Should I Take the NCLEX Again? – Kaplan Test Prep (2024)

Some people may never have to consider retaking the NCLEX, but it’s a certainty that others will. The most important advice we can give to repeat test takers is: Don’t despair. There is hope. We can get you through the NCLEX-RN® exam.
RELATED:See what Kaplan educators are doing to help students achieve success when retaking the NCLEX.

How to Interpret Unsuccessful Test Results

Most unsuccessful candidates on the NCLEX-RN® exam will usually say, “I almost passed.” Some of you did almost pass, and some of you weren’t very close. If you fail the exam, you will receive a diagnostic profile from NCSBN. In this profile, you will be told how many questions you answered on the exam. The more questions you answered, the closer you came to passing. The only way you will continue to get questions after you answer the first 75 is if you are answering questions close to the level of difficulty needed to pass the exam. If you are answering questions far above the level needed to pass or far below the level needed to pass, your exam will end at 75 questions.

The image to the rightshows a representation of what happens when a candidate fails in 75 questions. This student does not come close to passing. In 75 questions, this student demonstrates an inability to consistently answer questions correctly at or above the level of difficulty needed to pass the exam. This usually indicates a lack of nursing knowledge, considerable difficulties with taking a standardized test, or a deficiency in critical thinking skills.


Should I Take the NCLEX Again? – Kaplan Test Prep (1)



The image to the leftshows what happens when a candidate takes all 265 questions and fails. This candidate “almost passed.” The candidate answers question 264 and the computer does not make a determination when it selects the last question. If the last question is below the level of difficulty needed to pass, the candidate fails.
If the last question is above the level of difficulty needed to pass, the candidate passes. If you took a test longer than 75 questions and failed, you were probably familiar with most of the content you saw on the exam but you may have difficulty using critical thinking skills or taking standardized tests.


The information contained on the diagnostic profile helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses on this particular NCLEX-RN® exam. This knowledge will help you identify where to concentrate your study when you prepare to retake the NCLEX-RN® exam.

Should You Test Again?

Absolutely! You completed your nursing education to become an RN. The initial response of many unsuccessful candidates is to declare, “I’m never going back! That was the worst experience of my life! What do I do now?”
When you first received your results, you went through a period of grieving—the same stages that you learned about in nursing school. Three to four weeks later, you find that you want to begin preparing to retake the NCLEX-RN® exam.

How Should You Begin?

You should prepare in a different way this time. Whatever you did to prepare last time didn’t work well enough. The most common mistake that candidates who failed make is to assume that they did not study hard enough or learn enough content. For some of you, that’s true. But for the majority of you, memorizing more content does not mean more right answers. It could simply mean more frustration for you.
The first step in preparing for your next exam is to make a commitment that you will test again. Decide when you want to schedule your test and allow yourself enough time to pre- pare. Mark this test date on your calendar. You can do all of this before you send in your fees and receive your authorization to test. Remember, you cannot retake the NCLEX-RN® exam for 45 to 90 days, depending on your state board of nursing, so you may as well use this time wisely.
The next step is to figure out why you failed the NCLEX-RN® exam. Check off any reasons that pertain to you:

  • I didn’t know the nursing content.
  • I memorized facts without understanding the principles of client care.
  • I had unrealistic expectations about the NCLEX-RN® exam test questions.
  • I had difficulty correctly identifying the RewordedQuestion.
  • I had difficulty staying focused on theRewordedQuestion.
  • I found myself predicting answer choices.
  • I did not carefully consider each answer choice.
  • I am not good at choosing answers that require me to establish priorities of care.
  • I answered questions based on my real-world experiences.
  • I did not cope well with the computer-adaptive test experience.
  • I thought I would complete the exam in 75 questions.
  • When I got to question 200, I totally lost my concentration and just answered questions to get through the rest of the exam.

After determining why you failed, the next step is to establish a plan of action for your next test. Remember, you should prepare differently this time. Consider the following when setting up your new plan of study.

  • You’ve seen the test.

    You may wish that you didn’t have to walk back into the testing center again, but if you want to be a registered professional nurse, you must go back. This time you have an advantage over the first-time test taker: you’ve seen the test! You know exactly what you are preparing for, and there are no unknowns. The computer will remember what questions you took before, and you will not be given any of the same questions. However, the content of the question, the style of the question, and the kinds of answer choices will not change. You will not be surprised this time.

  • Study both content and test questions.

    By the time you retest, you will be out of nursing school for 6 months or longer. Remember that old saying, “What you are not learning, you are forgetting”? Because this is a content-based test about safe and effective nursing care, you must remember all you can about nursing theory in order to select correct answers. You must study content that is integrated and organized like the NCLEX-RN®exam.
    You must also master exam-style test questions. It is essential that you be able to correctly identify what each question is asking. You willnotpredict answers. You willthinkabout each and every answer choice to decide if it answers the reworded question. In order to master test questions, you must practice answering them. We recommend that you answer hundreds of exam-style test questions, especially at the application level of difficulty.

  • Know all of the words and their meanings.

    Some students who have to learn a great deal of material in a short period of time have trouble learning the extensive vocabulary of the discipline. For example, difficulty with terminology is a problem for many good students who study history. They enjoy the conceptsbut find it hard to memorize all of the names and dates to allow them to do well on history tests. If you have trouble memorizing terms, you may find it useful to review a list of the terminology that you must know to pass the NCLEX-RN®exam. There is a list of those words at the end of this book.

  • Practice test-taking strategies.

    There is no substitute for mastering the nursing content. This knowledge, combined with test-taking strategies, will help you to select a greater number of correct answers. For many students, the strategies mean the difference between a passing test and a failing test. Using strategies effectively can also determine whether you take a short test (75 questions) or a longer test (up to 265 questions).



Optimize your next testing experience

Choose a familiar testing site.

Select the time of day that you test your best. (Are you a morning person or an afternoon person?)

Accept the earplugs when offered.

Take a snack and a drink for your break.

Take a break if you become distracted or fatigued during the test.

Contact the proctors at the test site if something bothers you during the test.

Plan on testing for six hours. Then, if you get out early, it’s a pleasant surprise.

Say to yourself every day, “I will pass the NCLEX-RN®exam.”


Should I Take the NCLEX Again? – Kaplan Test Prep (2024)

FAQs

Is Kaplan NCLEX prep harder than NCLEX? ›

However, the Kaplan CAT is generally considered to be more difficult than the NCLEX. This is because the Kaplan CAT covers a wider range of topics and has more challenging questions than the NCLEX. Therefore, if you are looking to prepare for the NCLEX, you may want to consider taking the Kaplan CAT first.

Is Kaplan enough for NCLEX? ›

Are Kaplan practice tests harder than the NCLEX? The majority of students who have taken the Kaplan NCLEX have reported the practice tests being much harder and a bit different than the NCLEX. That said, the overall consensus is that they felt prepared for the NCLEX after Kaplan courses.

What percentage should you get on Kaplan to pass NCLEX? ›

Kaplan Conversion Chart NCLEX-RN
Kaplan Diagnostic Test ScoreProbability of Passing the NCLEX- RN ® ExamProbability of Passing the NCLEX- RN ® Exam
5190.5%65.4%
5089.0%60.4%
4987.4%55.2%
4885.5%49.9%
38 more rows
May 4, 2023

Is 60% good on Kaplan NCLEX? ›

65 is passing, over 60 is passing, and so forth. I got 62 percent on both Trainer 6 and 7.

Is Kaplan harder than actual test? ›

Kaplan Practice Scores

The general trend for Kaplan practice exams is that they are based heavily on content and may present as much more difficult than the real MCAT. Many students claim that Kaplan practice exams are not representative of the official MCAT exam.

Is NCLEX more like Kaplan or UWorld? ›

In terms of straight practice material, the difference between Kaplan and UWorld is somewhat negligible, with perhaps Kaplan getting the slight advantage. We found Kaplan's practice questions to be more realistic of actual NCLEX questions, while also rating UWorld's problems explanations out higher.

What NCLEX Prep has the highest pass rate? ›

Hurst Review — Best First-Attempt Pass Rate

Dedicated to NCLEX review since 1988, Hurst boasts a 98% first-attempt pass rate and has helped over 400,000 RN and PN candidates nationwide. We're impressed by its clinical judgment approach to NCLEX review and its range of traditional and online learning options.

How to pass NCLEX with Kaplan? ›

10 Tips to Pass the NCLEX
  1. Passing the NCLEX is a marathon, not a sprint. ...
  2. The NCLEX is a very different test from tests you've taken in the past. ...
  3. Manage the test experience. ...
  4. Create a study plan. ...
  5. Assess yourself. ...
  6. Know what kind of learner you are. ...
  7. Know the difference between NCLEX knowledge and real-world experience.
Oct 31, 2022

Should I do UWorld or Kaplan? ›

They both provide accurate practice materials and tests to students for their exams. Kaplan offers more realistic questions, which are the most similar to the actual tests, so students have better practice using this material. Still, UWorld offers better and simple problem explanations that everyone can understand.

How many questions out of 75 do you need to pass the NCLEX? ›

Run-Out-Of-Time Rule

A test-taker must have answered the minimum number of required test questions to be eligible to pass. For examinees taking the NCLEX-RN, at least 75 questions must be answered. A minimum of 85 questions must be completed on the NCLEX-PN exam.

Is 145 questions on NCLEX bad? ›

Does 145 questions on NCLEX mean you failed? No, if you answer all 145 questions on the NCLEX, that does not mean you fail. In fact, if you answered 145 questions and each question was progressively more challenging, then that is a good sign that you passed.

What is a good Kaplan score? ›

Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam
Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam ScoresRanking Score Points
60.0 – 6310 points
64 – 7115 points
72 – 8020 points
81 +25 points
Apr 17, 2023

What is a good Kaplan nursing score? ›

Every school sets its own passing grade. However, most schools look for candidates who scored 65% or higher on their Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam. How many questions are on the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam? There are 91 questions in four sections.

Does NCLEX get harder when you fail? ›

Does NCLEX-RN Get Harder with Every Retake After Failing? Some candidates mistakenly believe that the NCLEX is harder each time. Questions become more challenging with each correct answer you provide on the NCLEX. However, subsequent tests are not easier or more difficult than previous exams.

How do you tell if you passed the NCLEX early? ›

The only way you will receive your official results is through your nursing regulatory body. This takes place approximately six weeks after you take the NCLEX. Some things to note: If you have not received your results after six weeks, contact your nursing regulatory body.

How many times can you take the Kaplan? ›

Students can only take the Kaplan twice. It is our understanding that the most recent (the second, in this case) is the score that will count. Example: Student gets 72 on Kaplan first time, wants to take it again to see if they get a higher score, gets 68 second time, 68 is the score that will be used.

What happens if you fail the Kaplan test? ›

If you do not pass, contact our Customer Experience Team within 20 days of the date of your NCLEX-RN by calling 1-800-KAP-TEST for a refund or a free 3- month continuation of your enrollment. All materials must be returned before the refund can be granted.

Is Kaplan test prep worth it? ›

Kaplan's Live Online class option is a favorite of students and parents because it offers the structure and accountability that many students need to study effectively. In addition, it covers all the material you need to know on the SAT, so it will be beneficial for many students.

Which state NCLEX is the easiest? ›

There is no “easy” state to take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a national exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Because it's national, the NCLEX will be the same regardless of what state you choose to take it in. Check out the comprehensive NCLEX prep review that I recommend.

What is the hardest part of the NCLEX? ›

Let's look at the 16 most common challenges NCLEX candidates face and ways you can overcome them.
  1. Second-Guessing Your Abilities. ...
  2. Changing Answers Repeatedly. ...
  3. Reading Questions Too Fast. ...
  4. Cramming Before the Test. ...
  5. Not Using the Right Study Tools. ...
  6. Not Getting Enough Rest Before the Test. ...
  7. Reading Too Much into a Question.

What is the most accurate NCLEX predictor? ›

Most school considers the ATI Predictor Exam a clear indicator of NCLEX success. Those who take the ATI Predictor Exam usually do better on the first administration of the NCLEX than those who do not. The ATI Predictor Exam helps nursing students prepare to take the NCLEX.

How many questions a day should I take for NCLEX prep? ›

We recommend that you complete about 2,800 practice questions before your exam. If you are giving yourself a month to study, that means that you would be doing about 100 NCLEX practice questions per day.

Is 90% chance of passing NCLEX good? ›

Depending on the time of year tested and the year, the NCLEX pass rates for first- time, US-educated test takers are usually between 80-90% +/1. So ATI says they predict that 59.9% of students will pass the NCLEX (with a 90-100% probability) when usually around 90% pass.

Can you study too much for NCLEX? ›

You can study too much, as much as 100 questions per day, or you can cram on the day before the test, staying up all hours. Neither is bound to be successful. Instead, create a structured study plan for the weeks up to the test date.

Is 3 weeks enough to study for NCLEX? ›

It is commonly recommended that you spend at least six weeks studying for the NCLEX. However, you can take a couple of practice quizzes and tests to evaluate how prepared you are. If you feel prepared and do well on the practice tests, then two weeks may be enough time to study and refresh your knowledge.

Are all Kaplan questions passing level? ›

Yes, the Qbank is all passing level questions. If I remember correctly, the goal average for the Qbank was 68% (please correct me if I'm wrong!). The goal average for the question trainers varied though - I think the first 5 was 68% and the last 2 were 72%.

Can you retake Kaplan practice tests? ›

When you retake a completed practice test, the results will be saved and can be viewed in the Analysis tab. The results of practice tests are sorted by completion date. Note: This Analysis report cannot be deleted after test has been completed if you press "retake test."

Is UWorld harder than the actual NCLEX? ›

Yes, Uworld is harder than NCLEX.

According to a recent survey, 90% of students found that Uworld was as difficult or more difficult than the actual NCLEX test. Uworld is the test prep for the NCLEX exam, as well as the SAT, ACT, MCAT, and USMILE.

Is the actual NCLEX easier than UWorld? ›

UWorld found that about 90% of users who took the NCLEX report that the Questions on UWorld were either at the same difficulty level as the NCLEX or harder.

Is using UWorld enough to pass NCLEX? ›

For many students, UWorld is enough for them to pass the NCLEX. With an almost 100% pass rate, it's pretty clear that students successfully use the UWorld NCLEX prep to prepare them for the National Council Licensure Examination.

Are you smart if you pass NCLEX in 75 questions? ›

Finishing the NCLEX as 75 questions means that the Computerized Adaptive Testing was confident in assessing your knowledge and critical thinking abilities. 75 NCLEX questions is not a direct indication of pass or fail. It means you were either doing really well or really poorly.

Can you fail the NCLEX if it shuts off at 75 questions? ›

To pass the NCLEX RN or PN, test takers must correctly answer at least 85 questions (the minimum amount). Unfortunately, that means you can also fail the exam within those 85 questions or items.

How many questions can you miss on the NCLEX? ›

Failing the test can result in not answering the minimum amount of 70 questions within the allotted time. You can answer the first 69 questions correctly, but you will automatically fail the exam if you don't reach number 70.

Is it bad to get all 265 questions on NCLEX? ›

If a student got all 265 questions, that would mean they are really straddling the competency line. The NCLEX algorithm is complicated, but it's a very smart, adaptive test. After you get past 75 questions, once it determines whether you're above passing or below passing, it will shut off.

Is NCLEX shutting off at 75 good? ›

You answered the least number of questions possible, which is 75. As mentioned in #2, the NCLEX progresses variably, depending on whether you answer a question correctly or incorrectly. If your questions continually got more complex and the test shut off at 75, this is another good sign you passed the NCLEX.

How soon can I do the Pearson trick? ›

Sources vary regarding how long you should wait to try the Pearson Vue NCLEX trick after testing. While some people try the trick within an hour or so after completing the NCLEX exam, giving yourself a two-to-four-hour post-test window seems to be the best.

What should I study for Kaplan Nursing entrance exam? ›

Study the Exam Material
SectionTopics and Skills
ScienceImmune system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, neurology, homeostasis, gastrointestinal system
MathWord problems, operations, ratios, fractions and decimals
WritingSyntax, proper punctuation and writing mechanics, sentence structure, paragraph logic
1 more row

How many questions are on Kaplan NCLEX? ›

Our most popular Practice Pack includes 180-day access to the 2,100-question Qbank, 3 full-length Next Gen NCLEX-style CATs, and 24/7 access to live or recorded sessions, taught by our best instructors.

What to expect on the Kaplan Nursing entrance exam? ›

A minimum overall score of 65 is required. Students taking the admission exam will be evaluated in 5 subjects: Math, Reading, Science, Writing, and Critical Thinking. More information on the Kaplan Entrance Test is available on page 10 of the Nursing Advising Guides.

Is Kaplan harder than the actual NCLEX? ›

However, the Kaplan CAT is generally considered to be more difficult than the NCLEX. This is because the Kaplan CAT covers a wider range of topics and has more challenging questions than the NCLEX. Therefore, if you are looking to prepare for the NCLEX, you may want to consider taking the Kaplan CAT first.

How do I check my Kaplan score? ›

Log into your account. Click Access Resources next to your enrollment. Navigate to the Study Plan, then click on the test name from the menu on the left. Click Start under Review or Enter/Review Your Results.

How many people fail the NCLEX on the first try? ›

First Time NCLEX Pass Rates and Schools

According to the NCSBN, the national first time NCLEX-RN pass rate for US educated nurses in 2020 was 86.5% and the PN pass rate for the same period of time was 83%. The pass rate for repeat RN test-takers was only 42.9% and for PN 35.6%.

What if I have failed the NCLEX 3 times? ›

After failing three times, though, they'll need to complete a board-approved remediation program before the next retake. test-takers have six attempts to pass in total.

How do I pass NCLEX after failing 2 times? ›

If you're an aspiring nurse who failed the test, there are strategies you can employ to help make your retake successful.
  1. Step 1: Determine Why You Didn't Pass. ...
  2. Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Exam. ...
  3. Step 3: Schedule Study Time. ...
  4. Step 4: Take Test Preparation Courses. ...
  5. Step 5: Find a Study Partner or Study Group.
Apr 17, 2023

What are considered hard questions on NCLEX? ›

Analysis, synthesis and evaluation questions would be considered higher-level NCLEX questions. Synthesis questions are based on creating or proposing solutions, such as a plan of care.

Is the NCLEX shut off at 75 questions 2023? ›

When the NCLEX-RN shuts off at 75 questions, it means you either did very well or very poorly—enough so that the CAT model is 95% confident in your success or failure after only one-third of the possible 265 exam questions. Further, in a 75-question test only 60 questions are counted toward your passing score.

What is the passing score for the NCLEX 2023? ›

The 2023 passing standard for the NCLEX-RN is 0.00 logits and -0.18 logits for the NCLEX-PN.

Is Kaplan harder than the actual oat? ›

most. It is important to know that the Kaplan practice tests are much harder than the actual exam.

Are Kaplan full lengths harder? ›

They are difficult in different ways. Scoring well on Kaplan is much more difficult than AAMC, I have never heard of anyone other than 2 people breaking the 515 mark on kaplan but it happens all the time on AAMC. Also Kaplan asks questions differently than AAMC.

Is UWorld easier than Kaplan? ›

They both provide accurate practice materials and tests to students for their exams. Kaplan offers more realistic questions, which are the most similar to the actual tests, so students have better practice using this material. Still, UWorld offers better and simple problem explanations that everyone can understand.

What is a good score on Kaplan? ›

A good PSAT score is a composite score of 1070 or higher, which puts you in the top 25% of all PSAT test takers.

What is a passing Kaplan score? ›

Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam

A minimum overall composite score of 55 must be achieved.

How many nurses pass NCLEX on first try? ›

The number of unsuccessful test-takers is low compared to the more than 86% who pass the exam on their first try. Candidates who fail the NCLEX-RN can retest forty-five days after their most recent attempt. Being alert for signs you failed the NCLEX-RN will help you prepare before receiving official results.

Are Kaplan Quicksheets worth it? ›

If your content review is super solid, the quicksheets are phenomenal for quickly refreshing information. After content review, I rarely referred to my more detailed notes and just used the quicksheets instead. Be sure to hammer home the content and nitty gritty details before, though.

Which Kaplan full lengths are the hardest? ›

Kaplan 6-11 are very difficult. They are good practice, but should not be used as diagnostics.

Is 60% average on UWorld good? ›

58-60% is OK, a good sign is being consistently above the average scores.

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