Understanding Your NCLEX Results

Learn how NCLEX results are calculated, what pass/fail means, how to read your Candidate Performance Report, and what to do next.

What Are NCLEX Results?

The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a standardized test that determines whether you’re prepared to begin your nursing career. Your results tell you whether you’ve passed or failed, but they also provide deeper insights into your performance.

Understanding your results is crucial for licensure, career planning, and—if needed—retaking the exam with a stronger strategy.

How Are NCLEX Results Calculated?

NCLEX uses scored responses and item difficulty to estimate nursing ability, then applies its stopping rules. The result is not determined by a fixed percentage of correct answers.

Pearson VUE administers the exam. The result comes from NCSBN's stopping rules: after at least 85 items the exam can end when it is 95% certain your ability is clearly above or below the passing standard; at 150 items, or when time runs out after the minimum, the final ability estimate decides.
Your nursing regulatory body (state board) sends your official results and is responsible for licensing decisions. Passing the exam does not itself authorize you to practice.
Scoring varies by item type. Select All That Apply (SATA) items use plus/minus scoring: each correct selection earns a point, each incorrect selection loses one, and the item score never drops below zero. Matrix multiple-choice rows, Select N selections, and bow-tie targets use 0/1 scoring, where wrong selections simply earn nothing.

Understanding Pass or Fail

The NCLEX is a pass/fail exam. Your reported examination result is pass or fail.

Passing the NCLEX

Passing means you’ve demonstrated the minimum competency required to practice as a nurse safely. Congratulations!

Only your nursing regulatory body sends official results and issues your license or authorization to practice; NCLEX Quick Results do not authorize practice. Confirm your status with your regulatory body before starting work.

Failing the NCLEX

A failed result means this attempt did not meet NCLEX’s passing requirements under the applicable stopping rule. Running out of time before completing the minimum number of items also results in failure. Many candidates retake the exam successfully.

You’ll receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR) to identify areas for improvement. Use it to target your study plan.

Your Candidate Performance Report (CPR)

A full CPR provides performance indicators for test-plan content areas and clinical judgment. An abbreviated CPR, issued when the minimum number of items was not completed, does not include that performance breakdown.

How to Read Your CPR

When a breakdown is available, it shows your performance in three ranges: below passing standard, near passing standard, and above passing standard.

Prioritize areas marked below the passing standard, then areas marked near it, while continuing to review stronger areas.

How to Use Your CPR for Remediation

Use the feedback available in your CPR to choose priorities in a ready-made study schedule.
During subsequent practice, review the rationales for your practice answers. Understand the why, not just the what.
Focus on high-yield topics like pharmacology, infection control, and prioritization.

When Will You Receive Your NCLEX Results?

Results are released in two formats: quick results (unofficial) and official results.

Quick Results

Available two business days after your exam to candidates seeking U.S. licensure whose nursing regulatory body participates.
Cost: $7.95, charged to a credit card only if your result is available.
Unofficial—only your state board can issue your license.

Official Results

Your nursing regulatory body sends them to you within six weeks of your exam.
If six weeks pass without results, contact that body; only it can issue your license.
If you failed, your CPR arrives with official results.

Next Steps After Receiving Your Results

If You Passed

Check your state board’s website for license verification.
Start applying for jobs! Highlight your NCLEX pass on your resume.
Consider specialty certifications (e.g., ACLS, PALS) to boost your career.

If You Failed

Read your CPR from your nursing regulatory body. If it includes a performance breakdown, use the content-area and clinical-judgment feedback to guide your review.
Focus on weak areas identified in your CPR. Use active learning techniques like practice questions and rationales.
Check your nursing regulatory body’s retake requirements, re-register, and wait for a new Authorization to Test before scheduling. NCSBN’s retake policy allows a retake 45 days after the previous exam administration; some regulatory bodies require a longer wait or limit annual attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I fail the NCLEX if I felt confident?

Feeling confident or finding questions difficult does not explain an individual exam result. NCLEX applies its official stopping rules to determine pass or fail. Review your official result and use the feedback available in your Candidate Performance Report to guide your next preparation.

How do I get my Candidate Performance Report (CPR)?

If you fail, your nursing regulatory body sends your Candidate Performance Report. Candidates who pass do not receive one. If you did not answer the minimum number of items, you receive an abbreviated report without the usual performance breakdown. Contact your nursing regulatory body with questions about receiving your report.

Can I retake the NCLEX if I fail?

Yes. NCSBN's retake policy requires at least 45 test-free days between attempts and allows up to eight attempts per year where your nursing regulatory body permits it. Some jurisdictions limit the number of attempts or add requirements, so check with your board of nursing.

How long does it take to get official results?

Your nursing regulatory body sends your official results to you within six weeks of your exam. If six weeks have passed without your results, contact that body. Only it can issue your license, and licensing times vary by jurisdiction.