How NCLEX Answers Are Scored

Lesson Overview

The NCLEX® does not score every question the same way. Some questions are all-or-nothing, while others allow partial credit.

NurseAdemy Key Point: Understanding scoring helps you protect points, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and answer NGN items more strategically.

NCLEX® Scoring Is Not Based on a Percentage

The NCLEX® is not passed by earning a fixed percentage such as 70%, 75%, or 80%.

As discussed in the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) lesson, the NCLEX uses your answers to estimate whether your nursing ability is above or below the passing standard.

Above the Passing Standard = PASS

Passing Standard

Below the Passing Standard = FAIL

NurseAdemy CAT Rule: You do not pass by counting how many questions you got right. You pass by consistently performing at or above the passing standard.

If you answer correctly, the computer may give you a harder question. If you answer incorrectly, it may give you an easier question. The goal is to determine your ability level, not your percentage score.

Interactive Scoring Models

Click each card to reveal how the scoring model works.

0/1 Scoring

Your answer is either correct or incorrect.

Correct = 1 point
Incorrect = 0 points

Common in: Multiple Choice, Hot Spot, Fill-in-the-Blank.

Partial Credit

You may earn some points even if the full answer is not perfect.

Used in NGN items with multiple correct responses.

Common in: SATA, Matrix Multiple Response, Highlight Questions.

Plus / Minus Scoring

Correct choices add points; incorrect choices subtract points.

Correct selection = earns points
Incorrect selection = loses points

Lowest score possible is 0.

Rationale Scoring

Related answers must fit together logically.

Used when answers are paired or connected.

Common in: Bow Tie, Dyad/Triad Cloze, Cause-and-Effect items.

How NGN Awards Points

NGN questions are designed to measure clinical judgment step by step. This means students may earn points for correctly:

Recognizing important cues
Analyzing client data
Prioritizing the most urgent problem
Selecting safe nursing interventions
Evaluating if the client is improving

NGN rewards safe clinical thinking, not just memorization.

Practice: Protect Your Points

Question 1: The NCLEX is passed by achieving a fixed percentage score.

True False

Incorrect. The NCLEX is not based on a fixed percentage.

Correct. The NCLEX determines whether your ability is above or below the passing standard.

Question 2: Which scoring model gives 1 point for a correct answer and 0 points for an incorrect answer?

Partial Credit 0/1 Scoring Rationale Scoring

Incorrect. Partial credit allows some points even when the answer is not completely correct.

Correct. 0/1 scoring is all-or-nothing.

Incorrect. Rationale scoring evaluates related or paired answers.

Question 3: In Plus/Minus scoring, what happens when you select an incorrect option?

You automatically fail the item. You lose points for that incorrect selection. Nothing happens.

Incorrect. One wrong selection does not automatically mean failure of the entire item.

Correct. Incorrect selections can subtract points, but the lowest score is 0.

Incorrect. Incorrect selections can reduce your score.

How to Maximize Points

Identify the item type before answering.
Know whether the question allows partial credit.
Do not select answers you cannot justify clinically.
For SATA, treat each option as true or false.
For Bow Tie, identify the condition first.
For case studies, focus on the client’s priority problem.

NurseAdemy Final Takeaway: The safest nurse is not the one who selects the most answers. The safest nurse selects the answers that are clinically supported.