Free NCLEX Practice Questions 2024 (NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN)

1. What is NCLEX?

NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a standardized nursing test which is used by state boards of nursing to determine whether a candidate is ready to become licensed as a nurse. There are two NCLEX exams including:

NCLEX - PN (NCLEX - Practical Nurses): This type of NCLEX test is for candidates looking to become licensed as a practical (LPN) or vocational nurse (LVN).

NCLEX - RN (NCLEX - Registered Nurses): This NCLEX test is for candidates looking to become licensed as a registered nurse (RN).

2. What is the format of the NCLEX test?

The NCLEX test includes four main categories and six subcategories. Most questions are multiple-choice, although other potential formats consist of drag-and-drop, chart/ exhibit questions and fill-in-the-blank. Regardless of format, all questions involve nursing topics. 

Here are details about four major categories of the NCLEX exam: 

Safe and Effective Care Environment: This part assesses a nurse’s ability to create a welcoming and functional setting for patients. It may contain topics such as ethics, client rights, home safety and accident prevention. 

Health Promotion and Maintenance: Apart from curing illnesses, contemporary nursing practice concentrates on the prevention of potential health problems. This area tests candidates’ knowledge in growth and development principles. It may include topics like newborn care, development stages, lifestyle choices and aging process. 

Psychosocial Integrity: Test takers’ knowledge of mental illness will be tested in this section. Psychosocial Integrity focuses on emotional, social and mental factors which can have impacts on a patient’s health. 

Physiological Integrity: Practicing nurses need to promote physical wellness by ensuring patients are comfortable and calm. Therapeutic procedures, abnormal responses to therapy and risk management are topics included on this part. 

3. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the NCLEX test?

3.1. How is the NCLEX test scored?

The computer will decide whether you passed or failed the NCLEX test based on one of three following rules:

- 95% Confidence Interval Rule: This rule is applied for the majority of NCLEX test takers. The computer will stop giving questions when it is 95% certain that you are clearly above or below the passing standard.

- Maximum-Length Exam Rule: When you are very close to the passing standard, the computer keeps giving you questions until the maximum quantity of questions is reached. Here, the computer ignores the 95% confidence interval rules and determines whether you pass or fail the test by considering your final ability estimate:

• If your final ability estimate is above the passing standard, you pass.
• If your final ability is at or below the passing standard, you fail.

- Run-out-of-time Rule: If students can not finish their test before reaching the maximum number of questions, the computer cannot rely on the 95% confidence interval rules to decide whether students passed or failed the exam. Here, an alternative rule will be used:

• If students do not complete the minimum number of questions, they will fail.
• If students complete the minimum number of questions, the exam is marked by utilizing the final ability estimate calculated from answers to all finished questions.
• If your final ability estimate is above the passing standard, you pass.
• If your final ability is at or below the passing standard, you fail.

3.2. What types of NCLEX questions are included on the test? 

The majority of NCLEX questions on the test are in the multiple choice form.   However, some other forms such as drag-and-drop, chart/ exhibit questions, and fill-in-the-blank are also given to you. 

3.3. How many questions on the NCLEX test?

The number of NCLEX questions is different depending on the type of exam (NCLEX - RN or NCLEX - PN) you will take. The NCLEX - RN contains a maximum of 265 questions and a minimum of 75 questions. The NCLEX - PN consists of a maximum of 205 questions and a minimum of 85 questions. On both tests, there will be 15 trial questions which are used by administrators as they plan for future tests. They will not be counted on your final score. 

3.4. Do I need to take the NCLEX practice questions?

Absolutely yes. By taking the NCLEX Practice questions, you will familiarize yourself better with the NCLEX test format, time limit as well as the content of the actual test. Furthermore, our NCLEX Practice Questions by Estudyme is an incredible free platform that gives users opportunities to practice a copious question bank and score high in the NCLEX exam. Try out NCLEX-RN Practice Questions and NCLEX-PN Practice Questions now!

3.5. How much does the NCLEX cost?

The fee to sit for the NCLEX exam is $200. You may pay for additional licensure fees depending on each State Board of Nursing. 

3.6. When will I get my NCLEX results?

You may receive your NCLEX results about six weeks after the test is administered. 

3.7. Can I retake the NCLEX exam if I didn’t pass?

In brief, Yes. However, you must wait for 45 days to retake the NCLEX exam. Our suggestion for you is to spend more time doing the NCLEX practice questions frequently to ensure you will pass next time!