NCLEX PN Practice Test

The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) is an exam designed for entry-level practical nurses and vocational nurses (LPN or VN).

The NCLEX-PN is used by state and territorial members of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) as a means of ensuring entry-level practical nurses meet set requirements for nursing licensure, including competencies related to safe and effective nursing practices. In order to determine eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-PN, you must first contact your state’s nursing board.

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About the NCLEX-PN

The NCLEX-PN is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), which means each question you answer correctly determines the difficulty of the next question, as well as the overall number of questions you will answer. For this reason, there are anywhere between 75 and 145 questions on the NCLEX-PN. There are 15 pretest questions embedded in the total number of questions.

Pretest questions are used to determine the usefulness of such items in future iterations of the exam, which means they are not scored. However, you will not be able to tell the difference between scored questions and unscored pretest questions, so do the best you can on each consecutive question.

Questions will cease once it is determined with 95 percent accuracy that you have answered enough questions correctly or incorrectly to fall above or below the standard for passing the exam. The standard for passing the NCLEX-PN is variable and changes every three years. You must perform above the passing standard on the test in order to pass.

Exam Outline Review

In terms of content and structure, the NCLEX-PN covers several content areas, each with specific weights. Below are the content areas, potential topics, and specific weight ranges per section (which are dependent on the number of questions you end up completing).

Effective and Safe Care Environment: 18%-24%

• Coordinated care
  • Including, but not limited to: advance directives, advocacy, clients’ rights, assignments, referrals, etc.

Infection Control and Safety: 10%-16%

• Including, but not limited to accident and injury prevention, hazardous/infectious materials, safety, etc.

Health Promotion and Maintenance: 6%-12%

• Including but not limited to aging, data collection, developmental stages, self-care, etc.

Integrity, Psychosocial: 9%-15%

• Including but not limited to abuse, neglect, coping mechanisms, support systems, etc.

Integrity, Physiological

• • Basic care, comfort: 7%-13%
    • Including but not limited to assistive devices, mobility, nutrition, hygiene, etc.
  • Pharmacological therapies: 10%-16%
    • Including but not limited to adverse effects, contraindications, dosing, pain management, etc.
  • Risk potential reduction: 9%-15%
    • Including but not limited to vital signs, diagnostic tests, laboratory tests and values, therapeutic procedures, etc.

• Physiological adaptation: 7%-13%
  • Including but not limited to body systems changes, medical emergencies, fluids, electrolyte imbalances, etc.

How the NCLEX-PN is Scored

The NCLEX-PN is scored using a rather unique system. Rather than receiving a point value that reflects either the number of correct answers or the average difficulty level of questions you answered, the score here will be measured in “logits.”

Because the NCLEX-PN exam is computer-adaptive, NCSBN uses a logit🛈 A logit is a unit of measurement that NCSBN uses to report relative differences between test-taker ability estimates and item difficulties. scoring system to determine whether a test-taker passes or fails. In essence, if you receive a logit score of -0.18 or higher, you have answered enough questions correctly and have passed the exam. If you receive a logit score that is lower than -0.18, you have not answered enough questions correctly and have failed the exam.

This logit is being continuously adjusted based on each question you answer which is why there is such a wide range in the number of questions you’ll have to answer on the test. If you reach the minimum 75 questions and the computer program is able to determine with 95% accuracy that you have either passed or failed, the test will end there.

If it is not 95% certain of your results, you will continue to see questions until it is certain or until you reach the maximum of 145 questions. If you reach the maximum, it will do a final assessment to determine if you have met the passing standard.

This might all sound a little complicated but, basically: the better you do, the fewer questions you have to answer. But even if you end up having to answer 145 questions, you might still pass the exam.

If you have met the passing standard, you will simply be informed that you passed the exam. You will only see a detailed report of how you performed on each section of the test if you failed.

Computer-Adaptive Testing

The NCLEX-PN is computer-adaptive, meaning that the test monitors your responses and adapts the questions to match your abilities. Here’s a look at how it works:

Essentially, if you answer a question correctly, you get a more difficult question, but if you are incorrect, you are given an easier question to answer.

How to Study for the NCLEX-PN Exam

How to Study Effectively

Your success on NCLEX test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking NCLEX-PN practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a free NCLEX-PN exam practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:

• The questions you got wrong
• The ones you had to guess on, even if you guessed right
• The ones you found difficult or slow to work through

This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.

Answer Explanations

Additionally, many NCLEX-PN practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.

Comprehend Each Topic

As you go along, keep in mind that the NCLEX-PN practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.

Strategy for NCLEX-PN Practice

When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:

• Keep Practicing. Keep taking practice tests on a regular basis until you run out of practice tests or it’s time for the actual test. Your mind will be ready for the schedule and stress of test day, and you’ll be able to focus on recalling the material you’ve learned.

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NCLEX-PN Online Prep Course

If you are wanting to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online NCLEX prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The NCLEX-PN course includes:

• 109 Lessons Covering all the Topics
• Over 1,150 NCLEX Practice Questions
• 80+ Video Tutorials
• More Than 600 Electronic Flashcards
• Money-back Guarantee
• and More!

The NCLEX online prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their NCLEX exam. Click below to check it out!

How to Pass the NCLEX-PN

At this point, you should have a better understanding of the content and structure of the NCLEX-PN. You are undoubtedly ready to begin the process of preparing for the exam. You can help yourself on exam day by getting enough rest, eating properly, and managing your stress. But, the best way to ensure you do well on the NCLEX-PN is to thoroughly prepare.

Mometrix Test Preparation has the test preparation materials you need in the NCLEX Secrets study guide, which gives you real NCLEX-PN content, including expert tips aimed at helping you reduce stress, recall information, and ensure high performance.

In addition to the NCLEX Secrets study guide, Mometrix Test Preparation also offers a comprehensive NCLEX-RN Practice Test, NCLEX Flashcards, and an online NCLEX-PN course!

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By Kate Nockunas

Kate has been Mometrix’s Nursing and Medical Editor for over four years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Vanderbilt University, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Marymount University, and a master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins. Kate is a critical care registered nurse who still works occasionally in the ICU and PACU.

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