What is the passing score for RN?

The NCLEX-RN doesn't have a traditional percentage score; instead, it uses a logit score, with the current passing standard set at 0.00 logits, meaning you need to demonstrate competency above this level by answering medium-difficulty questions correctly at a certain rate. The test is adaptive, stopping early (as few as 85 questions) if you consistently perform above or below the standard, or continuing to the maximum of 150 questions if you're near the passing line, with the final questions determining your fate if you reach the maximum.

Is 70% enough to pass NCLEX?

You can potentially pass the NCLEX with a 70% on practice tests, as it indicates good readiness by showing consistent performance above the typical 60-70% target, but the actual NCLEX is adaptive and doesn't use percentages; you pass by consistently demonstrating nursing competency above a set standard (0.00 logits), so a 70% score on a practice question bank (QBank) is a strong sign you're ready for the real exam's variable difficulty.
 

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.

Is 50% enough to pass NCLEX?

Yes, you can pass the NCLEX with around 50% of questions right because it's not about a simple percentage; the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) adjusts difficulty, aiming for you to get roughly half the harder questions correct to prove competency above the passing standard. You pass by demonstrating consistent ability, not by hitting a specific score, with the test stopping when it's 95% sure you've met or missed the passing line, which often happens at the minimum 75-85 questions. 

What is a passing grade in nursing?

Nursing passing grades vary by institution, but generally require a C (75%) or higher, with many programs demanding an 80% (B-) or better, especially for core courses and clinicals, often incorporating separate passing requirements for exams, math tests, and clinical performance to ensure competency for patient care.
 

NCLEX Passing Score: What You Need to Know!

Is 60% a pass or fail?

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major.

What disqualifies you from being an RN?

You can be disqualified from becoming an RN due to serious criminal history (especially violent, sexual, or drug-related felonies), substance abuse issues, fraudulent application, or certain uncontrolled health conditions that impair safe practice, with specific rules varying by state board of nursing, though felony convictions, abuse, and fraud are common hurdles. While some crimes are automatic disqualifiers, others may be reviewed based on rehabilitation, time passed, and context. 

Is 60% passing for NCLEX?

So, what exactly is the NCLEX passing score? The NCLEX-RN passing standard is -0.18 logits, and the NCLEX-PN passing standard is -0.26 logits (NCSBN, 2023). That number isn't a percentage—it's a measurement of your ability compared to the difficulty of questions you answer correctly.

What are good signs you passed NCLEX?

Good signs you passed the NCLEX include the Pearson VUE trick (getting the "good pop-up" saying you can't re-register), your Pearson VUE account showing "exam complete" and no ATT, seeing your name on the State Board of Nursing's license verification site (often with an RN/LPN number), and feeling confident after the exam with tough questions appearing at the minimum question count (like 85) before it shuts off. The only official confirmation is the State Board of Nursing, but these indicators provide strong clues.
 

Can you fail NCLEX at 85 questions?

Yes, you can fail NCLEX in 85 questions. If the majority of your answers are incorrect, the test will shut off after the minimum amount of questions has been asked and you will fail. However, keep in mind that it is very common to think you've failed when you actually have not, so don't make any assumptions.

Is the RN exam hard?

The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is a critical exam that every nursing student must take to become a licensed nurse. Passing the NCLEX is essential to begin your nursing career, but it is also one of the most challenging exams you will ever take.

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.

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.

What is the lowest score you can get on NCLEX to pass?

The NCLEX uses a base logit score of 0.00 to determine whether you pass or not. You pass if you score above 0.00, meaning you answered enough questions correctly. If you score negative, you didn't answer enough questions correctly.

What does it mean if NCLEX shuts off at 75?

This is how the NCLEX usually determines if someone passes or not. The computer will stop giving more questions when it's 95% certain you're above the passing standard. This could happen at any point in your exam, as long as you've answered a minimum of 75 questions.

What happens if I get 150 questions on NCLEX?

Your test will end at 85 questions if the software determines with a 95% confidence level that you're clearly above (or clearly below) the passing standard. If you get all 150 questions and you're at or above the passing standard, you pass. If you're below the passing standard, you do not pass.

How do I know if I failed my NCLEX?

Signs you might have failed the NCLEX include the test shutting off at the minimum questions (75/85) while you felt you were answering basic/easy questions or didn't know the content, questions becoming consistently easier (indicating you're not meeting the passing standard), and not receiving your license or a new Authorization to Test (ATT) soon after, which would be needed to re-register. However, the only sure way to know is official results, as feelings are unreliable; many pass even if the test ends early or seems hard.
 

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.

Can you pass NCLEX with 50%?

Yes, you can pass the NCLEX with around 50% of questions right because it's not about a simple percentage; the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) adjusts difficulty, aiming for you to get roughly half the harder questions correct to prove competency above the passing standard. You pass by demonstrating consistent ability, not by hitting a specific score, with the test stopping when it's 95% sure you've met or missed the passing line, which often happens at the minimum 75-85 questions. 

How do you know if you passed the NCLEX right away?

Candidates seeking licensure in the U.S. can receive their unofficial results two business days after the exam, if their NRB participates in the Quick Results Service.

What is the pass rate for the NCLEX-RN in 2025?

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%.

Do hospitals prefer RN or BSN?

Hospitals increasingly prefer and often require nurses to have a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) over just an RN license (which can come from an ADN or diploma), due to studies linking BSN-prepared nurses to better patient outcomes, critical thinking skills, and leadership abilities, with many facilities seeking Magnet status requiring advanced degrees. While ADN-prepared nurses (RNs) can get jobs, BSNs offer better career growth, higher pay, and are vital for Magnet hospitals and many leadership roles, with some states even mandating BSNs within a few years of licensure. 

Who do nurses mostly marry?

Nurses often marry other healthcare professionals, including fellow nurses, doctors, and those in management, but also people in diverse fields like engineering, law enforcement, or truck driving, with specific patterns varying by nursing specialty, though many marry individuals who understand their demanding careers. While nurses might marry other high-earners like doctors (especially nurse practitioners), they also find partners in similar roles (like other nurses) or completely different sectors, emphasizing shared values and mutual understanding of high-stress healthcare environments.
 

Why can't nurses wear Crocs anymore?

Nurses can't always wear Crocs due to workplace safety policies that ban them because of infection risks (holes letting in fluids/sharps), lack of puncture resistance, poor arch support, slip hazards, and potential static electricity interfering with equipment, though some hospitals allow specific, closed-heel, non-holed, slip-resistant styles that meet strict criteria. Policies vary, but the core issues are infection control, injury prevention, and equipment safety, making standard Crocs generally unsuitable for clinical settings.