Every nurse who graduates from an ADN or BSN program must pass the NCLEX-RN to earn licensure and legally practice nursing in the United States. Also, every practical or vocational nurse who graduates from an LPN or LVN program must pass the NCLEX-PN to earn licensure and practice legally in the U.S.

Eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN depends on your state’s requirements. Check with your state’s nursing board to ensure you have met all the criteria.

You’ll also want to check up on the latest NCLEX requirements. There is a new version of the NCLEX called the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) that is slated to begin in 2023 that will have some changes to the current format.

The NCLEX-RN has anywhere from 75 to 265 questions on the exam. The exam continues until the test taker has demonstrated competency as an RN. In short, the more answers you get right, the faster you will finish the exam.

If you are not performing as well at the beginning of the exam, the test will take longer to give you more opportunities to answer more questions correctly. But if you answer more questions at the beginning of the exam correctly, your test will take less time, and you will need to answer fewer questions.

The NCLEX-PN is similar to the NLCEX-RN. However, it has anywhere between 85 and 205 test questions on the exam. This exam will also continue until the test-taker has demonstrated competency as an LPN. The more questions answered correctly, the faster you finish the exam. But the fewer questions you answer correctly, the more questions you will have to answer.

Exam takers will stop receiving questions when the program determines they will pass with 95% certainty of competency. The exam can take anywhere from two to five hours. A longer exam may not necessarily mean that the candidate will not pass.

NCLEX-RN candidates must have graduated from an accredited ADN or BSN program, and NCLEX-PN candidates must have graduated from an accredited LVN program.

There is a two-step process to register for the NCLEX:

1. First, submit an application for licensure and registration to the nursing regulatory body (NRB) where you want to practice.
2. Second, register for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee.

Candidates may register online or over the phone (although it is much quicker to do so online). There is a 365-day time limit for your NCLEX registration. If the NRB denies you eligibility, you forfeit your exam fee and NCLEX registration. However, you can re-register again at a later date.

Exam takers have up to five hours to complete NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. However, candidates may complete the test in a shorter time frame depending on how quickly they answer questions and how many correct or incorrect answers they have.

It is essential to take your time to answer as accurately as you can because once you submit an answer, you cannot go back and change it.

It is a good idea to start preparing for the NCLEX during your nursing program. Here are a few tips for success:

• Understand how the test works and how much time you have so you are not caught off guard during the exam
• Work in study groups and practice explaining your studies out loud to help you remember
• Take practice exams
• Take study breaks
• Use online or in-person NCLEX review course
• Establish an NCLEX study routine

The NCLEX CAT program determines if you passed or failed based on the following rules:

95% Confidence Interval Rule

This rule is the most common. The computer stops giving a candidate questions after it determines with 95% certainty that you have a safe and competent level of knowledge. In this scenario, you have answered enough questions correctly and clearly above a passing nursing knowledge level.

Maximum-Length Exam Rule

At this point, the computer disregards the 95% Confidence Rule. When you are close but not exceeding the passing standard, the computer continues asking more questions and determines whether you pass or fail based on the final ability estimate. If the candidate’s final ability meets or is below the passing standard, they do not pass.

Run Out-of-Time (R.O.O.T) Rule

This happens when a candidate runs out of time before the program can decide whether the candidate passed or failed with 95% certainty. Without answering the minimum number of questions needed, the candidate will have a failing exam.

Students can get their “unofficial results” and see if they passed the exam within two business days if their NRB uses the Quick Results Service. However, candidates must wait until they receive their final results before they can begin practicing.

Official results are given through your NRB and take a maximum of six weeks to be delivered by mail and 5 days to be emailed

If you don’t pass the NCLEX, you will get an NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR).

This report will give you more information about how you performed and what you need to work on to pass the exam later.

If you don’t pass the NCLEX on the first try, don’t fret. You can retake the exam within 45 days from your first test date. Graduates must pass the NCLEX within three years of graduation.