NCLEX-RN Exam | Mannat Academy

NCLEX-RN Exam

NCLEX-RN Exam, also known as the National Council Licensure examination. It is a standardized test that every state regulatory board uses to determine if a candidate is ready to become licensed as an entry-level nurse. There are 2 types of NCLEX-RN Exam and which test you take depends on the role that you seek.

  • NCLEX-PN: For practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), the most entry-level of the licensed nursing positions
  • NCLEX-RNFor registered nurses (RNs), who need additional education and have a greater responsibility
NCLEX-RN Exam | mannatacademy.com
NCLEX-RN Exam

NCLEX Eligibility & Registration

Before you can even register to take the NCLEX, you must first apply for a license through your state’s Board of Nursing. To do so, you must meet the education requirements for the license you seek.

License Education Needed
Licensed practical or vocational nurse Accredited LPN certificate program
Registered nurse At least an accredited associate’s degree in nursing; preferably a bachelor’s

Once you’ve applied for a license, you’ll receive a Candidate Bulletin outlining the details for registering for the test. You’ll do so through Pearson VUE, but you won’t be able to schedule a time to take the test until your eligibility has been verified. You’ll know you’re eligible when you receive authorization to Test (ATT) via email. Your ATT will include a candidate number, validity dates (typically for a period of 90 days), and a list of local testing centers. At this point, you can schedule a day and time to take the test. Testing is available year-round almost every day of the week.

NCLEX Exam Preparation

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers an NCLEX Practice Exam that’s designed to provide the look and feel of the real test. There are practice test packets for both the PN and RN-level exams, and each costs $150. The practice packets contain 2 separate computerized tests with 125 questions each. You’ll need to complete each test in a continuous period of time, after which you’ll receive a score report with a percentage of the questions you answered correctly.


NCLEX Subject Matter

That said, each exam will cover 8 key content areas, with a selection of specific topics listed below. This list is by no means comprehensive, but you can visit the NCSBN website to find more in-depth test plans and sample questions.

Subject Area


Topics Covered


Management of Coordinated Care Advocacy, client rights, confidentiality, continuity of care, ethical practice, informed consent, information technology, legal responsibilities, performance improvement


Basic Care and Comfort Assistive devices, elimination, mobility/immobility, nutrition and oral hydration, personal hygiene, rest and sleep


Health Promotion and Maintenance Aging process, developmental stages, disease prevention, health screening, high-risk behaviors, lifestyle choices, self-care


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


Physiological Adaptation Fluid/electrolyte imbalances, illness 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 plan, ergonomic principles, hazardous materials, home safety, safe use of equipment, security plan

Exam Format

The NCLEX-RN and PN exams are computerized tests made mostly of multiple-choice questions, however, there are others such as multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, and drag-and-drop.

Computer adaptive testing

The NCLEX-RN Exam exams are computer-adaptive tests (CATs), meaning that the questions you receive are in direct response to the questions you previously answered. Each time you answer a question, the computer assesses your ability. If you get the answer wrong, the next question will be slightly easier. Get it right and it will be a little more difficult. With each question you answer, the computer’s estimate of your abilities gets more precise.

NCLEX Exam Scoring

The NCLEX is scored using what are called logits, which are units of measurement that evaluate the relative difference between a candidate’s estimated ability and the difficulty of the questions that they answered. The passing standard for the NCLEX-RN Exam is 0.00 logits, while the PN is -0.21.

The exams are first evaluated using the 95% Confidence Interval Rule. After you’ve answered the minimum number of questions, the computer will assess whether or not it’s at least 95% certain that your ability is above or below the passing standard. The test continues until the computer can reach at least 95% confidence in your result.

Pass rates

The passing rates for the NCLEX exams vary by year, test type, and candidate. Overall, in 2018, U.S-educated first-time test-takers of both exams passed with an average rate of 87%. RN candidates with bachelor’s degrees passed by nearly 92%, compared to 85% of those with associate’s degrees.


What Happens if You Don’t Pass the NCLEX?

Moreover, If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll receive a Candidate Performance Report that breaks down the 8 different content areas of the test. The report will also show you in which areas you were above, near, and below the passing standard. This can also help you determine your strengths and weaknesses and the topics you should pay extra attention to if you choose to retake the exam. While failing the NCLEX-RN Exam can be discouraging, you have many opportunities to retake the test. Though your state may limit this number, the NCSBN allows candidates to take the exam up to 8 times a year, with at least 45 days between tests.


Once You’ve Passed the NCLEX

If you passed the NCLEX-RN Exam, then congratulations—your final step to working in the nursing field is to complete your licensing with your state. Each state has a slightly different process, so make sure to check with your board to verify additional steps.

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