Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

Career Resources / Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

The very word strikes fear into the hearts of nursing students everywhere. Every nursing student has heard horror stories about difficult NCLEX questions. The joy of receiving your diploma is sometimes even overshadowed by fears of this exam, looming in your near future.

But now the NCLEX is changing. What exactly are these changes, and how can you best prepare for them?

In this article, we will examine:

• What is the Next-Generation NCLEX (NGN)?
• Why is the NCLEX changing?
• When will the NCLEX change?
• What is changing about the NCLEX?
• What is not changing about the NCLEX?
• How can I prepare for the NCLEX (NGN)?
• FAQs

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What is the NCLEX NGN?

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) is a new and improved version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required for licensure as a registered nurse. Although many of its features will stay the same, the Next Generation NCLEX has been revamped to ensure that new registered nurses are prepared to meet the needs of today’s patients.

Why is the NCLEX changing?

The NCLEX was intended to test new graduates’ knowledge before beginning to practice as a nurse. The NCLEX is changing, though, to more closely reflect the clinical needs of today’s patients. The questions on the Next Generation NCLEX are meant to more accurately measure a nurse’s clinical judgment skills.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 65% of nursing errors are due to poor clinical decision making. The Council is therefore changing the test to more closely mimic the actual decision making that nurses have to do in practice.

When will the NCLEX change?

The Next Generational NCLEX will go into effect on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

What is changing about the NCLEX?

Several aspects of the NCLEX will change with the implementation of the NGN, including question types, length of the exam, and scoring method.

Question types

While current NCLEX questions consist primarily of multiple choice questions with four options, the NGN contains a variety of question types. New types of questions include the following:

• Extended multiple response questions require candidates to select one or more correct answer(s) for each question.
• Extended drag and drop questions allow candidates to select some or all of the correct options from one column and order them correctly in another column.
• Drop-down menus contain the correct answer along with one or more incorrect answer(s). The candidate must select the correct answer from the drop-down menu.
• Enhanced hotspot questions require candidates to highlight important information in the question that correctly answers the given question.
• Matrix/grid questions allow for selection of the correct answer across multiple options.

Length of exam

Currently, the NCLEX-RN requires a minimum of 60 questions with a maximum of 145 questions. The Next Generation NCLEX will require a few more questions: a minimum of 70 questions and a maximum of 135.

Scoring

The NGN will employ a new type of scoring, in which three scoring models will be used for various types of questions:

• 0/1 scoring questions earn one point for a correct response and zero points for incorrect responses.
• +/- scoring questions earn a single point for each correct response and subtract a point for each incorrect response. Negative total scores, however, are assigned zero points.
• Rationale scoring questions earn points when both responses in a pair are correct, since they require an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.

What is not changing about the NCLEX?

Despite all these changes, however, some things about the NCLEX will stay the same.

Time allowed

Both before and after the implementation of the Next Generation NCLEX, candidates will be allowed a maximum of five hours (including breaks) to complete the exam.

Delivery method

The NCLEX delivery method is also staying the same. Both tests are conducted through computerized adaptive testing (CAT). This means that after answering one question, the next question is assigned based on whether the previous question was answered correctly or incorrectly.

How can I prepare for the NCLEX NGN?

Even though you’re probably ready to throw your books out after completing nursing school, don’t do that quite yet! Studying is still the best way to prepare for the NCLEX, regardless of whether you take the traditional NCLEX or the NGN. You can take practice exams from the same organization that creates the NCLEX.

Next steps

Now that you understand a little more about the Next Generation NCLEX, you can know what to expect on testing day. If you’re still nervous, though, check out our helpful collection of NCLEX tips and general Q&A as well!

FAQs

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