NCAS scores came back — is 68% on reading competitive for RN program admissions?
My NCAS results just came in and I'm trying to figure out where I actually stand. Reading came back at 68%, math at 71%, and science at 62%. I've been applying to two community college RN programs and one BSN program at a state university. The test felt harder than I expected, especially the reading comprehension passages that had medical terminology mixed in that I wasn't prepared for at all.
I studied for about 4 weeks before the exam, averaging maybe 90 minutes a day. The science section is where I should have put more time — my biology background is weak because I took it in high school four years ago and retained maybe 30% of it. The math felt more comfortable because I work as a phlebotomist and use basic calculations daily, so that section didn't surprise me.
My main concern is whether 62% on science is going to disqualify me at programs that list 65% as a minimum, or if minimum means something different from competitive. I've also seen programs that say they look at composite scores rather than individual subscores, which would change how I think about this. I'm trying to decide whether to apply to all three programs now or wait and retake the exam before submitting. Application fees add up and I don't want to waste them if my scores aren't competitive enough.
Your phlebotomy experience is a real asset that should be all over your personal statement. Admissions offices look at the full picture and clinical work experience carries genuine weight. Frame it specifically around patient interaction and what you learned about clinical environments, not just the technical skill.
Those scores are in the passing range for most community college programs but you're probably not in the competitive tier where programs have more applicants than seats. It really depends on your specific region and how many people apply to those programs that cycle. The only way to know is to call admissions and ask how last year's cohort scored.
Apply to all three if the fees aren't prohibitive. Acceptance rates are less predictable than people think and narrowing your options based on guesses about competitiveness is risky. The worst outcome is paying three application fees and getting into all of them, which is a good problem to have.
The science subscore matters more than most applicants realize. Programs use it to predict how you'll do in A&P and microbiology, which are the courses with the highest washout rates. If you have time before the application deadline, six to eight weeks of focused biology review and a retake could meaningfully move that score.