How Many Questions Are on the NCLEX?

“How many questions are on the NCLEX?” is a question that Nurse Plus often gets. We understand that you want to be as prepared as possible for your exam day, so here are some helpful answers—and PRO TIPS--to put your mind at ease.

How many total items are in the NCLEX question bank?

The exact total isn’t known, but there are thousands of test items in the Master Pool. There are multiple operational pools that are regularly rotated, All questions in the item bank reflect current nursing practice. The questions are based on test plans that are updated every three years, most recently in 2023.

Every candidate who sits for the exam also receives 15 “pre-test” items that are being evaluated for future exams. These questions are not scored and are placed randomly in the NCLEX, so you won’t be able to identify them.

PRO TIP: If you haven’t already downloaded the test plan—there are both RN and PN versions—do it today. Use it as part of your study plan. Every test item on the NCLEX is based on a Client Needs category, as well as clinical judgement.

How many questions will I get on my NCLEX?

Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball, so it’s impossible to predict how many test items any candidate will receive for their exam. Because the NCLEX is a computerized adaptive pass-fail exam, the range is 75-145 questions, including the pre-test items. How many questions you’ll receive depends on your preparation.

Every exam begins with easy questions, then advances to more difficult items as you answer. If you give an incorrect response, the computer “backs up” and offers an easier test item, then returns to increasingly difficult questions. When you’re able to provide correct answers at a consistent established baseline, you will pass. If you don’t, you will fail. Two candidates can receive a different number of questions and still pass, so don’t focus on the number.

Remember that the sole purpose of NCLEX is to determine if you are capable of functioning as an entry-level nurse. An entry-level nurse is a licensed nurse with less than a year of experience. They possess the minimum knowledge, skills and abilities to provide safe and effective care.

PRO TIP: Nurse Plus offers an NCLEX-RN Exam Simulator that duplicates the algorithms used on your actual exam. It will give you 85-150 questions, and you can take the practice exam as many times as you want.

How is the NCLEX test content distributed?

NCLEX is based on the test plan content, so you can expect to be given a certain percentage of test items in each of the Client Needs categories and subcategories:

For NCLEX-RN:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Management of Care 15-21%
  • Safety & Infection Control 10-16%
• Health Promotion & Maintenance 6-12%
• Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
• Physiological Integrity
  • Basic Care & Comfort 6-12%
  • Pharm & Parenteral  13-19%
  • Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
  • Physiological Adaptation 11-17%

For NCLEX-PN:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Coordinated Care 18-24%
  • Safety & Infection Control 10-16%
• Health Promotion & Maintenance 6-12%
• Psychosocial Integrity 9-15%
• Physiological Integrity
  • Basic Care & Comfort 7-13%
  • Pharmacological Therapy 10-16%
  • Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
  • Physiological Adaptation 7-13%

PRO TIP: Consider each category/subcategory and evaluate your knowledge and understanding of each one. If there’s an area that you know is weak, be sure to focus on it as you study. Once again, use the test plan to see the nursing activities and interventions that belong in each category/subcategory. You can expect NCLEX test items to be based on those.

How many questions are on the NCLEX unfolding case studies?

NCLEX-RN candidates receive three unfolding case studies and NCLEX-PN candidates receive two case studies. Each case study has six questions that present a scenario that presents data in a way that mimics what would happen in a real-life clinical situation.

The six questions are based on the six components of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) which corresponds to the Nursing Process:

1. Recognize Cues (Assessment)
2. Analyze Cues (Analyze)
3. Prioritize Hypotheses (Planning)
4. Generate Solutions (Planning)
5. Take Action (Implementation)
6. Evaluate Outcomes (Evaluation)