What Happens If You Fail the NCLEX? 3 Proven Strategies to Bounce Back Stronger!

3 consistent queries we get from our students are, “What happens if you fail the NCLEX? Can you fail the NCLEX in 85 questions? How many times can you fail the NCLEX?” We understand that failing the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) can feel disheartening, especially after dedicating weeks or even months to preparation. However, it’s important to remember that failing the NCLEX isn’t the end of your nursing journey—it’s a temporary setback.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly what happens if you fail the NCLEX, steps to retake the exam, and strategies to improve your preparation so you can pass on your next attempt.

What to Expect If You Fail the NCLEX: Can you Fail the NCLEX in 85 questions?

The NCLEX is designed to measure your ability to make safe, effective clinical decisions as a nurse. Unfortunately, not all candidates pass on their first try. If you fail, the process that follows is straightforward and designed to help you prepare for your next attempt.

1. Receiving Your Candidate Performance Report

When you fail the NCLEX, you’ll receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This report is a critical tool that outlines your performance and helps you understand where you struggled.

Key Features of the CPR:

1. Pass/Fail Summary: Confirms your exam outcome.
2. Performance Breakdown: Lists areas where you performed below, near, or above the passing standard.
   • Example Categories:
     • Safe and Effective Care Environment
     • Health Promotion and Maintenance
     • Psychosocial Integrity
     • Physiological Integrity

How to Use the CPR Effectively:

• Identify content areas marked as “below the standard”—these are your weakest subjects.
• Prioritize these topics in your next study plan.
• Use the CPR to focus your efforts on specific question types where you struggled (e.g., Select-All-That-Apply).

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2. NCLEX Retake Policies: How many times can you Fail the NCLEX?

Failing the NCLEX doesn’t mean you’re out of chances. You can retake the exam, but there are important rules to follow:

Key Retake Guidelines:

• Waiting Period: You must wait at least 45 days between exam attempts.
• Number of Attempts: You can retake the NCLEX up to 8 times per year.
• State-Specific Policies: Some state boards may have additional requirements or limits on retakes.

Example: In New York, candidates must apply for a new Authorization to Test (ATT) after each failed attempt, which adds time to the process.

Tip: Don’t rush to retake the exam immediately. Use the 45-day waiting period wisely to prepare and address your weak areas.

Here’s a table summarizing NCLEX Retake Policies by State:

Emotional and Mental Impact of Failing the NCLEX: What happens if you fail the NCLEX?

Failing the NCLEX can trigger a range of emotions, from frustration to self-doubt. It’s normal to feel disappointed, but it’s important to process these feelings and refocus on your goal.

1. Overcoming Self-Doubt

Failing doesn’t define your abilities as a nurse. Remember:

• Many successful nurses didn’t pass the NCLEX on their first try.
• A setback doesn’t mean you’re not capable—it means you need to adjust your approach.

Motivational Quote: “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.”

Steps to Rebuild Confidence:

• Talk to peers or mentors who’ve been in similar situations.
• Reflect on your strengths—your clinical skills and passion for nursing haven’t changed.
• Set small, achievable goals as you restart your preparation.

2. Seeking Support

You don’t have to go through this alone. Here are ways to find support:

• Study Groups: Collaborate with fellow candidates for shared motivation.
• Professional Tutors: Enroll in NCLEX coaching programs for tailored guidance.
• Family and Friends: Share your feelings and let loved ones encourage you.

Feeling overwhelmed? Explore our RN Exact Exam Questions and get the exact exam questions for your exam.

Steps to Prepare for Your NCLEX Retake

To pass the NCLEX on your next attempt, you need a fresh approach. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help you prepare effectively.

1. Assess What Went Wrong

Ask yourself these critical questions:

• Did I dedicate enough time to studying?
• Did I struggle with specific question types (e.g., SATA)?
• Was test anxiety a factor during the exam?

Action Step: Use your CPR report to answer these questions and identify patterns in your weaknesses.

2. Build a New Study Plan

After identifying your weak areas, create a structured study plan that focuses on improvement.

Example 6-Week Retake Study Plan:

Week	Focus Area	Daily Tasks
1–2	Weakest content areas	2 hours of content review + 50 practice questions
3–4	Mixed review and practice	Alternate between strong and weak topics
5–6	Full-length mock exams	Complete timed exams + review rationales

Below is a 6 week nclex study plan blueprint

3. Practice with the Right Tools

Retaking the NCLEX requires focused practice. Use high-quality resources like:

• UWorld Question Bank: Includes detailed rationales for every answer.
• Kaplan NCLEX Prep: Offers simulated exams to replicate real test conditions.
• RN/PN Exact Exam Questions: Provides real NCLEX-style questions for targeted preparation.

Learning Opportunity: Find out How Many Times You Can Take the NCLEX?

How to Pass the NCLEX After Failing: Proven Strategies for Success

Failing the NCLEX once does not define your ability to become a successful nurse. The key to passing on your next attempt lies in refining your study techniques, managing stress, and leveraging the right tools.

Here are the proven strategies that have helped thousands of candidates pass the NCLEX on their second try.

1. Focus on Weak Areas Highlighted in Your CPR

Your Candidate Performance Report (CPR) is a goldmine of information. It pinpoints the specific content areas where you fell short during your previous attempt.

Steps to Use the CPR Effectively:

1. Highlight “below passing standard” sections.
   • For example: If you struggled with “Pharmacological Therapies,” dedicate additional study time to drug interactions and medication safety.
2. Create a targeted study plan:
   • Allocate 70% of your time to weak areas and 30% to reviewing stronger sections.
3. Track your improvement:
   • Use NCLEX practice questions to measure progress in weak topics.

This article breaks down What to Expect on the NCLEX Exam: A Full Breakdown

2. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity in Practice Questions: Can you fail the nclex in 85 questions?

While completing thousands of practice questions is important, quality matters more than quantity.

Effective Question Practice Tips:

• Review Rationales: After answering each question, carefully read the rationale to understand why an answer is correct or incorrect.
• Simulate Exam Conditions:
  • Complete timed practice exams with at least 75–145 questions to build endurance.
• Focus on Difficult Formats: Prioritize question types you struggle with:
  • Select-All-That-Apply (SATA)
  • Prioritization Questions
  • Drag-and-Drop

Tip: Use platforms like UWorld or Kaplan, or try our tailored RN/PN Exam Questions for targeted success.

3. Join a Structured NCLEX Prep Course

Enrolling in a structured NCLEX prep program provides the guidance and accountability you may need to succeed. Programs like Kaplan, Hurst, or private tutoring services offer:

• Personalized Study Plans tailored to your weak areas.
• Access to NCLEX-style practice questions with detailed explanations.
• Support from expert nursing educators.

Need more guidance? Find out The Ideal Daily Study Routine for NCLEX Success

4. Develop a Healthy Exam Mindset 

Success on the NCLEX isn’t just about preparation—it’s also about your mindset. Stress and anxiety can cloud your judgment and hinder performance.

Mindset Techniques for NCLEX Success:

• Visualization: Imagine yourself answering questions confidently and receiving your “pass” results.
• Affirmations: Use positive statements like, “I am prepared. I am ready to pass the NCLEX.”
• Physical Wellness: Maintain a healthy balance of study, exercise, and sleep to optimize focus and energy.

Pro Tip: Replace thoughts of failure with reminders of your strengths—your nursing education, clinical experience, and dedication.

The Retake Process: Step-by-Step Guide 

Failing the NCLEX means going through the retake process, but don’t worry—it’s straightforward when approached systematically.

1. Register for Your Retake

Steps to Register for a Retake:

1. Contact Your State Board: Inform them of your intent to retake the NCLEX.
2. Obtain a New Authorization to Test (ATT):
   • The ATT allows you to schedule your next exam.
3. Reapply with Pearson VUE: Pay the exam fee of $200 (U.S.) or any state-specific fees.

2. Set a New Exam Date

Once your registration is complete, schedule a test date that gives you enough time to prepare without delaying progress.

• Recommended Timeline: 6–8 weeks of focused preparation.
• Avoid scheduling your retake too early—you need time to address previous weaknesses.

Example: If you failed in January, aim for a retake in March after completing a structured study plan.

3. Leverage Additional Resources for Improvement 

Supplement your preparation with resources designed specifically for NCLEX retakes:

• NCLEX Content Review Books: Focus on books that simplify key concepts.
• Practice Exams: Simulate test-day conditions with full-length exams.
• Professional Support: Consider professional prep services or tutors.

Success Stories: Real Nurses Who Passed After Failing: What happens if you fail the nclex?

Before we delve into the success stories, here’s a table summarizing NCLEX Pass and Fail Percentages Over Recent Years

Key Insights from the Data:

• Pass rates for first-time U.S.-educated test-takers have generally remained above 80%, though a slight decline is seen in recent years.
• Fail rates are inversely proportional to pass rates, reflecting challenges such as exam difficulty and preparation gaps.
• NCLEX-RN pass rates tend to be slightly higher than NCLEX-PN, likely due to differences in nursing education and clinical exposure.

Many successful nurses didn’t pass the NCLEX on their first attempt—but they learned, adapted, and succeeded.

1. Overcoming Failure with Focused Preparation

Case Study: Maria, a nursing school graduate, failed her first NCLEX attempt. She realized her biggest challenge was time management during the exam. She contacted us and this is what she did differently

What She Did Differently:

• Used our RN Exact Exam Questions service for preparation.
• Focused on test-taking strategies and full-length practice exams.
• Reviewed her Candidate Performance Report to identify weaknesses.

Result: Maria passed on her second attempt and is now a critical care nurse.

2. From Test Anxiety to Success 

Case Study: Jason struggled with severe test anxiety, which impacted his first 3 attempts.

His Strategy for Success:

• Used our RN/PN Exam Score Updates service for preparation.

Result: Jason now has his NCLEX-RN License and works as an ER nurse.

Conclusion: Turning Setbacks Into Success

We believe that you now have the answers to the 3 questions we asked: “What happens if you fail the NCLEX? Can you fail the NCLEX in 85 questions? How many times can you fail the NCLEX?” Again, even though failing the NCLEX may feel overwhelming, it’s simply a stepping stone on your journey to becoming a licensed nurse. By analyzing your weaknesses, creating a targeted study plan, and using high-quality resources, you can pass the NCLEX on your next attempt.

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