Is NCLEX shutting off at 85 good?

Q: Is NCLEX shutting off at 85 good?

A: An NCLEX exam that shuts off at 85 questions (the minimum for the PN exam) is often viewed as a positive sign, but it is not a definitive guarantee of passing. The computer adaptive testing (CAT) system stops when it is 95% certain you are either clearly above or clearly below the passing standard. It can stop at 85 questions for a pass or a fail.

Q: What does it mean when the test stops at the minimum?

A: The algorithm requires fewer questions to reach a statistical conclusion when your performance is decisively strong or decisively weak. Therefore, a stop at 85 questions could mean:

• You performed very well, consistently answering questions correctly and moving into a higher difficulty tier, allowing the computer to quickly determine you were above the passing standard.
• You performed very poorly, consistently answering questions incorrectly and staying below the passing standard, allowing the computer to quickly determine you were not passing.

Q: Are there other factors that make a stop at 85 more likely to be a pass?

A: Candidates often report that the difficulty and type of questions they received provide more clues than the question count alone. If your exam included a high number of complex, high-difficulty questions such as “Select All That Apply” (SATA), prioritization, delegation, or pharmacology items—and it still stopped at 85, it is a stronger indicator of a passing performance. This pattern suggests you were answering difficult questions correctly, which is required to pass.

Q: What should I absolutely NOT do after my exam shuts off at 85?

A: You should avoid using the unofficial “Pearson VUE Trick” (PVT). This involves attempting to re-register for the NCLEX to see if the system blocks you. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has stated this method is unreliable and can produce false positives or negatives. It creates unnecessary stress. The only way to know your result for sure is to wait for your official results from your state board of nursing or the Quick Results service (available for a fee after 48 hours).

Q: How common is it to pass at 85 questions?

A: While the NCSBN does not publish exact statistics, it is a common outcome for passing candidates. Many nursing graduates pass at the minimum number of questions. However, it is equally important to remember that a significant number of candidates also fail at 85 questions. The count itself is not diagnostic.

Q: What is the most important takeaway?

A: Do not fixate on the number 85 as a “good” or “bad” sign. The NCLEX is designed to be a precise measurement of competency, not a test of endurance. Your result is based on the difficulty of the questions you answered correctly, not how many you saw. The best course of action is to trust your preparation, avoid anxious speculation, and wait patiently for your official result.

For comparison, you can read about the experience and implications when the exam goes to the full 150 questions.