NCLEX-PN exam: format, test plan and NCLEX LPN practice questions
The NCLEX-PN exam is the licensure exam for practical and vocational nurses (LPN/VN): a computerized adaptive test of 85 to 150 questions in up to five hours, owned by NCSBN and delivered by Pearson. The 2026 PN test plan applies from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029, and registration costs US$200 for US licensure.
- Exam owner
- NCSBN; delivered by Pearson at Pearson Professional testing locationsNCSBN FAQs, checked 18 October 2026
- Who takes it
- LPN/VN candidates seeking licensureNCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026
- Number of questions
- 85 to 150, of which 15 are unscored pretest itemsNCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026
- Time limit
- Five hours, including all breaksNCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026
- Test plan
- 2026 PN Test Plan, effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029NCSBN test plans page, checked 18 October 2026
- Registration fee
- US$200 for US licensure; US$350 from February 1, 2027NCSBN fees and payment, checked 18 October 2026
- Passing standard
- -0.18 logits, through March 31, 2029NCSBN passing standard page, checked 18 October 2026
- Retakes
- Up to eight times a year, with at least 45 test-free days between attemptsNCSBN 2026 Candidate Bulletin, checked 18 October 2026
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Why you can trust these NCLEX-PN questions
What is the NCLEX-PN exam?
The NCLEX-PN is the licensure exam for practical and vocational nurses. NCSBN’s test plan addresses LPN/VN candidates together, so whether you are training as an LPN or an LVN, the LPN NCLEX exam you are looking for is the NCLEX-PN.
You apply for licensure to the nursing regulatory body (NRB) where you want to practice. The NRB decides your eligibility and only then issues the Authorization to Test that lets you book the NCLEX-PN test with Pearson.
Source: NCSBN — 2026 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN exam format
Like the RN exam, the NCLEX-PN is computerized adaptive. You answer between 85 and 150 items within five hours, and breaks count against that limit. A minimum-length exam includes three clinical judgment case studies of 18 items in total and 15 unscored pretest items.
After the minimum, the exam stops as soon as it is 95% certain your ability is clearly above or below the passing standard. At 150 items the final ability estimate decides, and if time runs out, candidates who have not reached the minimum fail.
Source: NCSBN — NCLEX-PN Test Plan, effective April 2026. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN test plan: content areas
The 2026 PN test plan is effective from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029. It differs from the RN plan: Coordinated Care replaces Management of Care, and the pharmacology area is Pharmacological Therapies.
- Safe and Effective Care Environment: Coordinated Care 18–24%; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control 10–16%
- Health Promotion and Maintenance 6–12%
- Psychosocial Integrity 9–15%
- Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort 7–13%; Pharmacological Therapies 10–16%; Reduction of Risk Potential 9–15%; Physiological Adaptation 7–13%
- Integrated processes: caring, clinical judgment, clinical problem-solving process (nursing process), communication and documentation, culture and spirituality, teaching and learning
Source: NCSBN — NCLEX-PN Test Plan, effective April 2026. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN cost and registration
The registration fee for US licensure is US$200, rising to US$350 on February 1, 2027. Testing at an international center adds a US$150 scheduling fee, switching between RN and PN after registration costs US$50, and registration fees are not refunded for any reason. Your NRB charges its licensure fee separately.
After you apply to your NRB and register with Pearson, you wait for the ATT email. It is valid for a period your NRB sets, on average 90 days. First-time test takers are offered an appointment within 30 days, at Pearson Professional testing locations year-round.
Source: NCSBN — NCLEX fees and payment. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN passing standard, results and retakes
The NCLEX-PN passing standard is -0.18 logits through March 31, 2029; it is a point on NCSBN’s ability scale, not a percentage of correct answers. Official results come from your NRB; where your NRB takes part, Quick Results shows unofficial results after two business days for a small fee.
If you do not pass, you can retake the exam up to eight times a year, with at least 45 test-free days between attempts and a new registration each time.
Source: NCSBN — NCLEX passing standard. Checked 18 October 2026.
Where to find free sample NCLEX-PN questions
The official source of free sample NCLEX-PN questions is NCSBN’s sample pack on nclex.com. It includes two PN case studies alongside three RN case studies and additional examples, and you download it after accepting a license agreement, with no price shown. NCSBN also offers an exam preview and Pearson’s Candidate Tutorial for the exam software.
Beyond those, NCSBN does not publish free NCLEX-PN practice questions in bank form or a full practice exam on the pages we checked. Use the sample pack to learn the case study format before you move to larger question sets.
Source: NCSBN — Prepare for the NCLEX. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN study guide and study plan
The best NCLEX-PN study guide is the 2026 PN test plan itself, because it sets what share of items each area gets. Any book or study guide for LPN NCLEX prep should follow it; NCSBN does not recommend or endorse any review courses or study materials, so check that a book names the 2026 plan.
A simple NCLEX-PN study plan, our suggestion rather than an NCSBN rule: start with Coordinated Care (18–24%), the largest area, then Safety and Infection Prevention and Control and Pharmacological Therapies (10–16% each), then Psychosocial Integrity and Reduction of Risk Potential (9–15% each). Add case studies every day and finish with timed sessions of up to 150 items in five hours.
Source: NCSBN — NCLEX frequently asked questions. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN prep course or self-study?
An NCLEX-PN prep course gives structure; self-study with a strong question bank gives flexibility. NCSBN endorses neither, so judge any NCLEX-PN prep by the same tests: does it follow the 2026 PN test plan, include clinical judgment case studies, explain every answer option and show results per content area?
Source: NCSBN — NCLEX frequently asked questions. Checked 18 October 2026.
NCLEX-PN practice questions
Certsqill’s NCLEX-PN practice questions are expert-developed NCLEX LPN practice questions mapped to the eight content areas of the 2026 PN test plan, from Coordinated Care to Physiological Adaptation. They work as NCLEX questions for LPN and LVN candidates alike.
Every question comes with an explanation for each answer option, and your results build a readiness score per content area, so you can see what to review before you book. A 7-day money-back guarantee applies.
NCLEX-PN questions people ask
What is the NCLEX-PN exam?
NCSBN’s licensure exam for practical and vocational nurses (LPN/VN): 85 to 150 items in up to five hours. Source: NCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026.
Is the LVN NCLEX exam different from the LPN exam?
No. Both take the NCLEX-PN; NCSBN’s test plan addresses LPN/VN candidates together. Source: NCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026.
How many questions are on the NCLEX-PN test?
Between 85 and 150, including 15 unscored pretest items. Source: NCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026.
How much does the NCLEX-PN cost?
US$200 for US licensure, rising to US$350 on February 1, 2027. Source: NCSBN fees and payment, checked 18 October 2026.
What is the NCLEX-PN passing standard?
-0.18 logits through March 31, 2029; not a percentage of correct answers. Source: NCSBN passing standard page, checked 18 October 2026.
Where can I get free NCLEX-PN practice questions?
NCSBN’s sample pack on nclex.com includes two PN case studies; the download form shows no price. Source: nclex.com, checked 18 October 2026.
What is the largest area on the NCLEX-PN?
Coordinated Care, at 18–24% of items. Source: NCSBN NCLEX-PN Test Plan, checked 18 October 2026.
How often can I retake the NCLEX-PN?
Up to eight times a year, with at least 45 test-free days between attempts. Source: NCSBN 2026 Candidate Bulletin, checked 18 October 2026.
