NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is held to provide licensing to nurses in America. There are two types of Licensing, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) has the responsibility and own NCLEX examination. NCSBN administer these examinations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.

The need for passing NCLEX is essential for public protection and to provide patients with effective health care. NCLEX – RN test is held for registered nurses and NCLEX – PN is held for vocational or practical nurses. The examination is designed to measures the education, knowledge, skills and abilities in a nurse to provide safe and effective nursing at the entry level. NCLEX examinations are held in a CAT format and administered by Pearson VUE in their network of Pearson Professional Centers (PPC).

The main difference in NCLEX -RN and NCLEX-PN examination is different number of questions for each exam. NCLEX-RN test has 75 to 265 numbers of questions, whereas NCLEX -ON test contain 85 to 205 numbers of questions. Both test measures competency of nursing practice and knowledge. Both tests are offered with 4 multiple choice answer settings.

It is necessary to apply for the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examination in the specific state from where, a medical student want to be licensed. Once this formality of applying is completed, a candidate registers with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX test through mail, phone or online. It is also wise to understand that, Pearson VUE is also the administrator of the exam. A candidate can avail the NCLEX exam registration form and details about the exam fees etc, through NCSBN website and candidate bulletin in the same website.

After the registration is completed, Pearson VUE directly sends the confirmation of your registration. This step also facilitates the NCSBN to approve your application for the test. NCSBN approval also makes Person VUE to provide you with Authorization to Test (ATT) and scheduling of exam time. The NCLEX examination is held in Pearson Professional Centers (PPC). All information regarding exam scheduling and other similar information can be accessed in Pearson VUE site or Candidate Handbook.

NCLEX RN and NCLEX PN tests can be given on a computer and, tests are of variable lengths, depending upon the candidate’s response of each questions and test items. The test is deemed to be over, once it is ascertained that the candidate has appeared for minimum questions that are required for measuring the competency of the candidate including above or below passing standard with 95% certainty.

A candidate is offered 5 hours to complete 85 to 205 multiple choice questions, including 25 non scoring pretest questions in NCLEX-PN test and up to 6 hours for 75 – 265 multiple choice questions, including 15 non scoring pretest questions in NCLEX-RN test. The candidate also gets the opportunity for the best guessing choice of answers, if they are not able to answer question.

The questions are based on 4 major categories, which are needed for effective care of the patient, such as Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. These categories are broken into numerous sub categories and questions for the test are prepared on these subjects.

By scheduling your time for each question and assigning one minute for each question, you can easily complete all NCLEX questions in the given time frame. But remember that last 60 questions can be judged for the passing standard and if you achieve passing standard in last 60 questions, you are deemed as passing the test.