What’s a Good NCLEX Score?: Understanding Scoring, Knowing If You Passed, and Deciding Whether to Retake

Many nursing students ask, “What is a good NCLEX score?” The question makes sense but the answer is more complex than a simple number. Unlike most exams, the NCLEX does not provide a numerical score or percentage. It is a pass/fail exam determined by how consistently you demonstrate minimum competency compared to the passing standard.

This guide explains how NCLEX scoring actually works, how to interpret your test performance, and when it may be appropriate to consider a retake.

How the NCLEX Is Scored

The NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). Instead of assigning a point total, the system measures your ability level in logits, a statistical unit that reflects how likely you are to answer questions correctly.

The Passing Standard

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) sets a logit threshold that all candidates must meet or exceed. You pass when the testing algorithm is 95% confident that your ability is above that standard.

Three Ways the Exam Can End

So What Is a “Good NCLEX Score”?

Technically, there is no such thing as a high or low score. You either performed above the passing standard or below it.

However, if you receive your Candidate Performance Report (CPR) after failing, you will see how you performed in content areas compared to the standard:

• Above Passing Standard
• Near Passing Standard
• Below Passing Standard
  

This breakdown is useful for understanding how close you were to passing and which areas require improvement.

How to Know If You Likely Passed

While you won’t receive your official results immediately, certain patterns during the test may suggest how you performed:

These are not guarantees, but common patterns observed by past test takers and educators.

How to Interpret Your Candidate Performance Report (If You Don’t Pass)

If you fail, your official CPR provides valuable data. Instead of showing your score, it lists your performance relative to the passing standard.

Suggested Approach

1. Identify repeated weak areas (e.g., Pharmacology, Management of Care).
2. Prioritize remediation in Near and Below areas.
3. Use adaptive-style practice questions rather than passive review only.

When to Consider Retaking the NCLEX

You may want to retake the NCLEX if:

• You reached maximum questions and were “Near Passing Standard” in most areas
• Your CPR shows multiple Below Passing Standard categories
• You struggled with Next Gen case formats (partial credit, multiple response types)
• You relied heavily on content memorization without practice-based application

In most U.S. states, you can retake the NCLEX after a 45-day waiting period. Check your state’s retest policy before scheduling.

Preparing for a Retake or First Attempt

Whether you are testing for the first time or preparing for another attempt, success comes from consistent, structured practice not from guessing or cramming.

For candidates who want focused guidance, NCLEX Bootcamp offers:

• A personalized study schedule based on your exam or retake date
• Next Gen-style case practice with scoring that mirrors the real exam
• Performance tracking aligned with NCLEX content categories
• Strategy explanations that reinforce not just what the correct answer is, but why
  

If you’re unsure how you performed or you’re preparing to retest, structured preparation makes the difference.

Begin studying with NCLEX Bootcamp for free.