FoxExams
USA
National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
600 questions
Session complete
Keep going in the FoxExams app for adaptive practice, mocks, and Ask Fox.
See you tomorrow
About this exam
The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) is the U.S. licensure exam for candidates seeking to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs), called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some states. It assesses whether an entry-level nurse can provide safe, effective care; it is not a college entrance exam. Candidates generally apply through a state board of nursing and must meet that board’s education and eligibility requirements before receiving authorization to test.
NCLEX-PN questions assess clinical judgment and nursing knowledge across areas such as coordinated care, safety and infection prevention, health promotion across the lifespan, psychosocial integrity, and physiological needs. The computer-adaptive exam can include different question formats, including next-generation case studies, and its length and stopping point depend on the exam’s rules and the candidate’s performance. Prepare by applying concepts to patient-care situations, not just memorizing facts; review the current official test plan because exam details can change.
How to prepare for the NCLEX-PN
- Use the current NCLEX-PN test plan to organize review across safety and infection control, care coordination, health promotion, and physiological care. Track weaker topics and revisit them with focused study.
- Practice applying nursing priorities to patient scenarios: identify immediate risks, choose safe actions, and consider what to assess or report first. Review the reasoning behind each answer, including why alternatives are less appropriate.
- Build timed study sessions that include mixed question formats and case-based items. Check the NCSBN test plan and your state board of nursing’s official guidance for current exam and eligibility information.
FAQ
Who is eligible to take the NCLEX-PN?
The NCLEX-PN is for candidates seeking practical or vocational nursing licensure. You generally need to complete an approved nursing education program and meet your state board of nursing’s requirements. The board determines eligibility and authorizes testing.
What is the format of the NCLEX-PN?
The NCLEX-PN is a computer-adaptive exam, so question selection and the stopping point are based on your responses and the exam’s decision rules. It uses multiple question formats, including case-based items. Check NCSBN’s current exam information for the applicable structure.
What subjects are on the NCLEX-PN?
The exam covers safe and effective care, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Topics include care coordination, infection prevention, lifespan health needs, basic care, medication and other therapies, and changes in a patient’s condition.