You’ve completed the NCLEX
®
but you still have questions...
The Pathway to Practice
NCLEX
®
FAQs
How are the results processed?
As part of the quality control process, every NCLEX
®
is
scored twice: once by the computer at the test center
and again after the examination record has been
transmitted to Pearson VUE.
Candidate results are transmitted electronically to the
nursing regulatory body (NRB) in the jurisdiction where
the candidate has applied for licensure/registration.
Each NRB has developed its own procedure for
distributing results to candidates. It can take up to
six weeks to receive your official results. Do not call
Pearson VUE, the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (NCSBN
®
) or your NRB for the results as they
will not be released over the telephone.
What does the number of items I answered tell
me about my results?
It is important to understand that the length of your
NCLEX or the number of items answered is not an
indication of a specific pass or fail result. A candidate
with a relatively short examination may pass or fail
just as a candidate with a long examination may
pass or fail.
Each candidate, regardless of the length of their
examination, has ample opportunity to demonstrate
their true ability and is given an examination that
conforms to the NCLEX Test Plans. Many candidates’
examinations will end before the maximum number
of items has been administered.
Please do not be concerned if your examination
finishes earlier or lasts longer than other candidates.
The length of your examination is determined solely
by your performance on the examination. The
differing lengths of each candidate’s examination are
an illustration of computerized adaptive testing (CAT)
at work.
What if I ran out of time?
If the candidate runs out of time before reaching the
maximum number of items, the computer has not
been able to decide whether the candidate passed
or failed with 95% certainty. Therefore, an alternate
rule must be used:
• If the candidate has not answered the minimum
number of items, the result will be a failing exam.
• If the candidate has answered the minimum
number of items, then the exam is scored by using
the final ability estimate computed from responses
to all completed items.
• If the final ability estimate is above the passing
standard, the candidate passes.
• If the final ability estimate is at or below the
passing standard, the candidate fails.
What if I did not pass?
Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX will receive a
Candidate Performance Report (CPR), which shows
their areas of relative strength and weakness in the
content areas of the NCLEX Test Plans. This report is
provided to help candidates prepare for their next
examination.
There must be at least 45 test free days between
each examination. This period of time is determined
by each individual NRB and NCSBN.
Contact your NRB to obtain the necessary forms and
information to reregister at any time. However, once
declared eligible by your NRB, your new Authorization
to Test (ATT) will not be valid until the required
number of days between examinations elapses.
NCLEX® Quick
Results Service
Many nursing regulatory bodies
participate in the quick results
service. Results are unofficial and
are available 48 business hours
after your appointment. Only your
licensing nursing regulatory body
can issue your official results. To
access your quick results, go to your
account with Pearson VUE. The cost
is $7.95, payable by credit, debit or
prepaid card. Contact Pearson VUE
at 1.866.496.2539 if you are unable
to locate your user name and
password.
Quick results are not available in
all U.S. states and are not available
for candidates seeking licensure/
registration in Canada and Australia.
Is there an opportunity to challenge an item?
Some NRBs of nursing have laws or regulations that
allow failing NCLEX candidates to review the actual
test items answered incorrectly, and challenge
the accuracy of items and answers. More specific
information about review, challenge and fees for this
service and whether your NRB participates in this
service must be obtained from your NRB.
What should I do about NCLEX
administration problems?
If you have any problems or complaints regarding
the NCLEX or its administration, please contact
NCSBN within two weeks of your examination.
Contact information is provided on the last page of
this document.
For general information and frequently asked
questions regarding the NCLEX, visit the NCLEX
website.
NCLEX Confidentiality
Candidates should be aware and understand that
the disclosure of examination items before,
during or after the examination is a violation of law.
Violations of confidentiality and/or candidates’ rules
can result in criminal prosecution or civil liability
and/or disciplinary actions by the licensing agency,
including the denial of licensure/registration.
If you are aware of, or have observed, an attempt to
compromise the NCLEX process, please report it to
the NCLEX Test Security group.
Candidates may report any suspicious behavior in
the following ways:
• Call NCSBN at 1.866.293.9600; or
• Email [email protected].
NCLEX
®
FAQs con’t...
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN®)
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277 USA
www.ncsbn.org | [email protected]
866.293.9600 Examinations Department Toll-Free
Updated 10/21
