NLN NEX Practice Test

Take our NLN NEX practice test below. We offer 30 practice questions that cover all 3 sections tested on the exam (Verbal, Math, and Science).

Note: The NLN PAX exam was updated and rebranded to the NLN NEX exam in February 2024.

To start, click on the “Start Exam” button below!

NLN Practice Test (Diagnostic)

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NLN NEX Exam Overview

In February of 2024, the NLN PAX exam was updated and is now called the NLN NEX exam.

The exam was updated to increase security, update the content on the exam, and improve reporting for students and nursing programs.

Sections Tested on NLN NEX Exam

SectionNumber of Scored QuestionsNumber of Unscored QuestionsTime Limit (Mins)
Verbal Ability50860
Math40560
Science55560

Source

Verbal Ability Section

You will have 60 minutes to complete this section. It consists of 50 scored and 8 unscored questions. The questions are broken up into 2 topics:

  1. Reading Comprehension: 25 Questions
  2. Word Knowledge: 25 Questions

The reading comprehension questions will consist of you reading a passage (about 400 words long) and answering 5 questions related to the passage. There will be 5 total passages.

The word knowledge questions will have you correctly identify word meanings within a sentence.

Math Section

You will have 60 minutes to complete this section. It consists of 40 scored and 5 unscored questions. The questions are broken up into 4 topics:

  1. Numbers & Operations: 12 Questions
  2. Measurement: 14 Questions
  3. Algebra: 7 Questions
  4. Data & Information: 7 Questions

Science Section

You will have 60 minutes to complete this section. It consists of 55 scored and 5 unscored questions. The questions are broken up into 5 topics:

  1. Biology: 20 Questions
  2. Chemistry: 5 Questions
  3. Anatomy: 11 Questions
  4. Physiology: 11 Questions
  5. Health: 8 Questions

An image showing an overview of the NLN NEX exam and the topics tested

NLN NEX Question Types

There is only one type of question on the exam:

  1. Multiple-Choice

The multiple-choice questions will appear on all 3 sections of the NLN NEX exam:

  1. Verbal Ability
  2. Math
  3. Science

Practice for the NLN NEX Exam with the Right Tools

This exam can be a very stressful exam as many students have a lot on the line and need to pass the exam. Our prep course offers the following to help you succeed:

1. Modules & Topics (Learning Content)

We offer 200+ modules of learning content to help you learn and grasp difficult concepts. Our course is broken down into 3 sections (just like the actual exam):

  1. Verbal Ability
  2. Math
  3. Science

Within each portion of the course, you will find modules and topics that teach you what you need to know. You will also find knowledge check quizzes to test your knowledge.

2. Full-Length Exams

One of the most useful resources we offer in our course is the full-length exams. All of the exams were built and designed to mimic the actual exam.

All of the questions have the following features:

  • Test similar concepts as the actual exam
  • Asked in a similar format as the actual exam
  • Detailed answer explanations

You can take a practice exam to see where you stand and then go use the learning content. You can then take another practice exam to see if you improved.

3. Knowledge Check Quizzes

As mentioned above, we offer knowledge check quizzes. These quizzes are shorter in length and test you on topics you just learned.

You can use these to ensure you grasped the concept you just learned.

Tips and Tricks for NLN NEX Practice

Keep the following tips and tricks in mind when preparing for your NLN NEX (formerly known as NLN PAX) exam:

  • Start With Our Diagnostic NLN Exam Above: Our exam above includes questions from all 3 subjects. This will give you a general idea of where you stand. You may find that you are all set and ready for the exam.
  • Narrow Down Trouble Subjects: It is important to narrow down which subject gives you the most trouble. If you can figure this out, you can focus your studies on that subject and save time.
  • Review Answer Explanations: This one is hard for many students because the last thing you want to do after finishing a practice test is review your answers. However, you can learn a lot from the answer explanations, which will help you score better on the actual exam.
  • Allow Time: Many students rush their studies and do not properly prepare. We always suggest students allowing themselves enough time to study for this exam. We generally recommend setting aside 1-month to study.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 163 questions on the NLN NEX exam. However, only 145 questions are scored.

The exam will be 3 hours long. You will have 60 minutes to complete each section of the exam.

Yes, you will have access to an on-screen calculator when taking your exam. You can click on “Assessment Navigator” to access the on-screen calculator.

All of the questions on the exam are multiple-choice format. Each question will have 4 answer choices with 1 correct option.

The National League for Nursing (NLN) does not set passing scores for the NLN NEX. Passing scores are determined by each individual institution. You will need to check with your institution for this information.

The exam can be administered online with a live proctor or in person at a testing facility. This will be determined by your individual institution.

Yes, you can retake the exam. However, it is recommended that you wait 30 days between retakes.

Authored By: Denise Lessow

Denise has been helping students study for 25+ years.

Denise has a wealth of knowledge and has helped students reach scores in the top 10% across all subject areas for the HESI, TEAS, and NLN NEX exams.

Learn more about Denise Lessow.

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