The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a standardized test that evaluates nursing school graduates’ clinical judgment and nursing skills. Prospective nurses must pass the NCLEX to receive a nursing license from their state board of nursing. Passing the NCLEX is not easy. Both versions of the exam test candidates in four areas: safe and effective care environment; health promotion and maintenance; psychosocial integrity; and physiological integrity.
You might have seen the headlines: the NCLEX pass rate is dropping. And if this has you feeling a little anxious, you’re not alone! After all, the only thing standing between you and becoming a real-deal RN is this one test. To get there, it helps to understand what’s influencing these pass rate trends.
The numbers are in from NCLEX test takers who tested between January to March of 2025, and they’re not encouraging. That’s still solid overall, but it does mark a noticeable drop. The latest 2025 NCLEX pass rate data shows that guessing your way through NCLEX prep won’t cut it anymore. You don’t need to panic, but you do need a smart, structured game plan. These drops reflect a larger challenge: many students are struggling to adapt to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, which demands higher-level clinical judgment, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
Between 2018-2024, the average NCLEX pass rate was 86.58%. In 2024, we saw a high point, with a pass rate of 92.10% (NCSBN). This was the highest rate in over a decade and the first full year of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)! Some educators believe 2024 success gave future test takers a false sense of security. The NGN format might look more intuitive, but it demands a deeper level of clinical judgement and critical thinking. The bottom line is that NCLEX is still a high-stakes, pass-or-fail test.
The NCLEX exam is a standardized test that evaluates nursing school graduates’ clinical judgment and nursing skills. Prospective nurses must pass the NCLEX to receive a nursing license from their state board of nursing.
Read also: Understanding the NGN Exam
Here we will consider the factors influencing NCLEX pass rates, including the introduction of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), curriculum adaptations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors Influencing NCLEX Pass Rates
BSN and ADN graduates in early 2025 appears to be multifactorial, arising from the confluence of exam changes, educational adjustments, and external pressures. The early 2020s were a tumultuous period for healthcare and education, and the ripple effects are visible in licensure exam performance.
Several key factors contribute to the fluctuations in NCLEX pass rates:
1. Introduction of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
A major change to the NCLEX format was the implementation of the Next Generation NCLEX in April 2023. As of April 2023, the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) is the gold standard.
The NGN introduced new question types, particularly case studies and alternate-type of questions, aimed at better assessing clinical judgment and decision-making skills. With an increased emphasis on critical thinking and more interactive questions that measure clinical judgment, it can be challenging to properly prepare for these new question types. Approximately 22-33% of the exam now consists of case-based scenario questions, requiring candidates to apply knowledge in realistic contexts rather than simply recall facts.
Read also: Decoding the NCLEX: What 85 Questions Really Mean
With the introduction of the NGN in April 2023, a new scoring system was implemented. The NGN has moved away from the “recall and application” multiple-choice style questions in favor of questions that focus on critical thinking and clinical judgment. With these new question formats, changes to the scoring system have taken place. While questions were previously scored as purely right or wrong, partial credit is now available.
Now with the NGN, select all that apply questions can now be scored using the +/- scoring model. This model adds one point for each correct answer and subtracts a point for each incorrect answer. This allows for incorrect answers to be selected while still maintaining the opportunity to earn points- great news! Another scoring model now used is the 0/1 scoring method which gives 1 point for a correct answer and 0 points for an incorrect answer. For these question types, both answers need to be correct to receive a point. So, while the NGN offers great opportunities with a new partial credit scoring system, you still need to be highly prepared and able to critically think!
Initial Impact à Higher Pass Rates: Paradoxically, when NGN first launched, overall NCLEX pass rates increased. Between mid-2022 and mid-2023, the RN pass rate jumped from about 70.4% to 81.4%. Test developers attributed this improvement to greater transparency and outreach in the roll-out of NGN.
For instance, the NCSBN provided many resources (practice questions, demos of new item types, etc.) to educators and students ahead of the change, and the NGN introduced partial-credit scoring for certain questions. Unlike the old exam where a select-all-that-apply had to be 100% correct for credit, NGN’s scoring gives credit for what candidates get right. This likely helped boost scores initially.
Renewed Difficulty and Adaptation Challenges: By Q1 2025, pass rates fell back down, suggesting the initial boost was temporary. Many students and educators found that NGN actually demands higher-order thinking that not all candidates were fully prepared for. The new case-based questions can be challenging - they require examinees to synthesize information, prioritize actions, and make clinical judgments in a way that goes beyond rote memorization. In effect, NGN may have raised the bar on what constitutes “competent entry-level nursing practice,” even though the official passing standard (set at 0.00 logits) did not change during this period.
Read also: Overcoming NCLEX disappointment
Evolving Item Difficulty: It’s possible that after NGN’s launch, the exam’s difficulty level normalized upward. Early cohorts benefited from intense preparation and maybe a larger pool of “easier” trial items. As NCSBN refined the exam question bank and as initial fear of NGN subsided, pass rates regressed toward historic norms.
2. Alignment with New Competencies
Nursing education programs have been actively adjusting curricula to meet both the NGN’s demands and updated national standards. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) released new 2021 Essentials that emphasize competency-based education and critical thinking for entry-level nurses. Similarly, the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) highlighted how ADN faculty “adapted their teaching strategies” and provided strong support to prepare students for the NGN’s more rigorous format. These curricular shifts include increased use of case studies, simulation labs, and integration of clinical judgment exercises into coursework. The record-high overall ADN pass rate of 90.63% in 2024 was attributed to these concerted faculty efforts to enhance curriculum and student support.
Pandemic Disruptions and Educational Gaps: However, many of the students testing in early 2025 began their nursing education in 2020-2021 for those entering four-year degree programs, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that period, nursing curricula underwent emergency changes: clinical rotations were curtailed, and theory courses moved online with hybrid or virtual simulations. Studies found that most nursing students could not work with actual patients for a significant portion of their training in 2020-21. Hands-on clinical experience is critical for reinforcing skills like assessment and clinical decision-making, so the loss of those opportunities may have contributed to learning gaps.
Faculty and Resource Challenges: The pandemic also strained faculty and academic resources. A national study by NCSBN noted an increase in faculty retirements/attrition and difficulties in adapting to online teaching during 2020-21. Fewer instructors and the learning curve for new teaching methods could have impacted the consistency and quality of instruction. Moreover, some programs temporarily relaxed academic policies to help students through the crisis, for example, increased use of pass/fail grading and extra exam retakes in 2020. Others may have felt the pressure to ensure progression to meet the workforce demand. While these measures helped students stay in school, they may have also allowed some to progress without fully mastering content, only to struggle later on the NCLEX. By 2024, most schools had returned to normal grading and had improved their remote teaching techniques (faculty reported feeling more effective by 2021 vs 2020). In summary, nursing curricula have been in a state of rapid change - incorporating new NCLEX expectations and recovering from pandemic-era disruptions.
3. Adapting Study Strategies
The way students prepare for NCLEX has also evolved, especially with the advent of NGN. Initially, seeing the high pass rates when NGN was first introduced, some students and schools gained a false sense of security, assuming that using a question bank alone might be sufficient to pass. Indeed, many NCLEX candidates now rely heavily on commercial prep resources. These tools can be very effective if used properly, but they need to be complemented by a solid grasp of nursing content and clinical reasoning. The drop in pass rates suggests that simple exposure to practice questions isn’t enough for the NGN; students must truly internalize nursing concepts and learn to think critically through complex scenarios.
Limited Clinical Experience & Confidence: Another preparation issue is the experience gap. As noted, many 2024 graduates had reduced in-person clinical training. From the student perspective, this can erode confidence. In 2024, educators observed that a significant number of NCLEX takers had begun nursing school during COVID and thus felt less prepared clinically. This lack of confidence and real-world practice may translate into poorer exam performance for those graduates who received less time in clinical rotations with patients, especially on NGN items that simulate clinical decision points.
Stress and Test Anxiety: Student stress levels and mindset are another important factor. Facing a new exam format and hearing about declining pass rates can create a climate of anxiety. The fear of failing the NCLEX is common and can negatively impact focus and performance on exam day. If a student goes into the test anxious and doubting their preparedness, they may struggle with the adaptive nature of the exam, second-guess themselves, or mismanage their time. The recent downward trend might itself be contributing to a feedback loop of stress: as pass rates drop, future candidates feel more pressure.
On the positive side, the NCLEX community has never been richer in study resources. There are now Next Gen NCLEX practice exams, new editions of prep books, and even free case study examples provided by NCSBN. The bump in pass rates seen in 2023 was partially credited to students making use of these enhanced study resources and information sessions that accompanied NGN’s launch. Going forward, maintaining high pass rates will likely require students to blend those resources with deep learning, not just doing thousands of questions, but also reviewing rationales, practicing clinical scenarios, and remediating weak areas.
4. Healthcare Workforce Demand
The period from 2020 to 2025 has seen intense pressure on the nursing workforce. Hospitals faced shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, and there’s been a nationwide push to graduate more nurses quickly to fill the gaps. This high-demand environment can have mixed effects on NCLEX pass rates. On one hand, students are highly motivated to enter the workforce (given abundant job opportunities and sign-on bonuses). On the other hand, nursing schools expanding enrollment or accelerating programs to meet demand can stretch faculty and clinical site capacity.
In some cases, larger class sizes or abbreviated clinical rotations (to push students through faster) might reduce the individualized training students receive. If programs admitted more students without proportional resources, the average level of preparation could suffer. Additionally, some students may have rushed to take the NCLEX early (to start working sooner), possibly before they were fully ready, due to the urgency of workforce needs. We do know that student performance is higher if the NCLEX is taken within 3 months of graduation.
Education Policy Responses: Regulators have been actively monitoring NCLEX trends. The goal was to ensure new nurses possess strong clinical judgment. While NGN aims to improve public safety and nurse readiness, its early implementation coincided with unique conditions (pandemic recovery and educational upheaval). State boards of nursing and accrediting bodies are also involved, schools with low pass rates face scrutiny, which puts pressure on programs to adapt quickly.
Some states temporarily relaxed certain requirements during the pandemic (for example, allowing a higher percentage of simulation to replace clinical hours, or granting interim permits to practice before NCLEX in emergency situations). By 2024 those emergency measures largely ended, but their effects linger in the preparation of the cohort. We also see professional bodies like AACN and OADN raising standards and sharing best practices in teaching to improve outcomes. Thus, the policy landscape has been one of catch-up: trying to recalibrate both the exam and educational standards after an unprecedented global health crisis.
Socioeconomic and Student Well-Being: Broader socioeconomic factors cannot be ignored. Many nursing students from 2020-2024 dealt with hardships that could impact academic performance: personal or family illness, financial strain, and general pandemic-related stress. Some students had to work part-time (or even full-time) jobs to support themselves or family, especially as inflation and economic challenges grew. Juggling work with a rigorous nursing program can limit study time and increase fatigue. Furthermore, the pandemic took a toll on mental health for many young adults. Even as classrooms reopened, students may have been coping with burnout or loss of loved ones. All these factors can subtly decrease a student’s ability to focus on exam preparation.
In essence, the cohort of new nurses in early 2025 navigated a more complex path to licensure than cohorts prior to 2020.
Faculty Shortage and Burnout: An external factor closely tied to education quality is the ongoing faculty shortage in nursing. Experienced nurse educators are in short supply (many retired or returned to clinical roles), and this has been exacerbated by pandemic burnout. Fewer faculty means higher student-to-teacher ratios, less mentorship, and sometimes cancellation of clinical groups if instructors can’t be found. Schools have been seeking solutions (i.e. hiring adjuncts), but the transition may affect consistency in teaching. The commitment and skill of faculty are credited with the high pass rate achievements of 2024; conversely, where faculty support is lacking, students might struggle.
Strategies for NCLEX Success
Here are some key strategies to help you prepare effectively and manage test anxiety:
- Develop a Well-Mapped-Out Study Plan: A successful study plan will give you enough time to prepare without feeling rushed and burned out. We recommend allotting 2-3 months for exam prep. However, if you need more days off or extra preparation time, it’s OK to schedule the exam a little further out.
- Manage Exam Anxiety: It’s crucial to have an anxiety-intervention plan and work on reducing exam anxiety when you start studying for the NCLEX. If you’re new to anxiety-reducing strategies, ask yourself what gives you energy and helps you relax? This can include practicing deep breathing, making time for exercise each day, and ensuring you properly hydrate and eat.
- Focus on the Day-to-Day: Focusing on each day individually, rather than letting your mind wander to the next month of studying, can help ease stress and anxiety. Recognize that some days, we just need a mental break to decompress. Use the scheduled time in your study plan to do things that give you energy!
- Utilize Study Resources: Check out Blueprint’s study resources for access to all the information you need to know AND how to apply that information on the NGN. Additionally, Blueprint’s test preparation courses are proven to work with a 99.7% pass rate on board exams.
Tried-and-true resources, like the ones offered by Blueprint, supply all the information you need, and you won’t stress about whether you’re studying efficiently. Keep running through those practice questions and practice tests. What got you through nursing school? Did you use flashcards? Rhymes? Write things out? You’re completing nursing school!
Remember: your journey to becoming a nurse is about more than just passing an exam; it’s about rising to your potential. You’ve made it this far, and that determination, resilience, and heart are what truly set you apart. You are capable. You are prepared. And with the right tools and support, you will succeed.
Стратегия подготовки к NCLEX.Как эвалюировать свой прогресс. Как готовятся выпускники ВУЗов США.
NCLEX Pass Rates by State
A high NCLEX pass rate can signal which nursing schools best prepare nurses for healthcare careers. While the national NCLEX pass rate is 92.1% for RNs in 2024, pass rates vary by state. A high NCLEX pass rate often indicates that the state’s nursing programs provide a strong preparation for RNs. Nursing accreditation agencies and regulatory bodies use pass rates as a key performance measurement.
Here are the top 5 states with the highest NCLEX pass rates:
- New Hampshire: Has achieved the highest overall NCLEX pass rate every year since 2018. The median annual salary for New Hampshire RNs is $94,620.
- North Dakota: Has the second-highest NCLEX pass rate in the country. The number of RN jobs in the state is projected to grow 10.4% from 2022 to 2032. RNs earn an average salary of $81,900 per year.
- Nebraska: Has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the country, exceeding 95% for first-time test takers and BSN graduates. Nebraska’s average RN salary is $82,890.
- Tennessee: Has the strongest forecasted job growth. RN jobs in the state are projected to grow 12.8% from 2022 to 2032.
- Wyoming: Wyoming’s BSN-prepared nurses have the highest NCLEX pass rate of any state, at over 98%.
The table lists each state’s NCLEX-RN pass rate and average RN salary. Pass rates not only vary by state, but also by nursing programs within a state. Several factors contribute to salary differences across states, including projected demand, cost of living, and employment settings.
| State | Average NCLEX Pass Rate | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 93.4% | $74,970 |
| Alaska | 91.6% | $112,040 |
| Arizona | 93.8% | $95,230 |
| Arkansas | 91.1% | $77,720 |
| California | 92.7% | $148,330 |
| Colorado | 93.4% | $95,470 |
| Connecticut | 91.7% | $103,670 |
| Delaware | 93.3% | $95,450 |
| District of Columbia | 90.5% | $109,240 |
| Florida | 84.9% | $88,200 |
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