Passing the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is your final step in officially leaving nursing school behind and becoming a licensed nurse, but waiting for results is stressful! While official results can take up to six weeks, there are a few ways to get your results sooner. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Quick Results Service
- Availability: This service is available through Pearson VUE, the testing company for the NCLEX.
- Time Frame: Results are typically available within 48 hours after taking the test.
- Cost: There is a small fee (around $7.95) to access these results.
- How to Access:
- Log in to your Pearson VUE account.
- Select the “Quick Results” option.
- Follow the prompts to purchase and view your results.
2. The Pearson Vue Trick (PVT)
- Unofficial Method: This is an unofficial and anecdotal method used by many test-takers to get an idea of their results before official scores are released.
- Steps:
- Log In to Pearson VUE: Log in to your Pearson VUE account and attempt to register for the NCLEX again.
- Enter Payment Information: Go through the registration process until you reach the payment page.
- Good Popup vs. Bad Popup:
- Good Popup: If you receive a message saying “Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time,” it’s a positive sign that you likely passed.
- Bad Popup: If you are allowed to proceed to the payment screen without any error messages, it might indicate that you did not pass.
- Note: While many test-takers report that the PVT has worked for them, it is not 100% reliable.
3. Official Results
- State Boards of Nursing: Each state board of nursing will send official results via mail or through their online portal.
- Time Frame: Official results are usually available within six weeks.
- Licensure Verification: Some state boards have online verification systems where you can check if your license has been issued, which would indicate a pass.
4. Signs of Passing the NCLEX
While waiting for official confirmation, there are a few other signs that may suggest you passed:
- Test Difficulty: Because the test is adaptive, this means that feeling like the questions were tough can be a good sign, as the test is adjusting to your higher competency level.
- Number of Questions: The NCLEX can shut off at any point between 75 and 145 questions. If your exam ended closer to 75 questions, it could be a sign of strong performance – though it’s important to remember that this isn’t definitive!
Conclusion
While you wait for your official NCLEX results, you might find it helpful to use the Quick Results Service and the Pearson Vue Trick for some early insight into if you passed NCLEX. Just keep in mind that these methods are unofficial, and you’ll ultimately need to wait for the official results from your state board of nursing. Best of luck!
