The NCLEX is an exam for aspiring nurses looking to prove their skills and knowledge. Students must pass this standardized exam to receive their nursing license.

The NCLEX exam, also known as the National Council Licensure Examination, is used by state boards of nursing to decide whether or not a candidate is ready to begin practicing as an entry-level nurse. This comprehensive exam touches on some nursing concepts, and is only open to students who have already completed an accredited nursing program. There are two variations of the NCLEX, one for registered nurses (RNs) and one for practical nurses (PNs), although the registration process and exam content of these two exams are extremely similar.

If you’d like to sit for the NCLEX, you must first complete the registration process. First, you’ll need to apply for a nursing license from the nursing regulatory body (NRB) of your state. That board will review your application and, if you satisfy all requirements, will authorize you to register. Once you’ve been authorized, expect to receive a document verifying NCLEX examination candidate eligibility. Once you have this, you may register with Pearson VUE, the testing service. As soon as your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive an ATT, or Authorization to Test. The board also provides helpful information concerning the location of testing centers and instructions on how to make an appointment. You’ll also need to pay the registration fee, which is $200.

The NCLEX consists of four major categories, along with six subcategories. The majority of questions are multiple-choice, although other potential formats include fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and chart/exhibit questions. Regardless of format, all questions will relate to nursing concepts and topics. Real-world case studies are used to measure clinical judgment and decision-making.

The number of questions varies depending on which version of the test you’re taking. Both tests have a maximum of 150 questions and a minimum of 85, which includes 15 pretest questions, that do not count towards your final score. These questions are used by administrators as they plan for future exams.

Both the PN and RN tests feature the same four content categories, which are detailed below:

Safe and Effective Care Environment: This area tests a nurse’s ability to create a welcoming and functional setting for patients. The topics of study can include accident prevention, ethics, client rights, and home safety.

Health Promotion and Maintenance: In addition to curing illnesses, contemporary nursing practice focuses on the prevention of future health problems. This section will challenge students’ knowledge of growth and development principles, with topics including the aging process, newborn care, lifestyle choices, and developmental stages.

Psychosocial Integrity: The NCLEX also tests a student’s knowledge of mental illness, and this category focuses on emotional, social, and mental factors (such as abuse, chemical dependencies, and stress) that can influence a patient’s health.

Physiological Integrity: Practicing nurses are expected to promote physical wellness by ensuring that patients remain calm and comfortable. Topics in this section include risk management, therapeutic procedures, and abnormal responses to therapy.

Several institutions offer review materials for the exam, both free of charge and for a fee. Study guides review essential topics and re-introduce students to concepts that will be on the exam. Lectures, quizzes, and practice tests can all serve as useful materials. For example, these NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN review guides can help you prepare for the exams, and this nursing fundamentals course provides a review of basic nursing concepts.