What is the passing score for the NCLEX?

How is the NCLEX scored?

It’s a computerized adaptive test, or CAT. Every time you answer, the computer re-estimates your ability from all your answers so far and picks the next question to fit it. NCSBN’s 2025 statistics report says each question is chosen so you have about a 50% chance of getting it right.

That’s why a percentage correct means little here: a stronger candidate simply gets harder questions. What counts is whether your ability estimate ends up above or below the standard. The three ways an exam can end are on our questions page.

What does the NCLEX passing score of 0.00 logits mean?

Logit is short for log-odds unit, the scale NCSBN uses to place both candidates and questions. It has no meaning in nursing terms and its zero point is arbitrary, but on the RN scale it typically runs from -2.00 (easy items or low ability) to 2.00 (hard items or high ability).

The RN and PN standards can’t be compared directly, because they come from different question pools and scopes of practice. The RN standard has been 0.00 logits since April 2013, and the PN standard -0.18 logits since March 25, 2020.

Who sets the NCLEX passing standard?

The NCSBN Board of Directors. It looks at the standard again every three years, when the test plans are reviewed, drawing on information that includes a standard-setting exercise by a panel of judges, the history of candidate results and surveys of employers and educators. In December 2022 it voted to keep both current standards through March 31, 2029.

There’s no quota. The test plans say no fixed percentage of candidates passes or fails: everyone who reaches the standard passes.

Will you ever see an NCLEX score?

No. NCSBN reports only a pass or fail, and its statistics report says scores are never reported. If you fail, your Candidate Performance Report shows whether you were above, near or below the standard in each test plan area, but still no number. Questions with more than one right answer can earn partial credit, which our Next Generation NCLEX page explains.