NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN Prep

Besides studying hard, there are many ways to make sure you can give the NCLEX your all. See how we simplify NCLEX prep.

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What is the NCLEX?

The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.

Which NCLEX exam is right for you?

After completing a nursing program, graduates must pass one version of the NCLEX (RN or PN) to obtain a nursing license.

Nursing
LICENSING EXAM
NCLEX-RN
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

The NCLEX-RN tests you on the real practical application and analysis – the knowledge, skills and decision-making abilities you need to enter the field as a Registered Nurse. NCLEX-RN is more advanced and requires more education.

Nursing
LICENSING EXAM
NCLEX-PN
National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses 

The NCLEX-PN tests your readiness to work as an entry-level nurse once you’ve completed a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program.

Preparing for the NCLEX

Learn how to pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN with our interactive online prep course and study materials.

Live, online instruction

Get 21 hours of live, online instruction by experienced nurses (7 NCLEX exam prep sessions over 7 weeks).

Comprehensive study materials

Access 100s of NCLEX practice questions, 10+ hours of review videos, dozens of flashcards and other learning tools.

Prep for what you need to know

Cover all the essentials, (basic principles of nursing, patient safety management...) plus tips on how to take the NCLEX.

Pass the first time

Prep and pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN with Achieve. If you receive an undesirable score, then retake our prep course for free.

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What’s included in the exam?

Safe and effective environment

How to practice and treat patients safely, and the care and precautions you need to take every day as a nurse.

Health promotion and maintenance

How to educate and advise patients on the best ways to look after themselves and lead healthy lives.

Psychosocial integrity

How to give patients and their families the emotional support they need during and after treatment.

Physiological integrity

How to treat patients, how to help reduce the risk of disease, and other aspects of taking care of the body.

NCLEX Exam Prep Courses

Nursing
Nursing Entrance Exam Preparation

This 8/10-week course provides an overview of material from Kaplan, TEAS VII, HESI A2 and PAX-RN nursing entrance exams, which is necessary to assess students’ academic preparedness, predict success in nursing school, inform curriculum development, and fulfill regulatory requirements.

8-10 WEEKS
Nursing
HESI Mobility/Challenge Prep /NCLEX LPN

This 9-week course provides an overview of material from the HESI Mobility/Challenge exam, which is an assessment designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) who wish to advance their nursing education by transitioning to a registered nurse (RN) program. It requires that you understand the basic principles of nursing and apply this to different elements of patient safety management.

9 WEEKS
Nursing
HESI (RN) Exit Prep / NCLEX RN Preparation

This 9-week course provides an overview of material from the HESI (RN) exit exam, which is a comprehensive assessment used by nursing programs to evaluate students' readiness for graduation and licensure as registered nurses (RNs). It requires that you understand the basic principles of nursing and apply this to different elements of patient safety management.

9 WEEKS

Answers to your questions

How many questions are there on the NCLEX-RN?

Everyone answers a minimum of 75 questions to a maximum of 145 questions. Regardless of how many you answer, you will be given 15 experimental questions that do not count for or against you. The exam administrators use them to test for future questions on the exam.

How much time will I have to take the NCLEX-RN?

There is no time limit for each individual question. You'll have a maximum of 6 hours to complete the exam, which includes a tutorial in the beginning. There are no mandatory breaks. However, there's an optional break after 2 hours of testing, and another optional break after 3.5 hours of testing.

When does the NCLEX-RN exam end?

Your exam ends when one of the following occurs:

  • You have demonstrated minimum competency and answered the minimum number of questions (75).
  • You have demonstrated a lack of competency and answered the minimum number of questions (75).
  • You have answered the maximum number of questions (265).
  • You have used the maximum time allowed (6 hours).

TIP: Try not to focus on the length of your exam. You should just plan on testing for 6 hours and completing 265 questions. And if you have a long exam, remember that you are still in the game as long as the computer continues to give you questions; so focus on answering them all to the best of your ability.

What if I fail the NCLEX-RN?

First, don't despair. You are not alone. Many students do not pass the NCLEX-RN® exam on their first attempt. Failing the exam means that you did not successfully answer questions at or above the level of difficulty needed earn a license. When this happens, typically there is a doubling of efforts, on yours and our part, with extra tutoring and mentoring to support you until you pass.

NCLEX preparation begins with Achieve

Get started with Achieve’s NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN exam prep.

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Take the first step

Find out how to use innovative learning solutions to finish your degree requirements faster. Why not take the next step and see if you’re a good candidate for our credit by exam program.

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