About Next Generation NCLEX-RN® & NCLEX-PN® Exams

Learn everything you need to know about the Next Generation NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® exam formats, eligibility, and scoring methods.

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The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the NCLEX to assess your eligibility for nursing licensure. The classic NCLEX was updated in April 2023 to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN®), impacting the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical or vocational nurses.

NCLEX Eligibility

Most nursing programs require you to have a degree from an accredited nursing program to take the NCLEX. Each state has unique eligibility requirements, so check with your state’s Board of Nursing for up-to-date information.

In the U.S., there are 2 versions of the exam: the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Canadian nurses must take the NCLEX-RN.

NCLEX-RN vs. NCLEX-PN
Exam Type	License	Requirements	Test Fee	Test Site
NCLEX-RN	Registered Nurse	Diploma from RN licensure program or an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)	$200 USD* $360 CAD**	Pearson Vue Testing Center
NCLEX-PN	Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse	Diploma or degree in practical nursing (LPN) or vocational nursing (LVN)	$200 USD* $360 CAD**	Pearson Vue Testing Center

*Additional fees for licensure are determined by the individual State Boards of Nursing.

**Excludes local taxes.

When to Take the NCLEX

Once your state nursing regulatory body (NRB) determines your eligibility to test, Pearson VUE will issue an Authorization to Test (ATT) via email. Your ATT is required to schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX. An ATT is typically valid for 90 days but may vary by jurisdiction.

You can typically take the NCLEX about 45 days after your graduation date, but you should check with your NRB for specifics. However, just because you can take the NCLEX during this period doesn't mean you should. You'll want to ask yourself these questions before you proceed:

When do I plan to begin working as a nurse? Taking time off between graduation and the start of your career could give you extra time to study.
How good is my memory? Taking the exam while the material is still fresh may be your preferred route.
Am I prepared? Taking an extra few months to prepare for the NCLEX may make the difference in passing the exam on your first attempt.

Next Generation NCLEX Format and Structure

The Next Generation NCLEX was designed to better measure your clinical judgment. The test now includes new NGN item types and scoring methodology.

The NGN exam evaluates nursing knowledge and competencies through a structured test format that includes 8 Client Needs categories and various question types. Understanding the exam’s structure, content distribution, and scoring methods will help you effectively prepare and be successful.

NGN Tested Content

NGN content covers 8 Client Needs categories to ensure the exam covers a broad range of nursing competencies. The Client Needs categories are the same for the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN in 6 of the 8 categories. They differ where indicated:

Management of Care (Coordinated Care for PN)
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies (Pharmacological Therapies for PN)
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiologic Adaptation

For a comprehensive overview of the content and its distribution on the NCLEX exams, visit our NCLEX-RN test plan and NCLEX-PN test plan.

NGN Question Types

The NGN exam includes 15 new question types to more accurately assess your knowledge and skills and better simulate real-world nursing scenarios. We have divided them into 3 categories to explain how to interpret them.

The first column includes “choose N” questions where you are told how many answer options to select. You are most likely familiar with multiple-choice or single-best-answer questions.

The questions in the second column require you to select as many correct answer options that are provided. These question types test your ability to distinguish relevant from irrelevant provided information.

The third column includes cloze questions. Think of these as fill-in-the-blank questions. You will be given a set of answer options and asked to select one or more that complete the sentence. You may be asked to select the best response from a drop-down list of answer options or boxes with answer options that can be dragged and dropped into the blank portion of the sentence.

Choose “N”	Relevant vs Irrelevant	Justification
Multiple choice Matrix multiple choice Multiple response select N (SATA-N) Drop-down cloze/table Drag-and-drop cloze/table Highlight text/table select N (SATA-N) Bowtie	Multiple response (SATA) Matrix multiple response Multiple response grouping Highlight text/table (SATA) Extended drag-and-drop	Drop-down cloze dyad/triad Drag-and-drop cloze dyad/triad

NGN Length

You have up to 5 hours to complete the NGN. You can expect to receive a minimum of 85 and a maximum of 150 questions in that time. The number of scored questions ranges from 70 to 135.

You have about 2 minutes to answer each question and finish the exam. Recent results from NCSBN’s beta testing show that students spent about 1 minute on each question. You can take a break after 2 hours of testing and another after 3.5 hours. However, each break counts toward the 5-hour total time to test.

The computer will stop delivering new questions when the algorithm determines with 95% confidence that you have achieved competency. For example, the computer may determine that you've passed once you've answered the minimum 85 questions or could quiz you up to 150 questions. If you run out of time or complete the maximum number of questions within the 5 hours, the computer will determine whether you are above or below the passing point.

NGN Scoring

The NGN introduces polytomous, a new partial scoring method. You can now receive partial credit for correct responses on questions with more than 1 correct answer. The previous scoring method, dichotomous, has 2 possible outcomes: fully correct or fully incorrect.

The polytomous scoring method allows for a more accurate assessment of your abilities, as it considers the level of proficiency demonstrated by each response. This means that even if you did not provide a completely correct answer, you may still receive partial credit for demonstrating some level of proficiency.

New NGN Scoring Models

Here is a breakdown of the new scoring models:

0/1 Scoring Rule

Your answer is either correct or incorrect, earning you 1 point for a correct response and no points for an incorrect one. This scoring method is typically used for multiple-choice questions.

+/- Scoring Rule

You earn points for selecting correct options but lose points for selecting incorrect ones. Your score is calculated by adding points for correct answers and subtracting points for incorrect ones. If you select more incorrect options than correct ones, your lowest possible score will be 0.

Rationales Scoring Rule

The rationale scoring rule applies to questions that assess relational or paired information. To earn 1 point, both of your selected answers must be correct. If either or both are incorrect, your score for the question will be 0.

What is CAT?

Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) customizes your exam to match your ability level, making each test unique. An algorithm adjusts the difficulty of each question based on your response to the previous one.

You’ll start with a question near the passing level. If you answer correctly, the next question will be slightly harder. If you answer incorrectly, the next question will be easier. This process continues until a stopping rule determines whether you pass or fail.

Passing scores are governed by the following scenarios:

Confidence Interval Rule: The computer ends the exam when it is 95% certain that your ability is clearly above or below the passing standard. This is the most common scenario.
Maximum-Length Exam: If your ability is close to the passing standard, the computer will ask you the maximum number of questions before determining whether you pass or fail.
Run-Out-of-Time Rule (ROOT): If you run out of time and haven’t answered the minimum number of questions, you will fail. However, if you’ve answered the minimum, the computer will decide whether you pass or fail based on your completed responses.

For more information about how each new question type is scored, visit our NCLEX Scoring Guide.

How Can I Start Studying for the NGN?

To begin your studying process, look for online study platforms that offer high-quality NGN-style practice questions, detailed answer rationales, and vivid visuals to help you build the clinical judgment skills needed for success.

Any NGN prep you choose to use should:

Provide NGN case studies and clinical judgment questions to help you develop the critical thinking skills required for the new exam.
Track performance data on all question types to give you insight into your learning progress and readiness.
Ensure all content is updated to match the 2023 NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN Test Plans.
Stay current with the latest NGN updates from the NCSBN through newsletters, conferences, and webinars.

Check out our NCLEX Study Plan for more tips and tricks to start studying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NCLEX?

Nursing graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as a registered nurse in the United States and Canada.

How many questions are on the NCLEX?

The NCLEX is a pass-fail exam. You can expect to receive a minimum of 85 and a maximum of 150 questions on the Next Generation NCLEX. The number of scored questions ranges from 70 to 135.

Can I take my NCLEX any day?

No. Your eligibility to take the test must be approved by your state nursing board or regulatory outfit, and the test is only administered on select days each year.

What should you bring with you on exam day?

On exam day, bring your Authorization to Test (ATT) and a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, permanent residence card, state or provincial/territorial ID). Your ATT can be digital or printed. Your photo ID must include your name, photo, and signature. If your ID doesn’t have a signature, bring a secondary signed ID.

What items are allowed in the exam room?

You are allowed to bring 1 light sweater or jacket and 1 bottle of water to the exam. All other food and drink must be pre-approved medical accommodations. Bags, phones, electronic devices, and personal notes are not allowed in the testing room. You must store all personal items in lockers, which you can access during scheduled breaks.

How hard/difficult is the NCLEX?

The relative difficulty of the NCLEX exam depends on your nursing school experience and how effectively you’ve prepared for the exam. The NGN is designed to better assess your critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Can you take the NCLEX without a nursing degree?

To take the NCLEX, you typically need to complete an accredited nursing program or receive a diploma from an approved nursing school. However, each state has unique requirements, so check with your state’s Board of Nursing for up-to-date information.

How many times can you take the NCLEX?

You can take the NCLEX 8 times a year, but there must be at least 45 days between each test. Some jurisdictions have stricter limitations, so check with your state’s Board of Nursing for up-to-date information.

How and when will I receive my NCLEX scores?

You will typically receive your official NCLEX results within 6 weeks after taking the exam. However, there are exceptions. You’ll still receive a performance report for the NGN, but its content will vary depending on whether you passed. If you didn’t pass, the report will include a new section on clinical judgment performance, with a score for all clinical judgment questions broken down into the 6 NCJMM steps.