The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is one of the most important tests a nurse will ever take. It assesses your knowledge and skills and determines whether you are qualified to practice as an entry-level nurse. As such, it’s understandable that nurses want to know if they can fail the NCLEX in just 75 questions.
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NCLEX Pass Rate Every Year
The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test, meaning that the software adapts to your performance as you go through the questions. In other words, it gets easier or harder based on how you answer each question with accuracy.
NCLEX Pass Rate 2022– 68.39%
NCLEX Pass Rate 2021- 66.92%%
NCLEX Pass Rate 2020-73.44%
NCLEX Pass Rate 2019- 73.71%
NCLEX Pass Rate 2018- 73.44%
Can You Fail the NCLEX in 75 Questions?
It is possible to fail the NCLEX in just 75 questions; however, it’s unlikely. Most people who pass the NCLEX do so after answering between 100 and 150 questions. That said, if you get a string of difficult questions early on in the exam and your score drops below the passing level, then yes, it is possible to fail before reaching question 75.
What are Minimum and Maximum Question Numbers?
The minimum number of questions you can be asked on the NCLEX is 75, and the maximum is 265 (145 maximum due to new COVID-19 policies). However, it’s important to note that the NCLEX has a minimum pass rate of 83%. You will fail if you answer 75 questions and your score isn’t high enough to reach the 83% pass rate.
Tips for Passing the NCLEX
There are several things you can do to boost your chances of passing the NCLEX on your first attempt:
• Make sure you understand all the topics covered on the test and focus your review efforts accordingly.
• Take advantage of all available resources, such as practice exams and study guides, to help prepare for exam day.
• Get plenty of rest before taking the exam so you can arrive on test day feeling refreshed and ready to tackle all 265 questions (145 maximum due to new COVID-19 policies).
• Stay calm during testing and remember that there is no penalty for wrong answers—so guess if need be!
• Have faith in yourself.
Final Thoughts
Taking any standardized test can be stressful, but with proper preparation and dedication, anyone can pass their NCLEX exam with flying colors! Even though it’s possible to fail after only answering 75 questions, this scenario is unlikely unless you receive several hard questions early on in testing. So study hard, stay focused during testing, and have faith in yourself—you got this!
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.