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How hard is the nursing board exam?

Author

Sarah Oconnor

Updated on March 19, 2026

How hard is the nursing board exam?

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, in 2017, the first-attempt NCLEX pass rate for U.S.-educated nursing students was 87%. The second-attempt pass rate for domestically-educated students taking the test was 45.56%. These results demonstrate that it is a pretty difficult test.

Hereof, is NCLEX really that hard?

The NCLEX is hard. You might have gotten through nursing school with marathon all-nighters, but last-minute cramming is not going to be enough to pass the NCLEX. In fact, cramming before a test often has the opposite effect, leading to: Mixing up the facts you've already learned.

Secondly, what score do you need to pass nursing boards? In December 2019, the NCSBN Board of Directors voted to raise the passing standard for the NCLEX-PN Examination. The new passing standard is -0.18 logits*, 0.03 logits higher than the current standard of -0.21 logits.

One may also ask, how many questions do you have to get right to pass the NCLEX?

Number of Questions to Pass the NCLEX

Many students wonder how many questions it takes to pass the NCLEX-RN. The short answer—it depends. A test-taker will see a minimum of 60 questions and a maximum of 145 questions on the NCLEX-RN and PN.

Is the NCLEX-PN hard to pass?

The NCLEX-PN is challenging—it's supposed to be. The purpose is to determine if you're capable of providing safe and effective care for clients who are trusting you with their lives. Just as you expect to receive excellent medical care, passing the NCLEX-PN is proof that you are able to give the same level of care.

Can I pass NCLEX without studying?

Studying without a plan is a waste of your time and won't ultimately help you pass the NCLEX. It's not about the hours you put in, it's about how you use them. This is one exam you can absolutely not cram for – the NCLEX is a holistic test model that aims to test knowledge gained over the course of years, not days.

How many people fail the NCLEX?

In 2018, the most recent year statistics are available, approximately 12% failed the exam the first time; 88.29% passed. Test takers receive an official pass / fail results from their nursing regulatory body approximately 6 weeks after they have completed the exam.

Can you chew gum during Nclex?

You may not remove these items from the testing room at any time during the exam, and you must return them to the test administrator after the exam. Eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking and making noise that creates a disturbance for other candidates are prohibited during the exam.

How many hours a day should I study for Nclex?

Don't wait too long after nursing school to take the test

She focused on studying for the entirety of the month, studying for three to four hours per day.

What happens if you fail the Nclex?

If you didn't pass the exam, you'll receive a NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR). Candidates who fail the exam can use the CPR as a guide to prepare them to retake the exam.

Which state has the easiest Nclex exam?

#1 Minnesota

They accept a wide range of English proficiency exams, their application fee is inexpensive, and their processing time is 5 business days once all documents are received. That is a quicker processing time than most U.S Boards of Nursing!

Will the NCLEX change in 2020?

Beginning Oct.1, 2020, both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exams will retain some of the characteristics of the modified exam. The difficulty levels and passing standards of the exams have not changed.

Can you fail the NCLEX in 60 questions?

If a candidate fails with 60 items, does this mean they did very poorly? This means that it took only the minimum number of items for the scoring algorithm to determine with 95% certainty that the candidate's nursing ability was below the passing standard.

How do I know if I passed the NCLEX-RN?

Accessing the Quick Results Service
  1. Go to the Pearson VUE website, candidates will need to sign in with their username and password.
  2. Under "My Account," select "Quick Results"
  3. If your results are available, you may click on the "Purchase" button.
  4. Fill in the payment information and click Next.

What should I do the day before NCLEX?

Prepare Yourself Mentally and Physically – Before any big test, it's important to make healthy choices that will get you mentally and physically ready for your exam. Prioritize getting a good night's sleep before your NCLEX exam day and make sure you have enough time in the morning to eat a healthy balanced breakfast.

What kind of questions are 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.

How do I study for Nclex RN 2020?

Preparing for the NCLEX
  1. Study With Mnemonics. Mnemonics are a memorization technique that allows you to remember complex concepts easily.
  2. Study by Teaching. Reciprocate study sessions with your peers by teaching lessons to each other and quizzing each other.
  3. Keep Practicing.
  4. Dealing with Low Practice Test Scores.

When should I start studying for the NCLEX?

In order to allow enough time to review the extensive amount of information that will be covered on the NCLEX, successful candidates usually start studying about 5 or 6 months before they are scheduled to take the test, which is probably around the beginning of your final semester in nursing school.

What percent on UWorld is passing NCLEX?

UWorld survey respondents with a QBank average of 56% or higher had a pass rate of 92.2%. UWorld survey respondents with a QBank average of 56% or higher AND a “High” or “Very High” result on a Self-Assessment Exam had a pass rate of 96.4%.

How much is the NCLEX test?

The cost to take the NCLEX-RN® exam is $200. Additional licensure fees are determined by the individual State Boards of Nursing. Send your completed test application and fee to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

How do you pass nursing school?

How to Pass Nursing School
  1. Budget Plenty of Study Time. Studying for nursing tests takes time.
  2. Find Some Example Nursing Questions.
  3. Use A Study Group.
  4. Study With Your Learning Style.
  5. Put Facts On Repeat.
  6. Create Mnemonic Devices.
  7. Make the Facts Relatable.
  8. Use An NCLEX Practice Test Question Bank.

What is the maximum number of questions on NCLEX 2021?

The NCLEX-PN could deliver 85-205 questions, including 25 non-scored questions. Both exams come with a five-hour time limit.

How do I pass the NLE board exam?

5 Study Tips For The Nursing Licensure Exam
  1. Take Care of Yourself.
  2. Take Advantage of Practice Exams.
  3. Don't Second Guess Yourself.
  4. Read The Entire Question.
  5. If You Don't Know It, Skip It For Later.

How do I study for a nursing exam?

10 Study Tips That Will Make Nursing School Easier
  1. Follow the nursing exam study guide.
  2. Study a little every day.
  3. Focus on the material covered in class.
  4. Think in terms of action, not facts.
  5. Form a study group.
  6. Skim-read first.
  7. Use outside sources.
  8. Know your learning style.

How much of the NCLEX is pharmacology?

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies: 15%

How accurate is the ATI NCLEX predictor?

So ATI says they predict that 59.9% of students will pass the NCLEX (with a 90-100% probability) when usually around 90% pass. This is an incredibly conservative prediction and one that almost certainly could not be disproven.

What is a good NCLEX pass rate for a school?

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates - First Time CA Educated Exam Testers
School2015/20162019/2020
# Taken% Pass
California Baptist University - MSN3585%
California Career CollegeN/A95%
CSU Bakersfield - BSN5997.92%

What should I know for NCLEX-PN?

The NCLEX-PN exam covers five areas (or categories) of questions:
  • Safe and Effective Care Environment:
  • Safety and Infection Control:
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance:
  • Psychosocial Integrity:
  • Physiological Integrity:

Is NCLEX-PN easier than NCLEX RN?

They also must pass a national exam. The NCLEX is offered at both the RN and PN levels. The NCLEX-PN is considered the easier exam, but differences go beyond difficulty level. Both tests assess knowledge and decision making appropriate to a particular job role.