NCLEX-RN Exam Prep 2025/2026: Comprehensive Q&A
with In-Depth Rationales for First-Time Pass
The graduate nurse understands the purpose of the NCLEX-RN® exam when
stating which of the following?
a.
"The exam provides feedback to the candidate regarding areas of weakness in
nursing practice."
b.
"The exam determines the candidate's ability or inability to meet minimum
standards for safe practice."
c.
"The exam gives employers an opportunity to hire graduates who have scored
highest among first-time licensure candidates."
d.
"The exam prepares new graduates as efficient, effective staff nurses."
. - ANS: B
The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® Exam is to determine whether a candidate is
competent to perform safe, effective, entry-level nursing care. It does not prepare
nurses but rather measures their performance on a test. Candidates who are
unsuccessful receive information about their weak areas on the test, but this is
not the purpose of it. Employers want to know if the person has passed because
there is no specific score given other than pass or fail
Which statement by the nursing professor is accurate about the NCLEX-RN® exam?
The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® test plan is to ensure that all
,a.
"test takers answer items of comparable difficulty."
b.
"test takers answer approximately the same number of items."
c.
"test items are job related."
d.
"clinical specialties will be equally represented." - ANS: C
The content of the NCLEX® Exam is based on a test plan that is determined by the
National Council. The test plan reflects entry-level nursing practice as identified by
research and the job analysis study of newly licensed registered nurses. Each
candidate will receive different levels of questions in a computer adaptive format.
The focus of the exam is not on clinical specialties. The test has a minimum of 75
questions and a maximum of 265 questions, so a test taker can answer any
number of questions between these two numbers until they either reaches a
passing standard or fails.
In trends class, a student tells the instructor, "I don't think I can possibly pass the
NCLEX-RN®. I hated psych nursing, but now I've heard that a huge amount of the
NCLEX® is psych related." What is the best response from the instructor?
a.
"Perhaps you should consider retaking the psychiatric nursing course."
b.
"There are equal numbers of questions related to each aspect of client needs."
c.
"Psychosocial integrity is the basis for 6% to 12% of the examination."
, d.
"You will need to take a review course in which they teach psychiatric nursing
principles." - ANS: C
To test, the graduate nurse must present the ATT and photo ID to test. This
process will change on January 1, 2014, when the NCLEX testing services will go
paperless. The testing center staff will be able to look up the ATT online when the
process is paperless. The testing center staff would not call the NCSBN for an
approval to test.
What would happen if the graduate nurse failed the NCLEX-RN on the first testing
attempt?
a.
The graduate nurse would be required to take an additional nursing course before
retesting.
b.
The graduate nurse would be required to wait 9 months to retest.
c.
The graduate nurse would be required to wait 45 to 90 days before retesting.
d.
The graduate nurse would not be allowed to test again. - ANS: C
After failing the NCLEX-RN on the first testing attempt, the graduate nurse would
be required to wait 45 to 90 days before retesting. This retake time frame is
determined by each state board of nursing and the NCSBN.
with In-Depth Rationales for First-Time Pass
The graduate nurse understands the purpose of the NCLEX-RN® exam when
stating which of the following?
a.
"The exam provides feedback to the candidate regarding areas of weakness in
nursing practice."
b.
"The exam determines the candidate's ability or inability to meet minimum
standards for safe practice."
c.
"The exam gives employers an opportunity to hire graduates who have scored
highest among first-time licensure candidates."
d.
"The exam prepares new graduates as efficient, effective staff nurses."
. - ANS: B
The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® Exam is to determine whether a candidate is
competent to perform safe, effective, entry-level nursing care. It does not prepare
nurses but rather measures their performance on a test. Candidates who are
unsuccessful receive information about their weak areas on the test, but this is
not the purpose of it. Employers want to know if the person has passed because
there is no specific score given other than pass or fail
Which statement by the nursing professor is accurate about the NCLEX-RN® exam?
The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® test plan is to ensure that all
,a.
"test takers answer items of comparable difficulty."
b.
"test takers answer approximately the same number of items."
c.
"test items are job related."
d.
"clinical specialties will be equally represented." - ANS: C
The content of the NCLEX® Exam is based on a test plan that is determined by the
National Council. The test plan reflects entry-level nursing practice as identified by
research and the job analysis study of newly licensed registered nurses. Each
candidate will receive different levels of questions in a computer adaptive format.
The focus of the exam is not on clinical specialties. The test has a minimum of 75
questions and a maximum of 265 questions, so a test taker can answer any
number of questions between these two numbers until they either reaches a
passing standard or fails.
In trends class, a student tells the instructor, "I don't think I can possibly pass the
NCLEX-RN®. I hated psych nursing, but now I've heard that a huge amount of the
NCLEX® is psych related." What is the best response from the instructor?
a.
"Perhaps you should consider retaking the psychiatric nursing course."
b.
"There are equal numbers of questions related to each aspect of client needs."
c.
"Psychosocial integrity is the basis for 6% to 12% of the examination."
, d.
"You will need to take a review course in which they teach psychiatric nursing
principles." - ANS: C
To test, the graduate nurse must present the ATT and photo ID to test. This
process will change on January 1, 2014, when the NCLEX testing services will go
paperless. The testing center staff will be able to look up the ATT online when the
process is paperless. The testing center staff would not call the NCSBN for an
approval to test.
What would happen if the graduate nurse failed the NCLEX-RN on the first testing
attempt?
a.
The graduate nurse would be required to take an additional nursing course before
retesting.
b.
The graduate nurse would be required to wait 9 months to retest.
c.
The graduate nurse would be required to wait 45 to 90 days before retesting.
d.
The graduate nurse would not be allowed to test again. - ANS: C
After failing the NCLEX-RN on the first testing attempt, the graduate nurse would
be required to wait 45 to 90 days before retesting. This retake time frame is
determined by each state board of nursing and the NCSBN.
