National Council Licensure Examination
- Passing demonstrates that you have the minimal level of knowledge or competency
- A legal requirement
- Allows you to be registered as a professional nurse
- Is a CAT exam – Computerized Adaptive Test
- 6 hours to complete
Exam includes:
- NCLEX tutorial
- NCLEX examination items
- Two preprogrammed optional breaks
- Survey
NCLEX Registration
The process to take the NCLEX begins with three steps:
- Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE (about 6 weeks prior to graduation). Education Program code for UW-Madison BSN program is US50509500.
- Submit an application for licensure to the board of nursing where you wish to be licensed (about 6 weeks prior to graduation). A board of nursing may require an official transcript, a form be filled out by the School of Nursing, or both. Official UW-Madison transcripts may be requested here. Be sure to meet the board of nursing’s application deadline.
- Once your degree is certified by the board of nursing, they will notify Pearson Vue that you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX. Pearson Vue will then email you your Authorization to Test (ATT). After you’ve gotten your ATT, you may schedule your test date for the NCLEX.
NCLEX/Licensure Resources
Preparing for the NCLEX
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Nursing Learning Center (NLC)
Provides periodic NCLEX review sessions. For more information, check out the Nursing Learning Center page.
NCSBN
National Council’s On-Line Review Course for the NCLEX-RN Exam. NCSBN.org
Features over 1,300 NCLEX-style questions including a pretest, 8 Lesson post-tests, practice question banks, community blogs, test-taking tips, and more.
UWorld
UWorld provides study plans, flash cards, customizable exams and performance analysis. UWorld is easily accessible on all smart devices (IOS, Android, Amazon).
SIMCLEX
SIMCLEX is an adaptive testing algorithm that simulates the NCLEX exam while providing unlimited practice. Available on smartphones, tablets and computers.
Elsevier
Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing (EAQ)
Unlimited quizzing, provides rationale and helps students understand their strengths and weaknesses.
3-day live review, 6 hours per day. Money-back guarantee for students.
Kaplan
Kaplan offers several types of NCLEX review. Money-back guarantee is offered for live sessions.
Nurse Plus Academy
Nurse Plus Academy offers a variety of practice questions covering all topics on the NCLEX.
HURST
HURST offers a variety of in-person and online review packages.
Review Books
Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination
Lippincott’s Q&A; Review for NCLEX-RN
Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing for the NCLEX-RN Examination Package
HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN® Examination
Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Testing
The Virtual-ATI NCLEX-RN Review provides 12-week access to an online classroom that begins 30 days prior to graduation, is available 24/7 and includes more than 400 on-demand resources via the mobile-friendly, online classroom. Graduates will receive a Green Light from their Virtual-ATI coach when they’re ready to pass NCLEX. If a graduate receives the Virtual-ATI Green Light, tests for NCLEX within 3 weeks, and fails NCLEX, an additional 12-week access will be offered at no additional cost.
For questions and further information, please call 800.667.7531.
Free Resources
Mometrix Test Prep Review: Offers practice tests and flash cards.
Khan Academy-NCLEX provides 86 practice problems and over 200 conceptual review/practice activities.
All Nursing Notes is a YouTube series focused on reviewing important NCLEX materials.