NCLEX RN Practice Test

NCLEX-RN Exam Overview

The NCLEX-RN exam is taken by nursing graduates who are seeking a license to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States or Canada.

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Fast Facts

Here are the fast facts for the exam:

• Format: Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
• Number of Questions: Minimum (85) – Maximum (150)
• Time Limit: 5 Hours
• Content Areas: 4
• Scoring: Pass/Fail

Exam Content (Client Needs)

The NCLEX covers 4 main content areas known as “Client Needs”:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
   • Management of Care
   • Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
   • Basic Care and Comfort
   • Pharmacological Therapies
   • Reduction of Risk Potential
   • Physiological Adaptation

Note: Safe and Effective Care Environment and Physiological Integrity are further broken down into subcategories.

Thinking Process (Clinical Judgement)

With the newer Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), the exam also evaluates how nurses think clinically. The NCLEX uses the Clinical Judgement Measurement Model (CJMM) when writing their questions.

The 6 steps of the CJMM are:

1. Recognizing Cues
2. Analyzing Cues
3. Prioritizing Hypotheses
4. Generating Solutions
5. Taking Action
6. Evaluating Outcomes

These 6 steps help to measure the clinical reasoning process.

The clinical judgement framework is especially noticeable within the case study questions on the NCLEX exam. The case study questions mix several clinical judgement steps into one scenario.

NCLEX Question Types

You can expect to see several different question formats when taking the NCLEX-RN exam. Here are some common types you may encounter:

• Multiple-Choice: This is the most traditional question type. You will be given a question with several answer choices and asked to select the single best answer.
• Select All That Apply: This format requires you to select all answer choices that are correct.
• Ordered Response: You may be asked to arrange steps in the correct order, such as prioritizing nursing interventions or placing actions in the correct sequence.
• Matrix/Grid: These questions ask you to evaluate multiple items across categories. For example, you may need to determine whether specific findings are expected, unexpected, or require intervention.
• Fill-In-The-Blank: These questions require you to calculate a numerical answer, often related to medication dosage or IV flow rates, and enter the value directly.
• Case Studies: The Next Generation NCLEX includes case study questions that present a patient scenario followed by 6 related questions. These questions are designed to test your clinical judgment and decision-making.

NCLEX Study Strategies

Studying for the NCLEX can be a very daunting process. We have listed some study strategies below to help you succeed.

Study Tools

We encourage individuals to use various study tools when preparing for their NCLEX-RN exam:

• High-Yield Study Guides: We like study guides better than traditional books. Study guides break down the most important information you need to know (in an easy to digest format). All of our learning content is formatted as high-yield study guides.
• Flashcards: Flashcards are great for the NCLEX exam. They help you freshen up on key terms and concepts before your exam. They are a quick and efficient way to study.
• Question Banks: Question banks are one of the best ways to prepare for the NCLEX exam. Our question banks break down questions by specific client needs categories, which allows you to get super granular with your studies. We also have a custom exam generator so you can make your own exams!

We offer all of these study tools in our complete NCLEX prep course.

Benefits of Practice Questions

The biggest benefits you will get from NCLEX practice questions are:

• Get a Baseline: Practice questions will provide you with a baseline for where you stand. You will get a better understanding of which categories you struggle with.
• Answer Explanations: You can utilize the answer explanations for each question to learn complex concepts. You will better understand why an answer was right or wrong.
• Timing: Practice questions will also help you nail down your timing. The timing aspect is especially important for the NCLEX case study questions, as these tend to take students longer to answer.

Tips and Tricks for NCLEX Practice

The NCLEX can be a very overwhelming exam. We have listed some tips and tricks to help you when practicing:

• Take a Diagnostic Exam: Taking a diagnostic exam is a great place to start. You can take our NCLEX practice exam above to get started. It includes questions from all categories to help you see where you struggle.
• Review Answer Explanations: Many students will take an exam, finish the exam, then move on. Do not be one of these students. Make sure to review each and every answer explanations (even if you got it right).
• Answer Incorrect Questions: Make sure to go back and answer the questions you answered incorrectly. We call these “challenge banks”. It is so important to revisit these questions to make sure you learned the concept.

Frequently Asked Questions