You're in the middle of an NCLEX study session. Suddenly you see a tweet saying, "How many questions are on the NCLEX?" or,
If you're a nursing student, you've probably asked this question at least once.
It's enough to drive any nursing student crazy! It is a question that's been plaguing nursing students for years. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has never released an official number.
So now, who to ask? Who can be trusted? Who can give you the exact answer to your question? You may find yourself in a dilemma.
But don't worry, It's good that you're reading this because we wouldn't let you down. We have the answers to all your queries.
This article contains everything you need to know about the test's number of questions and format.
Let's get down to business.
What Is NCLEX?
It stands for National Council Licensure Examination, a standardized exam that every nurse in the United States must pass to get their license.
The test is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which is an independent body that is responsible for accrediting nursing schools, providing support and guidance to those schools, and establishing standards for nursing education and practice.
All nurses in the US must pass the NCLEX. Thus if you plan to work in nursing after graduation, you must do so before obtaining your license.
How to Take the NCLEX
To take the NCLEX, you'll need to have graduated from an accredited nursing program and passed your state's board exams.
Once you've met those requirements, you can schedule a date with Pearson VUE—they'll tell you exactly how many days before your test date they need to receive all your information.
How Nclex is Scored?
The NCLEX uses computer adaptive testing techniques that depend on test takers' knowledge, ability, and skills. If you answer the question correctly, the next question will probably be difficult or vice versa. NCLEX Pearson VUE testing center takes the test.
The exciting thing is that the computer will end the test when it determines whether you are eligible or not. But how does the computer estimate it?
The test will end when the test taker has answered enough questions for the computer to determine whether the test taker has fallen short or met the passing score in NCLEX.
A test-taker will continue answering questions until the computer system is 95% confident that their skills fall inside or outside the passing range. The first 75 questions decide whether the candidate has passed or failed the NCLEX.
What Is the Max Amount of Questions on the NCLEX?
Have you ever wondered how many questions are on NCLEX? The number of questions on the NCLEX is some facts that we've uncovered.
We're here to tell you: it varies a lot! According to picmonic.com, the average question for NCLEX ranges from 75 to 265. But due to pandemics, policies have been changed. Test questions range from 75 to 145, with 5 hours allowed.
The test is designed as a pass or fail, meaning you must get at least 50% correct answers to pass.
There's also variability in how many questions there are from year to year and state to state.
Some states have more questions than others because their Board members believe their state requires more knowledge than other states do.
The number of questions and the passing standard varies from student to student based on several factors, including their knowledge, understanding, and abilities concerning patient care and other factors.
What Questions Are on the Nclex?
Some say there are ways to "game" this test by knowing the types of questions asked.
If you're a student preparing for the NCLEX, you must know what questions you might encounter on your exam to prepare accordingly.
You should also know what sort of test-taking strategies work best for different numbers of questions—and when they don't work at all!
Many questions on the NCLEX exam are designed to assess your ability to apply knowledge, skills, and critical thinking in various situations.
They'll ask you about
Health promotion and disease prevention
What to do when a patient has a specific condition or symptom
How to manage patients' pain levels
How to recognize when someone has a medical emergency
How to recognize signs of mental illness
How to administer medications safely
How much should include information about a specific topic in an assessment report
What kinds of questions should we ask during a follow-up session with a patient, and much more.
What Is the Pattern of NCLEX
Is there a pattern to the NCLEX test? What way does it follow?
The test has multiple-choice questions—you can choose from four answers, and each solution has a point value. The number of questions you correctly answered determines your grade. If you pass with a certain number of points, you are qualified to be licensed as a nurse in your state.
You'll start with a few easy questions and then move into more complex ones. It means that even if your first question is tricky, you have a chance to get some points before moving on to the next question, which will be easier than the first one. However, this also means that if you get stuck on a question early in the test, it'll be complicated for you to make up those points later.
There are four NCLEX categories
Critical Thinking Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Knowledge
Health Promotion and Maintenance
The exam consists of four sections
Mental health
Adult health
Pediatrics
Safe, effective care environment
What Are the Best NCLEX Study Programs?
We have the list if you are wondering about the top NCLEX prep courses. These nclex study guides and techniques will help you to pass the NCLEX on the first try.
According to testprepnerds.com, the following are the best programs for NCLEX review.
Kaplan NCLEX Review
The Princeton Review NCLEX-RN
(Video) NCLEX-RN Full Practice Test - 1 | 2023 | 75 Questions with Explained Answers and timerNurse Plus Academy
UWorld
Hurst Review
NCLEX Mastery
How Much Does NCLEX Cost?
According to NCSBN, NCLEX costs $200. The exam fee applies to all candidates, including those who are in a master’s program and international nurses,
Conclusion
The NCLEX is the nursing licensure exam that allows you to practice independently and legally in nursing. Exams like the NCLEX aim to test your ability to apply all the knowledge you've gained in nursing school to practical situations.
We hope this guide has been helpful and will inspire you to learn about NCLEX. But we're not done yet, so don't go away! We also have many other blogs on NCLEX; see our complete guide.
I hope you have your questions answered. If not, don't hesitate to ask in the comment section below.
FAQs
Is NCLEX Hard?
Your ability to apply and assess circumstances while utilizing the nursing information you learned in school is tested on the NCLEX. This test is more complex and thorough since it emphasizes logic and critical thinking rather than rote memorization.
What Is the Passing Score in NCLEX?
The NCLEX-RN passing score is 50%. The new passing standard for NCLEX RN is 0.00 logits.
Can I See Which Questions I Didn’t Answer in the NCLEX?
No, you can not see the questions. You cannot even skip the questions. It is Computerized Adaptive Testing, and you have to answer the previous question in order to move to the next question.
Are More Questions Better Than Fewer in the NCLEX?
The more questions you answer correctly, the better your score. So if you can answer more questions correctly, it's a good idea to have more questions on your exam.
But there's also a lot more information you'll have to memorize if you have fewer questions. We recommend writing your notes on each question and reviewing them to ensure you know all the points covered.
Can You Take the NCLEX at Home?
No, you can not take the NCLEX at home.
FAQs
What does it mean if you answer all the questions on the NCLEX? ›
If you end up answering the full 145 questions, that indicates that you're close to the passing standard, and the computer will keep giving you questions until you've reached the full number of possible questions.
Why did I get all 145 questions on the NCLEX? ›Does 145 questions on NCLEX mean you failed? No, if you answer all 145 questions on the NCLEX, that does not mean you fail. In fact, if you answered 145 questions and each question was progressively more challenging, then that is a good sign that you passed.
Does the amount of questions on the NCLEX matter? ›Yes, you can pass the NCLEX-RN by answering only 75 questions. Keep in mind, the number of questions you answer may be a sign you passed, but it is not a definite sign.
How many hard questions do you have to get right on the NCLEX? ›Failing the test can result in not answering the minimum amount of 70 questions within the allotted time. You can answer the first 69 questions correctly, but you will automatically fail the exam if you don't reach number 70.
What are good signs of passing the NCLEX? ›Quick Test Results
Another good sign you passed the NCLEX is the quick test results. These “unofficial” results are released 48 hours after taking the NCLEX exam. While these results do not allow you to practice as a licensed/registered nurse, they are a very good indication for passing or failing.
To pass the NCLEX RN or PN, test takers must correctly answer at least 75 questions (the minimum amount). Unfortunately, that means you can also fail the exam within those 75 questions or items.
Has anyone failed NCLEX at 145 questions? ›While you can fail the NCLEX PN or NCLEX RN exam in 145 questions, it's unlikely. Most students are more prepared than they think, hence why most students pass the NCLEX exams.
What are considered higher level questions on NCLEX? ›Each category of questions requires an increasing level of critical thinking skills. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation questions would be considered higher-level NCLEX questions. Synthesis questions are based on creating or proposing solutions, such as a plan of care.
How many questions do you have to get right to pass the NCLEX in 75 questions? ›You need to answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to pass NCLEX.
Does the last question on NCLEX matter? ›If the last question is below the level of difficulty needed to pass, the candidate fails. If the last question is above the level of difficulty needed to pass, the candidate passes.
How many questions should I do a day to pass NCLEX? ›
We recommend that you complete about 2,800 practice questions before your exam. If you are giving yourself a month to study, that means that you would be doing about 100 NCLEX practice questions per day.
What if the last question on the NCLEX was easy? ›If the last question on the NCLEX was easy, it means you got a question that was easy or a topic you knew very well. While that could be a sign you passed, you won't know for sure until the official results are available.
Can you pass the NCLEX with 50% of questions right? ›The NCLEX is scored using dichotomous scoring, so you can either pass or fail the exam. Currently, to pass the NCLEX-RN, the standard is 0.00 logits–or answer questions correctly at least 50% of the time.
Can NCLEX shut off before 75 questions? ›The test shuts off before you answer the minimum number of questions. The NCLEX-RN has a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 145, and you have five hours to complete the exam.
Do the first 15 questions of the NCLEX count? ›3 | NCLEX Examination Question Types
The NCLEX follows a variable question format. This means that the computer adapts the questions based on test takers' performance. The NCLEX-RN consists of 74-145 questions. This includes 15 pre-test questions that do not count toward test takers' scores.
Upon completion of your NCLEX, if your nursing regulatory body participates in the Quick Results Service, you can access unofficial results two business days after the exam. Official results will be sent to you by your nursing regulatory body approximately six weeks after your NCLEX exam date.
Can you fail NCLEX at 83 questions? ›So, a test-taker can pass or fail the NCLEX-RN/PN with 60 questions, 145 questions, or any number in between.
What are the 3 NCLEX pass or fail decision rules? ›There are three pass/fail rules for the NCLEX examinations: the Run-Out-Of-Time rule, the Maximum-Length Exam Rule and the 95-Percent Confidence Interval Rule.
Is it common to fail the NCLEX in 75 questions? ›While it is certainly possible to fail the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN evaluation in only 75 questions, this rarely happens because most nursing students are far more prepared than they believe they are.
Which state has the hardest NCLEX exam? ›None. There is no “easy” state to take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a national exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Because it's national, the NCLEX will be the same regardless of what state you choose to take it in.
What are considered easy questions on NCLEX? ›
Easy questions on the NCLEX are questions that are lower on Bloom's taxonomy level. These are memorization style questions that do not require any critical thinking or application.
Is 90% chance of passing NCLEX good? ›Depending on the time of year tested and the year, the NCLEX pass rates for first- time, US-educated test takers are usually between 80-90% +/1. So ATI says they predict that 59.9% of students will pass the NCLEX (with a 90-100% probability) when usually around 90% pass.
What if I have failed the NCLEX 3 times? ›If they fail, they'll need to wait 45 days before retesting. After failing three times, though, they'll need to complete a board-approved remediation program before the next retake. test-takers have six attempts to pass in total.
How many easy questions can you miss on NCLEX? ›You can successfully answer the first 59 questions, but if you don't get to question 60, you will automatically fail the exam. Another method to fail the exam is to not answer enough questions properly within the allocated time or to not answer enough questions correctly out of the maximum of 145 or 265 questions.
What does the bad pop up look like for NCLEX? ›What Does the Bad Pop up For the NCLEX Say? The bad pop-up for the NCLEX will say something along the lines of “Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time.”
What is the pass rate for the NCLEX first time? ›Find out the reasons and what you can do as a student or nurse educator. For first-time test-takers, the pass rate fell to 79.9% and for all test-takers to 63.4%.
How soon can I do the Pearson VUE trick? ›How Soon After Taking NCLEX Does the Pearson Vue Trick Work? Sources vary regarding how long you should wait to try the Pearson Vue NCLEX trick after testing. While some people try the trick within an hour or so after completing the NCLEX exam, giving yourself a two-to-four-hour post-test window seems to be the best.
How many SATA should you get on NCLEX? ›You may get around 10-25 SATA questions in total, but that will depend on how you're answering your NCLEX questions.
What is the hardest part of the NCLEX? ›- Second-Guessing Your Abilities. ...
- Changing Answers Repeatedly. ...
- Reading Questions Too Fast. ...
- Cramming Before the Test. ...
- Not Using the Right Study Tools. ...
- Not Getting Enough Rest Before the Test. ...
- Reading Too Much into a Question.
Never choose an answer that contains the following words: always, never, all, and only. These words do not allow for the possibility of an exception, and therefore the answers that contain these words can be automatically eliminated. Never choose an answer that describes the nurse's actions as "vigorous."
Why did my NCLEX shut off at 75 questions? ›
When the NCLEX-RN shuts off at 75 questions, it means you either did very well or very poorly—enough so that the CAT model is 95% confident in your success or failure after only one-third of the possible 265 exam questions. Further, in a 75-question test only 60 questions are counted toward your passing score.
What is mostly on the NCLEX? ›The NCLEX-RN® is composed of primarily multiple-choice, four-option, text-based questions written at the application/analysis level of difficulty. These questions may include charts, tables, or graphic images. There are three components of an NCLEX-RN® exam multiple-choice question.
Is 3 weeks enough to study for NCLEX? ›It is commonly recommended that you spend at least six weeks studying for the NCLEX. However, you can take a couple of practice quizzes and tests to evaluate how prepared you are. If you feel prepared and do well on the practice tests, then two weeks may be enough time to study and refresh your knowledge.
What is the average score for NCLEX? ›Therefore, test-takers typically answer between 75 and 145. Since the test is adaptive, the NCLEX percentage to pass will vary for each candidate. The test will constantly challenge the test-taker until it finds the kind of questions that they will have a 50% chance of passing.
Is 60 on UWorld good? ›58-60% is OK, a good sign is being consistently above the average scores. The Uworld package I bought came with 2 assessment exams.
What is the average score on UWorld to pass NCLEX? ›Learners with an average QBank score of 56% pass the NCLEX at a 92% rate. While your average UWorld QBank score gives you important information, studying each question's explanation is the most valuable way to spend your time.
What happens if you answer all 145 questions on NCLEX? ›Answering all 145 questions on the NCLEX-RN alone does not mean you failed the exam. However, with each correct answer you provide, the test should give you a question that becomes increasingly more difficult than the previous one.
What does it mean if I got a lot of priority questions on the NCLEX? ›If you were able to get priority questions, then you are near the passing mark. If you were given TRIAGE or more difficult questions towards the end of the exam, then you might have surpassed the passing level.
Why did I get all 265 NCLEX questions? ›If a student got all 265 questions, that would mean they are really straddling the competency line. The NCLEX algorithm is complicated, but it's a very smart, adaptive test. After you get past 75 questions, once it determines whether you're above passing or below passing, it will shut off.
What does it mean when you get a lot of select all that apply on NCLEX? ›Getting a lot of select all that apply isn't necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. It also doesn't mean you're going to pass or fail the exam. The NCLEX is unique to every student, and the questions themselves will be perceived differently depending on your individual strengths and weaknesses.
How many questions should you do before NCLEX? ›
We recommend that you complete about 2,800 practice questions before your exam. If you are giving yourself a month to study, that means that you would be doing about 100 NCLEX practice questions per day.
What does it mean if your last NCLEX question is easy? ›If the last question on the NCLEX was easy, it means you got a question that was easy or a topic you knew very well. While that could be a sign you passed, you won't know for sure until the official results are available. Save.
What are considered lower level questions on NCLEX? ›Easy questions on the NCLEX are questions that are lower on Bloom's taxonomy level. These are memorization style questions that do not require any critical thinking or application.
When did NCLEX change from 265 to 145? ›The typical NCLEX has a maximum of 265 questions. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the length has been altered. The NCLEX in 2022 has 15 pretest questions and a maximum length of 145 questions. You'll also have a total of 5 hours to complete the exam.
What is the highest number of NCLEX questions? ›How many questions are on the NCLEX? A test-taker will see a minimum of 60 questions and a maximum of 145 questions on the NCLEX-RN and PN. Each of the tests will also include 15 experimental questions that do not count in scoring.
Will NCLEX go back to 265 questions? ›2. How many questions do you have to get right to pass the NCLEX®? On the NCLEX® examination, test takers will see a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 (145 maximum due to new COVID-19 policies).
How many SATA questions are good on NCLEX? ›You must get all options correct (even if you miss one, it is considered wrong; there's no partial credit). You may get around 10-25 SATA questions in total, but that will depend on how you're answering your NCLEX questions.