Welcome to the NCLEX resource and review guide for Western Technical College students! This guide collects a variety of free and/or open resources and study materials to help you prepare for your exam. Use the tabs on the left to navigate through the guide.
This guide is created by one of your librarians (Ellen Range). If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to get in touch using the contact information in her profile box on this page. She's happy to help you navigate this guide and find any other resources you need to be successful!
Developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is designed to test the competency of nursing school graduates.
"The test plans serve as blue prints to outline the content to be tested and guide the item writing process ... [They] are updated every three years to reflect fair, comprehensive; current; and entry-level nursing competency. The test plan contains in-depth information regarding exam content, exam administration and item writing exercises." (from the NCSBN Test Plans page)
There are two different test plans: NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Both are variable length, computerized, adaptive tests that can be anywhere from 75-145 items and the time limit for the exam is five hours.
Note that there is a new test plan coming in April 2023.
As mentioned above, the NCLEX-RN (the exam for Registered Nurses) and NCLEX-PN (the exam for Practical Nursing) are very similar in structure and format.
Both exams are organized into four major Client Needs categories. Two of the four categories are divided into subcategories. The following processes are integrated into all Client Needs categories of the RN and PN Test Plans: Nursing Process, Caring, Communication and Documentation, Teaching and Learning, and Culture and Spirituality.
Here are the major differences (information quoted from the Candidate Bulletin)
| 2019 NCLEX-RN Test Plan | 2020 NCLEX-PN Test Plan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Client Needs | Percentage of Items from each category/subcategory | NCLEX-PN Client Needs | Percentage of Items from each category/subcategory | |
|
Safe and Effective Care Environment |
|
Safe and Effective Care Environment | ||
|
Management of Care |
17-23% |
Coordinated Care |
18-24% | |
|
Safety and Infection Control |
9-15% |
Safety and Infection Control |
10-16% | |
| Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6-12% | Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6-12% | |
| Psychosocial Integrity | 6-12% | Psychosocial Integrity | 9-15% | |
|
Physiological Integrity |
|
Physiological Integrity | ||
|
Basic Care and Comfort |
6-12% |
Basic Care |
7-13% | |
|
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies |
12-18% |
Pharmacological Therapies |
10-16% | |
|
Reduction of Risk Potential |
9-15% |
Reduction of Risk Potential |
9-15% | |
|
Physiological Adaptation |
11-17% |
Physiological Adaptation |
7-13% | |
"The NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing to administer the exam. CAT is a method that merges computer technology with modern measurement theory to increase the efficiency of the exam process." (from NCSBN CAT page)
"Candidates may be administered multiple-choice items as well as multiple-response items. These formats may include, but are not limited to: multiple response, fill-in-the-blank calculation, and drag and drop/ordered response. All item formats, including standard multiple-choice items, may include exhibits and graphics." (from the Candidate Bulletin)
There is a brief tutorial provided by the exam creators to help you get familiar with the question types that may be offered.
