What is the minimum passing score for the NCLEX-RN exam?

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is designed to assess a candidate's competence in nursing. The passing standard is not defined by a simple percentage of questions answered correctly, but rather by a more complex process involving computer-based adaptive testing.

The correct answer, representing the minimum passing standard, is significant because it reflects the specific requirements established by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). To pass the NCLEX-RN, candidates must meet a minimum standard set by the NCSBN, which is typically communicated in terms of the ability to demonstrate competency in nursing care, rather than a fixed number of questions. It’s important to recognize that the NCLEX-RN uses a computerized adaptive testing format; hence, the number of questions and the passing threshold can vary based on the candidate’s performance throughout the exam.

Understanding this distinction helps clarify that a candidate’s success on the NCLEX-RN is about demonstrating sufficient knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective patient care, rather than simply achieving a score based on raw question numbers.