NCLEX Scoring Explained

Passing the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a critical step for aspiring nurses, and understanding both the structure and scoring of the exam can help students find success.

How is the NCLEX Scored?

A common misconception is that passing the NCLEX is about achieving a specific percentage score, like many other academic exams. However, this is not true of the NCLEX.

The NCLEX is based on a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) system that determines whether a candidate's ability is above or below the "passing standard" rather than relying on a fixed percentage of correct answers.

NCLEX scoring uses a complex system designed to measure a candidate's ability to apply nursing knowledge in practical situations. The key difference between scoring on the NCLEX and most exams in nursing school is that the NCLEX does not have a fixed pass/fail percentage. 

Instead, this nursing exam adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on the candidate's performance to estimate their ability level and compares it to the established passing standard set by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing).

Because the NCLEX is administered through CAT, each candidate’s exam is unique. The test presents questions that are tailored to their ability level.

If a candidate answers a question correctly, the next question becomes more difficult; if they answer incorrectly, the next question will be easier.

This pattern continues throughout the exam, making the NCLEX an evaluation of competency rather than a test that can be “passed” by getting a set number of questions correct.

What is a Good NCLEX Score?

The NCLEX uses a logit scale for scoring, which evaluates a test-taker's skill in relation to the challenge level of the questions they have tackled. This method aims to ascertain if the test-taker's competency is at or beyond the threshold required for passing the NCLEX.

The passing threshold is defined as the least amount of skill an entry-level nurse needs to perform their duties safely and effectively. The NCSBN routinely reevaluates and modifies this benchmark, taking into consideration analyses of current practices and advice from experts.

A candidate is deemed to have passed the NCLEX if their estimated ability consistently surpasses the passing threshold. The exam will keep offering questions until the CAT system is 95% certain whether the test-taker's skill level is either above or below this threshold.

Why Percentages Don't Apply to NCLEX Scoring

Many nursing students are accustomed to traditional academic exams, where passing typically means scoring 80% or higher. However, NCLEX scoring is fundamentally different.

The focus of the NCLEX is not on how many questions you get correct but on showing competency in keeping clients safe.

Since the CAT adjusts based on the candidate’s performance, two candidates could answer the same number of questions correctly but have different outcomes because of the varying levels of question difficulty​.

In addition, the NCLEX uses different types of questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and clinical judgment scenarios, which are each scored differently. For example, some questions allow partial credit, while others are scored on an all-or-nothing basis.

The NCLEX also includes "test plan content areas," which ensures that candidates are assessed on a broad range of nursing knowledge​.

Archer Review’s Approach: 4 Highs or Very Highs

For students preparing for the NCLEX, resources like Archer Review help bridge the gap between traditional nursing exams and the unique challenges of the NCLEX.

Archer Review aims to prepare students for the format and content of the NCLEX and help them confidently exceed the passing standard.

Archer Review's strategy emphasizes consistent performance on readiness assessments. The goal for students is to achieve four consecutive “High” or “Very High” scores on their readiness assessments.

This approach ensures that students are not just prepared to exceed the NCLEX passing standard but consistently perform above it, giving them a solid foundation for success on test day.

Peer Comparisons in Readiness Assessments

Another important aspect of Archer Review’s methodology is peer benchmarking. In nursing school, students often focus on achieving a fixed percentage score (e.g., 80% or higher) to pass exams.

However, in preparation for the NCLEX, Archer Review encourages students to focus on outperforming their peers rather than aiming for a specific percentage.

Archer Review's readiness assessments provide percentile ranks, allowing students to see how their performance compares to others. This is crucial because it shifts the focus from raw scores to relative ability.

The aim is to be above the peer group average, which aligns more closely with how the NCLEX is scored—where a candidate’s ability is constantly being measured against a standard, not a percentage​.

Scoring and Stopping Rules in NCLEX

The NCLEX includes several stopping rules to determine when the exam has enough information to make a pass/fail decision:

1. 95% Confidence Interval Rule: The exam ends when the CAT system is 95% confident that the candidate’s ability is either above or below the passing standard​.
2. Maximum Length Exam: The exam can also end when a candidate answers the maximum number of questions. If the candidate’s ability is near the passing standard, the computer will make a decision based on the final estimate.
3. Run-Out-of-Time Rule: If the candidate runs out of time before answering 70 operational questions, the result will be a fail. If more than 70 questions are answered, the computer will evaluate whether the candidate's ability estimate is above the passing standard at the last completed question​.

Focus on Competence, Not Percentages

Because of the differences in scoring, the NCLEX is not an exam that can be approached like a typical nursing school test.

Success is not about reaching a particular percentage but about demonstrating the ability to consistently answer questions at or above the passing standard. This makes the NCLEX a true measure of whether a candidate is ready to practice nursing safely and effectively.

Archer Review’s emphasis on achieving four consecutive “High” or “Very High” readiness assessment scores aligns with the NCLEX’s scoring philosophy.

By aiming to consistently outperform their peers and focusing on ability rather than percentage, Archer Review students are well-prepared to face the adaptive nature of the NCLEX and pass with confidence.