NCLEX-RN Pass Rates & Exam Guide
Your complete guide to the nursing licensure exam — what to expect, how to prepare, and what the pass rates mean for your school choice.
What Is the NCLEX-RN?
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the standardized exam that every nursing graduate must pass to earn a registered nurse license in the United States. It's developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and delivered through Pearson VUE testing centers.
Whether you graduate with an ADN or BSN, you take the same NCLEX-RN exam. Passing it is the final step between nursing school and your first RN job.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Understanding pass rates helps you gauge both the exam difficulty and the quality of nursing programs:
| Candidate Type | First-Time Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| U.S.-Educated BSN | ~90% |
| U.S.-Educated ADN | ~85% |
| Overall U.S.-Educated | ~88% |
| Internationally Educated | ~50% |
Key takeaway: The repeat pass rate drops dramatically (~43%), which is why first-time preparation is critical. If you don't pass on your first attempt, you must wait 45 days before retaking the exam.
Why School Choice Matters for NCLEX Pass Rates
NCLEX pass rates vary widely between nursing programs — from over 95% at top schools to below 60% at struggling programs. When evaluating schools, look for programs with:
- First-time pass rates above 80% (the national average)
- Consistent pass rates over multiple years (not just one good year)
- CCNE or ACEN accreditation
- State Board of Nursing approval (some states publish school-level NCLEX data)
Browse accredited nursing programs with graduation rate data in our nursing school directory.
NCLEX-RN Exam Format (Next Generation NCLEX)
The NCLEX transitioned to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format in April 2023, which introduced new question types focused on clinical judgment. Here's what to expect:
Question Types
- Multiple choice — traditional 4-option questions (still the majority)
- Select all that apply (SATA) — choose all correct answers
- Ordered response — arrange steps in correct sequence
- Hot spot — click on the correct area of an image
- Fill in the blank — calculate dosages, values
- Case studies (NGN) — multi-part scenarios testing clinical judgment across 6 steps: recognize cues, analyze cues, prioritize hypotheses, generate solutions, take actions, evaluate outcomes
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
The NCLEX uses CAT, meaning the computer adapts question difficulty based on your performance:
- You start with a medium-difficulty question
- Answer correctly → harder question. Answer incorrectly → easier question.
- The test ends when the computer determines with 95% confidence whether you're above or below the passing standard
- Minimum: 85 questions. Maximum: 150 questions. Time limit: 5 hours.
- Fewer questions generally means a more decisive pass or fail
NCLEX-RN Content Breakdown
| Client Needs Category | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| Management of Care | 15–21% |
| Safety and Infection Control | 10–16% |
| Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6–12% |
| Psychosocial Integrity | 6–12% |
| Basic Care and Comfort | 6–12% |
| Pharmacological Therapies | 13–19% |
| Reduction of Risk Potential | 9–15% |
| Physiological Adaptation | 11–17% |
How to Study for the NCLEX-RN
Most successful candidates follow a structured study plan of 4–8 weeks after graduation:
Popular NCLEX Prep Resources
- UWorld — widely considered the gold standard; 2,000+ practice questions with detailed rationales (~$150–$400)
- Kaplan Nursing — comprehensive course with decision tree method (~$400–$600)
- Hurst Review — focuses on core content review and critical thinking (~$300–$500)
- Mark Klimek Lectures — popular free/low-cost audio review
- Saunders Comprehensive Review — classic textbook with 5,000+ questions (~$50)
Study Strategy Tips
- Do 75–150 practice questions daily — question practice is more valuable than content review
- Read every rationale — understand why wrong answers are wrong
- Focus on weak areas — use your question bank analytics to identify gaps
- Practice NGN case studies — the new format requires clinical judgment, not just recall
- Don't over-study — most successful candidates study 4–6 weeks; diminishing returns after 8 weeks
- Take scheduled days off — burnout lowers your score
Registration and Logistics
- Apply to your State Board of Nursing first — they issue your Authorization to Test (ATT)
- Register with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 fee
- Schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center (available nationwide)
- Bring valid government ID — name must match your registration exactly
- Results: Official results in 2–4 business days via your State Board; many candidates check the "Pearson VUE trick" for unofficial quick results
If You Don't Pass
Failing the NCLEX is not the end. Here's the retake process:
- Wait 45 days before retesting
- Re-register and pay the $200 fee again
- Review your Candidate Performance Report (CPR) — it shows your performance by content area
- Focus your study plan on areas scored "below passing standard"
- Most states allow unlimited retakes, but some have limits (check your state board)
- Consider a structured review course if self-study didn't work the first time
Starting your nursing school search? Higher-quality programs generally produce higher NCLEX pass rates. Browse programs with graduation rate data in our nursing school directory, or compare costs at the most affordable programs.