39,656 Foreign Educated PNs and RNs passed the NCLEX | 2021 NCLEX Pass Rate
The NCSBN publishes annual and quarterly NCLEX exam pass rates by type of candidate if you're curious about how many people pass the exam. Whether you are a first-time United States-educated nurse or a foreign-educated nurse, remember that your ability to adequately prepare for and pass the NCLEX is entirely under your control.
According to the NCSBN, the national NCLEX first-time pass rate for US-educated nurses in 2021 was 82.48%, and the PN pass rate for the same period was 79.60%. While the pass rate for the first-time foreign-educated nurses was 46.68%, and the PN pass rate was 51.49%.
The table below depicts the summary of the NCLEX pass rates in 2021, based on the most recent statistics available from the NCSBN.
|
RN |
Jan - Mar |
Apr - Jun |
Jul - Sep |
Oct - Dec |
Year to Date Total |
|||||||
|
Type of Candidate |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
||
|
First Time US Educated |
47,461 |
84.83% |
56,837 |
85.69% |
60,874 |
81.10% |
19,890 |
71.92% |
185,062 |
82.48% |
||
|
Repeat US Educated |
10,687 |
43.24% |
12,323 |
44.36% |
16,483 |
49.92% |
15,699 |
43.35% |
55,192 |
45.52% |
||
|
First Time Internationally Educated |
3,364 |
42.99% |
3,926 |
48.65% |
4,603 |
48.71% |
6,602 |
45.97% |
18,495 |
46.68% |
||
|
Repeat Internationally Educated |
4,439 |
23.72% |
4,827 |
30.39% |
5,167 |
29.53% |
5,633 |
27.02% |
20,066 |
27.75% |
||
|
All Candidates |
65,951 |
71.85% |
77,913 |
73.86% |
87,127 |
70.43% |
47,824 |
53.67% |
278,815 |
68.85% |
||
|
PN |
Jan - Mar |
Apr - Jun |
Jul - Sep |
Oct - Dec |
Year to Date Total |
|||||||
|
Type of Candidate |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
||
|
First Time US Educated |
11,765 |
80.26% |
10,043 |
78.25% |
15,171 |
80.99% |
9,377 |
77.98% |
46,356 |
79.60% |
||
|
Repeat US Educated |
4,138 |
36.81% |
4,366 |
33.42% |
4,350 |
33.01% |
4,566 |
38.37% |
17,420 |
35.42% |
||
|
First Time Internationally Educated |
127 |
54.33% |
101 |
51.49% |
105 |
52.38% |
102 |
47.06% |
435 |
51.49% |
||
|
Repeat Internationally Educated |
183 |
18.03% |
151 |
21.19% |
167 |
14.97% |
159 |
18.87% |
660 |
18.18% |
||
|
All Candidates |
16,213 |
68.26% |
14,661 |
64.13% |
19,793 |
69.74% |
14,204 |
64.36% |
64,871 |
66.92% |
||
- The # symbol denotes the number of candidates who took the exam.
- The % symbol denotes the percentage of candidates that passed the exam.
Many factors contribute to the low pass rate for NCLEX takers, but the bottom line is that for the highest chance of NCLEX percentage to pass, you must prepare thoroughly and aim to pass on your first attempt. It's best to have a well-thought-out study approach incorporating knowledge, test-taking strategies, and realistic practice with test-like questions.
Become one of the NCLEX takers who pass on their first attempt and get licensed internationally. Start your NCLEX Application now through NEAC, your partner for easy medical exams application.
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