{"id":432,"date":"2025-12-10T07:37:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T07:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certilyst.com\/resources\/?post_type=faq&#038;p=432"},"modified":"2025-12-10T07:38:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T07:38:00","slug":"how-many-people-fail-the-nclex-rn","status":"publish","type":"faq","link":"https:\/\/certilyst.com\/resources\/faq\/how-many-people-fail-the-nclex-rn\/","title":{"rendered":"How many people fail the NCLEX-RN?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Q: How many people fail the NCLEX-RN?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> Nationally, the first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated nursing candidates taking the NCLEX-RN typically ranges between 82% and 88% annually. This means the first-time failure rate is approximately 12% to 18%. However, pass rates vary significantly by state, type of nursing program (BSN vs. ADN), and candidate preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What is the most recent NCLEX-RN pass rate?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the 2023 first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 88.56%, indicating a failure rate of about 11.44%. You should always check the NCSBN website for the most current annual report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Which factors are linked to higher failure rates?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> Key risk factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lack of Preparation:<\/strong> Inadequate or passive studying without practice in CAT-style questions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test Anxiety:<\/strong> Poor management of exam-day stress and the adaptive test format.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak Content Foundation:<\/strong> Gaps in core areas like pharmacology, fundamentals, or prioritization.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Program Type &amp; Rigor:<\/strong> Pass rates differ among BSN, ADN, and diploma programs; attending a program with a historically lower pass rate may indicate less robust preparation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>English as a Second Language:<\/strong> For some candidates, language barriers can add complexity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What happens if I fail the NCLEX-RN?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> You can retake the exam. The NCSBN allows candidates to test again after 45 days. You will need to re-register, pay the fee again, and obtain a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from your state board. Most states allow multiple retakes, but may have additional requirements after several attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How can I significantly increase my chances of passing on the first try?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> A strategic approach is essential:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Use the NCSBN Test Plan:<\/strong> Structure your study around the official content blueprint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take High-Quality Practice Exams:<\/strong> Simulate the CAT environment with questions that have strong rationales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on Weak Areas:<\/strong> Use performance reports from practice tests to target deficient content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Master Test-Taking Strategies:<\/strong> Learn to identify question types, prioritize safety, and use elimination methods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Manage Your Mindset:<\/strong> Practice stress-reduction techniques and build test-day stamina.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Where can I find official pass rate data for my school or state?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> The NCSBN publishes annual national and state-level pass rate reports on its website. Additionally, your state&#8217;s Board of Nursing website typically publishes school-specific <a href=\"https:\/\/certilyst.com\">NCLEX<\/a> pass rates, which are a critical metric to review when choosing a nursing program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prepare with a plan backed by data and strategy, not just hope.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the most current and detailed NCLEX statistics, visit the official National Council of State Boards of Nursing website at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsbn.org\">www.ncsbn.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","faq-categories":[],"class_list":["post-432","faq","type-faq","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How many people fail the NCLEX-RN? - Certilyst<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The NCLEX-RN first-time failure rate is typically 12-18%. 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