12.2 Preparing for the NCLEX-PN
The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) is the exam that nursing graduates must pass successfully to obtain their license and become a licensed practical/vocational nurse. The purpose of the NCLEX is to evaluate if a nursing graduate (i.e., candidate) is competent to provide safe, competent, entry-level nursing care. The NCLEX-PN is developed by the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCSBN), an independent, nonprofit organization composed of the 50 state boards of nursing and other regulatory agencies.[1]
The NCLEX-PN is a pass/fail examination administered on a computer using computer adaptive testing (CAT). CAT means that every time a candidate answers a test item, the computer re-estimates their ability based on all their previous answers and the difficulty of those items. The computer then selects the next item based on an estimated 50% chance of the candidate answering it correctly. In this manner, the next item is not too easy nor too difficult, and a candidate’s true ability level is determined. Each item is perceived by the candidate as challenging because it is targeted to their ability. With each item answered, the computer’s estimate of the candidate’s ability becomes more precise.
The computer stops providing items when it is 95% certain that the candidate’s ability is clearly above or clearly below the passing standard, the candidate has received the maximum number of questions, or the candidate has run out of time without demonstrating a competence level to pass. Testing accommodations may be provided for eligible candidates with the authorization of the candidate’s State Board of Nursing (SBON).[2],[3]
See an image of a simulated graduate taking the NCLEX in Figure 12.1.[4]
Read more about the NCLEX at NCSBN’s Examinations web page.
Watch a video[5] from the NCSBN about how the NCLEX uses computer-assistive technology (CAT): NCLEX Using CAT.
Registering to Take the NCLEX
Before you can register to take the NCLEX, you will need an Authorization to Test (ATT). To receive an ATT, complete the following steps[6]:
- Apply for a nurse license from your State Board of Nursing (SBON) or other nursing regulatory body
- Register with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee
- Wait to receive your ATT from Pearson Vue
- Schedule your exam with Pearson VUE
Be sure to start this process well in advance of your target date for taking the NCLEX.
Read specific instructions regarding registering and taking the NCLEX-PN by downloading the most current NCLEX-Candidate Bulletin from the NCSBN. The content includes the following:
- Registering for the exam
- Scheduling the exam
- Understanding test site rules and regulations
- Preparing for the day of the exam
Download the most current NCLEX-Candidate Bulletin from NCSBN’s Examinations web page.
Next Generation NCLEX
A new edition of NCLEX was released in 2023 with “Next Generation” questions.
The Next Generation NCLEX (Next Gen) uses