How hard is the RN license exam?

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), in 2021, the NCLEX first-time pass rate was seventy-nine percent. Proper preparation will help ensure you're in the NCLEX passing percentage.

How hard is the RN exam?

NCLEX's difficulty can fluctuate among test-takers but is generally regarded as a formidable examination. It scrutinizes your aptitude for critical thinking, application of nursing acumen, and formulation of safe and efficacious decisions within a clinical context.

What is the pass rate for the RN test?

Overall first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates surged after the test change in April 2023, climbing from 88.6% in 2023 to 91.2% in 2024. However, through most of 2025, overall first-time pass rates3 have dipped to 87.5% — prompting reflection about what these trends mean for student preparedness and program effectiveness.

How hard is the nursing licensure exam?

The exam uses computerized adaptive testing, adjusting the difficulty of questions based on your performance. While the adaptive nature can make it challenging, adequate preparation and a strong understanding of nursing fundamentals can contribute to success. The NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023 was around 68%.

How hard is the test to become an RN?

Our internal studies show a wide array of different outcomes, but those that stick to a study program, tend to do better. Let's look at the statistics. The 2024 NCLEX pass rate worldwide is 79% out of the 81,824 nursing students that took the exam.

Is the NCLEX Exam Really That Hard? Tips to Make It Easier

Is 70% enough to pass NCLEX?

Based on historical data, a student with an average points score of 70% and earned a “High” or “Very High” result on a Self-Assessment Test would have a 99% likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN.

What is the hardest licensure exam?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States

• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) ...
• Uniform Bar Examination/ California Bar. ...
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam. ...
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam. ...
• NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) ...
• GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Do nurses make $100,000 a year?

In short, the nurses most likely to make $100,000 or more per year are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse leaders, and experienced travel nurses—especially those working in major metropolitan areas or high-demand specialties.

How many times can I take the RN exam?

test-takers who fail the California Board exam must re-apply, with an additional fee and a new application. Florida: Test-takers have three attempts to pass the NCLEX. After that, they must complete a Florida Board of Nursing-approved remedial course to reinstate testing eligibility for a fourth examination.

Which state is NCLEX the hardest in?

There were some regional differences between the 50 states in the NCLEX RN pass rate for U.S. educated candidates. Florida had the lowest overall state pass in 2020 with a percentage of 68.8. New Hampshire placed highest with a percentage of 96.2.

What happens if you fail your RN exam?

You're entitled to re-take the NCLEX if you don't pass on the first try. The NCSBN's retake policy allows any candidate who has applied for licensure or registration with a participating regulatory body, such as a board of nursing, to retake the exam.

How long is the RN exam?

There is no time limit for each individual question on the NCLEX-RN. You'll have a maximum of five hours to complete the exam, which includes a tutorial in the beginning. There are no mandatory breaks.

What are good signs you passed NCLEX?

Here are four telltale signs that signify your triumphant passage of the NCLEX.

• Absence of a New Authorization to Test (ATT) ...
• "Nurse of the Future" Title on Your License. ...
• Termination of Test Attempts on Your Pearson VUE Account. ...
• Official Notification from Your State Nursing Board.

How many people fail the RN test?

The NCSBN recently published NCLEX statistics for 2022. This report showed that the number of first-time test takers in the United States increased from 185,062 in 2021 to 188,005 in 2022 (an increase of nearly 3,000 test-takers). However, the pass rate dropped from 82.48% in 2021 to 79.90% in 2022.

Is 2 weeks enough to study for NCLEX-RN?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but many students choose to study for at least one month before taking the NCLEX. Depending on your confidence level and schedule, you may study anywhere from 4 weeks to a few months to feel fully prepared.

Is an 80 on a nursing exam good?

An eighty percent (80%) average is required to receive a passing grade of “C” for any course required in the Associate Degree Nursing program.

Can I challenge the RN exam?

Challenging the Exam Board

Pennsylvania, Missouri, Hawaii, Georgia, and Florida are the ONLY states that allow LPNs or military medics to challenge the nursing exam board to bypass a nursing program to become an RN. An accredited LPN program must still be completed.

Is NCLEX shutting off at 85 good?

Stopping at 85 questions means CAT reached 95% certainty in your result — it's not automatically good or bad. The NCLEX measures your ability against the passing standard, not a percentage correct.

Which state pays RN the most?

In a Glance: Top States for Registered Nurses (RNs)

States like California, Hawaii, and Oregon offer some of the highest salaries for Registered Nurses, but it's important to balance salary with the cost of living and specific state requirements.

Can an RN make $200,000?

While the median registered nurse salary sits at $93,600 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid nurses are earning well over $200,000 annually, proving that nursing can be both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding. The nursing salary landscape has evolved dramatically.

What is the easiest job that pays 100k a year?

🚀 The “Fast Track”: Jobs That Pay $100k with 2 Years or Less of Training

• Air Traffic Controller. ...
• Nuclear Power Reactor Operator. ...
• Commercial Pilot. ...
• Elevator Mechanic. ...
• Radiation Therapist. ...
• Web Developer / Software Engineer. ...
• Power Plant Operator / Distributor.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

The Former First Lady Michelle Obama – (a graduate of Harvard Law School) failed the Illinois bar exam on her first try. Secretary of State and past Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton failed the DC bar exam the first time she took it. She passed the Arkansas bar after that.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World [Updated List 2026]

• List of Top 10 Toughest Examinations in the World.
• 1) Gaokao Exam of China.
• 2) IIT-JEE Advanced Examination of India.
• 3) UPSC Exams of India.
• 4) ICAI CA/CMA Exams of India.
• 5) Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) of India.
• 6) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Is the NCLEX or CPA harder?

CPA requires your Master's degree (or 150 units) NCLEX (RN exam) pass rate is like 90% CPA exam pass rate is 50% and takes months. You have to have a year of experience after getting your masters. RN's get their experience while going to school (clinicals).