NCLEX scoring explained: Passing score, what percent you need, and pass rates

There is no fixed passing score or passing percentage on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Instead, a computerized adaptive algorithm continuously assesses your performance and determines whether your demonstrated ability is above or below the passing standard. Passing indicates that a nursing program graduate is eligible to earn a license and practice at the entry level (used for licensure in the U.S. and Canada, and for international candidates in Australia).

The NCLEX covers a range of topics, from care management fundamentals to treatment plan development to maintaining patient comfort and safety. While the scoring system can seem complex, the practical takeaway is simple: answer as many questions correctly as you can when taking your test. The right practice and a solid review of core nursing and medical knowledge can greatly increase your chances of passing on your first try.

How NCLEX scoring actually works

Nursing exams in the U.S. and Canada use a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format to evaluate candidates rather than relying on a fixed NCLEX passing score. This applies to both the NCLEX for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and the NCLEX for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). As candidates answer questions, the testing software continuously assesses their performance and adjusts the difficulty of the following questions. Generally, candidates who answer correctly face more challenging items, while those who answer incorrectly receive less difficult ones.

Unlike traditional exams, NCLEX results are based on whether a candidate’s ability estimate falls above or below the established passing standard, rather than simply counting the number of questions answered correctly. Both the difficulty of the questions and the candidate’s performance on them are taken into account. Note that questions cannot be skipped on the NCLEX and must be answered in order.

The exam automatically concludes when the testing system determines, with 95% confidence, that a candidate’s ability is either above or below the passing standard. If this determination cannot be made sooner, a candidate may receive up to 150 questions. However, many candidates finish before reaching this maximum. Official score reports are sent out within six weeks of the exam date and confirm whether a test-taker passed or failed. Candidates in the U.S. may be able to access their unofficial results sooner.

What percent do I need to pass the NCLEX?

There is no strict percentage required to pass the NCLEX. Instead, you must answer at least 85 questions and up to 150 questions, and your results depend on whether your ability estimate lands above the passing standard.

The passing standards for the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN reflect the nursing knowledge and ability currently required to practice competently at the entry level. Because nursing practice changes over time, the NCSBN Board of Directors reevaluates the passing standards every three years during test plan reviews.

What is the NCLEX pass rate?

While the NCLEX is a wide-ranging exam that demands intentional preparation, the NCLEX pass rate for first-time test-takers is quite high. Year to year, pass rates hover between 85% and 90%: in 2025, the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates for first-time, U.S.-educated candidates were 86.7% and 86.6%, respectively.

The tables above show that repeat and internationally educated test-takers tend to have lower overall pass rates, underscoring the importance of using study materials that closely align with the official NCLEX content.

For the NCLEX-RN in particular, the differences in pass rates between first-time test-takers who complete an associate’s, bachelor’s, or diploma program are relatively minor, though nurses who complete a bachelor’s program tend to have slightly higher pass rates.

NCLEX pass rates by top nursing programs

Top nursing programs regularly report high NCLEX pass rates, often well over 90%, demonstrating their rigor and ability to prepare students for this high-stakes licensing exam. Below are recent NCLEX pass rates for several top-rated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):

• University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA: 98%
• Duke University, Durham, NC: 99%
• Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA: 98%
• University of Rochester, Rochester, NY: 93%
• Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX: 99.6%

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN):

• Santa Monica City College, Santa Monica, CA: 100%
• Cayuga Community College, Auburn, NY: 100%
• Howard College, Big Spring, TX: 97.1%
• Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA: 100%
• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC: 100%

Admissions requirements vary by program type: bachelor’s programs may require standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, or CLT) along with the usual four-year undergraduate application materials, while two-year or accelerated certificate and diploma programs have their own residency and prerequisite requirements. Many nursing programs also require the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or the HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) exam, which assesses readiness for nursing and allied health professions.

Preparing for the NCLEX

To prepare for the NCLEX, you need to be able to apply practical nursing knowledge and medical information to real-world scenarios. These exams are difficult because they don’t just ask about specific procedures: they ask which procedure or procedures are appropriate in a given scenario, and why.

Note that the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are similar in structure but differ in content coverage to reflect differences in job roles and responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with your specific exam’s format and content before starting your preparation:

Focused on client needs and bedside manner, health maintenance, and reducing patient risk

The NCLEX-RN covers a broader scope of nursing practice and often requires more complex clinical judgment, while the NCLEX-PN is more focused on providing fundamental care, promoting safety, and maintaining patient stability.

In general, a study plan for the NCLEX should include these elements:

• Setting aside at least two months for regular preparation
• Ideally, beginning your preparation near the end of your nursing program, while the content is still fresh
• Taking a diagnostic NCLEX test and identifying areas for improvement
• Practicing with realistic practice questions and quizzes
• Targeting difficult areas rather than passively reviewing all the content
• Consulting with professors or tutors if you need extra guidance
• Continuing to complete full-length practice tests to become as comfortable as possible with the format

NCLEX questions are complex and require critical thinking and high-stakes decision-making. Consistent practice over several weeks will help you recognize patterns in question wording and feel more confident on test day.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum number of questions I need to answer to pass the NCLEX?

The NCLEX does not have a fixed number of questions for each test-taker. Instead, the test automatically ends once the computerized format determines, with 95% confidence, whether a candidate is above or below the passing standard, or when the five-hour time limit is reached. If an examinee answers all 150 available questions within five hours, pass or fail results are determined based on their overall performance.

The only definitive way to know whether you’ve passed is to wait for your official exam results, which are usually available within a few weeks of your testing date. You can also check your state’s Board of Nursing (BON) registry, which publishes active RN license numbers for NCLEX candidates who passed. Candidates who fail the exam receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR), which helps them assess their performance and pinpoint areas for improvement.

I answered 150 questions on the NCLEX. Does this mean I failed?

Receiving all 150 questions on the NCLEX does not necessarily mean you failed. It means the exam software needs all 150 questions to have enough data to determine your results. You’ll find out whether you passed when you receive your official scores.

When will I receive my NCLEX results?

The NCLEX website states that official results are sent to candidates within six weeks after their exam, via their jurisdiction’s nursing regulatory body (NRB). In the U.S., candidates can obtain unofficial results for approximately $8 through Pearson’s NCLEX Quick Results Service, typically within two business days after testing. These preliminary reports, however, are not sufficient to certify someone as a nurse.

What do my NCLEX results mean?

The score reports given to candidates who pass and those who fail are quite different. Candidates who pass usually receive a report certifying that they successfully completed the NCLEX and can register as nurses in their state, though it offers limited feedback on their performance.

Candidates who fail receive a CPR, which is an individualized, two-page document that provides information on their performance across various aspects of the exam. This information is categorized by the test plan content area and clinical judgment categories, allowing graduates to focus on the areas they missed when studying for a retake. Candidates who answered fewer than the minimum number of items receive an abbreviated CPR without diagnostic information. Every candidate’s exam is independently scored twice to ensure accuracy.

How much does it cost to take the NCLEX?

The NCLEX registration cost for nursing graduates in the U.S. is $200. In addition, candidates must pay a registration fee and the costs of a background check to their state’s licensure board. Preparing in advance increases your odds of passing on the first try and avoiding a repeat exam fee.

How many times can you take the NCLEX?

The NCLEX can be taken up to eight times in a single year, with a 45-day waiting period between attempts. While there is no official NCLEX “lifetime limit,” individual state nursing boards may set a maximum number of attempts before a person is unable to register as a nurse in that jurisdiction.

Conclusion

The NCLEX scoring system can seem confusing and even frustrating to some candidates. Not having a clear number of questions to answer or a score to hit can make preparation feel harder. But the exam is designed to confirm, with high accuracy, that nursing graduates understand the material and are ready to perform the clinical and care duties required of entry-level professionals.

Practicing with realistic NCLEX tests that mimic the adaptive format will help you know what to expect on test day and pinpoint the areas you need to improve. Whether you pass with 85 questions or 150, the outcome is the same: you’ll be able to move on to registering as a practicing nurse in your state.