Table of Contents
So you took the NCLEX exam in the hopes to become the best nurse. Now starts the most nerve wracking time; waiting for the results. According to the official, you get the results within 6 weeks. But the more you wait, the more nervous you get.
Questions like “Have I passed the exam?” and “What if I failed the exam?” can be prevalent.
So how do you know if you passed the NCLEX right away? Well, there are a few ways to know the NCLEX exam results quickly, before the official results arrive.
Passing the NCLEX Exam – What Does It Mean?
NCLEX exam, especially passing it, is a significant milestone for aspiring nurses. It’s the standardized exam that determines whether you’re qualified to practice nursing in Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Passing the NCLEX exam means:
- Competency: It shows you have the know-how, the skills, and the judgment to provide safe, effective patient care and start your nursing career.
- Licensure: Upon passing, you’ll be eligible to receive a nursing license from the state where you took the exam. This license allows you to legally practice nursing within that state.
- Career Path: A successful NCLEX result opens doors to various nursing career paths. That includes bedside care, specialty nursing, and advanced practice roles.
But how do you know the status of your exam result before the official notification?
Best Ways to Know If You Passed NCLEX Right Away
There is no percentage scoring basis in NCLEX. You either pass the exam or fail it. Although the sure shot way to know you have passed is through the official results from the state regulatory body, there are a few good signs to get an idea. Let’s look at a few ways to know you have passed the NCLEX exam.
Quick Results From Pearson VUE
The best way to get an idea on your exam status is through the Quick Results. These test results are available for some candidates just two business days after the exam. Here’s how you can access them:
Step 1: Sign into the Pearson VUE website with your username and password.
Step 2: Select “Quick Results” under the “My Account” section.
Step 3: If your results are available, you will be able to click “Purchase”.
Step 4: Fill in the payment details and click “Next”.
Step 5: Submit the order by clicking the namesake button.
Then, you will see the results on the receipt page.
But remember, the NCLEX quick results do not give you the authority to practice as a licensed/registered nurse. You can practice after receiving the official results in 6 weeks after the exam.
You Can No Longer Book an NCLEX Exam Through Pearson VUE
Go to the official Pearson VUE website and check if you can book an NCLEX exam again. If no, it might suggest that your previous attempt has been processed, and you have more likely passed.
But of course, take it with a grain of salt. Although a good sign, it’s not definitive as there could be other reasons for scheduling restrictions, such as system errors or exam availability.
You Have Not Received a New Authorization to Test (ATT)
An ATT is required to take the NCLEX exam. If you fail your exam attempt, you will be sent an ATT, so you can retake the exam.
But if you haven’t received the ATT, there is a good chance you have passed the NCLEX exam and are well on your way to becoming the best registered nurse.
You Receive a Temporary License
Some states update the nursing licenses before the candidates receive the official results. Have you received a temporary license from your state nursing regulatory body? You can check the official website of your state’s nursing body.
If you can find a label like “Nurse of the Future” or “Temporary License”, it’s a strong indication that you have likely passed the NCLEX exam. You can see this tag and license within a few days after the exam.
While these methods can provide clues, the most reliable way to confirm your NCLEX results is to wait for official notification from your state’s board of nursing. Still, there are a few tell-tale signs showing good fortunes of your exam results.
Strong Signs of Good Performance in the NCLEX Exam
Being nervous about your result is one thing, but knowing that you have done well is another. But how do you know you have delivered a good performance? Well, here are a few strong signs.
You Receive Challenging Questions
The NCLEX is an adaptive exam, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance. If you’re receiving more challenging questions, it could be a sign that you’re doing well.
You Get Minimum Number of Questions
The minimum number of questions you receive in an NCLEX exam is 75 out of 145. The NCLEX will likely stop after you’ve answered a sufficient number of questions, determining your competency. If you finish the exam relatively quickly, it could be a sign that you’re performing well.
Still, it’s important to remember that the minimum number of questions may vary based on the difficulty level of the questions you’ve answered.
You Finish the Exam Fairly Quickly
Candidates get 5 hours to finish the NCLEX exam. If you complete the test in a shorter time, it would suggest you are more than familiar with the questions and have prepared well. So you feel confident in answering them and will finish the test fairly quickly.
However, it’s also possible to finish quickly and still make mistakes. It’s important to review your answers carefully before submitting the exam.
If you want to be confident with your preparation for NCLEX and finish the exam with flying colors, enroll with FBNPC today!
FAQs on “Passing the NCLEX Exam”
Q.1 How difficult is the NCLEX exam?
The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), which means the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance. The exam measures your competency in critical thinking, clinical judgment, and safe and effective nursing practice. It’s designed to be challenging, but it’s also fair and achievable.
Q.2 What topics are covered on the NCLEX exam?
The NCLEX exam covers a wide range of nursing topics, including:
– Safe and effective care environment
1. Management of Care
2. Safety and Infection Control- Health promotion and maintenance
– Psychosocial integrity
– Physiological integrity
1. Basic Care and Comfort
2. Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. Reduction of Risk Potential
4. Physiological Adaptation
Q.3 How Long Does It Take to Get the NCLEX Score?
Generally, you can expect to receive your NCLEX results within a few weeks of taking the exam. However, it’s not uncommon for it to take up to six weeks or even longer in some cases.
Q.4 What is the pass rate for the NCLEX exam?
The pass rate for the NCLEX exam varies from state to state, but the overall pass rate is around 80.27%.
Q.5 What happens if I fail the NCLEX exam?
If you fail the NCLEX exam, you will need to retake it. You can usually retake the exam after a waiting period of a few months. The waiting period may vary depending on the state and the number of times you have taken the exam.
Q.6 What should I do on the day of the NCLEX exam?
Here are some tips for the day of the NCLEX exam:
Get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam.
– Eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the exam.
– Arrive at the testing center early.
– Bring your ID and any other required documentation.
– Relax and focus on the exam.
To Conclude
Passing the NCLEX is a significant milestone for aspiring nurses. It’s the standardized exam that determines whether you’re qualified to practice nursing in Canada, the United States, and Australia.
While the official notification from your state’s board of nursing is the definitive confirmation, there are a few indicators that can give you a sense of your performance. There’s Quick Results from Pearson VUE, no longer booking, no ATT, or a temporary license. You can even get a good idea on your performance via minimum questions, finishing time, or the overall confidence. If you want to secure the best score in your NCLEX exam and become the best nurse possible, opt for FBNPC; enroll with our program today!
