How to Prepare for the NCLEX

Written by: University of Tulsa • Feb 19, 2026

Students in scrubs taking an exam together.webp

Considering the crucial role that nurses play in the health care system, it is important not only that they receive the right training and education but also that they can test their nursing knowledge and skills before they begin to practice.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the premier licensure exam for nurses. Although nursing qualifications vary by state, all nurses nationwide are required to pass the NCLEX to qualify for a nursing license.

If you plan to pursue licensure as a registered nurse (RN), you should know how to prepare for the NCLEX and what the test covers. Here we’ll provide some background information about the NCLEX, including the exam’s subjects and some strategies to use when studying. Laying the foundation for passing the NCLEX starts with pursuing the right education, such as earning an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree from The University of Tulsa.

What Is the NCLEX?

The NCLEX is used to determine whether nursing school graduates have the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to practice as nurses in a health care environment. There are two versions of the NCLEX. The first is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The second is the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Students must have the required education from an accredited institution to qualify for the NCLEX. Those who wish to take the NCLEX-RN must have graduated from an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The accrediting bodies are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). To take the NCLEX-PN, candidates must have completed at least a practical diploma in nursing.

In 2023, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) launched the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN). This update is more comprehensive in how it tests and assesses nurses, including their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

As of 2025, the NGN introduced new question types, including case studies, matrix grid questions, bowtie diagram questions, and extended multiple-response questions. Furthermore, the 2025 NGN requires aspiring nurses to make complex clinical judgments through cue recognition, action prioritization, appropriate responses, and outcome evaluations.

What Does the NCLEX Cover?

The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN both cover an array of clinical skills and subjects that nurses need to have mastered to practice in their respective capacities. Exams are divided into categories focused on safe care, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity.

Every three years, NCSBN conducts practice analyses, which serve as the basis for the NCLEX test plans. These analyses are designed to ensure that the content distribution on the NCLEX is valid, compared with real-world nursing roles.

NCLEX-RN Test Plan

The NCLEX-RN is administered using computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which means the test adapts to the test taker in real time. Candidates answer a minimum of 85 items and a maximum of 150 items in the five hours allotted to take the exam. Using the 95% confidence interval rule, the test will stop administering questions when it’s 95% sure that the candidate is clearly below or above the passing standard.

The following are the client needs categories that the NCLEX-RN covers, along with their corresponding item percentages:

Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care: 15% to 21%
- Safety and Infection Control: 10% to 16%
Health Promotion and Maintenance: 6% to 12%
Psychosocial Integrity: 6% to 12%
Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort: 6% to 12%
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies: 13% to 19%
- Reduction of Risk Potential: 9% to 15%
- Physiological Adaptation: 11% to 17%

NCLEX-PN Test Plan

The NCLEX-PN also uses CAT and follows the 95% confidence interval rule. NCLEX-PN candidates also answer a minimum of 85 items and a maximum of 150 in the allotted five-hour period.

What differentiates the NCLEX-PN from the NCLEX-RN is the distribution of the exam content. The following are the client needs categories that the NCLEX-PN covers, along with their corresponding item percentages:

Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Coordinated Care: 18% to 24%
- Safety and Infection Control: 10% to 16%
Health Promotion and Maintenance: 6% to 12%
Psychosocial Integrity: 9% to 15%
Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort: 7% to 13%
- Pharmacological Therapies: 10% to 16%
- Reduction of Risk Potential: 9% to 15%
- Physiological Adaptation: 7% to 13%

How to Prepare for the NCLEX: Tips and Strategies

Both versions of the NCLEX are challenging and require extensive preparation. Many professional nursing organizations recommend studying for several weeks or more to ensure maximum retention. If you’re wondering how to prepare for the NCLEX, consider the strategies below.

1. Use Test Samples and Exam Previews

You should take advantage of NCSBN’s many resources, including sample packs that reflect the type of items that appear on the exam. Additionally, NCSBN provides exam previews; candidate tutorials; and further resources about the test, its format, and how to register.

2. Consider Prep Courses and Bootcamps

You may also want to consider NCLEX prep courses and bootcamps. Typically, these courses require a fee to join and move at an accelerated pace. The advantage is that reputable bootcamps accurately simulate the NCLEX test-taking environment and content, providing effective preparation. Some nursing programs offer bootcamps, prep courses, or both.

3. Participate In or Form Study Groups

You may also benefit from forming an NCLEX study group by reaching out to nursing school classmates or by organizing a group online. Groups can review the NCLEX prep book and study aids together and participate in testing exercises that help with knowledge retention.

4. Find Online Lectures, Podcasts, and NCLEX Resources

You can also access a wealth of YouTube lectures, podcasts, and interactive content online. The only caveat is to be careful about the age and authenticity of these sources. The NCLEX is reevaluated and updated every few years to keep up with advancements in nursing technology and other changes, so you should only reference recent materials when possible.

Bonus Tips for NCLEX Test-Taking Day

Consider the following points, especially when struggling to determine the correct answers or responses:

Patient safety should be the top priority, as this is central to effective nursing practice.
Assessment is generally the first step in safe, effective patient care.
It’s usually best to choose a course that involves taking some sort of action.
If possible, avoid delaying necessary treatments. Promptness is important for patient safety.
Consider starting by eliminating any responses that are obviously incorrect to narrow down the available choices.
Try not to spend much longer than one minute per question.

Begin Your Journey to Becoming a Nurse

Preparing for the NCLEX is a significant step in the journey to becoming a nurse. Considering the challenging nature of the test and how it’s administered, you should decide which preparation method will work best with your learning style.

TU’s online ABSN program is designed for working professionals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Rather than starting from scratch, the ABSN program allows you to quickly prepare to pivot to a nursing career in as little as two years.

Before taking the test, however, you’ll need the right education and training. If you want to learn about performing health assessments, administering treatment plans, and putting the Theory of Human Caring into practice, explore nursing programs that adequately prepare you for the challenges of a nursing career.

Graduates of TU’s ABSN program consistently have pass rates above state and national averages. In 2024, 100% TU graduates passed the NCLEX.

Learn more about the ABSN program today to find out how it can prepare you to pass the NCLEX and support your professional goals of a career in health care.

Recommended Readings

Everything You Need to Know About the Oklahoma Board of Nursing

NCLEX Tips for ABSN Graduates

Why Dr. Tamara Hryshchuk Chose Nursing, and How She Inspires Her Students

Sources:

American Nurses Association, Tips for Passing the NCLEX Exam

GoodNurse, “NCLEX vs. NGN (2025): What’s the Difference Between the Two Nursing Exams?”

Kaplan, NCLEX Study Plan: One Month

National Council of State Boards of Nursing

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, About the NCLEX

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Frequently Asked Questions

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Effective April 2023