NCLEX 2025 Pass Rates Fall as Remote Testing Plans Advance
- NCLEX 2025 pass rates fell to 69.1%. This is the first decline since the Next Generation NCLEX launched in 2023.
- First-time US graduates continue to perform strongly. Repeat and internationally educated test takers significantly impact overall averages.
- Remote NCLEX testing may begin in 2026. A secure at-home option is currently in development.
NCLEX RN 2025 pass rates have declined for the first time since the launch of the Next Generation NCLEX, according to preliminary data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Preliminary figures show 69.1% of NCLEX RN candidates passed the exam, down from 73.3% in 2024 and slightly below the 69.7% reported in 2023. While the decline is modest, it marks the first drop since the exam was redesigned in April 2023 to strengthen the assessment of clinical judgment and decision making.
A Look at NCLEX Trends Since the Redesign
The Next Generation NCLEX went into effect on April 1, 2023. The updated exam introduced expanded case studies and new item types focused on clinical reasoning. After the Next Gen NCLEX redesign, overall pass rates for all candidates rose from 63.4% in 2022, the lowest level in at least a decade, to 69.7% in 2023, marking a clear rebound from pandemic‑era lows.
Before COVID-19, NCLEX RN pass rates were relatively stable. Between 2016 and 2019, the average pass rate was about 72%. In 2019, 72.8% of candidates passed. During the pandemic, disruptions to clinical education and reduced in-person training were widely cited as contributing factors to lower outcomes.
Why Are NCLEX 2025 Pass Rates Lower?
Changes in annual pass rates often reflect shifts in the testing population as much as exam format. According to NCSBN data summarized by Kaplan as of Nov. 1, 2025, first‑time U.S.-educated NCLEX‑RN candidates had a pass rate of 87.1%, repeat U.S.-educated candidates 53.1%, first‑time internationally educated candidates 47%, and repeat internationally educated candidates 30.3%.
Late 2025 year-to-date data indicate the combined pass rate for all NCLEX RN candidates was roughly 70 to 71%. Data also indicates an increase in repeat and internationally educated candidates compared with prior years. A higher proportion of repeat examinees can influence overall annual averages.
RN and PN Pass Rate Comparisons
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing also reports data for the NCLEX PN. As of November 2025, NCLEX PN candidates had an overall pass rate of about 78.4%, slightly lower than aggregate rates reported in 2024.
For 2025 year-to-date results:
- First-time US educated PN candidates passed at approximately 87.3%
- Repeat US educated PN candidates passed at 41.6%
- First-time internationally educated PN candidates passed at 54.1%
- Repeat internationally educated PN candidates passed at 27.5%
These differences highlight the impact of candidate background and repeat testing on national licensure statistics.
Debate Over Interpretation
After pass rates increased following the Next Generation NCLEX rollout, some critics questioned whether the exam format had become more predictable or whether programs were teaching more directly to the test. Nurse educators and health system leaders have responded that expanded simulation training, strengthened curricula, and targeted NCLEX preparation resources likely contributed to improved performance.
The 2025 decline may represent a stabilization period as programs and candidates continue adapting to the revised exam structure, alongside lingering effects from pandemic related disruptions in education.
Remote NCLEX Testing Could Launch in 2026
Alongside changes in NCLEX 2025 pass rates, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing is continuing development of a remote at home testing option. NCSBN has indicated that remote NCLEX testing could launch as early as 2026. Under the proposed model, eligible candidates would complete the same exam outside traditional testing centers using secure remote proctoring and enhanced identity verification systems.
Exam content, scoring standards, and length would remain unchanged. Implementation details, including eligibility criteria, security protocols, and technical requirements, are still being finalized. Supporters note that remote testing may reduce travel barriers and expand scheduling flexibility. At the same time, considerations such as reliable internet access and exam integrity remain central to planning discussions.
What This Means for Nursing Students
For first-time US-educated candidates, pass rates remain strong despite the overall dip in NCLEX 2025 results. However, the updated data shows the importance of structured preparation, familiarity with Next Generation NCLEX item types, and readiness for clinical judgment focused questions. As exam trends shift and remote testing options develop, the NCLEX continues to serve as a standardized measure of entry level nursing competency while adapting to changes in education and technology.
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