The NCLEX: Everything You Need to Know
If you want to become a registered nurse, passing the National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) is a key step to acquiring your license. Our free practice NCLEX questions at Apna Toronto can help you prepare.
However, the preparations don’t end there. Here’s the key information you need to know about the exam – from when it is taken to what to expect on the test.
Introducing The NCLEX
The National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) is the exam that all prospective nurses must take to gain their license and become certified medical workers.
Prospective Registered Nurses need to take the NCLEX-RN.
When Do You Take The NCLEX Exam?
The NCLEX-RN exam is completed after completing a relevant nursing degree1, such as;
- Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS/BSN)
A small number of candidates have a nursing diploma instead.
Quick Facts About What To Expect On The NCLEX-RN Exam
Exam type: 100% online
Exam time limit: 6 hours. The average exam time is 2 hours 28 mins
Total questions: between 75 and 225. The average exam is 119 questions
Trial questions: 15, which won’t count towards your test.
Marking method: real-time CAT system
Scores: none. A Pass / Fail result only
Pass rate: 81.75% pass rate for first-time applicants, up from 75% in 20192
The Four Categories of Client Needs
The NCLEX-RN exam covers four client need categories;
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
Question Types
Multiple-choice (most common)
Fill-in-the-blank
Ordered responses
Multiple responses
Hot spots
Exhibits
How Are Questions Formed?
Items written by nurse educators.
Questions are then reviewed.
Writing and coding are based on Bloom’s taxonomy.
Questions then move into the operational item pool.
Once validated, questions enter the pool of 3,000+.
Did You Know: A question takes 12-18 months to reach the official exam pool.
What Next?
Passing the NCLEX exam opens the door to a career in nursing with an entry-level position, most likely in hospitals or clinical settings. The median annual salary of more experienced RNs is just over $90,000.