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NCLEX Retake Policy and Candidate Performance Reports

Achieving the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a defining achievement for graduating nurses who aspire to be a licensed nurse in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Since you are reading this blog, it probably means you didn’t make it on your first try. Don’t worry! It’s not the end! Many successful nurses today have also failed their first attempt.

The NCLEX Retake Policy permits candidates to retake the exam within a specified period. Furthermore, the Candidate Performance Report (CPR) is a handy tool that provides insight into your performance and strengths and weaknesses. In this blog, we will discuss all you need to know about NCLEX exam retake policies, how to utilize CPR, and a little about the best NCLEX RN coaching center in Kerala to guide you to success in your second attempt.

NCLEX Retake Policy

If you fail the NCLEX, you may retake the test a maximum of eight times in one year, with an obligatory 45-day waiting time between retakes. Nevertheless, some state nursing regulatory boards (NRBs) have additional guidelines, e.g., restricting retakes over a specific time.

NCLEX Exam Retake Guidelines:

  • Applicants may retake the NCLEX a maximum of 8 times in one year.
  • There is a 45-day waiting period between attempts.
  • There are more strict retake limits in some states (e.g., no more than three or four attempts within a year).
  • If you don’t pass, you’ll be provided with a Candidate Performance Report (CPR) to assist in pinpointing areas of improvement.
  • Before you register for a retake, verify with your particular NRB and make sure you comply with all the requirements.

The Candidate Performance Report (CPR)

When you do not pass the NCLEX, you will get an email that includes your Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This report is a valuable tool for knowing how you did on the test and where you must improve.

When Will I Receive My Candidate Performance Report?


The CPR will normally be mailed in a few days upon your receiving your official NCLEX results. If you fail to receive it, check your spam folder or notify Pearson VUE or your NRB.

NCLEX Candidate Report Sample

A general CPR contains:

  • Overall Exam Performance – Shows whether you were “below,” “near,” or “above” the passing standard.
  • Performance by Exam Section – Indicates your performance in sections like Pharmacology, Safety, and Patient Care.
  • Areas for Improvement – Identify the specific areas you need to concentrate on while preparing for your retake. We have provided a sample of the report below:

NCLEX Candidate Report Sample

NCLEX Candidate Report SampleNCLEX Candidate Report Sample

Reading this report is crucial since it will help inform your study plan for your retake attempt. https://www.nclex.com/candidate-performance-report.page

 

How to Use CPR to Enhance Preparation

To increase your chances of passing the NCLEX on your next attempt, use your Candidate Performance Report (CPR) effectively:

Identify Weak Areas: Focus on the sections where you scored “below the passing standard.”
Revise Your Study Plan: Allocate more study time to weaker topics while maintaining a balanced review.
Use Quality Study Materials: Invest in NCLEX prep books, online courses, and question banks tailored to your needs.
Mock Testing Practice: Practice with full-length NCLEX-style practice tests to sharpen your timing and build confidence.
Professional Help: An NCLEX coaching program can give you expert advice and guided preparation.

Steps to Retake the NCLEX

If you failed, these are the steps to reapply and prepare for a retake:

NCLEX Fail Retake Process

 

  • Look Over Your CPR Report – Check what needs work.
  • Check State Requirements – States can have unique requirements for taking the NCLEX again.
  • Register for Retake – Register with Pearson VUE and pay the correct fees.
  • Receive Your Authorization to Test (ATT) – You receive a new email with an up-to-date ATT from Pearson VUE.
  • Schedule Your Test – Schedule a test date after the 45-day waiting period.
  • Study a Good Plan – Use books, practice exams, and coaching courses.
  • Sit for the NCLEX Again – Go for the exam after thorough preparation.

How to Know Whether You Passed the NCLEX Immediately

Although official NCLEX results are released within 6 weeks, it is possible to know your performance earlier by:

 

  • Pearson VUE Trick (PVT) – This is an unofficial technique by which candidates try to reregister for the exam once they have completed it. If they get a “good pop-up” message, it means that they passed. This trick is, however, not 100%.

 

  • Quick Results Service – Some states offer an official quick results service via Pearson VUE, where you can have your results within 48 hours (at a fee).

 

  • Official Email Notification – Your official results will be forwarded to you via email by the NRB within a fortnight.

Best NCLEX RN Coaching Center in Kerala

If you’re retaking the NCLEX, investing in a structured coaching program can greatly improve your chances of success. Neethu’s Academy is the best NCLEX RN coaching center in Kerala, offering expert guidance, personalized study plans, and high success rates.

Why Choose Neethu’s Academy for NCLEX Coaching?


Experienced Faculty – Be guided by seasoned faculty members who have decades of NCLEX prep instruction experience.
In-Depth Study Material – Get access to a well-organized curriculum with recent NCLEX-style questions.
Individual Mentoring – One-to-one coaching to guide you through your weak spots.
Mock Tests & Simulated Tests – Prepare with realistic NCLEX test simulations to give you confidence.
Personalized Learning Options – Both online and offline classes to suit your schedule.
Success Proven Rate – High success rates with hundreds of successful NCLEX-RN test takers.

If you are looking for the best NCLEX coaching center in Kerala, Neethu’s Academy is where you can study in the most appropriate environment to pass the NCLEX on your next attempt.

Conclusion

Not passing the NCLEX is not the end of your nursing career—it’s merely a stepping stone to success. By knowing the NCLEX Retake Policy, reviewing your Candidate Performance Report (CPR), and using a structured study plan, you can dramatically increase your chances of passing the exam on your second try.

Joining Neethu’s Academy, Kerala’s best NCLEX RN coaching center, will provide you with the right guidance, support, and resources required to pass. Stay motivated, stay positive, and soon you’ll be a licensed nurse.

Good luck with your NCLEX retake!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the chance of passing the NCLEX exam a second time?

The odds of passing NCLEX on the second try are much higher with targeted preparation, as most candidates pass after going over their areas of weakness.

Does NCLEX award partial credit for SATA?

Yes, the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) employs a partial credit scoring system for Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) questions, so you can earn points for well-selected answers even if certain choices are not correct.

How is the NCLEX NGN scored?

The NCLEX NGN employs item response theory (IRT) scoring, where questions are assessed according to difficulty, response patterns, and a combination of dichotomous (right/wrong) and polytomous (partial credit) scoring.

What if I receive 150 questions on NCLEX?

If you receive 150 questions, then the test keeps testing your competence within the limit provided, and your score will depend on whether you passed the standard or not.

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