NCLEX-RN Practice Test & Study Guide (NGN)

NCLEX® is a registered trademark of NCSBN. certtesthub is an independent study resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCSBN. All practice questions are original and created for study purposes only. Passing our practice tests does not guarantee passing the actual NCLEX. Always refer to ncsbn.org and your state board of nursing for official information.

Practice content is for exam preparation only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions must be made by licensed healthcare professionals following facility policy. Information on this page is current as of November 2026 and is based on the NCLEX-RN 2023 Test Plan; exam details can change, so verify with the official source.

About the NCLEX-RN Exam

The NCLEX-RN is the registered nurse licensure exam developed by NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) and delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers. Since April 1, 2023, the exam is the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which adds case studies and new item types with partial-credit scoring. Passing the NCLEX-RN is required to obtain a registered nurse license in the United States.

Exam Structure (2023 Test Plan, NGN)

Note: for NCLEX-PN, third-party sources report 85-145 questions, but published ranges vary (some report 85-150). Refer to ncsbn.org for official information.

Content Areas (NCLEX-RN 2023 Test Plan)

The exam is organized into four client need categories and eight sub-sections with percentage ranges:

NGN Item Types You Will See

The 2023 Test Plan keeps traditional items (multiple choice, select all that apply, fill-in-the-blank calculations, hot spot, ordered response, chart/exhibit) and adds NGN items: case studies (6-question chains), extended multiple response (6+ options), extended drag-and-drop, cloze (dropdown fill-in), matrix/grid, bow-tie, and trend items. NGN items may use partial credit (credit for each correctly selected option), while traditional select-all-that-apply items are all-or-nothing. Our NGN case studies let you experience these formats free.

Section Practice by Outline

Practice each 2023 Test Plan sub-section with original questions, each mapped to the section and labeled with the outline version:

• Management of Care (15-21%)
• Safety and Infection Control (10-16%)
• Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12%)
• Psychosocial Integrity (6-12%)
• Basic Care and Comfort (6-12%)
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies (13-19%)
• Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%)
• Physiological Adaptation (11-17%)

Full Practice Test

Take the full NCLEX-RN practice test with 160 original questions drawn from every 2023 Test Plan sub-section, with explanations for each answer. All questions are original and written from the official outline topics; none are copied from NCSBN official items or commercial question banks.

NGN Case Studies

Try the NGN case study practice page with three full case studies (6-question chains each), including extended multiple response, cloze, and bow-tie items. Free NGN-format simulation is our differentiator - most free sites only offer traditional item types.

Study Guide

Read the complete NCLEX-RN study guide for registration steps, fees, test-day strategy, and a study plan organized by the 2023 Test Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many questions are on the NCLEX-RN?

The exam is computer adaptive with 85-150 questions; about 15 are unscored pretest items. The test ends when the computer is confident in your ability (or when time or the maximum number of items is reached).

2. What is the passing score?

NCLEX results are pass/fail based on a logit scale. NCSBN evaluates the passing standard periodically and publishes it; there is no simple percentage. Refer to ncsbn.org for official information.

3. What is the NGN?

The Next Generation NCLEX, launched April 1, 2023, adds case studies and new item types (extended multiple response, bow-tie, cloze, matrix, trend) with partial-credit scoring for some items.

4. Are these practice questions the real exam questions?

No. They are original questions written from the 2023 Test Plan outline topics. Official NCSBN items and commercial bank items (UWorld, Kaplan, ATI, Archer) are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced.

5. Do I need to take this exam in my state?

All states require passing the NCLEX-RN for RN licensure, but application, fees, and eligibility are handled by your state board of nursing. Check your board's requirements.

6. How long is the exam?

Up to 5 hours total, including the tutorial and two optional breaks. Many candidates finish in 2-3 hours, depending on the number of items administered.

Outline Versions and Sources

• Outline: NCLEX-RN 2023 Test Plan (NGN), effective April 2023; NCSBN reviews the test plan on a periodic cycle
• Official sources: NCSBN (ncsbn.org) | NCLEX (nclex.com) | Pearson VUE. Exam details, fees, and policies can change; always confirm with the official source.

NCLEX® and NCSBN® are registered trademarks of NCSBN. This site is not affiliated with NCSBN or Pearson VUE.