The National Council Licensure Examination(NCLEX) is a nationwide examination for the licensing of
nurses to practice in the United States and Canada since 1982 and 2015.
Th test analysis the nursing knowledge you learned in school and also you will be tested on how you
can use critical thinking skills to make nursing judgments.
Type of questions.
In NCLEX RN all the contexts such as ( medical, surgical, pediatric, psychiatric, and obstetric ) are
integrated.
Questions are primarily multiple-choice with four possible answer choices; however, there are also
alternate question types which include multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spots, chart/exhibit and
drag-and-drop. All questions involve integrated nursing content.
Exam content
The exam’s content is based on client needs:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
a. Management of Care 17-23%
b. Safety and Infection Control 9-15%
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%
3. Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
4. Physiological Integrity
a. Basic Care and Comfort 6-12%
b. Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 11-17%
c. Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
d. Physiological Adaptation 11-17%
Exam Format
NCLEX RN is a computer-based test at a Pearson Professional Center( Pearson Professional Centers
are testing centers for certifications and licenses all over the world).
Every candidate will have a maximum of 6 hours to complete the exam but there is no minimum time
limit. There is a mandatory 10-minute break about 21⁄2 hours after the start of the exam and another
optional break after about 4 hours of testing.
There will be a total of 75(minimum) and 265(maximum) questions apart from the trail.
If the candidate is able to answer 50% of the total question correctly then he/she passes for the exam.
Levels of exam
Level 1
· are the most basic questions
· questions test the individual’s knowledge and understanding
· Level 1 make up less than 10 percent of the total questions
Level 2
· require an additional level of thinking
· questions are analysis and application type questions
Level 3
· Most complex type of question
· This type of question requires the individual to judge, evaluate, and combine information
· Need to apply the rules, facts, and processes they know and then make decisions about what is
best for the patient’s care based on the situation.
· Level 2 and Level 3 questions make up about 95 percent of the questions on the NCLEX exam.
