Everything RN and PN candidates need to know about the NCLEX exam. A study system built around passing, not just practicing.
Become a registered nurse. Practice questions and smart study tools built for the current NCLEX-RN® exam blueprint.
Explore NCLEX-RN® PrepBecome an LPN or LVN. Practice questions and smart study tools built for the current NCLEX-PN® exam blueprint.
Explore NCLEX-PN® Prep
The overall NCLEX® pass rate among all candidates is ~72% (NCSBN, 2026). The NCLEX® pass rate among ExamReady students is 99%*.
The overall NCLEX® pass rate among all candidates is ~72% (NCSBN, 2026). The NCLEX® pass rate among ExamReady students is 99%*.
“I'm finally a nurse! 85 questions and I cried when I saw 'Pass.' I failed my first attempt and was devastated. In ExamReady, the questions felt very similar to the real exam, and the explanations helped me understand where I was going wrong.”
Passed – NCLEX-PN®
*Based on a survey of ExamReady students who reached a 97%+ exam readiness score across practice questions.
Understand the exam format and scoring before you start studying — so you know exactly what to expect.
The NCLEX-RN® (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is a computerized adaptive test that determines whether nursing graduates are prepared for safe, entry-level nursing practice. Unlike nursing school exams that primarily test recall and recognition of facts, NCLEX-RN® tests clinical reasoning and application.
Instead of asking "What is the normal potassium range?", the NCLEX-RN® presents a patient scenario requiring you to recognize hypokalemia, understand its relationship to digoxin toxicity, and determine the priority nursing action. This fundamental difference means your study approach must shift from pure memorization to practicing clinical decision-making.
The exam adjusts question difficulty based on your responses — correct answers lead to harder questions, incorrect answers lead to easier ones. The NCLEX-RN® uses a logit scale where the passing standard stays constant while question difficulty varies. After each answer, the computer recalculates your ability estimate and compares it to the passing standard. When it reaches 95% confidence that your ability is clearly above or below the standard, the exam ends — which is why some candidates finish at 85 questions and others continue to 150.
85 questions — computer reached a confident decision quickly, could be a clear pass or clear fail.
100–149 questions — computer needed additional data points to determine your ability level.
150 questions — maximum length reached. Pass/fail depends on your ability level at question 150.
Since April 2023, NCLEX-RN® includes NGN items designed to measure clinical judgment directly. These use the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM), evaluating six skills: Recognize Cues, Analyze Cues, Prioritize Hypotheses, Generate Solutions, Take Action, and Evaluate Outcomes. NGN items use partial-credit scoring — you earn points for each correct element.
NGN items come in five formats:
Case Study — a multi-phase patient scenario with 6 questions following the patient over time. Read the full scenario first. Track condition evolution. Each question targets a different NCJMM skill.
Bow-Tie — center shows the patient condition; left side select causes; right side select actions. Identify the central problem first, then work outward. What led to this? → What is it? → What do I do?
Trend — a data table showing patient values over time (vitals at 0800, 1200, 1600). Compare across time points, not just against normals. Look for trajectories and trends.
Enhanced Hot Spot (Cloze) — a nurse's note with dropdown menus for selecting correct clinical terms. Read the entire passage first. Each dropdown tests specific judgment — condition, action, parameter.
Matrix / Grid — a table with checkboxes to match conditions to findings or actions to patients. Evaluate each row independently. Don't assume equal checks per column.
Unlike traditional NCLEX® items that are scored right or wrong, NGN items use partial-credit scoring. In a Bow-Tie question with 5 correct selections, getting 3 right earns partial credit rather than zero. This means you should always attempt every element — never leave blanks.
There are no numerical scores on the NCLEX-RN® — the only results possible are Pass or Fail. You will receive your official results from your state Board of Nursing within six weeks after taking the exam. If your state participates in the Quick Results Service, you can access your unofficial results two business days after testing for a small fee.
If you don't pass, you can retake the exam. You'll need to wait 45 days between attempts, and you'll need to re-register and pay the exam fee again. You may take the NCLEX-RN® up to eight times per year.
The NCLEX-PN® (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) is a computerized adaptive test that determines whether nursing graduates are prepared for safe, entry-level practical/vocational nursing practice. Unlike nursing school exams that primarily test recall and recognition of facts, NCLEX-PN® tests clinical reasoning and application within the LPN/LVN scope of practice.
Instead of asking "What are the signs of wound infection?", the NCLEX-PN® presents a patient scenario requiring you to recognize early signs of infection, understand when to report findings to the supervising nurse or provider, and determine the priority nursing action. This fundamental difference means your study approach must shift from pure memorization to practicing clinical decision-making.
The exam adjusts question difficulty based on your responses — correct answers lead to harder questions, incorrect answers lead to easier ones. The NCLEX-PN® uses a logit scale where the passing standard stays constant while question difficulty varies. When the computer reaches 95% confidence that your ability is clearly above or below the standard, the exam ends — which is why some candidates finish at 85 questions and others continue to 150.
85 questions — computer reached a confident decision quickly, could be a clear pass or clear fail.
100–149 questions — computer needed additional data points to determine your ability level.
150 questions — maximum length reached. Pass/fail depends on your ability level at question 150.
The NCLEX-PN® includes NGN items designed to measure clinical judgment directly. These use the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM), evaluating six skills: Recognize Cues, Analyze Cues, Prioritize Hypotheses, Generate Solutions, Take Action, and Evaluate Outcomes. NGN items use partial-credit scoring — you earn points for each correct element.
Every NCLEX-PN® exam includes 18 clinical judgment items organized into three case studies of 6 questions each. Each case study follows a single patient scenario and addresses all six steps of the NCJMM in sequence.
NGN items appear in various formats and may include charts, tables, graphics, and other multimedia. All item types undergo an extensive review process before being used on the exam.
Unlike traditional NCLEX items that are scored right or wrong, NGN items use partial-credit scoring. This means you should always attempt every element — never leave blanks.
There are no numerical scores on the NCLEX-PN® — the only results possible are Pass or Fail. You will receive your official results from your state Board of Nursing within six weeks after taking the exam. If your state participates in the Quick Results Service, you can access your unofficial results two business days after testing for a small fee.
If you don't pass, you can retake the exam. You'll need to wait 45 days between attempts, and you'll need to re-register and pay the exam fee again. You may take the NCLEX-PN® up to eight times per year.
All 8 Client Needs categories from the NCSBN test plan — so nothing on exam day catches you off guard.
1.Management of Care
8252.Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
5953.Health Promotion and Maintenance
4114.Psychosocial Integrity
4215.Basic Care and Comfort
4046.Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7337.Reduction of Risk Potential
5508.Physiological Adaptation
641Knowing the material and feeling ready are different. ExamReady's Readiness Score shows exactly where you stand, so you always know if it's time to book your exam or keep studying with our practice questions and smart study tools. Walk into the exam with confidence.
A failed attempt doesn't define you. It shows you where you struggled. ExamReady's performance analytics break down your weak areas by categories, so you know exactly what to fix — and your next attempt is focused, not random.
NCLEX tests clinical reasoning, not memorization. ExamReady questions are built around the current NCLEX blueprint. Every answer includes a clear explanation so you understand the reasoning behind it.
Not everyone can study for hours every day. ExamReady fits into your schedule with short, focused sessions on your phone or tablet. Your progress is tracked so you always know what to do next.
See real success stories from our students.
“I switched to ExamReady and started working through practice questions and cheat sheets. Passed on my second attempt and had a job two weeks later.”
Watching my classmates get hired one by one while I was still at home with my notes was the hardest part. I switched to ExamReady and started working through practice questions and cheat sheets. My analytics showed me I was actually getting better. Passed on my second attempt and had a job two weeks later.
Passed – NCLEX-PN®
“Every day I did 30 questions in the carpool line and another set after my kids were in bed. When I sat down for the real exam, I actually knew the material. Got it done!”
I'm a mom of three and long study sessions weren't an option. Every day I did 30 questions in the carpool line and another set after my kids were in bed. The study plan showed me exactly what to cover each day so I wasn't guessing. When I sat down for the real exam, I actually knew the material. Got it done!
Passed – NCLEX-RN®
“Test anxiety was my biggest problem, and the analytics were the first thing that actually helped.”
Test anxiety was my biggest problem, and the analytics were the first thing that actually helped. I had three weeks and a full-time CNA job, and I'd know the material and still blank out mid-question. Seeing exactly where I kept struggling gave me something concrete to focus on instead of just worrying. By the end of week two my scores looked a lot better. Walked in feeling prepared for the first time and got my RN.
Passed – NCLEX-RN®
“I love that ExamReady shows you exactly where you stand. For the first time I actually saw my progress: my readiness score, where I was strong, where I still needed work.”
I love that ExamReady shows you exactly where you stand. Had my ATT for two months and kept telling myself one more week. For the first time I actually saw my progress: my readiness score, where I was strong, where I still needed work. The data told me it was time. I stopped making excuses, booked my date, and got my license.
Passed – NCLEX-PN®
“I had no idea where to start. ExamReady gave me a daily plan so I didn't have to think about what to do next. I could see my readiness score going up week by week.”
I came into nursing as a second career. No classmates to study with, no professor to call. I had no idea where to start. ExamReady gave me a daily plan so I didn't have to think about what to do next. Picked the 8-week schedule and just followed it. I could see my readiness score going up week by week, which honestly was the thing that finally made me believe I could do this. Scheduled my exam and got the license on the first try.
Passed – NCLEX-PN®
“I PASSED with 85 questions and I truly couldn't have done it without ExamReady!”
I PASSED with 85 questions and I truly couldn't have done it without ExamReady! Failed my first attempt and had no idea what I was doing wrong. I found ExamReady a month before my second attempt. The explanations didn’t just show the right answer, they helped me understand the reasoning behind it. The stats also showed me exactly where I was losing points so I stopped wasting time on things I already knew.
Passed – NCLEX-RN®
Have questions? We're here for you! Check out our FAQ for quick answers, or reach out to us anytime at support@examready.pro.
The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is the standardized licensure exam required to become a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN/LVN) in the United States and Canada. It's developed and maintained by the NCSBN. Candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN to obtain their nursing license.
The NCLEX-RN is for candidates seeking registered nurse licensure — it tests broader clinical knowledge and independent decision-making. The NCLEX-PN is for licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) candidates — it focuses on data collection and care coordination under supervision.
Both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN use Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), so the number of questions varies: a minimum of 85 questions and a maximum of 150 questions. The exam ends when the computer determines your competency with 95% confidence.
You have up to 5 hours to complete the NCLEX, including two optional breaks. The actual time depends on how many questions you receive before the CAT algorithm reaches 95% confidence in your ability level.
The NCLEX includes traditional multiple-choice questions, select-all-that-apply (SATA), fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, hot spot, and chart/exhibit items. Since April 1, 2023, the exam also includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) item types designed to measure clinical judgment. See the NGN question below for full details.
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) is the updated version of the NCLEX launched by NCSBN on April 1, 2023. It was developed to measure clinical judgment more directly, using the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM). NGN items use partial-credit scoring — you earn points for each correct element of a multi-part answer rather than only full credit. NGN item types include Case Studies, Bow-Tie, Trend, Enhanced Hot Spot (Cloze), and Matrix/Grid questions.
The NCLEX is considered moderately difficult — not because the content is impossibly complex, but because it tests clinical reasoning and decision-making, not just memorization. This is different from most nursing school exams. According to official NCSBN 2026 YTD data, about 72% of NCLEX-RN candidates and 77% of NCLEX-PN candidates pass overall, but first-time U.S.-educated candidates perform much better — around 86-87% pass on their first attempt. Proper preparation is the biggest factor in your success.
NCLEX pass rates vary significantly by candidate type. According to official NCSBN 2026 YTD data:
NCLEX-RN:
All candidates: 72.0% | First-time U.S.-educated: 86.6% | Repeat: 52.7%
NCLEX-PN:
All candidates: 76.8% | First-time U.S.-educated: 85.8% | Repeat: 42.7%
First-time candidates consistently outperform repeat test-takers — preparation quality matters most on your first attempt. For the latest data, visit the official NCSBN NCLEX Pass Rates dashboard.
According to NCSBN's official fee schedule, the NCLEX registration fee is $200 USD for U.S. licensure, $360 CAD for Canadian licensure (excludes local taxes), or $200 USD for Australian licensure. Additional fees may apply: +$150 for international scheduling, +$50 to change your nursing regulatory body after registration, or +$50 to change the exam type (RN/PN) after registration. NCLEX fees are non-refundable for any reason, including missed or cancelled appointments.
To schedule the NCLEX, first apply for licensure with your state nursing regulatory body (NRB). Then register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 exam fee. After your NRB verifies your eligibility, you'll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email with scheduling instructions. You can then choose your NCLEX test date and testing center.
NCLEX testing centers are operated by Pearson VUE at their Professional Centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. International NCLEX exam centers are available in 15 countries: Australia, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. After receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT), search for the nearest location via the Pearson VUE scheduling portal.
You can retake the NCLEX up to 8 times per calendar year, with a minimum 45-day waiting period between attempts. You'll need to re-register and pay the $200 exam fee each time. Note that individual state Boards of Nursing or nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) may set stricter retake limits, so check with your NRB before re-registering.
The 2026 NCLEX Test Plan took effect on April 1, 2026, replacing the 2023 plan. The changes are minor refinements:
"Safety and Infection Control" has been renamed to "Safety and Infection Prevention and Control" (both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN)
New activity statements added around unbiased care and environmental safety
Importantly, nothing major changed — exam format (CAT, 85-150 questions, 5 hours), scoring, NCJMM framework, NGN item types, and Client Needs category weights all stayed the same. If you were preparing under the 2023 Test Plan, you don't need to start over.
