NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Really Says
If you are preparing for the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses), one of your first questions is probably: What are my chances of passing?
The good news: the NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate is approximately 87% -- 86.6% for U.S.-educated candidates in 2025 and 88.4% in 2024, per NCSBN annual examination statistics -- making it one of the more passable licensure exams in healthcare. However, that still means about 13% of first-time U.S.-educated test-takers fail. And if you have to retake it, your odds drop dramatically to around 42%.
This guide breaks down the latest NCSBN pass rate data, explains how the Computer Adaptive Testing algorithm decides your fate, identifies factors that influence pass rates, and gives you a concrete strategy to land in the passing majority on your first attempt.
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Current NCLEX-PN Pass Rate Data
The NCSBN publishes official pass rate data quarterly and a final annual statistics brief each year. Here are the recent trends for NCLEX-PN candidates:
| Year | First-Time (US) | Repeat (US) | All Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 86.6% | 41.7% | 77.3% |
| 2024 | 88.4% | 41.9% | 79.1% |
| 2023 | 86.7% | 42.8% | 74.5% |
Source: NCSBN 2023, 2024, and 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (final annual briefs).
What the Trend Shows
The NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate rose after the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) launched on April 1, 2023, from about 80% in 2022 to 86.7% in 2023 and 88.4% in 2024, then eased to 86.6% in 2025. NCSBN did not lower the passing standard -- it was reviewed and kept at -0.18 logits. Two things have stayed constant:
- The passing standard -- NCSBN reevaluates it every three years; the PN standard has been -0.18 logits since March 25, 2020 and was retained in April 2023 and April 2026.
- Blueprint stability -- The 2026 NCLEX-PN test plan (effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029) keeps the same Client Needs categories and percentage weights, with refined activity statements and a new activity statement on unbiased treatment and equal access to care.
The Repeat Candidate Problem
The gap between first-time and repeat pass rates is stark. Here is the 2025 NCSBN breakdown by candidate type:
| Candidate Type | 2025 Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| First-time (US-educated) | 86.6% |
| First-time (internationally educated) | 53.7% |
| Repeat (US-educated) | 41.7% |
| Repeat (internationally educated) | 27.6% |
| All candidates | 77.3% |
The data is unambiguous: your best chance of passing is your first attempt. Repeat candidates struggle because the same knowledge gaps that caused the initial failure tend to persist unless candidates fundamentally change their study approach.
State-by-State Pass Rate Variations
NCLEX-PN pass rates vary by state. These are 2025 first-time, U.S.-educated rates for a sample of states from NCSBN's 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (Table 14).
| State | Candidates | First-Time Pass Rate (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 1,069 | 94.4% |
| Texas | 4,244 | 91.9% |
| Massachusetts | 693 | 90.2% |
| Georgia | 975 | 89.1% |
| Connecticut | 489 | 86.3% |
| Minnesota | 778 | 86.1% |
| New Hampshire | 223 | 86.1% |
| New York | 2,353 | 83.4% |
| California | 9,136 | 80.9% |
| Florida | 3,755 | 78.6% |
| National | 54,818 | 86.6% |
Rates change from year to year, and small candidate pools swing more. If you are choosing a practical nursing program, ask for its NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate and check your state board's published data.
How Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) Determines Your Result
Understanding how the NCLEX-PN scoring algorithm works can reduce test-day anxiety and help you strategize effectively.
The CAT Process Step-by-Step
- A relatively easy start -- NCSBN says everyone first receives an item with a relatively low difficulty level
- Every answer updates your estimate -- After each item, the computer re-estimates your ability from all your previous answers and the difficulty of those items
- Items match your estimate -- The next item is chosen to be challenging for you; it is not a simple one-step-harder, one-step-easier ladder
- Precision builds -- With each answer, the ability estimate becomes more precise
- Decision made -- Most exams stop when the algorithm is 95% confident in its pass/fail determination; the rest end under the maximum-length or run-out-of-time rule
The Three Ways the Exam Ends
| Ending Rule | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 95% Confidence Rule | Algorithm is 95% confident you are above or below the passing standard -- exam stops (85-150 questions) |
| Maximum Questions | You have answered 150 questions -- algorithm makes its best determination |
| Time Limit | 5 hours elapse -- fewer than 85 items answered is a fail; otherwise the final ability estimate from all responses decides |
What Question Count Means (and Does Not Mean)
A common myth is that fewer questions means you passed. The truth:
- Stopping at 85 questions could mean a clear pass OR a clear fail
- Getting close to the 150-question maximum means your performance was near the passing standard (either direction)
- The only thing that matters is whether your final competency estimate is above or below the passing standard
Do not try to count questions during the exam. Focus on each question individually.
NGN Impact on Pass Rates
The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) launched on April 1, 2023 and is now the standard format for both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Here is what actually changed and how it affects scoring:
- NGN clinical judgment items ARE scored -- 18 items across three 6-item case studies count toward your pass/fail result, and they are included in the 85-item minimum
- Partial-credit scoring on case-study and multiple-response items gives credit for partially correct answers
- NCSBN's six new NGN item types are highlighting, cloze (drop-down), matrix/grid, extended multiple response, trend, and extended drag and drop (including the bowtie)
- The 2026 NCLEX-PN test plan (effective April 1, 2026) keeps the same structure with refined activity statements and a new activity statement on unbiased treatment and equal access to care
- 15 unscored pretest items are included in every exam, including the 85-item minimum
Bottom line: Practice NGN item types -- they are scored, and the clinical judgment skills they test are what practical nursing is all about.
Why Candidates Fail the NCLEX-PN
Common patterns among candidates who fail include:
Top Reasons for Failure
- Insufficient practice questions -- Too few NCLEX-style questions leaves you unpracticed at applying knowledge
- Content gaps in Pharmacological Therapies -- Drug calculations, adverse effects, and medication safety are common weak spots
- Scope of practice confusion -- Failing to recognize what LPNs can and cannot do independently
- Poor pacing -- The five hours include all breaks; few candidates use the full time (0.7% of first-time U.S.-educated candidates in 2025), but stalling on hard items still adds pressure
- Test anxiety overriding knowledge -- Knowing the content but freezing under pressure
- Studying content without doing questions -- Reading textbooks without applying knowledge to NCLEX-style questions
Content Areas That Need Extra Practice
| Content Area | Exam Weight | Why It Is Hard |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacological Therapies | 10-16% | Drug calculations, 1000+ medications |
| Reduction of Risk Potential | 9-15% | Lab values, vital signs interpretation |
| Coordinated Care | 18-24% | Delegation rules, priority setting |
| Physiological Adaptation | 7-13% | Complex pathophysiology |
| Safety and Infection Prevention and Control | 10-16% | Procedure-heavy, detail-oriented |
Proven Strategies to Pass the NCLEX-PN First Time
Here is a practical plan for passing on your first attempt:
1. Answer 2,000+ Practice Questions
Working through a large bank of practice questions, with rationales, builds the application skills the exam tests. Aim for at least 2,000 questions across all content areas, reviewing rationales for both correct and incorrect answers.
Start FREE NCLEX-PN Practice Questions -- Our platform offers hundreds of free practice questions with AI-powered explanations.
2. Use the 60/40 Study Rule
Spend 60% of your study time on practice questions and 40% on content review. A common trap is the reverse: spending most of your time reading and too little applying knowledge.
3. Master Delegation and Prioritization
Coordinated Care (18-24%) is the largest content area. Know these rules cold:
- LPNs assign routine tasks to UAPs (unlicensed assistive personnel); whether an LPN may delegate depends on the state
- LPNs cannot delegate nursing judgment tasks
- When in doubt, "notify the RN" is often correct
- ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) always come first in priority questions
4. Build a Drug Calculation Foundation
Pharmacological Therapies trips up many candidates. Practice dosage calculations daily:
- Desired/Have x Vehicle = Amount to give
- Weight-based calculations (mg/kg)
- IV drip rate calculations
- Pediatric dose verification
5. Practice NGN Item Types
NGN items are scored, so practicing them builds the clinical judgment skills tested throughout the exam:
- Extended drag-and-drop
- Matrix/grid items
- Cloze (drop-down) completion
- Highlight text items
- Bowtie and unfolding case studies
6. Take Full-Length Practice Exams
At least 2-3 times before test day, sit down and answer 85-150 questions in a single session to build stamina and simulate the CAT experience.
7. Use AI Tutoring for Weak Areas
When you miss a question, do not just read the rationale -- ask our FREE AI tutor to explain the concept in depth. AI tutoring is available on every practice question and topic page.
What to Do If You Have Already Failed
If you are a repeat candidate facing the ~42% pass rate, here is how to improve your odds:
- Get your Candidate Performance Report (CPR) -- your nursing regulatory body sends this after a failed attempt, showing your performance in each content area
- Identify your weakest areas -- Focus 70% of your study time on "Below Passing Standard" areas
- Change your study method -- If you used a textbook last time, switch to question-based learning. If you studied alone, join a study group
- Extend your timeline -- Give yourself at least 6-8 weeks before retaking
- Use adaptive learning tools -- AI-powered platforms that focus on your weak areas are more efficient than re-studying everything equally
Pass the NCLEX-PN on Your First Attempt
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- Hundreds of NCLEX-style practice questions with detailed rationales
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- All 8 content areas covered with clinical judgment focus
- Progress tracking to identify and target weak areas
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