1.1 About the NLN NEX Mathematics Section
Key Takeaways
- The NLN NEX Mathematics section has 45 multiple-choice items (40 scored + 5 unscored pretest), 60 minutes, four answer choices per item, and no penalty for guessing — unanswered items are scored as incorrect.
- Four content areas: Numbers and Operations 30%, Measurement 35%, Algebra 17.5%, Data and Information 17.5%; content is drawn from material typically taught from Grade 8 through Grade 10 Algebra I.
- About 63% of items are problem-solving/word problems and about 38% are direct computation, so reading the question carefully is as important as the arithmetic.
- There is no fixed national passing score — raw scores are reported as percentile ranks against two national reference groups (RN and LPN/VN), and each nursing program sets its own admission cut score.
- A calculator is permitted throughout the section; the full NEX costs roughly $59 on-campus and $80 virtually proctored (2026), with optional NEX Prep Math materials (~$38 for 90-day access).
What Is the NLN NEX?
Quick Answer: The NLN NEX (National League for Nursing Nursing Entrance Exam) is a single, computer-based, proctored entrance exam used by nursing programs as part of admissions. Its Mathematics section has 45 multiple-choice items (40 scored + 5 unscored pretest), 60 minutes, a calculator permitted throughout, and four content areas weighted Numbers and Operations 30%, Measurement 35%, Algebra 17.5%, Data and Information 17.5%.
The NLN NEX is the entrance exam administered by the National League for Nursing and used by nursing programs across the United States as part of their admissions process. The NEX is a battery of three subject tests — Verbal, Mathematics, and Science — administered in a single proctored session. Per the NLN, all three tests must be completed to produce a score report, so you cannot sit for Mathematics alone. This study guide focuses exclusively on the Mathematics section.
The exam is computer-based and proctored. You can take it either on-campus at a participating nursing program/testing center or online virtually proctored (Proctor360) from your own computer. Either delivery is equivalent in content and scoring; the difference is convenience and cost.
Exam Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of items | 45 multiple-choice items (40 scored + 5 unscored pretest) |
| Time limit | 60 minutes |
| Answer choices per item | 4 |
| Guessing penalty | None — unanswered items are scored as incorrect |
| Calculator | Permitted throughout the section |
| Delivery | Computer-based, proctored (on-campus or virtual via Proctor360) |
| Content level | Material typically taught from Grade 8 through Grade 10 Algebra I |
| Item style | ~63% problem-solving / word problems, ~38% direct computation |
The Four Content Areas
The Mathematics section is built from four official content areas. The weights below are the official NLN weights — use them to prioritize your study time.
| Content Area | Weight | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers and Operations | 30% | Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, integers, rational numbers, absolute value, ordering, operations |
| Measurement | 35% | Units and unit conversions (metric and household), time, temperature, length, weight/mass, volume; dosage-style applied measurement problems |
| Algebra | 17.5% | Expressions, one-variable equations and inequalities, proportions, ratios, simplifying expressions, solving for an unknown |
| Data and Information | 17.5% | Computing and comparing mean, median, and mode(s); using summary statistics to compare two or more data sets; interpreting data plots and tabular information for meaning, patterns, relationships, and trends |
Measurement is the largest single area (35%), so unit conversions and applied measurement problems deserve the most attention in your study plan.
What's Actually on the Test
The NLN states that NEX math content is drawn from material typically taught from Grade 8 through Grade 10 Algebra I — arithmetic through introductory algebra. You will not see calculus, trigonometry, or geometry proofs. What you will see:
- Computation items (~38%) — direct arithmetic or algebra: simplify an expression, solve an equation, convert a unit, compute a percent.
- Problem-solving / word problems (~63%) — a short scenario (often a clinical or everyday context) followed by a calculation. These test whether you can extract the relevant numbers, pick the right operation, set up the problem, and compute. Reading comprehension matters as much as math.
Because nearly two-thirds of the section is word problems, read every item carefully. A common error is performing the right arithmetic on the wrong numbers because the stem was misread.
Scoring: No National Passing Score
The NLN NEX Mathematics section does not have a fixed national passing score. Your raw score (the number of scored items you answer correctly, 0–40) is reported as a percentile rank. A percentile rank of 70, for example, means you scored as well as or better than 70% of the reference group.
Since November 1, 2025, the NLN score report uses two national reference groups — RN applicants and LPN/VN applicants — because the two populations perform differently. RN applicants score higher as a group, so the same raw score yields a lower percentile in the RN group. Know which group your program uses before you set a target.
| To reach the 50th percentile in Math | Percent correct needed |
|---|---|
| LPN/VN reference group | 55.0% |
| RN reference group | 72.5% |
Those figures come from the NLN's 2024 operational norming data. On 40 scored items, 55.0% is 22 correct and 72.5% is 29 correct — a seven-item gap for the same percentile.
Each nursing program sets its own admission cut score. Some programs require a specific percentile (e.g., 60th or 70th); others combine NEX math with the verbal and science percentiles, GPA, and other admissions criteria. Check the cut score required by every program you are applying to before you test, so you know your target.
A note on the composite: on the retired PAX (the exam the NEX replaced), the composite ran 0–200 and was a sum of raw section scores with Mathematics weighted at 1.5. The NEX dropped that weighting. The NEX composite runs 0–300 and is simply the sum of the three subject percentile ranks, weighted equally — for example, percentile ranks of 55 (Verbal), 42 (Math), and 76 (Science) give a composite of 55 + 42 + 76 = 173. Do not apply a 1.5 math multiplier to a NEX score.
Calculator Policy
A calculator is permitted throughout the Mathematics section. Depending on delivery, this is either an on-screen calculator in the testing platform or a calculator function provided through the proctoring environment. You should still know how to do the underlying arithmetic — the calculator speeds you up, but it does not decide which operation to use.
Cost (2026)
| Delivery / Option | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Full NEX, on-campus | ~$59 |
| Full NEX, virtually proctored (Proctor360) | $80.00 |
| NEX Prep Math study materials (optional) | ~$38 for 90-day access |
Figures are from the NLN Assessment Services pricing sheet effective March 1, 2026. Proctor360 adds a $30 on-demand fee if you schedule inside 48 hours and a $30 rescheduling fee inside 24 hours, and the NLN has a no-refund policy. The optional NEX Prep Math materials are a 90-day online practice resource sold by NLN; they are not required and are separate from your exam registration fee. Many students use a third-party study guide (like this one) plus official practice items instead.
Official Resources
- NLN NEX overview and registration — the National League for Nursing's official NEX page is the source of truth for current fees, delivery options, and scheduling.
- Your nursing program's admissions page — for the specific NEX percentile cut score that program requires.
Verify fees and policies close to your test date. Exam pricing and delivery options change periodically; this guide reflects 2026 published information.
How many multiple-choice items are on the NLN NEX Mathematics section, and how many are scored?
Which statement about NLN NEX Mathematics scoring is correct?