Q: Why did I get 145 questions on NCLEX?

A: You received 145 questions because the NCLEX computer adaptive testing (CAT) system required a high number of data points to determine with 95% certainty whether your ability was above or below the passing standard. Your performance consistently placed your ability estimate very close to the passing line throughout the exam, so the algorithm needed to ask more questions to reach a definitive pass/fail decision.

Q: Does getting 145 questions mean I passed or failed?

A: Getting 145 questions does not indicate a pass or a fail. The exam length is not diagnostic. You can pass with 145 questions, and you can fail with 145 questions. The final result is based on your overall performance and the difficulty of the questions you answered, not the count. Many candidates who go to 145 or the maximum 150 questions do pass.

Q: What kind of performance leads to a longer exam like 145 questions?

A: The CAT system is designed to pinpoint your exact ability level. An exam that extends to 145+ questions typically indicates a borderline performance, where you correctly answered enough difficult questions to stay near the passing standard but may have missed some easier ones, or vice-versa. Your ability estimate oscillated near the passing line without clearly moving above or below it until the very end.

Q: Is there a problem with my preparation if I went to 145 questions?

A: Not necessarily. It often reflects a solid but not dominant grasp of the material, where your competency hovered near the threshold. It may also indicate inconsistencies in your knowledge excelling in some areas but having gaps in others that kept you from pulling decisively ahead.

Q: What should I do now while waiting for my results?

Avoid the “Quick Results” Trap: Do not obsess over unofficial early results or try to re-take questions in your head.
Trust the Process: The CAT system is statistically rigorous. Your result will be accurate.
Plan for Either Outcome: Use the waiting period to rest, but also consider starting a light, structured review plan in case a retake is necessary.

Q: How can I prepare differently to avoid a borderline result in the future?

A: To achieve a clearer, earlier pass (or to ensure success on a retake), focus on:

Closing Knowledge Gaps: Use your test experience to identify shaky areas. Was it pharmacology? Prioritization? Focus your review there.
Mastering Clinical Judgment: The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) heavily tests this. Practice with case studies and the new item types until you are confident.
Building Test Endurance: Simulate full-length exams (up to 150 questions) regularly to build the mental stamina required.
Analyzing Practice Test Rationales: Do not just note if you got a question right/wrong. Understand why every single option was correct or incorrect.

For more information on potential indicators of a passing performance, you can review our resource on good signs you passed NCLEX.