The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) for RN and PN uses a pass/fail system based on Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), not a numerical percentage score. the answer to the question “What NCLEX Score is Passing?” is there is no fixed passing score like 75% or 850. Instead, the exam adapts question difficulty in real-time, and you pass if your ability consistently exceeds the passing standard.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) sets the passing standard at 0.00 logits (a statistical measure of ability). You pass when the system is 95% confident your competency is above this threshold. The test stops once confidence is reached—typically between 75-265 questions (RN) or 85-205 questions (PN).
Key factors determining pass/fail:
- Minimum questions: 75 (RN) or 85 (PN).
- Maximum questions: 265 (RN) or 205 (PN).
- Time limit: 5 hours (RN) or 5 hours (PN).
- No raw score released: You only receive “Pass” or “Fail” on your official results (via Quick Results in some states after 48 hours, or official letter).
Why no percentage? CAT tailors questions to your performance. Easy questions answered correctly raise difficulty; wrong answers lower it. This ensures precise measurement without a universal score.
What NCLEX Score is Passing: 2023-2026 Passing Standard
- RN: 0.00 logits
- PN: -0.18 logits (Standards reviewed every 3 years; last updated April 2023.)
Next-Gen NCLEX (NGN) Updates (2023+): Includes case studies and new item types, but still pass/fail via logits, not scores. Focus remains on clinical judgment.
Tips to Pass:
- Answer at least 75-85 questions with consistent accuracy.
- Avoid patterns (e.g., all “select all that apply” wrong).
- Use official NCSBN practice tests for logit-like feedback.
Official Resources:
- NCSBN.org for detailed CAT explanation
- Pearson VUE for exam logistics