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NCLEX for Beginners: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Author: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Michael Hoffman, MA, JD Arrow up right
Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
Editor: Jordan Cosselman
A person with curly dark hair, glasses, and a green corduroy jacket stands with arms crossed in front of a textured reddish-brown stone wall.
Jordan Cosselman Arrow up right
Jordan Cosselman is an editor with a BA in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since joining EduMed in 2021, she has been focused on making nursing and allied health education more approachable for students at every stage of their journey. With three years of experience in healthcare education content, Jordan is especially interested in highlighting low-cost, fast-track pathways into the field.
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Check HealthcareOnline Learning
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Discover study strategies, helpful resources, and exam advice for taking and passing the NCLEX-RN on your first try.

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If you’re about to finish nursing school, you’re likely hearing one acronym more than any other: NCLEX.

This is the final step before becoming a licensed nurse, and while it can seem intimidating, understanding the process makes it far more manageable.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), from what’s on the test to how to prepare and what to expect when results arrive.

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Understanding the NCLEX

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized exam required for all nurses in the U.S. and Canada who want to become licensed.
It’s designed to assess whether you’re ready to begin practicing safely and effectively as an entry-level nurse.

There are two versions of the test:

  1. NCLEX-RN for those earning licensure as Registered Nurses.
  2. NCLEX-PN for those looking to become Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurses.

Both versions are developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and use Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), a format that adjusts question difficulty based on your performance as you go.

How the Exam Works

Each test-taker begins with a medium-difficulty question. If you answer correctly, the next one will be slightly harder; if you answer incorrectly, it will be easier.

The exam continues adjusting in real time until the system can determine with 95% confidence whether your ability is above or below the passing standard.

This approach ensures that every version of the NCLEX is unique and individualized, focusing on your ability rather than rote memorization.

Key Facts About the NCLEX-RN

  • Format: Computerized adaptive testing (CAT)
  • Number of Questions: 85 to 150
  • Time Limit: 5 hours (including breaks)
  • Question Types: Multiple choice, select all that apply, drag and drop, fill in the blank, and case-based scenarios
  • Scoring: Pass/fail decision based on overall competency

Types of Questions

The NCLEX is no longer just multiple choice. The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) introduced advanced question types to better measure clinical judgment, such as:

  • Case studies with evolving patient scenarios
  • Highlight-text or hotspot items
  • Matrix and multiple-response formats
  • Questions requiring interpretation of lab values or care priorities

These updates are meant to mirror the real-world decision-making nurses perform every day.

Inside the 8 Content Categories

The NCLEX-RN is divided into 4 main areas, each representing a key dimension of nursing practice.

Some areas include subcategories that appear on every exam version.

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment

  • Management of Care: Prioritizing and coordinating nursing care, delegation, and advocacy.
  • Safety and Infection Control: Preventing harm through proper handling, safety devices, and patient identification.

2. Health Promotion and Maintenance

  • Covers growth and development, prevention, screening, and lifestyle education across the lifespan.

3. Psychological Integrity

  • Focuses on mental health, coping mechanisms, and supporting patients under stress or crisis.

4. Physiological Integrity

  • Basic Care and Comfort: Assisting with hygiene, mobility, and nutrition.
  • Pharmacological and Parental Therapies: Administering medications safely.
  • Reduction of Risk Potential: Monitoring for complications or abnormal responses.
  • Physiological Adaptation: Responding to acute or chronic health issues.

Every exam balances these content areas, ensuring you’re tested across a spectrum of nursing responsibilities.

Building Your Study Strategy

Passing the NCLEX is about strategy, not cramming. You already know the material, so the key is learning how to apply it under test conditions.

Here’s how to prepare effectively.

Step 1: Understand the Format

Start by familiarizing yourself with the exam structure and question types.

Practice with adaptive-style NCLEX prep tools that mirror real testing conditions so you can adjust to the pacing and interface.

Step 2: Create a Study Schedule

Set realistic goals and stick to them. Divide topics by week and balance review time with practice questions.

For example:

  • Week 1: Management of Care and Infection Control
  • Week 2: Pharmacology and Risk Reduction
  • Week 3: Practice Exam and targeted review

Step 3: Practice Clinical Judgement

Since the Next Gen NCLEX emphasizes clinical reasoning, focus on applying knowledge to patient cases rather than memorizing facts.

Use case studies to practice critical thinking and identifying priorities.

Step 4: Take Practice Exams

Full-length mock exams help you track progress and identify weak areas.

Pay attention to question rationale — understanding why an answer is right or wrong is key to improving your judgment.

Step 5: Prioritize Self-Care

Burnout can derail even the best study plan. Get enough rest, stay hydrated, and take short breaks.

Test success depends as much on your mental clarity as your knowledge base.

On Test Day

Walking into your exam can feel overwhelming, but preparation makes all the difference. Here’s what to expect:

What to Bring

  • Government-issued photo ID (must match your exam registration)
  • Appointment confirmation email
  • Light snack and water (to store in your locker)

All other items, including your phone and study materials, must stay outside the testing room.

During the Exam

  • You’ll receive a short tutorial before the test begins.
  • Breaks are optional but built into your total 5-hour window.
  • Questions appear 1 at a time; you cannot go back to previous ones.
  • Once the system determines your pass/fail outcome, the test ends automatically.

Remember

Finishing early doesn’t necessarily mean you failed. CAT exams end when the algorithm is confident in your result — whether that happens at 85 questions or 150.

Understanding Your Results

Most candidates receive their official results within 6 weeks, though many states offer unofficial “quick results” within 48 hours for a small fee.

You’ll see one of two outcomes:

  • Pass: Congratulations! Your state board will issue your nursing license shortly after confirmation.
  • Fail: You’ll receive a detailed Candidate Performance Report (CPR) outlining strengths and weaknesses. This feedback helps guide your next attempt.

If you don’t pass, you can retake the NCLEX after 45 days. There’s no limit to the number of retakes, though each attempt requires a new registration and fee.

Top NCLEX Resources for Beginners

These trusted resources can make your prep more efficient and less stressful. Each one offers distinct tools, from full courses to question banks and quick-reference materials.

  • Easy NCLEX Review Blog: Graphics and audio lectures on NCLEX board exams.
  • Exam-Labs.com: A variety of paid and free NCLEX-RN prep resources, including free recent test questions and answers.
  • NCLEX-RN Mastery: Over 1,600 practice questions designed by experts and based on the actual exam. Great for students who like to study from anywhere.
  • NCLEX-RN Review: Mock computerized tests that are as close to the actual testing format as you’ll find.
  • Nurselabs: Over 3,500 free NCLEX questions with different modes for practicing. Users can choose to view questions from a specific section of the exam or receive a random mix of questions with a timer option.
  • Nurse Plus Academy: 500 free test questions covering all exam categories.
  • UWorld.com: A forum to chat about the exam, share study strategies, and give and receive career advice.
Keep Learning

Registered Nurse Licensure Requirements by State

You've done the hard work to become a nurse,...

How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN): Careers in Nursing

Learn what it takes to become a registered nurse...

Online Nursing Programs: Finding the Degree You Need

Nursing students have many online RN degree...

Michael Hoffman, MA, JD AUTHOR

Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.

Read More About Michael Hoffman

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR

Jordan Cosselman is an editor with a BA in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since joining EduMed in 2021, she has been focused on making nursing and allied health education more approachable for students at every stage of their journey. With three years of experience in healthcare education content, Jordan is especially interested in highlighting low-cost, fast-track pathways into the field.

Read More About Jordan Cosselman
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