2020 NCLEX PN Test Plan the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Test Plan Latest Update for Aspiring Nurses

I. Background The test plan for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN®) was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN®). The purpose of this document is to provide detailed information about the content areas tested on the NCLEX-PN. This booklet contains the: ■ 2020 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan; ■ Information on testing requirements and sample examination questions (items); ■ Item writing exercises; ■ References; and ■ Appendix. About the NCLEX-PN® Test Plan The test plan is reviewed and approved by the NCLEX® Examination Committee (NEC) every three years. Multiple resources are used, including the recent practice analysis of licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs), and expert opinions of the NEC, NCSBN staff and nursing regulatory bodies (NRBs) to ensure that the test plan is consistent with nurse practice acts. Following the endorsement of proposed revisions by the NEC, the test plan document is presented for approval to the Delegate Assembly, which is the decision- making body of NCSBN. The test plan serves a variety of purposes. It is used to guide candidates preparing for the examination, to direct item writers in the development of items, and to facilitate the classification of examination items. This document offers a comprehensive listing of content for each client needs category and subcategory outlined in the test plan. Sample items are provided at the end of each category, which are specific to the client needs category in that section. There is an item writing guide along with sample case scenarios, which provide nurse educators with hands-on experience in writing NCLEX-style test items. For up-to-date information on the NCLEX-PN, visit the NCSBN website at