Is NCLEX the hardest exam?

Yes, the NCLEX is widely considered a very difficult and stressful exam, not because it's full of obscure facts, but because its Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, high-stakes nature, and focus on critical thinking, prioritization, and real-world application make it uniquely challenging, testing judgment over rote memorization. While some find it easier if well-prepared, many describe it as the toughest test they've taken due to its unpredictable difficulty and the pressure of securing a nursing license.

Is the NCLEX one of the hardest exams?

Many nursing students describe the NCLEX as one of the most difficult exams they've ever taken. That's because it uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), which adjusts the difficulty of each new question depending on how you answered the last one.

What is the pass rate for NCLEX?

The Results

We can see that pass rates began to decline from 2020 through 2022. The year NGN was launched, the pass rate for 2023 increased to 88.56% for the NCLEX-RN and 86.67% for the NCLEX-PN. In 2024, there was a further increase in pass rates to 91.2% for NCLEX-RN and a decrease to 79.1% for NCLEX-PN.

What is the hardest nursing exam in the world?

NCLEXRN of course that's the most difficult nursing test at all word level.

Is 70% enough to pass NCLEX?

You can potentially pass the NCLEX with a 70% on practice tests, as it's not about a fixed percentage but consistently demonstrating competency above the passing standard, though scores above 70% often indicate readiness, with some aiming for 70%+ in practice questions. The NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) that adapts difficulty, so a high practice score means you're likely answering harder questions correctly, putting you above the passing threshold.
 

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

Is it rare to fail NCLEX at 85?

In other words, if after 85 questions there's a 95% chance you'll remain below the passing standard, you'll fail the exam. So yes, it's possible to have failed the NCLEX at 85 questions. But it's important to remember that if your exam does end after 85 questions, it doesn't necessarily mean you failed!

What are good signs you passed NCLEX?

Good signs you passed the NCLEX include the Pearson VUE "good pop-up" (inability to rebook), no new Authorization to Test (ATT) being issued, the Quick Results service showing a pass (if available), seeing your name added to your state board's license list, and a feeling of confidence with your test shutting off at the minimum question count (like 85 for RNs), though the only official sign is the nursing board's confirmation. 

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The three toughest exams globally often cited for their extreme difficulty, low pass rates, and high stakes are China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) for its sheer scale and competitiveness, India's UPSC Civil Services Exam for its life-altering potential and minuscule selection, and India's IIT-JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Exam) for its rigorous engineering entrance criteria, alongside prestigious UK fellowships like the All Souls Prize Exam, with difficulty varying by individual and goals. 

Which state is easier to pass NCLEX?

Top 5 States with the Highest NCLEX Pass Rates

1. New Hampshire. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 96.5% ...
2. North Dakota. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 96.4% ...
3. Nebraska. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 95.1% ...
4. Tennessee. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 94.9% ...
5. Wyoming. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 94.9%

Is nursing the hardest degree in the UK?

To be honest with you, all of the lecturers say it all the time and I completely agree, it is genuinely the hardest degree - at our university anyway, and we don't take on medical students, so obviously medicine is gonna be a lot harder than nursing but I would definitely say that nursing is the second hardest degree ...

Do most people pass NCLEX?

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.

What happens if you fail the NCLEX?

Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX, will receive an NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR), which serves as a guide to prepare them to retake the exam.

Is the NCLEX hard in 2025?

Between 2018-2024, the average NCLEX pass rate was 86.58%. In 2024, we saw a high point, with a pass rate of 92.10% (NCSBN). This was the highest rate in over a decade and the first full year of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)! But in 2025, the numbers are trending back down, with the current pass rate sitting at 88%.

Is 50% enough to pass NCLEX?

You can potentially pass the NCLEX with around 50% correct answers because it's a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) that adjusts difficulty, aiming for questions you have a 50% chance of answering correctly, but a true passing score depends on demonstrating competency above the passing standard, not a fixed percentage, meaning you could pass with more difficult questions right or fail with easier ones right if your overall ability isn't high enough. The exam stops when the computer is 95% confident you've either passed or failed, potentially around 85 questions or longer, focusing on your ability to keep patients safe.
 

What is the trick for NCLEX?

The Pearson VUE NCLEX trick is an unofficial method to check your NCLEX results by attempting to re-register for the exam on the Pearson VUE website. If you get a message stating that you can't register because you have an open registration, it may indicate a passing result.

How many nurses pass NCLEX on first try?

As you can see in the data listed above, first-time NCLEX test-takers consistently perform better than repeat test-takers. As of November 1, 2025, first-time U.S.-educated test-takers have an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 87.1%, compared to their counterparts who repeated the test and passed at a rate of only 53.1%.

Is nursing school harder than NCLEX?

The NCLEX isn't necessarily harder than nursing school courses/exams—it's just different. The NCLEX tests your knowledge of everything you possibly learned in nursing school, while nursing school exams test your knowledge on specific courses or course content.

What is the easiest nurse to become?

LPNs/LVNs are the fastest entry-level nursing program, often taking between one year and 16 months. They have the lowest level of authority and professional autonomy among all nurses.

How many questions can you miss on the NCLEX?

You can answer the first 84 questions correctly, but you will automatically fail the exam if you don't reach number 85. The other way to fail the exam is simply by not answering enough questions correctly within the allotted time or by not answering enough questions correctly out of the maximum amount of 135.

What are the top 5 hardest exams in the US?

The top 5 hardest exams in the U.S. often cited include the USMLE (medical licensing), CFA (finance), CPA (accounting), the state-specific Bar Exam (law, especially California's), and the MCAT (medical school entry), known for intense preparation, low pass rates, and comprehensive, demanding content across medicine, finance, law, and academia. 

What's the easiest exam in the world?

List of Easiest Exams in the World

• Duolingo English Test (DET)
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
• SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Exams.
• Cambridge English: Key (KET)
• SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Exam.
• IELTS General Training Test.
• Gaokao Mock Test.

What words should you avoid on the NCLEX?

Never choose an answer that contains the following words: always, never, all, and only. These words do not allow for the possibility of an exception, and therefore the answers that contain these words can be automatically eliminated.

Is it good if NCLEX shuts off at 85?

Yes, the NCLEX stopping at 85 questions is generally a good sign, indicating you likely passed because the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) algorithm found you consistently above the minimum passing standard for safe nursing practice; however, it can mean you failed if you were consistently below that standard, but statistics heavily favor passing at 85 questions, showing strong performance. 

Does NCLEX get harder when you fail?

The NCLEX uses a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format that gets harder as you do better.