How to Pass the NCLEX-PN
The Ultimate NCLEX-PN Review & Study Guide
For anyone with dreams of becoming a licensed practical nurse, the NCLEX-PN exam is one of the final milestones before beginning your new healthcare career. Passing the NCLEX-PN is required to receive a nursing license in any state, as it demonstrates you’ve mastered the skills and knowledge to treat patients safely and effectively.
Because it’s a big deal, many nursing students get nervous about taking the NCLEX-PN. Test anxiety is extremely common, and the pressure can ramp up even higher when your future career is on the line. The good news? You’ll have plenty of opportunities to prepare!
By learning about the exam, creating a study plan, and taking advantage of available resources, you can maximize your chances of success. This in-depth guide will cover the exam length and format, how to register, and provide useful tips to help you pass the NCLEX-PN on the first try.
Looking to learn more about a career as an LPN? Check out our detailed guide on how to become a licensed practical nurse.
What Is the NCLEX-PN Exam?
The NCLEX-PN refers to the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. It’s a standardized examination given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and a passing score is required to become licensed in all 50 states.
The NCLEX-PN helps ensure only qualified and well-prepared students become licensed practical nurses, and maintains high standards for patient safety and professional excellence. Though practical nursing licenses are awarded on a state-by-state basis, the licensure exam means it’s relatively straightforward to get licensed in additional states after successfully passing the NCLEX-PN.
While they’re only one letter apart, the NCLEX-PN is not to be confused with the NCLEX-RN—a more advanced version of the exam given to registered nurses. (Learn more about the differences between LPNs vs. RNs here.)
What Is the NCLEX-PN Exam Format?
The NCLEX-PN exam format features several question types including multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, and ordered-response questions. Test items (questions) may appear on their own, or as part of a case study that could feature charts, graphics, and photos or videos to provide important context.
The NCLEX-PN exam is fully computer-based, and you’ll receive a tutorial before beginning your exam to make sure you understand how everything works. You can also take an NCLEX candidate tutorial from Pearson VUE ahead of time to get familiar with the test platform and different question types.
How Many Questions Are On the NCLEX-PN Exam?
The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test, meaning its length and difficulty adjust in real-time based on your performance. Correct answers lead to more difficult questions, while incorrect answers will lead to easier questions, and more chances to evaluate your competence in specific areas.
The minimum number of questions on the NCLEX-PN is 85 exam items, while the maximum number of questions and responses will be 150. The more test items you answer correctly, the fewer total questions you’ll need to answer.
How Long is the NCLEX-PN Exam?
You’ll have a maximum of five hours to complete the NCLEX-PN exam, including time for your tutorial and a few optional 15-minute breaks.
Bear in mind you can’t skip questions on the NCLEX exam—you’ll need to answer each test item before moving on to the next question.
How Do I Register for the NCLEX-PN?
Before you can schedule your exam, you’ll need to complete the NCLEX-PN requirements for registration, which involves a few steps.
- Apply for licensure with your state nursing board or another nursing regulatory body (NRB). Make sure you apply through only one organization for now. You can find info about NRBs in each state through the NCSBN.
- Register with Pearson VUE (who administers the exam) and pay your exam fee. There are no refunds for registration fees, so take your NCLEX-PN test prep seriously!
- You’ll receive an authorization to test (ATT) by email, after Pearson VUE confirms your registration and your chosen NRB confirms your eligibility.
- After receiving your ATT, you can schedule your exam within the provided dates—usually around a 90-day window.
How to Pass the NCLEX-PN
Passing the NCLEX-PN on your first try should be the goal for any practical nursing student. While it’s possible to retake the exam, it comes with additional costs and can significantly delay the start of your practical nursing career.
Let’s review what the NCLEX-PN exam consists of, how much of each subject matter to expect, and some study tips and test strategies that can help you succeed.
What Is On the NCLEX-PN Exam?
The NCLEX-PN evaluates practical nursing competence through four major categories of client needs. Here’s how much of each to expect when creating your study plan.
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment (28-40% of exam)
This content category makes up a significant percentage of the exam, since keeping patients and colleagues safe is the top priority in any healthcare setting. It includes two subcategories:
Coordinated Care (18-24% of exam)
These questions evaluate your preparedness to work effectively with patients and other healthcare providers, from communication and conflict management to prioritization and patient advocacy.
Safety and Infection Control (10-16% of exam)
These items test your knowledge of minimizing risk to patients and healthcare personnel from health or environmental hazards. This area encompasses things like safe patient handling techniques, verifying identities and allergies, and application of infection control principles.
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12% of exam)
This exam category tests your knowledge of human growth and development, and your ability to provide care for a range of patient populations. These questions may relate to identifying barriers to care, connecting patients with community resources, or providing patient education, among other scenarios.
3. Psychosocial Integrity (9-15% of exam)
These questions ensure you’re prepared to provide care that addresses the emotional, mental, and social well-being of the people under your care. This category covers things like de-escalation techniques, culturally sensitive care, and behavioral management techniques for patients and their loved ones.
4. Physiological Integrity (33-57% of exam)
As the most significant category on the NCLEX-PN exam, this area covers the numerous aspects of ensuring patients’ physical well-being, and is divided into four subcategories.
Basic Care and Comfort (7–13% of exam)
These exam items test your ability to keep patients comfortable, evaluate their condition, and provide for their most important human needs.
Pharmacological Therapies (10–16% of exam)
This subcategory evaluates your knowledge of medications and their safe administration. It includes questions related to dosage calculations, administration techniques, monitoring patients for adverse reactions, and educating them on proper usage.
Reduction of Risk Potential (9–15% of exam)
LPNs are often the first line of defense in spotting complications or preventing them from developing in the first place. These exam items cover topics like tracking vital signs, performing focused checks based on each patient’s condition, and safely performing common procedures.
Physiological Adaptation (7–13% of exam)
These questions focus on providing care and for patients with urgent, chronic, or life-threatening health conditions. From trauma patients to dialysis patients, this subcategory tests your skills in different treatment techniques and interventions based on each patient’s condition and medical history.
How Do I Study for the NCLEX-PN Exam?
Make a study plan: Don’t wait until the week before your exam to start studying—cramming rarely works, especially for a test as important as the NCLEX-PN. Lay out a study schedule that gives you a reasonable amount of time to review each subject, so you can break up your review sessions into more manageable chunks.
Take practice exams: Practice exams help you get familiar with the test format and give you a realistic idea of what to expect. The NCLEX website offers free sample questions and an exam preview, which can be a massive confidence boost when it comes time to take the real thing.
Utilize available resources: Look into any NCLEX-PN test prep tutoring sessions or study groups available through your nursing school. Many students find group settings help them stay accountable and on track with their study schedule. At Provo College, we employ an entire NCLEX Success Team dedicated to helping our students pass the NCLEX-PN the first time!
Is the NCLEX-PN Exam Hard?
The NCLEX-PN is designed to be a rigorous exam. Patients’ lives depend upon nurses’ expertise, so maintaining high standards for licensure is important. The good news is, if you’ve made it through an LPN training program, you’ve been given all the tools to pass the exam and accomplish your goals. Now it’s a matter of preparing and applying what you’ve learned.
So yes, the NCLEX-PN can be challenging, but with a quality education from a supportive program—combined with a little discipline—it’s a very achievable goal. When comparing nursing schools, asking about their NCLEX-PN pass rate can help you get an idea of how well each school prepares their students for success.
Test-Day Tips for the NCLEX-PN Exam
You’ll take your exam at a Pearson Professional Center, which has locations available throughout the country. (Find a testing location near you here.) Keep these tips in mind for your best chance at success on exam day.
Arrive early. Don’t get caught off-guard by traffic, bad weather, or any other surprises. Plan to get there at least 30 minutes early. Candidates who show up late may need to re-register and pay another exam fee.
Show up nourished and well-rested. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep, hydrate well, and eat a nourishing meal before your testing appointment. Wear comfortable clothes, and plan to leave hats, gloves, and coats outside the testing room.
Know what to expect at the testing center. Bring an approved form of photo ID—a driver’s license, passport, state ID card, military ID, or permanent residence card. To prevent test fraud, you’ll also take an on-site photo, provide your signature, and complete a biometric palm scan.
Keep a calm, steady pace. Read each question thoroughly and look at all the supporting information. It’s OK to spend a few minutes on each test item. You can’t go back to change your answer after clicking “Next”, so take a moment to double-check each item before moving on.
At the same time, remember that some questions are designed to be difficult, and it’s not possible to skip questions on the NCLEX-PN. Sometimes you’ll need to provide your best answer and continue on to the next question.
What is the Passing Score for the NCLEX-PN Exam?
Because it uses a computer-adaptive testing (CAT) model, the NCLEX-PN doesn’t provide a traditional score like a fixed exam. It functions more like a pass/fail test, and stops providing additional questions when the algorithm is 95% confident that you’re either clearly above or clearly below the passing standard.
If you reach the maximum exam length, the computer will stop providing questions and calculate your ability score. And if you run out of time during the test but before reaching the maximum length, you can still receive a passing score as long as you’ve completed the minimum number of items.
How Much Does it Cost to Take the NCLEX-PN?
The exam registration fee for candidates in the U.S. is $200. This does not include licensing fees from your nursing regulatory body, which vary by state.
There are additional $50 fees for changing your regulatory body or exam type (if you accidentally sign up for the RN version, for example), so double-check everything before submitting your registration.
How Many Times Can You Take the NCLEX-PN?
If you don’t pass the NCLEX-PN on your first try, you can retake the test after 45 days. The NCSBN allows you to take the test up to 8 times per year, though some nursing regulatory bodies may have stricter limits on annual exams. You’ll need to pay the exam fee each time you retake the test.
Anyone who doesn’t pass the NCLEX-PN will receive a performance report to help them identify the areas where they need to improve their knowledge. Passing candidates do not receive performance reports, since they’ve shown sufficient mastery of the material.
NCLEX-PN Sample Questions
These sample questions give you an idea of the content you can expect from the four major Client Needs categories featured on the exam. (An answer key is available at the end of the article).
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
The nurse in a long-term care facility is making client care assignments for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which of the following statements by the nurse would provide the UAP with the best directions about the assignment?
- “Encourage the client to increase daily fluid intake.”
- “Ambulate the client 20 ft (6.7 m) every 4 hours beginning at 0900.” (key)
- “Assist the client to perform passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises.”
- “Reinforce physical therapy instructions about the proper use of a walker.”
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about the signs of hunger in a newborn. Which of the following signs should the nurse reinforce? Select all that apply.
- open hands
- quivering bottom lip
- rooting movements (key)
- sucking on the hands (key)
- hand-to-mouth movements (key)
3. Psychosocial Integrity
The nurse is assisting to evaluate the coping strategies of the spouse of a client who had a stroke 5 days ago. Which of the following statements by the spouse would indicate ineffective coping?
- “I sleep only for short periods of time since my spouse became ill.” (key)
- “I feel frustrated when my spouse turns away and will not talk with me.”
- “I eat meals in my spouse’s room so my spouse will not have to eat meals alone.”
- “I have been performing a few household chores each day before visiting my spouse.”
4. Physiological Integrity
The nurse has reinforced teaching with a client with schizophrenia who is receiving prescribed olanzapine. Which of the following statements by the client would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?
- “The medication may cause dry mouth.” (key)
- “I should consume a low-residue diet while taking olanzapine.”
- “Restlessness and agitation are common side effects of olanzapine.”
- “I will have a blood specimen obtained to monitor the therapeutic level of the medication.”
Begin Your Nursing Career at Provo College
By understanding the test format, practicing sample questions, and reviewing key content areas for the NCLEX-PN, you can boost your chances of first-time success and start your healthcare career as quickly as possible!
If you’re making the commitment and effort to go through nursing school and become a licensed practical nurse, it makes sense to choose a nursing school with a proven track record of helping students succeed.
The Practical Nursing Program at Provo College trains our students with a focus on NCLEX-PN preparedness and career readiness. Aside from our small class sizes and experienced nursing instructors, you’ll also have access to our NCLEX-PN Success Team to help you review and build confidence before taking your licensure exam.
Get in touch with our admissions team, or learn more about the available healthcare training programs at Provo College.
