One of the primary differences between the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN is the different number of questions. Please review the following chart:
 NCLEX-RN NCLEX-PN
Minimum Number of Questions 75 85
Maximum Number of Questions 265 205
Both of these tests require the same basic understanding of nursing practice and knowledge. The NCLEX-RN questions and the NCLEX-PN questions are presented with four multiple choice answer scenarios. In some cases, the NCLEX is using a more difficult question format that requires multiple right answers to be selected. However, the material that is covered is the same.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in conjunction with Pearson VUE administers two tests that are used to aid in the determination of the licensure of nurses. These examinations are the National Council Licensure Examination for a Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) and the National Council Licensure Examination for a Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). These two tests are used with state and territorial boards of nursing to aid in the determination of the licensure of nurses.
The first step in registering for either the NCLEX-PN or the NCLEX-RN is to apply in the state in which you wish to be licensed. Once this is done, the next step is to register for the NCLEX either by mail, phone, or online. Registration is done with Pearson VUE (the administrator of the exams). All necessary fees must be paid when registration is completed. Detailed fee information as well as information on what is necessary when registering for the NCLEX can be found online at the NCSBN website, as well as in the Candidate Bulletin (also found at the NCSBN website). Once registration has been completed and approved, a candidate will receive a confirmation of their registration directly from Pearson VUE. The board of nursing in the state in which you wish to be licensed then approves the application that was submitted, and this makes the candidate eligible to take the NCLEZ. Once the candidate has been approved by the state board of nursing, Pearson VUE then sends the candidate an Authorization to Test (ATT). When the ATT is received, an exam time may be scheduled. The NCLEX is given at Pearson Professional Centers (PPC), and location information can be found online at the NCSBN website or at the website for Pearson VUE. Scheduling the exam can be done online or via phone, and details can be found in the Candidate Handbook. Once arriving at the exam, the ATT as well as a valid ID must be presented in order to be permitted to take the examination.
Both the NCLEX-PN and the NCLEX-RN are variable length, adaptive tests that are given on a computer. The lengths of the examinations are determined by a candidate’s responses to test items, so candidates will have varying examination lengths, as well as varying questions on the exams. Testing will stop when the minimum number of test items has been answered, and the candidate’s ability is determined to be above or below a passing standard, within a 95% certainty. Candidates have up to five hours to complete the NCLEX-PN, and up to six hours to complete the NCLEX-RN. These time limits include any necessary breaks as well as any computer tutorial time. The NCLEX-PN will have between 85 and 205 questions, and the NCLEX-RN will have between 75 and 265 questions. Out of these questions, 25 questions on the NCLEX-PN are pretest questions, which are not scored. On the NCLEX-RN, 15 questions will also be pretest questions. All questions that are presented must be answered, and candidates are instructed to make their best guess if they do not know the answer to a particular test item. Most of the test items are multiple choice in format, but there are some other formats as well. Information about these other test formats can be found in the candidate tutorial on the Pearson VUE website or on the NCSBN website.
Both the NCLEX-PN and the NCLEX-RN are based on four major client needs categories. These categories make up the test plans for the exams. For the NCLEX-PN, the client needs categories are safe and effective care environment (further broken down into coordinated care and safety and infection control), health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity (further broken down into basic care and comfort, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk potential, and physiological adaptations). Typical percentages of questions on the NCLEX-PN exam are as follows: 11-17% coordinated care, 8-14% safety and infection control, 7-13% health promotion and maintenance, 8-14% psychosocial integrity, 11-17% basic care and comfort, 9-15% pharmacological therapies, 10-16% reduction of risk potential, and 12-18% physiological adaptations. The client needs categories on the NCLEX-RN are safe and effective care environment (further broken down into management of care and safety and infection control), health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity (further broken down into basic care and comfort, pharmacological and parenteral therapies, reduction of risk potential, and physiological adaptations). Typical percentages of questions on the NCLEX-RN exam are as follows: 13-19% management of care, 8-14% safety and infection control, 6-12% health promotion and maintenance, 6-12% psychosocial integrity, 6-12% basic care and comfort, 13-19% pharmacological and parenteral therapies, 13-19% reduction of risk potential, and 11-17% physiological adaptations.