There’s only one thing standing between you and an exciting career as a licensed registered nurse: your NCLEX RN exam!

We use actual questions that appear on the written portion of the NCLEX RN exam, so our practice test will help you discover if you’re definitely prepared for the real thing!

The NCLEX RN exam requires knowledge of the health needs of clients as well as an understanding of integrated processes fundamental to nursing practice.

Our free practice test (below) helps you prepare for and pass the written portion of the NCLEX RN exam: it contains 15 questions, all of which are representative of the questions that appear on the real thing.

The NCLEX-RN Exam

The NCLEX-RN exam is designed to evaluate your readiness to provide safe and effective care as an entry-level registered nurse. It is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty adjusts based on your responses, and it includes anywhere from 74 to 145 questions, with 15 unscored pretest items.

The exam is divided into several key content areas, each of which reflects the core competencies required for nursing practice:

To successfully complete these areas of study, students must exhibit proficiency in the integrated processes that are fundamental to the practice of nursing, which encompass the nursing process, providing care, communication and documentation skills, teaching and learning methodologies, as well as an understanding of cultural and spiritual considerations. We have other practice tests here covering all knowledge domains

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

The NGN, launched in April 2023, introduces several key updates to evaluate nursing students’ clinical judgment more effectively:

Key Changes in the NGN

Focus on Clinical Judgment: Scenario-based questions now reflect real-life nursing situations.
New Question Formats: New types like cloze (drop-down), extended multiple response, matrix/grid, and drag-and-drop.
Partial Credit Scoring: Partial credit allows a more nuanced evaluation of responses, offering credit for partially correct answers.

Question Types and Format in Next GEN NCLEX

The NGN features two primary question types designed to assess clinical judgment:

Unfolding Case Studies: These are multi-part scenarios that simulate real patient care. Each case study contains six questions that focus on clinical judgment.
Stand-Alone Items: These are traditional single-question formats but with more emphasis on clinical decision-making.

The NGN exam includes several new question formats that enhance interactivity and realism:

Cloze (Drop-down): Complete sentences by choosing the correct answer from a drop-down list.
Extended Multiple Response: Select multiple correct answers from a list for deeper decision-making analysis.
Matrix/Grid: Choose multiple options in a table format to assess your ability to organize and process information.
Drag-and-Drop: Move answers into the correct order or place to simulate real nursing tasks, like prioritizing or sequencing actions.

NCLEX-RN Next Gen Scoring System

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) brings significant changes to how nursing candidates are scored, focusing on evaluating clinical reasoning more effectively. Key updates include partial credit scoring and continued use of Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT).

Partial Credit Scoring

The NGN introduces a partial credit scoring system that enhances the evaluation of candidates’ understanding and clinical reasoning skills. The scoring methods include:

+ / – Scoring: You earn 1 point for each correct answer and lose 1 point for incorrect ones, but your score can’t go below 0.
0 / 1 Scoring: Full credit (1 point) for correct answers or no credit (0 points) for incorrect ones.
Rationale Scoring: Points are awarded based on the quality of your explanation, even if the answer isn’t fully correct.

Logit Scoring

The NGN also uses Logit scoring, a method that estimates your ability based on your answers. Instead of percentages, the NCLEX measures your performance on a “logit” scale. This scale compares your results to the passing standard, and your goal is to show that you meet the minimum ability required to practice safely as a nurse.

Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)

The NGN uses CAT to change the difficulty of questions based on how well a candidate is performing. If they get a question right, the next one will be harder. If they get it wrong, the next one will be easier. This helps match the test to each person’s skill level. Here’s a look at how it will be:

The NGN includes 85 to 150 questions, with some being scored and others unscored, and will also have case studies. These changes aim to better evaluate how prepared candidates are for real-world nursing by focusing on their ability to make good clinical decisions. Simply put, the NGN adapts the test to each candidate’s performance to give a more accurate assessment of their readiness for nursing practice.

NCLEX-RN Exam Registration Process

NCLEX-RN Study Resources

To assist in your preparation, consider the various study resources available and their respective advantages and drawbacks:

Test-Taking Strategies for the NCLEX-RN Exam

To help you perform your best on the NCLEX-RN, here are some proven test-taking strategies:

Understand Question Types: The NCLEX-RN includes multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, chart/exhibit, and drag-and-drop questions. Familiarize yourself with the different formats and practice answering each type.
Read Carefully: Thoroughly read and understand each question before selecting an answer. Look for keywords or phrases that provide important context or limitations.
Use Educated Guessing: If you’re unsure about an answer, try to eliminate clearly incorrect options first. Then make an educated guess from the remaining choices.
Manage Your Time: The NCLEX-RN is not a timed test, but use your time wisely. Don’t dwell too long on any single question.
Stay Focused: The exam is challenging, but maintain your concentration. Take breaks as needed to recharge

Question Types and Strategies

Knowing how to handle different question types is key to success. The table below lists NCLEX-RN question types and gives strategies for each:

Start Preparing for Your NCLEX-RN Exam

Preparing for the NCLEX-RN is essential for your nursing career, as the exam not only tests your knowledge but also how well you can apply it in real-life situations. With the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which features new question formats and partial credit scoring, practice tests that reflect this structure are a great way to boost your readiness.

By using a variety of study materials, understanding the question types, and applying effective strategies, you’ll increase your confidence and be well-prepared for the exam. This preparation is key to starting your journey as a successful nurse. Good luck!