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.
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.
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.
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.
Get 21 hours of live, online instruction by experienced nurses (7 NCLEX exam prep sessions over 7 weeks).
Access 100s of NCLEX practice questions, 10+ hours of review videos, dozens of flashcards and other learning tools.
Cover all the essentials, (basic principles of nursing, patient safety management...) plus tips on how to take the NCLEX.
Prep and pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN with Achieve. If you receive an undesirable score, then retake our prep course for free.
What’s included in the exam?
How to practice and treat patients safely, and the care and precautions you need to take every day as a nurse.
How to educate and advise patients on the best ways to look after themselves and lead healthy lives.
How to give patients and their families the emotional support they need during and after treatment.
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
Answers to your questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Get started with Achieve’s NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN exam prep.