NCLEX Tests

The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are licensure examinations required for entry level registered nurses or practical nurses. The examinations are developed as standards to practice nursing in the United States by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Normally, registered or practical nursing students apply to take one these tests during their month of graduation from nursing school in order to practice. Prospective nurses must also apply for actual licensure in the state or territory they wish to practice separately.

The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are both administered by Pearson VUE at Pearson Professional Centers (PPC) by appointment. The maximum time allotted for the NCLEX-RN is 6 hours; the NCLEX-PN can take up to 5 hours. Both examinations are similar in terms of method of administration, types of questions, and general areas of content. Both tests are computer-based, and most questions require 4-option multiple choice answers. Some questions are fill in the blank type or use graphs or charts. At each examination, you will be allowed time for a tutorial and 2 optional breaks and you will be given an erasable note board to use.

NCLEX Practice Tests

NCLEX Test Study Guide

NCLEX Exam Flashcards

The unique features of both examinations is that they utilize computer adaptive testing (CAT) and both are pass/fail only. In the CAT method of testing, each individual ends up taking a unique test. The difficulty of questions you are asked depends on your responses to previous questions. The goal is to have all candidates answer approximately 50% of the questions they are given correctly. There are minimum number of questions you must answer, 75 and 85 for the registered nurse and practical nurse examinations respectively. The number of questions you answer above that figure, however, is variable. Your test ends when it has been determined by this CAT technique that you are either competent (pass) or non-competent (fail), or when you have either answered the maximum number of questions (265 or 205 for RN or PN respectively) or when your maximum time allotted has run out. If you need either the maximum number of questions or time, your pass/fail status will be primarily determined by your last 60 questions answered.

Both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN ask questions about 4 different areas of nursing care knowledge and management, although some inquiries may also involve integrating several nursing concepts. The first type of question asks about providing a safe and effective care environment, such as managing care of the patient, ways to provide a safe environment, or methods of infection control. Other questions might be about general ways to promote or maintain good health. A third type of query could be about ways to promote the psychosocial integrity of the patient. You will also be asked a variety of questions about maintaining the physiological integrity of the patient, including basic care issues, pharmacological or parental treatments, ways to reduce risk to the patient, or tests for vital functions or other diagnostic tests.

Either the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN can be registered for online using a credit card at http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or by calling Pearson VUE directly at 1-866-496-2539. You can also register by mail with a certified check, cashier’s check or money order. Both examinations cost $200 and registration is valid up to 365 days after received. Outside the U. S. and its territories there are also some approved international sites to take the examination; these tests must be scheduled through the international scheduling group as shown on the above website and require an additional $150 fee. After registration, Pearson VUE issues the applicant an Authorization to Test, which you must bring to the test, and you can then schedule a test date with Pearson. A method of identification containing both a signature and photograph must also be brought to the test site. A pass or fail result will be sent to you and your state board of nursing within a month. Further information is available on www.ncsbn.org.

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