Can You Fail the NCLEX in 145 Questions?

The NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, is a test all nursing students must take to become licensed nurses. The test is notoriously difficult, and students often wonder if it’s possible to fail the NCLEX by answering the max 145 questions.

Can You Fail the NCLEX in 145 Questions?

The answer is yes—it’s possible to fail the NCLEX by answering only 145 questions. If a nursing student studies and puts in an effort, they will most likely pass since over 80% of NCLEX first-time test takers will pass the NCLEX.

How is the NCLEX Scored?

The NCLEX is a pass/fail exam. This means that there is no numerical score like there is on the SAT or ACT. So, how does the NCSBN determine if you pass or fail? They use something called “Computerized Adaptive Testing,” or CAT.

CAT works by giving you a series of questions. Each question has multiple answers, only one of which is correct. As you answer each question, the computer adjusts the difficulty of subsequent questions based on whether you got the previous question right or wrong.

If you answer a question correctly, the computer will give you a harder question next. If you answer a question incorrectly, the computer will give you an easier question next.

The idea behind this system is that it allows individuals to demonstrate their knowledge more accurately than if they were taking a traditional multiple-choice test with questions of varying difficulty all mixed together.

It’s important to note that there is no set number of questions on the NCLEX that a test taker may receive. Just know that it could be anywhere from 1 to 145.

Please note that to have a chance to pass the NCLEX, you need to take the minimum number of questions which is 75.

If a student runs out of time before getting to 75, it’s an automatic fail.

What to Do If You Fail the NCLEX?

First and foremost, don’t beat yourself up. It’s easy to do, but it will not help you pass the NCLEX on your next attempt.

Second, take some time to figure out what went wrong. Did you not study enough? Did you not understand the material? Are there certain areas you need to focus on? Once you have a good understanding of what went wrong, you can start to make a plan for how to fix it.

Third, get yourself a good study guide and stick to a study schedule. Many nursing students will find this NCLEX review program helpful.

Lastly, make sure you’re taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. This is a stressful time, and it’s important to stay healthy so you can be at your best when studying for the NCLEX.

Key Takeaways

The bottom line is this: even if you get 145 questions on the NCLEX, you still have a shot at passing. If you do fail, you have some options. Check out this article on what to do after failing the NCLEX.