Free NCLEX Practice Questions: Pass Your Exam with Confidence

Ace your NCLEX exam with the Nurse Plus Academy! Expert-authored questions mirror the actual test format and content, come with detailed rationales, and are organized by NCLEX topics, ensuring you have the knowledge and confidence to succeed on exam day.

Basic Care & Comfort

Complete all 114 questions

Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies

Complete all 248 questions

Reduction of Risk Potential

Complete all 207 questions

Physiological Adaptation

Complete all 198 questions

Psychosocial Integrity

Complete all 215 questions

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Complete all 225 questions

Management of Care

Complete all 157 questions

Safety & Infection Control

Complete all 155 questions

Next-Generation NCLEX

Complete all 163 questions

Pediatric Nursing

Even though the NCLEX exam doesn't have Pediatrics as a separate category, we still feel it's an important enough topic to cover in more depth. The practice tests below may contain some questions from our other categories, and completing the Pediatric test doesn't affect your overall Passing Probability score.

Select All That Apply (SATA)

Select All That Apply (SATA)

Complete all 155 questions
Cheat sheets4 downloads

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Download1.5 MB

Physiological Integrity

Download1.7 MB

Psychosocial Integrity

Download1.6 MB

Safe and Effective Care Environment

Download1.5 MB
This content is Premium member exclusive

Free & Premium Test Practice

Master the NCLEX with our carefully designed practice questions, modeled after the actual exam. Each test is based on authentic NCLEX scenarios, helping you build confidence and improve critical thinking. Study at your own pace—questions are shuffled every time to ensure a fresh experience.

No Registration or Login Required

Start your NCLEX preparation immediately with no barriers. In free mode, your progress is saved even without an account, allowing you to focus on studying without distractions. No usernames, no passwords—just effortless access to the best NCLEX practice questions.

Just Like the Real Test

Prepare with our computer-adaptive NCLEX Simulator, designed to replicate the actual algorithms and format of the NCLEX-RN. With the same number of questions and structure, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to succeed on test day.

Understand NCLEX Question Types and Formats

The NCLEX exam features a variety of question formats designed to assess your clinical knowledge and decision-making skills. Familiarizing yourself with these types can boost your confidence and improve your performance. Common question types include Multiple Choice (select the single best answer from the options), Select All That Apply (SATA, where you choose all correct answers from a list), Fill-in-the-Blank (enter the exact numeric or textual response), Ordered Response (drag and drop options into the correct order). The Nurse Plus Academy helps you practice these question types with detailed explanations and strategies for each format. Understanding how these are scored, including partial credit for SATA questions, ensures you're fully prepared for test day.

Scoring and passing the NCLEX

Understanding how the NCLEX is scored is essential for preparing effectively. The exam uses advanced scoring rules to determine whether you pass or fail. Here’s an overview of the key scoring methods:

95% Confidence Interval Rule

The NCLEX evaluates your performance based on a confidence interval. The test aims to determine with 95% certainty whether your ability meets the passing standard. If the system concludes with confidence that you’re above or below this standard, the test will end early.

Maximum-Length Exam Rule

If the NCLEX cannot determine your ability within the minimum number of questions, it continues until the maximum limit is reached—145 questions for the RN exam. Reaching this limit means the system evaluates your performance against the passing standard across all questions.

Run-Out-Of-Time (R.O.O.T.) Rule

If you run out of time before completing the exam, your performance will be assessed based on the last 60 questions. If these questions demonstrate that your ability is above the passing standard, you will pass. Otherwise, you will fail.

By understanding these rules, you can better manage your time and focus on maintaining consistent performance throughout the exam.

Understanding the NCLEX Exam

The NCLEX exam is a dynamic test designed to assess your ability to apply critical thinking and make safe clinical decisions. Recent changes and evolving testing methods, such as the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), have made it more important than ever to understand the exam’s structure and format.

Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

In 2023, the NCLEX introduced the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) to better reflect real-world clinical decision-making. This updated version includes new question formats, such as case studies and extended drag-and-drop questions, to evaluate how well candidates can assess, analyze, and act in complex scenarios. By incorporating NGN-style practice questions, Nurse Plus helps you prepare for these innovative question types.

Adaptive Testing and Question Variability

The NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to personalize your exam experience. The test adjusts its difficulty based on your answers. Correct answers lead to harder questions. Incorrect answers result in easier ones. This method ensures that the exam evaluates your true competency level efficiently. Understanding how CAT works can help you focus on maintaining consistent performance throughout the test.

Strategic Time Management

Time management is crucial for success on the NCLEX. While the exam is designed to end once your competency level is determined, pacing yourself can prevent unnecessary stress. Follow these strategies: 1. Monitor your progress: Pay attention to the number of questions completed versus the time remaining. 2. Stay focused on the current question: Avoid spending too much time on any single question, as this can disrupt your overall rhythm. 3. Practice with timed exams: Simulating test conditions helps you build confidence and efficiency.

Mastering these aspects of the NCLEX ensures you’re well-prepared for the dynamic nature of the exam. With Nurse Plus, you’ll have access to tools and resources that reflect the latest testing standards and strategies for success.

How it works

The best way to study for your examination is to practice answering questions similar to those you’ll find on the actual test.

Our questions are based on the same categories that are included on the official exam provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN):

  • Physiological Integrity
  • Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance
  • Psychosocial

Maximize your study time

You can take our practice tests as many times as you like. Study to learn and understand, not to memorize.

Like flashcards, only easier

Each time you restart a practice test, the questions and their possible answers are randomly shuffled so that you are learning facts, not the order of the questions.

Scientifically proven

Research has shown that studying in the same way that you’ll be tested can increase your self-assurance as well as your ability to answer the test questions.

We’ve designed our practice tests to duplicate the exam experience so that it becomes familiar to you.

Our questions cover all the topics and skills that appear on the official 2025 Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse exams.

Smart hints

Short tips, available right when you need them. You decide whether to see them. So you'll know all about thinks like semi-fowler's position or Erikson's stages.

Explanations

Detailed rationales for the correct answers. Displayed not only when you make a mistake, but also when you answer correctly, so you remember it better.

Exam Simulator

Designed to simulate the actual NCLEX-RN experience in every way. The most efficient way to practice for the real exam.

Immediate Feedback

No need to wait until you reach the end of the test to see if your answer is right.

If you make a mistake, we'll let you know right away.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the NCLEX?

The NCLEX uses a variable question format based on your performance. The RN exam can have between 75 to 145 questions, while the PN exam ranges from 85 to 150. The number of questions you’ll receive depends on how quickly the system determines your competency level.

What happens if I fail the NCLEX?

If you don’t pass the NCLEX, you can retake the exam up to 8 times per year, with a minimum 45-day waiting period between attempts. We recommend using practice questions to target your weaker areas and ensure you’re better prepared for the next attempt.

How do I register for the NCLEX?

To register for the NCLEX, follow these steps: 1. Apply for licensure with your state’s nursing regulatory body (NRB). 2. Register with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee. 3. Wait for your Authorization to Test (ATT) email, which includes scheduling instructions. 4. Schedule your exam date and location online or via phone.

How can the Nurse Plus Academy help me prepare?

The Nurse Plus Academy offers comprehensive NCLEX practice tests designed to simulate the real exam. Our platform provides detailed explanations for every question, a progress tracker to monitor your strengths and weaknesses, and study resources, including terminology definitions and strategies for tackling difficult questions.

Why are NCLEX practice questions essential?

Practice questions are a proven method for success on the NCLEX. They help you familiarize yourself with the format and style of questions, reduce test anxiety by improving your confidence, and srengthen critical thinking skills through repeated exposure to real-world scenarios.

What topics do NCLEX practice tests cover?

Our NCLEX practice tests are divided into the four main categories of the NCLEX exam: Physiological Integrity (e.g., pharmacology, medical emergencies), Safe and Effective Care Environment (e.g., infection control, patient safety), Health Promotion and Maintenance (e.g., maternity, pediatrics), and Psychosocial Integrity (e.g., mental health, coping strategies).

Can I take NCLEX practice tests for free?

Yes, Nurse Plus offers a variety of free NCLEX practice tests to help you get started. You can upgrade to our premium plan for access to advanced tools, including the NCLEX Simulator, which mimics the computer-adaptive format of the real exam.

Do I need to register to access the tests or the results?

No. You don't need an account to access our NCLEX practice tests or the results. We use a browser cookie to remember your progress so that you can safely close your browser window and come back at any time to the exact point at which you left off. No usernames or passwords to remember!

Is there a passing score for the practice tests?

We’ve set the passing score for the practice tests at 50%. The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are pass/fail examinations designed to determine if you have an entry-level knowledge of nursing. While we can’t promise that getting 50% or higher on the Nurse Plus practice test guarantees that you will pass your NCLEX, you'll have an indication of subjects that you know, as well as those that need more study.

Can I take a practice test more than once?

Absolutely! Our practice tests work the same way as flash cards. Each time you retake any of the tests, the questions and options will automatically shuffle into a different order. Random ordering is a proven learning method.

What if I don’t understand a question or agree with an answer?

We’re always glad to hear from Nurse Plus users. If a question can be improved or corrected, please let us know. Send us an email at hello@nurse.plus. We review all comments and respond to users as soon as possible.

How do I know if I’m ready for the NCLEX?

With Nurse Plus, you’ll know you’re ready for the NCLEX when you consistently achieve high scores on our practice tests and feel confident in all four healthcare categories. Our platform adapts to your progress, helping you focus on areas that need extra attention.

Can I study for the NCLEX on my own using Nurse Plus?

Absolutely! Our NCLEX practice questions are perfect for self-study. With unlimited practice tests, detailed answer explanations, and progress tracking, you’ll have everything you need to prepare independently. However, combining self-study with group discussions or instructor-led reviews can further enhance your understanding.