The 2026 NCLEX-PN test plan, explained
The test plan is NCSBN’s blueprint for the practical nurse licensing exam. The 2026 version is in effect from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2029. It splits the exam into eight Client Needs categories, sets how much of the exam each one gets, and fixes how long the exam can run. It is based on NCSBN’s 2024 study of what new LPN/VNs actually do at work.
Updated October 2026
85–150
Questions
5 hrs
Maximum time
Breaks included
8
Client Needs categories
3
Case studies
Six items each
Distribution of content
The eight categories and their weights
The range is what NCSBN publishes. Your own exam can differ by up to 3% in each category, because exam length varies.
| Category | Share of items |
|---|---|
| Coordinated Care Safe and Effective Care Environment | 18–24% |
| Safety and Infection Prevention and Control Safe and Effective Care Environment | 10–16% |
| Health Promotion and Maintenance Health Promotion and Maintenance | 6–12% |
| Psychosocial Integrity Psychosocial Integrity | 9–15% |
| Basic Care and Comfort Physiological Integrity | 7–13% |
| Pharmacological Therapies Physiological Integrity | 10–16% |
| Reduction of Risk Potential Physiological Integrity | 9–15% |
| Physiological Adaptation Physiological Integrity | 7–13% |
Coordinated Care is the largest single category. The four Physiological Integrity categories together make up the largest share of the exam. Each category name above opens free practice questions for it.
Exam length
How a minimum-length exam is built
Every candidate answers at least 85 items and at most 150, within 5 hours that include all breaks. A minimum-length exam is made of:
- 52 items from the eight categories, in the percentages above.
- 18 items in 3 clinical judgment case studies, counted separately because each case spans several categories.
- 15 unscored pretest items, mixed in and not marked.
Clinical judgment is also measured by stand-alone items, about 10% of the exam depending on its length.
Clinical judgment
The six steps every case study follows
A case study is six items about one client, one item per step.
- 1
Recognize cues
Pick out the information that matters, from history to vital signs.
- 2
Analyze cues
Connect those cues to the client's presentation.
- 3
Prioritize hypotheses
Rank what could be going on by urgency, likelihood and risk.
- 4
Generate solutions
Set expected outcomes and the interventions that reach them.
- 5
Take action
Carry out the solutions that address the top priority.
- 6
Evaluate outcomes
Compare what happened with what was expected.
Scoring
How pass or fail is decided
The exam is computer adaptive. After each answer the computer re-estimates your ability and picks the next item to match, from a category the plan still needs. It stops once it is 95% certain you are above or below the passing standard, or when you reach the maximum number of items or run out of time.
The length of your exam says nothing about the result: you can pass or fail at any length. There is no fixed percentage of candidates who pass. Items with more than one correct answer can earn partial credit, scored by one of three methods: plus/minus, zero/one, or rationale scoring.
Registration
What it costs to register
The NCLEX registration fee is $200. For registrations made on or after February 1, 2027, it is $350, including retakes. The fee depends on when you register, not when you sit the exam.
FAQ
NCLEX-PN test plan FAQ
When does the 2026 NCLEX-PN test plan take effect?
It is in effect from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2029. The NCLEX Examination Committee reviews the test plan every three years.
What is the biggest category on the NCLEX-PN?
Coordinated Care, at 18 to 24% of items. It covers scope of practice, assigning tasks to assistive personnel, consent, advocacy and reporting.
How many case studies are on the NCLEX-PN?
3 case studies of six items each, 18 items in total. They are counted separately from the eight content categories.
Are there unscored questions on the NCLEX-PN?
Yes. A minimum-length exam includes 15 unscored pretest items. They look like every other item, so answer each one as if it counts.
Practise for the NCLEX-PN free.
Answer NCLEX-PN practice questions, read the rationale on every option, and see which category needs work.
Free NCLEX-PN practice questions with rationales