be counted independently of the content-area-specific items.

You have five hours to complete the NCLEX-RN exam.

The exam is administered in a computer-adaptive format, which means that each question is chosen based on the answer given to the previous question. The test continues until a pass or fail determination can be made. The computerized exam may include questions that are multiple-choice, fill in the blank, or drag and drop.

All nursing candidates must register to test through Pearson VUE, the national testing vendor for the NCLEX-RN. Candidates can register online at Pearson Vue, by phone or through the mail using a registration form from their board of nursing. The exam fee must be paid during registration. Once a candidate has been approved to test by both the state board of nursing and Pearson VUE, they will receive an Authorization to Test form in the mail. This document will include instructions on how to schedule the test, and it is also required for admission to the test center on test day. Tests can be scheduled any day of the week, year round. Pearson VUE has test centers in every US state and territory.

There are three ways to determine passing the exam:
1. The computer will stop administering items when it is 95% certain that your ability is either clearly above or clearly below the passing standard.
2. If you are very close to the passing standard, the computer continues to administer items until the maximum number of items is reached. Then, the computer disregards the above rule #1 and considers only the final ability estimate.

• If the final ability estimate is at or above the passing standard, you pass.
• If the final ability estimate is below the passing standard, you fail.

3. If you run out of time before reaching the maximum number of items and the computer has not determined with 95% certainty whether you have passed or failed, alternate criteria are used:

• If you have not answered the minimum number of required items, you automatically fail.
• If you answered at least the minimum number of required items, then the final ability estimate will be based on all responses given before the exam time expired. If the score is at or above the passing standard, you will pass.

The NCLEX-RN covers the following domains:

• Physiological Adaptation (14%)
• Management of Care (18%)
• Safety and Infection Control (13%)
• Health Promotion and Maintenance (9%)
• Reduction of Risk Potential (12%)
• Pharmacological and Parental Therapies (16%)
• Basic Care and Comfort (9%)
• Psychological Integrity (9%)

The NCLEX-RN was developed by the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), an autonomous, non-profit organization consisting of 89 Nursing Regulatory Bodies in the U.S. and from around the world, with over 5 million active nurses in the U.S.

The NCLEX-RN is offered on a daily basis, year-round at testing sites across the United States and US territories.

Once a candidate has been approved to test by both the state board of nursing and Pearson VUE, they will receive an Authorization to Test form in the mail. This document will include instructions on how to schedule the test, and it is also required for admission to the test center on test day. Tests can be scheduled any day of the week, year round. Pearson VUE has test centers in every US state and territory.
Test results will be made available by each state's board of nursing approximately one month following the test date. Some states participate in the Quick Result Service and may make unofficial score reports available 48 hours after the test.

To work as a registered nurse in any state in the US, licensure is required. The NCLEX-RN is the national licensure exam that each state uses to determine who is qualified to work as a registered nurse, or RN. Every state has its own set of eligibility requirements that must be met before one is eligible for the NCLEX-RN, but generally a nursing candidate must have successfully completed an approved nursing education program that leads to either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing (ADN or BSN). RN candidates can find their state's requirements on their home state's board of nursing website. The National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the administrator of the NCLEX-RN, provides a database of each state's nursing board's contact information.

To work as a registered nurse in any state in the US, licensure is required. The NCLEX-RN is the national licensure exam that each state uses to determine who is qualified to work as a registered nurse, or RN. Every state has its own set of eligibility requirements that must be met before one is eligible for the NCLEX-RN, but generally a nursing candidate must have successfully completed an approved nursing education program that leads to either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing (ADN or BSN). RN candidates can find their state's requirements on their home state's board of nursing website. The National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the administrator of the NCLEX-RN, provides a database of each state's nursing board's contact information.

Go to the NCLEX website to register. You will receive a confirmation email after you have successfully applied for the exam. You may then schedule an exam appointment using the link in your confirmation email or via the dashboard.

Test takers who do not pass the NCLEX-RN must wait 45 or 90 days to retest, depending on the rules of their state board of nursing. To retake the test, one must contact their state board of nursing and determine what paperwork is required, and then reregister with Pearson VUE and pay the test fee again.
 

Test results will be made available by each state's board of nursing approximately one month following the test date. Some states participate in the Quick Result Service and may make unofficial score reports available 48 hours after the test.

Every state has its own set of eligibility requirements that must be met before one is eligible for the NCLEX-RN, but generally a nursing candidate must have successfully completed an approved nursing education program that leads to either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing (ADN or BSN). RN candidates can find their state's requirements on their home state's board of nursing website. The National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the administrator of the NCLEX-RN, provides a database of each state's nursing board's contact information.

Practice tests, such as Tests.com's NCLEX-RN Practice Exam, are a good way to study as it goes over the material you need to know while giving you a chance to practice your test taking skills. Additionally, study guides, text books, class notes, flashcards and videos are important study tools.  It is best to use a wide range of test prep to get the most comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.

Tests.com has worked with instructors in nursing to create an NCLEX-RN Practice Test to help you prepare for the NCLEX. Tests.com's TestSim online interactive platform allows you to tailor tests to the subjects you want to study and to form tests to fit your study schedule. You can even simulate the actual NCLEX-RN exam by setting the number of questions and timer to the time period allowed for the actual test. Get experience reading multiple-choice questions and taking timed tests. Tests.com will help you pass your NCLEX on your way to a successful career as an RN. Click here for a free NCLEX-RN Practice Exam.