Who Writes The Examination Questions For Practical Nurses And Registered Nurses?

NCLEX Exam Guide

Observe out how and where you lot'll take the NCLEX—plus, what'due south on it, how it's scored, and more.

The NCLEX exam, also known as the National Council Licensure Examination, is a standardized test that every state regulatory board uses to make up one's mind if a candidate is ready to go licensed every bit a nurse. Administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, there are two types of NCLEX exams, and which test yous take depends on the role you seek.

NCLEX-PN:For applied or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs—the terms are used interchangeably in different states), the near entry-level of the licensed nursing positions
NCLEX-RN:For registered nurses (RNs), who have additional pedagogy and greater responsibility

Steps to Taking the NCLEX and Getting Licensed

Consummate an accredited nursing program
Apply for a license with your land board
Register for the NCLEX exam you wish to take
Take and pass the NCLEX
Complete whatsoever additional state requirements and get licensed

NCLEX Registration and Eligibility

Before you can annals to take the NCLEX, you must meet the education requirements for the license y'all desire and apply for that license through your state's board of nursing.

Required Education for a Nursing License

Licensed practical or vocational nurse

Accredited LPN certificate program

Usually at least an accredited associate's degree in nursing; preferably a bachelor's degree

If you've got a decorated schedule, you'll be happy to know that testing is available year-round almost every twenty-four hour period of the week.

Set up for the NCLEX

When you're ready to apply for your license, download the current NCLEX Candidate Bulletin, a comprehensive resource that'south useful before and after you take your test. Information technology includes contact information and details on test registration, NCLEX candidate rules, and test results.

Register for the Exam

You'll register for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing system that administers the NCLEX, merely you won't be able to schedule a time to take the test until your eligibility has been verified. You lot must register for the examination online or over the telephone.

Await for Eligibility Notice and Schedule Exam

You'll know yous're eligible when you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) via email. Your ATT will include a candidate number, dates that you are eligible to take the test (typically valid for 90 days), and a listing of local testing centers. At this point, you tin can schedule a day and time to take the exam. Those with decorated schedules will exist happy to know that testing is available yr-circular almost every day of the week.

You Might Be Wondering:
Do Certified Nurse Assistants Demand to Have a Test?

Aye! If you're still debating whether to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), LPN or RN, know that while CNAs don't take the NCLEX, they must laissez passer the CNA certification exam required by their state and meet other specified requirements.

How Much Does the NCLEX Toll?

The base toll for taking either of the NCLEX exams is $200 if you're seeking a license in the U.South. Yous'll pay this fee to PearsonVue with a credit or debit carte du jour when you annals. Depending on where yous live, your state's board of nursing may require boosted registration fees.

The base toll for taking either of the NCLEX exams is $200 if you're seeking a license in the U.Due south.

Potential Extra Fees

You might be charged extra fees if you desire to change the specifications of your exam after you've registered. For example, changing the regulatory trunk you'll be working under—either to a board in a different state or a secondary board in your current state—costs an additional $l. Another $50 is required for those who register to have the PN exam just desire to take the RN instead. There is an additional fee of $150 (plus value-added tax) to add international scheduling for an test.

NCLEX Examination Preparation

Several exam-prep organizations offer programs to help you prepare to take the NCLEX exam. The National Quango of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the system that develops the NCLEX, offers a do exam that's designed to provide the look and feel of the real test. There are practise exam packets for both the PN- and RN-level exams, and each costs $150.

The practice packets incorporate two computerized tests with 125 questions each. You'll need to complete both tests during the same sitting. Afterward, you'll receive a score written report with a percentage of the questions you answered correctly.

NCLEX Subject Thing

The topics covered on both exams are like. The chief departure is thatthe RN test is tailored for the management of care and the supervision of others,while the PN exam is focused more on assisting RNs and working under direction.

That said, each exam will cover eight key areas of care, with a option of topics. This listing is past no ways comprehensive, but you tin visit the NCSBN website to find more in-depth test plans and sample questions.

Management of Care/ Coordinated Care

Advancement, client rights, confidentiality, continuity of care, ethical exercise, informed consent, information technology, legal responsibilities, functioning improvement

Assistive devices, elimination, mobility/immobility, nutrition and oral hydration, residual and sleep, personal hygiene

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Aging, developmental stages, disease prevention, health screening, high-run a risk behaviors, lifestyle choices, self-care

Abuse/neglect, coping mechanisms, crisis intervention, cultural awareness, family dynamics, grief and loss, mental health, stress management, substance corruption

Fluid/electrolyte imbalances, disease management, medical emergencies, pathophysiology, unexpected response to therapies

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

Adverse effects, blood products, dosage calculations, expected outcomes, medication administration, pharmacological pain management

Reduction of Risk Potential

Changes/abnormalities in vital signs, diagnostic tests, laboratory values, potential for complications, therapeutic procedures

Safety and Infection Control

Accident/injury prevention, emergency response plans, ergonomic principles, hazardous materials, dwelling safety, safe employ of equipment, security plans

Examination Format

The NCLEX-RN and PN exams are computerized tests, made up mostly of multiple-choice questions, plus some multiple-response, fill-in-the-bare, and elevate-and-drop questions.

Number of Questions

In a typical year, there are a minimum of 85 questions on the PN test and a maximum of 205. The RN exam usually has a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265.

Computer Adaptive Testing

The NCLEX exams are estimator adaptive tests (CATs), meaning the questions you receive are in directly response to the questions you lot previously answered. If you get an answer wrong, the next question will be slightly easier. Go an answer right and the next question will be a little more difficult. With each question you reply, the computer'south estimate of your abilities gets more precise.

Time Allotted to Complete the Examination

How long it takes you to consummate the NCLEX Exam volition exist based on the number of questions you lot answer or the maximum time yous're allowed.

In a typical year, LPNs accept 5 hours and RNs accept six hours. There are scheduled breaks afterwards two hours and 3½ hours, and test takers can take additional breaks if they desire. All breaks count against total testing fourth dimension.

If the estimator can conspicuously appraise your level of competence after the minimum number of questions, the test volition be over and y'all'll either pass or neglect. If you're non clearly to a higher place or below the passing standard, the test will continue until a final assessment tin be made.

NCLEX Test Scoring and What Y'all Need to Laissez passer

The NCLEX is scored using what are chosen logits. These are units of measurement that evaluate the relative difference between a candidate'south estimated ability and the difficulty of the questions they answer. The passing standard for the NCLEX-RN is 0.00 logits, while the PN is -0.18.

The NCLEX is scored using what are called logits. These are units of measurement that evaluate the relative divergence betwixt a candidate'due south estimated ability and the difficulty of the questions they answer. The passing standard for the NCLEX-RN is 0.00 logits, while the PN is -0.18.

The exams are kickoff evaluated using the 95% Confidence Interval Rule. Later on you've answered the minimum number of questions, the computer will assess whether it's at to the lowest degree 95% sure that your ability is above or below the passing standard. The examination continues until the computer tin reach at least 95% confidence in your consequence.

However, if you end upward answering the maximum number of questions, y'all'll pass or fail based on the final gauge of your ability, regardless of whether the computer can gauge your result at 95%. Yous laissez passer if your ability estimate is above the passing standard, and you fail if your ability is at or below the passing standard.

If you run out of fourth dimension and have answered at least the minimum number of questions and the computer has not been able to make up one's mind whether yous pass or fail with 95% certainty, an alternating dominion applies based on your last 60 ability estimates. If your terminal 60 power estimates are above the passing standard, y'all pass; if you drop below the passing standard fifty-fifty once in your final threescore ability estimates, yous fail. If y'all run out of fourth dimension and oasis't answered the minimum number of questions, you likewise fail.

Y'all'll receive your official results from your state's regulatory board roughly vi weeks after you take the test.

Yous won't notice out immediately whether you lot've passed or failed. Candidates in some locations can buy their unofficial results on the Pearson VUE website a few days after the test, merely these results won't qualify you to practice as a nurse.

You'll receive your official results from your land's regulatory board roughly vi weeks later you have the test.

Current Laissez passer Rates

The passing rates for the NCLEX exams vary past year, test type, and candidate. In the first half of 2020, U.Southward.-educated, starting time-fourth dimension exam-takers of the NCLEX-RN passed at an average rate of 86.5%, while the average NCLEX-PN pass rate was 85.32%. Comparatively, foreign-educated nurses taking the RN examination for the commencement time had a pass rate of 45.27%, and those taking the NCLEX-PN had a laissez passer rate of 53.24%.

What Happens if You lot Don't Pass the NCLEX?

If you lot don't pass the exam, you'll receive a Candidate Performance Report that breaks down the viii areas of the test and shows where you were above, near, and beneath the passing standard. This can assistance you determine the topics you should pay extra attending to if you choose to retake the examination.

While declining the NCLEX can be discouraging, yous accept many opportunities to retake the test. Though your state may limit the number, the NCSBN allows candidates to take the test up to 8 times a year, with at to the lowest degree 45 days between tests.

In one case You've Passed the NCLEX

If you pass the NCLEX, congratulations! Your last stride to working in the nursing field is to complete your licensing with your state. Each state has a slightly different process, so make certain to check with your state lath to verify any additional steps.

If yous become licensed as an RN, you tin consider specializing in one expanse of nursing. Many nursing specialties offer certifications and earning i tin be a skilful way to advance your career.

Written and reported past:

Anna Giorgi

Contributing Writer