NCLEX-PN: The Ultimate Guide

The NCLEX-PN exam (National Council Licensure for Practical Nurses) is a critical national licensing exam for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) that establishes professional ability to provide safe and competent patient care. 

This complete guide is your resource for all things NCLEX-PN: from exam format and what’s covered in the exam to how to prepare and pass the exam the first time. Whether you’re just beginning your LPN journey or you’re looking for pre-exam study tips, this helpful resource will guide you through NCLEX-PN insights and strategy that will prime you for exam success. 

Introduction to the NCLEX-PN

Passing the NCLEX-PN exam is a legal requirement to become an LPN in the US and Canada. It ensures that entry-level practical nurses have the requisite knowledge and safety skills to be able to proficiently perform nursing requirements. 

What is the NCLEX-PN Exam?

The NCLEX-PN is a standardized, computerized test that assesses an LPN candidate’s competency in nursing duties and practices. It has a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, where it makes real-time adjustments to questions based on the candidate’s prior response. 

The exam tests for practical, deep understanding of nursing care, including patient management and safety practices. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops and administers both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) exams. 

Why is the NCLEX-PN Important for Practical Nursing?

As the benchmark for practical nursing, the NCLEX-PN sets the standard for entry-level LPNs. It ensures that nurses have the requisite safety, ethical and competency standards to practice in patient care credibly.

Why is the NCLEX So Hard?

The NCLEX-PN is intentionally challenging because licensure requires that you have adequate judgment and the necessary critical skills to work with patients who are in their time of need. The adaptive CAT examination format increases difficulty with every correct question answered. From pharmacology to patient care protocols, the NCLEX-PN requires you to thoroughly prepare for subject nursing care materials.  

Who Should Take the NCLEX-PN?

Anyone who wants to become an LPN, licensed to practice nursing in the US or Canada must take the NCLEX-PN. It is intended to be taken by graduates from accredited practical or vocational nursing programs.  

Understanding the NCLEX-PN Exam Format

Considering the exam’s CAT format, varied question types, and specific scoring scales will help you succeed come exam time. Here is a preview of the exam’s key components: 

The Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) Format

As mentioned, the CAT dynamic testing model customizes each question upon the previous winning or losing answer. This format enables the NCLEX-PN to gauge depth of knowledge and application levels for each candidate for each question asked. As such, while taking the exam, test-takers need to remind themselves that the level of difficulty is not necessarily an indicator of bad performance.  

NCLEX-PN Question Types and Strategies

The NCLEX-PN has several different question formats, each designed to probe core nursing competency, critical reasoning skills and decision-making ability. Here are the common question types:

For the exam, questions are designed not only to test theoretical knowledge but also practical nursing applications.  

Duration and Number of Questions

The NCLEX-PN can take up to 5 hours for completion, including two optional breaks. However, the number of questions can vary between 85 to 205 due to the adaptive CAT format. The exam concludes when it has concluded with 95% certainty that the candidate’s competence is above or below the required passing standard.  

Scoring and Passing Standards

The NCLEX-PN does not apply a traditional graded scoring system but uses a pass/fail CAT assessment for minimum competency. As such, a test-taker should focus on ensuring accuracy with baseline requirements rather than simply “getting through” the questions. 

Key Content Category Covered in the NCLEX-PN

The following content categories of the NCLEX-PN exam establish competent credibility to become a licensed LPN. Here are the key content categories that make up the NCLEX-PN exam, with their weighted values for the exam:

By focusing on these categories, you can better prepare for successfully responding to the actual theoretical and practical demands of the NCLEX-PN exam. 

How to Prepare for the NCLEX-PN Exam

Studying for the NCLEX-PN requires structured planning and strategic knowledge preparation. This combines creating an effective study plan, accessing effective study resources and applying practice questions and exams to your exam preparation. 

Creating an Effective Study Plan

Studying the four content categories based on their weighted value to get the maximum benefit for NCLEX-PN preparation. Cover all practice areas, especially the weighted Physiological Integrity and Safe and Effective Care Environment, and build your understanding progressively. Complete the following for more effective preparation: 

• Weekly Study Goals: Mix content topics and question types every week to study permutations of questions that can be asked. 
• Daily Study Sessions: Review study materials, take practice tests and summarize lessons learned to ensure you have gained mastery in the materials. Set aside time for especially challenging subject matters.
• Scheduled Review Periods: Dedicate a review period every two or three weeks to confirm your understanding of previously studied materials. Use this time to go over harder question types like SATA or ordered responses or topics that you need extra help for.
• Incorporate Practice Tests: Monthly, integrate practice tests that you perform under test-taking conditions so you can get used to them. This can also give you a more accurate assessment of how successful you will be in the actual test.
• Final Weeks Focus: In the final two to three weeks, intensify your focus by zeroing in on high-yield topics and mastering test-taking strategies. During this time, optimize your accurate comprehension of the material and remember to factor in rest periods.

Creating and enterprising on a consistent, structured study routine will help you master the NCLEX-PN exam materials so you can give your utmost come exam time. 

Recommended Study Materials and Resources

Selecting the right study materials and exam resources can make the difference between passing or failing the NCLEX-PN. Study materials include NCLEX-PN practice exams, online courses that provide course learning and practice quizzes, and mobile apps for portable learning. 

‍Achieve Test Prep offers LPN candidates complete NCLEX-PN preparation for in-depth exam mastery. With its online, synchronous classes, students can focus on what’s most important for exam preparation through structured learning and consistent practice. 

Utilizing Practice Questions and Exams

As one of the most helpful resources for NCLEX-PN exam prep, successfully completing practice questions exams orients you towards achieving actual NCLEX-PN success. When you familiarize yourself with content formats under timed conditions, you better familiarize yourself with real-life exam conditions and tested subject matter. These simulations in turn make you more comfortable and confident about successfully completing the NCLEX-PN. 

Post-Exam: What Happens After the NCLEX-PN?

Congratulations – you did it! All your months of hard work have now come down to the exam and you are ready for the results. So what happens once you’ve sat for and completed the NCLEX-PN? Here, we’ll explore how the exam is graded, whether quick results are accurate and what to do if you don’t pass on your first try. 

How is NCLEX-PN Graded?

As mentioned, you will receive a pass/fail scoring for your NCLEX-PN exam. Based on the CAT scoring system, once the metrics have 95% certainty that you have passed or failed, the exam terminates. 

Are NCLEX Quick Results Accurate?

A number of states offer the NCLEX Quick Results option for you to receive an unofficial score 48 hours after you have taken the exam. Typically, the results are accurate and can go a long way to alleviating post-exam anxiety. 

However, although these are generally reliable, these results are unofficial scores. Your state Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) will issue your official licensure test results typically within six weeks of taking the exam. 

Can NCLEX Quick Results Be Wrong?

Though rare, discrepancies can occur between your NCLEX Quick Results and the final assessment of your score. While Quick Results is typically accurate, it should not be deemed a final determination of your score and licensure eligibility. Candidates should wait for the official state NRB results before making any licensure or employment decisions. 

What to Do if You Don’t Pass on the First Try

If you did not pass the NCLEX-PN, ensure that you carefully review your NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This individualized, two-page assessment is given to those candidates who did not pass and contains a review of your performance across the exam subject areas. 

Use this CPR to target topics needing improvement and study those more rigorously for your next attempt. Practice high-yield questions that focus on these key subjects so you can ace your next exam. 

Retake Policies and How to Improve Scores on a Retake

Candidates retaking the NCLEX-PN exam must wait at least 45 days from the last test. This enables you to substantively prepare for weaker subject matter so you can succeed on your next try. Although permission varies by state, most states allow you to test for the NCLEX-PN multiple times per year. 

To pass on retake, consider implementing more rigorous preparation, including more full-length mock exams under exam conditions. Also consider partnering with a NCLEX-PN exam review service, like Achieve Test Prep to gain the support and structure you might need. This choice can help you receive the guidance, support and accountability that can make the difference.  

Ready to Partner with Achieve Test Prep to Master Your NCLEX-PN Exam Journey?

Achieve Test Prep is here when you need us to help you pass the NCLEX-PN exam with confidence on your first try. If you’re just starting out and want to become a nurse faster, Achieve can help get you there by fast-tracking your nursing career with bridge programs like LPN to RN, LPN to BSN, CNA to RN, RN to BSN among many more options. Be among the many satisfied students who have succeeded with Achieve and get ahead in your nursing path today.