What does the NCLEX-RN test?
The 2026 test plan (in effect April 2026 to March 2029) has eight client-needs categories. Each exam keeps every category within its range:
| Category | Share of the exam |
|---|---|
| Management of Care | 15–21% |
| Safety and Infection Prevention and Control | 10–16% |
| Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6–12% |
| Psychosocial Integrity | 6–12% |
| Basic Care and Comfort | 6–12% |
| Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies | 13–19% |
| Reduction of Risk Potential | 9–15% |
| Physiological Adaptation | 11–17% |
Source: NCSBN, 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Last verified October 13, 2026.
What kinds of questions are on the Next Generation NCLEX?
| Type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice | One best answer. |
| Select all that apply | Several correct options; each wrong pick costs a point (+/− scoring). |
| Matrix / grid | Choose an option in each row of a table. |
| Drop-down (cloze) | Complete a sentence or table by choosing from lists. |
| Highlight | Click the findings in a note or table that answer the question. |
| Bow-tie | Pick the likely condition, two actions and two things to monitor. |
| Unfolding case study | Six questions about one client, one for each clinical-judgment step. |
Case studies follow the six steps of clinical judgment: recognize cues, analyze cues, prioritize hypotheses, generate solutions, take action and evaluate outcomes. Some item types give partial credit.
How do you pass?
- The exam estimates your ability after every answer and stops when it is 95% certain you are above or below the passing standard, or at 150 questions.
- If time runs out, you fail if you answered fewer than 85 questions; otherwise your final ability estimate from all your answers decides.
- You cannot skip a question or go back. An on-screen calculator is provided.
- If you do not pass, you can retest after at least 45 test-free days (up to 8 attempts a year; your nursing board may be stricter).
Sources: NCSBN, CAT, passing standard, 2026 Candidate Bulletin. Last verified October 13, 2026.
When do you get your NCLEX results?
Only your nursing board sends official results, within six weeks of your exam.
If your board takes part, you can buy unofficial Quick Results for $7.95 through Pearson VUE two business days after the exam. Your card is charged only if a result is available.
Sources: NCSBN, Results, Quick Results. Last verified October 15, 2026.
How much does the NCLEX cost?
The registration fee is $200 for candidates seeking U.S. licensure.
It rises to $350 for registrations made on or after February 1, 2027. The date you register sets the fee, not your exam date. The fee is not refundable.
Sources: NCSBN, Fees & Payment, NCLEX fee changes Feb. 1. Last verified October 15, 2026.
How long do you have to take the NCLEX after you register?
Your registration stays open for 365 days while your nursing board decides your eligibility.
If your board doesn't make you eligible within those 365 days, you lose the registration and the fee. Once you are eligible, you get an Authorization to Test (ATT) email, and you must test within the dates on it.
Source: NCSBN, Registration. Last verified October 15, 2026.
How should I prepare?
Start with the free NCLEX-RN diagnostic to see which categories cost you points, then build a day-by-day study plan to your exam date.
Review each weak topic with our NCLEX-RN lessons. Then practice with free NCLEX-RN questions (179 so far) in every Next Generation format, including unfolding case studies. Want the key facts on paper? Get the free NCLEX-RN cheat sheet. The full question bank is included in every plan.
Our questions are original practice items written to the public test plan; they are not real NCLEX questions. NCSBN offers an official tutorial and sample items on nclex.com. For exam study only, not medical advice.
NCLEX-RN guides
- Is the NCLEX hard?
Is the NCLEX hard? It's built to feel that way: each item targets about a 50% chance of a right answer. Yet 86.7% of first-time US grads passed in 2025.
- How many times can you take the NCLEX?
You can take the NCLEX up to 8 times a year, with 45 days between attempts, but your state board may set tighter limits. Here's the NCLEX retake policy.
- What is the NCLEX pass rate?
The NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time US-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 and is 87.0% so far in 2026 (NCSBN). Repeat, PN and school rates inside.
- When do you get NCLEX results, and how do Quick Results work?
NCLEX Quick Results cost $7.95 and arrive two business days after the exam, if your board takes part. Official results come within six weeks.
- What math conversions do nursing students need to know?
Nursing math conversion chart: metric, household, weight, length, temperature and time, with exact and rounded values marked, plus 4 worked examples.
- What math do you need for nursing?
Math for nursing is mostly arithmetic: fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and conversions. See what exams and dosage tests cover and where to start.
- Can you switch to nursing as a second career?
Nursing as a second career is possible through LPN, ADN, BSN or accelerated BSN programs. See timelines, old credits, entrance exams, cost and pay.
- Which nursing entrance exam do you need?
Nursing entrance exams are admission tests, and your program picks which one. Compare the ATI TEAS, HESI A2, Kaplan and NLN exams and find yours.
- What is pre-nursing?
Pre-nursing is a track for students finishing prerequisites before applying to a nursing program. It is not a license or a guarantee of admission.
- How long is nursing school?
How long is nursing school? About 1 year for an LPN, 2 to 4 years for an ADN, 4 years for a BSN, and 12 to 18 months for an accelerated BSN.
- LPN vs RN: what's the difference?
LPN vs RN: LPNs train about a year and take the NCLEX-PN; RNs earn a degree, take the NCLEX-RN, and earn more ($97,550 vs $64,400 median, BLS 2025).
- What are the prerequisites for nursing school?
Nursing school prerequisites usually mean A&P I and II, microbiology, chemistry, English and psychology, a 2.5–3.0 GPA, and a TEAS or HESI A2 score.
- TEAS vs HESI A2: which nursing entrance exam is harder?
HESI vs TEAS: your school decides which it accepts. TEAS has 170 fixed questions in 4 sections; the HESI A2 is modular. Compare format, cost and retakes.
Sources
- NCSBN, 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan (PDF)
- NCSBN, 2026 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin (PDF)
- NCSBN, Computerized adaptive testing
- NCSBN, Passing standard
- NCSBN, Next Generation NCLEX
- NCSBN, Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
HealthcareExams is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute), Elsevier/HESI, NCSBN or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). TEAS and ATI TEAS are registered trademarks of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. HESI is a registered trademark of Elsevier Inc. NCLEX and NCLEX-RN are trademarks of NCSBN. PTCB, PTCE and CPhT are trademarks of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.