Nursing Exams – A Helpful Guide

Nursing Entrance Exams

Don’t worry—you won’t need nursing-specific knowledge if you are wondering how to get into nursing school. You will, however, have to demonstrate competency in areas like math, communication and comprehension.

If you’re applying for a nursing degree, you may also be tested on core subjects related to health care. Nursing schools want to know you have the essential knowledge needed to succeed in their programs and that you possess solid critical thinking skills, which will be tested on many nursing exams.

Nursing Entrance Test (NET)

The Nursing Entrance Test (NET) is a nursing school test that covers reading, math, decision-making skills, learning style and the ability to handle stressful situations. This entrance exam is administered by individual schools and is for those who want to enter registered nurse or licensed practical nurse programs.

• How long does it take to complete the NET? Timing is set by each school
• What’s the typical cost for the NET? Varies depending on the school
• What’s the passing score for the NET? Passing scores vary by school

Kaplan Nursing Test

The Kaplan Nursing School Admissions Test is a nursing school test that covers math, reading, science, writing and critical thinking. There are four sections of multiple-choice questions. Each school determines the test’s timing, cost and acceptable passing scores.

• How long does it take to complete the Kaplan Nursing Test? Timing is set by each school
• What’s the typical cost for the Kaplan Nursing Test? Cost varies by school; some schools cover or waive the fee
• What’s the passing score for the Kaplan Nursing Test? Passing scores vary by school

Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) exams

Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) exams are aptitude tests that some health care programs, including nursing programs, use in admissions. Whether a program requires a PSB exam, and how and where you take it, depends on the school.

• How long does it take to complete the PSB exams? Timing varies by test and by school
• What’s the typical cost for the PSB exams? Cost varies by school
• What’s the passing score for the PSB exams? Varies by school

Test of Academic Skills (TEAS)

The Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is a nursing school exam for those who want to become registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Sometimes medical assistants may also be asked to take the exam. It’s one of the most common nursing school exams and covers math, reading, science and English. It’s administered by individual schools.

• How long does it take to complete the TEAS exam? 209 minutes (170 questions)
• What’s the typical cost for the TEAS exam? Cost varies by registration mode and school
• What’s the passing score for the TEAS exam? Each school sets its own passing score

Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI A2)

The Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI A2) is a test administered by individual schools to those seeking nursing degrees, as well as for some students who are seeking health care-related degrees. It covers math, English and science and also has a learning style inventory and personality profile.

• How long does it take to complete the HESI A2? Timing is set by each school
• What’s the typical cost for the HESI A2? Cost varies by school
• What’s the passing score for the HESI A2? Passing scores vary by school

Additional Exams

There are tests like the SAT, ACT and GRE that students may be required to take in order to enter undergraduate and graduate nursing school.

The SAT and ACT are administered to high school students and are used for undergraduate college admission. The SAT covers math and evidence-based reading and writing. The ACT covers math, reading, English and science, with an optional writing portion.

The GRE is a graduate school-readiness test. It covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. To get into an on campus or online master’s in nursing program, passing the GRE is often a requirement.

These tests are general academic measurement tests, not related to the nursing field. You will likely have to take nursing-specific exams in addition to these tests if you want to get into graduate nursing school.

• How long does it take to complete the SAT, ACT and GRE? For the SAT, 2 hours 14 minutes. For the ACT, 2 hours 5 minutes for the core test, plus an optional 40 minutes for the Science section and an optional 40 minutes for the Writing section. For the GRE General Test, 1 hour 58 minutes.
• What’s the typical cost for the SAT, ACT and GRE? For the SAT, $68. For the ACT, $70 for the core test, plus $5 for the optional Science section and $25 for the optional Writing section. For the GRE General Test, $249 for current U.S. registration.
• What’s the passing score for the SAT, ACT and GRE? Varies depending on school; test takers receive a score and a percentile

National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) Exam

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX exam) is required to become either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. The exams are created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which issue or deny candidates nursing licenses. There are two versions of the NCLEX exam: the NCLEX-PN exam and the NCLEX-RN exam.

NCLEX-PN

The NCLEX-PN has questions on subjects like physiological adaptation, coordinated care, safety and infection control, health promotion and maintenance, and psychosocial integrity. The exam includes between 85 and 150 items.

The NCLEX-PN is for those who are interested in becoming practical nurses, sometimes called vocational nurses. PNs don’t have to have a college degree to work as a nurse. While both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN cover similar topics and share the same maximum testing time, the NCLEX-PN exam doesn’t cover management of care topics like the NCLEX-RN exam does; it covers coordinated care instead.

• How long does it take to complete the NCLEX-PN? Up to 5 hours (maximum testing time)
• What’s the typical cost for the NCLEX-PN? Around $200
• What’s the passing score for the NCLEX-PN? The passing standard is -0.18 logits. A logit is a unit of measurement used to report relative differences between item difficulties and candidate ability estimates.

NCLEX-RN

The NCLEX-RN has questions on subjects like management of care, pharmacological and parenteral therapies, reduction of risk potential and basic care and comfort. The exam includes between 85 and 150 items.

The NCLEX-RN is for those who are interested in becoming registered nurses. Registered nurses must earn a professional nursing degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN share the same maximum testing time. Instead of coordinated care questions, the NCLEX-RN exam has management of care questions.

• How long does it take to complete the NCLEX-RN? Up to 5 hours (maximum testing time)
• What’s the typical cost for the NCLEX-RN? Around $200
• What’s the passing score for the NCLEX-RN? The passing standard is 0.00 logits.

Both NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN fees are scheduled to increase to $350 (US and Australia) or $570 CAD (Canada), effective February 1, 2027, per NCLEX fee information.

Nursing Certification Exams

Nursing certifications are a way for nurses to demonstrate their expertise in nursing and/or a nursing specialty. A nursing certification confirms nurses have the skills outlined in the certification, which can be attractive to certain employers or even required for some state licensure. After getting a certification, a nurse can add the certification acronym to their title, which can enhance a resume and professional profile.

There are various advanced practice nursing certifications available. Nurses can go to the website of the nursing certification body that administers the certification to apply. Certifications typically need to be renewed every few years in order to stay in good standing.

Some of the specialty nursing certification exams may include:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)
• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPN)
• Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) (PMHNP-BC)
• Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC)

Certifications will typically require a combination of the following: a graduate nursing degree, an active RN license and/or a minimum number of supervised clinical practice hours in the specialty, in addition to passing a certification test. For example, the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification requires a current RN license, an accredited FNP graduate degree and at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.

Exams are a Typical Part of Nursing Careers

For most nursing jobs, exams are a requirement to get the degree, licensure and credentials you want. It is important to take adequate time to prepare for nursing exams so you can go into the test confidently and achieve the score you need.