The NCLEX exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) with 85-150 questions. The exam ends once the computer determines your competency level with 95% confidence. The exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers after graduating from an approved nursing program and receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT) from your state board of nursing. How long does it take to get NCLEX results? Official results are available within 6 weeks, with Quick Results available after 48 hours for $7.95. Practice with the free NCLEX practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (40 questions with answer explanations).

Candidates can also sharpen their skills with our TNCC practice test 2026, which includes hundreds of practice questions in the exact format and difficulty of the real exam.

Nursing and healthcare candidates can reinforce their clinical knowledge with our NCLEX prep course comparison 2026, aligned to national competency standards.

Students preparing for standardized admissions tests should also practice with our nclex practice test, covering the quantitative, verbal, and analytical sections tested in the real exam.

Free NCLEX Study Tools

Interactive NCLEX resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• NCLEX Practice Exam 1 — 40 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
• NCLEX flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• NCLEX study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• NCLEX cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

NCLEX Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

NCLEX Test Plan Content Areas

The NCLEX exam is based on the NCLEX Test Plan published by the NCSBN. Understanding these content areas will help you focus your NCLEX exam study guide preparation:

Covers management of care and safety/infection control in nursing practice.

• Topics: Legal/ethical issues, informed consent, confidentiality
• Questions: 18-23 on NCLEX-RN exam

Tests knowledge of wellness and prevention across the lifespan.

• Topics: Health teaching, disease prevention, aging process
• Questions: 5-10 on NCLEX-RN exam

Covers mental health and emotional well-being of clients.

• Topics: Crisis intervention, grief/loss, substance abuse
• Questions: 5-10 on NCLEX-RN exam

The largest category covering physical health and body systems.

• Topics: Medication administration, lab values, procedures
• Questions: 42-55 on NCLEX-RN exam

Your Path to NCLEX Success

How to Take the NCLEX Exam

1. Graduate from an approved nursing program — Complete your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) or ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program.
2. Apply to your state Board of Nursing — Submit your licensure application with transcripts, fees ($75-200), and background check authorization to your state's nursing regulatory body.
3. Register with Pearson VUE — Create an account at pearsonvue.com/nclex and pay the $200 NCLEX registration fee to NCSBN.
4. Receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) — Once approved by both entities, you'll receive your ATT via email with instructions to schedule your exam.
5. Schedule your exam appointment — Book your preferred date and testing center location through Pearson VUE's online system within your ATT validity period.
6. Study and prepare — Use NCLEX review courses, practice questions, and study guides to prepare for the exam format and content.
7. Take the NCLEX exam — Arrive at your Pearson VUE testing center with valid ID and your ATT confirmation to complete the computerized adaptive test.

Explore Your Options

Nursing Career Paths After NCLEX

After passing the NCLEX and becoming a licensed nurse, these career paths await you:

✅ What to Bring & Do on Test Day

📋 If You Need to Retake the NCLEX

NCLEX Retake Information

Don't worry—many successful nurses needed more than one attempt. Here's what you need to know:

You'll receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR) showing your weak areas. Use this to focus your studying before retaking. Some states may have additional retake restrictions.

Sample NCLEX Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free NCLEX practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. In a patient undergoing surgery, it was vital to aspirate the contents of the upper gastrointestinal tract. After the operation, the following values were acquired from an arterial blood sample: pH 7.55, PCO2 52 mm Hg and HCO3- 40 mmol/l. What is the underlying disorder?

   • A. Respiratory Acidosis
   • B. Respiratory Alkalosis
   • C. Metabolic Acidosis
   • D. Metabolic Alkalosis

   Answer: D. Metabolic Alkalosis

   The arterial blood gas results show a high pH (7.55) indicating alkalosis, and a significantly elevated bicarbonate (HCO3- 40 mmol/L). The elevated PCO2 (52 mm Hg) suggests respiratory compensation for the alkalosis. Aspiration of upper gastrointestinal contents removes gastric acid, leading to a net increase in bicarbonate and causing a primary metabolic alkalosis.

2. A nurse is teaching a 45-year-old male client with a family history of colorectal cancer about cancer screening. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

   • A. Begin colonoscopy screening at age 50, which is standard for all adults
   • B. Start colonoscopy screening at age 40, ten years before the youngest affected relative
   • C. Obtain a fecal occult blood test annually and defer colonoscopy until symptoms appear
   • D. Colorectal cancer screening is only necessary if the client develops rectal bleeding

   Answer: B. Start colonoscopy screening at age 40, ten years before the youngest affected relative

   For individuals with a first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer, guidelines recommend beginning colonoscopy screening at age 40 or 10 years before the earliest diagnosis in the family, whichever comes first. Early screening detects precancerous polyps.

3. A client on a medical-surgical unit is placed on Contact Precautions for C. difficile infection. Which PPE should the nurse don before entering the room?

   • A. Gloves only — gowns are not required for C. difficile
   • B. N95 respirator, gloves, and gown
   • C. Gloves and gown, with hand washing using soap and water
   • D. Surgical mask and gloves, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer

   Answer: C. Gloves and gown, with hand washing using soap and water

   C. difficile (C. diff) requires Contact Precautions. The nurse must wear gloves and a gown before entering the room to prevent environmental contamination. Crucially, alcohol-based hand sanitizers do NOT kill C. diff spores — soap and water handwashing is required. A mask is not routinely required for C. diff unless the client has co-existing airborne or droplet precautions.

4. A 24-year-old female is admitted to the ER for confusion. This patient has a history of a myeloma diagnosis, constipation, intense abdominal pain, and polyuria. Based on the presenting signs and symptoms, which of the following would you most likely suspect?

   • A. Diverticulosis
   • B. Hypercalcaemia
   • C. Hypocalcemia
   • D. Irritable bowel syndrome

   Answer: B. Hypercalcaemia

   The patient's symptoms of confusion, constipation, intense abdominal pain, and polyuria, combined with a history of myeloma, are classic indicators of hypercalcemia. Multiple myeloma often causes bone destruction, leading to an excessive release of calcium into the bloodstream. This elevated calcium level can manifest with the described neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal symptoms.

Take the full NCLEX practice test

If you want more targeted practice, the nclex practice exam page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

If you want more targeted practice, the nclex rn practice questions page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

If you want more targeted practice, the nclex bootcamp free page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.

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