The NCLEX pass rate is the percentage of nursing graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN® exam during any given time period. A pass rate may be national, encompassing all nurse candidates who took the exam during a particular time period. A pass rate may also be specific to a state or to a nursing school. Similarly, the NCLEX first time pass rate is the percentage of nurse candidates who passed the exam on their first attempt.

NCLEX pass rates are important for nursing students to consider when choosing a nursing program. Passing this exam is one of the requirements for working as a licensed registered nurse. Prior to the exam, you must apply to the state board of nursing. Upon meeting all state requirements, you will be approved to take the NCLEX.

You cannot practice as a nurse without a license. You must pass the NCLEX to achieve licensure with the state board of nursing (BON). Because of the importance of passing the NCLEX, every prospective and current nursing student should take a closer look at the exam and explore NCLEX first-time pass rates.

The NCLEX is the National Council Licensure Exam for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). After you finish your nursing education and before you practice as a registered nurse, you must first pass this licensure exam. Passing this exam establishes the minimum nursing knowledge and skills required to practice competently at the entry level, according to Kaplan.^{(See disclaimer 1)} 

The NCLEX is a timed exam (five hours) that consists of at least 85 questions and up to 150. The NCLEX, graded on a pass/fail basis, uses an adaptive testing format, meaning the more correct answers you provide, the sooner you finish. The same applies to wrong answers, as well: If you answer too many questions incorrectly, the test may be terminated.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

The NCLEX questions and format are established by the National Council for State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). According to the NCSBN, the exam is administered by Pearson throughout each year at Pearson Professional Testing locations. After fulfilling your state’s requirements, you can apply to take the exam.^{(See disclaimer 2)} 

Your state BON will review your eligibility before sending you an authorization to test (ATT) email. Your ATT enables you to schedule your NCLEX test date.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

After taking the exam, you may be able to receive your unofficial results within 48 hours if your state BON participates in the Quick Results Service. This requires an extra fee. Official exam results are provided by the BON within six weeks of your test date.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

The NCLEX exam pass rate is the percentage of candidates who pass on their first attempt. It’s possible to retake the exam multiple times if need be, although it’s generally preferable to pass it on one’s first attempt, as this facilitates a faster entry into the nursing workforce.

There is a national pass rate, as well as state-specific pass rates. Each nursing school that confers a degree leading to licensure also receives a pass rate percentage. Pass rates are available per quarter or per year.

According to the Arizona State Board of Nursing, the national pass rates for the years 2020 to 2025 are as follows:^{(See disclaimer 3 )}

• 2020: 86.58%
• 2021: 82.48%
• 2022: 79.91%
• 2023: 88.56%
• 2024: 91.16%
• 2025: 86.71%

Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates

For at least a decade, the statewide NCLEX pass rates for Arizona have consistently exceeded the nationwide pass rates, indicating that nurse candidates in this state are generally well-prepared for a nursing career. The Arizona pass rates are as follows:^{(See disclaimer 3)}

• 2020: 91.44%
• 2021: 87.37%
• 2022: 84.79%
• 2023: 90.39%
• 2024: 93.75%
• 2025: 89.92%

GCU NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Results

Even as Arizona test-takers have consistently exceeded the national average, GCU nursing graduates have exceeded the Arizona average. The GCU NCLEX-RN pass rates for our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program are as follows:^{(See disclaimer 3)}

• 2020: 96.17%
• 2021: 90.37%
• 2022: 88.4%
• 2023: 94.75%
• 2024: 97.17%
• 2025: 97.05%

Choosing a nursing school with high NCLEX pass rates is important for several reasons: 

1. Quality of education: High NCLEX pass rates can indicate that the nursing program provides a high-quality education that effectively prepares students for the NCLEX exam, according to a study published in the Journal of Professional Nursing.^{(See disclaimer 4)}
2. Career opportunities: Schools with high pass rates increase their graduates’ chances of passing the exam on their first attempt, which can lead to earlier licensure and quicker entry into the workforce.^{(See disclaimer 4)}
3. Accreditation and reputation: Graduating from an accredited nursing program can help ensure that graduates meet certain standards of quality and training, giving them the confidence that they are receiving high-quality education and training to provide competent care to patients.^{(See disclaimer 3 )}

High NCLEX pass rates reflect a nursing school's commitment to excellence in nursing education and are a good indicator that its students may acquire the skills and knowledge needed to become effective nurses, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Nursing students often wonder if it’s good or bad if the NCLEX exam ends after 85 questions. In an adaptive exam like NCLEX, the computer program determines, through question performance, whether the tester has a good grasp of the concepts required by the blueprint. If the exam turns off in 85 questions, this indicates that the decision made by the exam software was definitive, and either the tester performed very well or very poorly.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

In other words, a tester can pass or fail with the minimum questions.^{(See disclaimer 1)} The most important factor, while testing, is to take one question at a time. Focus on the questions themselves, not how many there are. It’s entirely possible to pass in either 85 or 150 questions — or anywhere in between.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

It’s possible to not pass on your first attempt. First, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you can still become a nurse. In fact, you may be able to re-take the exam as early as 45 days after your first attempt, according to the NCSBN.^{(See disclaimer 6)} 

Candidates may take the exam as many as eight times per year. Keep in mind that some jurisdictions require candidates to wait longer than 45 days between test dates. Refer to your BON’s policies and plan on stepping up your NCLEX test prep in the meantime.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

Nurse candidates with test anxiety may wish to try the following tips for calming their nerves:

• Follow a consistent study routine
• Talk to teachers and classmates for support
• Practice relaxation techniques throughout study sessions
• Remember to eat and drink on the morning of the exam
• Get plenty of exercise throughout school and prioritize sleep the night before your exam

You might also wish to form a study group with your peers. Make use of nursing school and online resources for NCLEX test prep and seek personalized guidance from your instructors.

GCU’s NCLEX pass rates were consistently above the national and statewide averages for 2020 to 2025,^{(See disclaimer 3)} reflecting our dedication to thoroughly preparing our nursing students. Explore our nursing degrees, including our traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Pre-Licensure, Accelerated (ABSN) programs.