The official hours to take NCLEX is five hours for the RN and four hours for the PN. This time includes the mandatory tutorial, all questions, and any optional breaks. The hours to take exam are fixed and cannot be extended, regardless of how many questions you answer.
What Counts Toward the Hours
The hours begin when you start the tutorial, not when you begin answering questions. You may take two optional breaks: one after two hours and another after 3.5 hours (for the NCLEX-RN). These breaks are included in the total hours to take NCLEX. If you take a 15-minute break, that time is deducted from your available testing time.
The exam uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), so the number of questions varies from 75 to 145 for the RN and 75 to 130 for the PN. Your exam ends when the system is 95% confident of your competency—whether that’s after 75 questions or 145.
Most test-takers complete the exam in 2 to 3 hours, even with the full hours available. You are not required to use all allotted time. However, rushing can lead to careless errors. Use the hours to take NCLEX wisely by pacing yourself, reviewing flagged questions, and staying calm under pressure.
Strategies to Maximize the Hours to Take NCLEX
- Read each question carefully. Do not assume you know the answer before finishing the prompt.
- Flag uncertain items and return to them if time allows.
- Avoid overthinking. The NCLEX tests clinical judgment, not memorization.
- Use breaks to hydrate, stretch, and reset your focus.
Remember: the hours are your tool, not your burden. The exam does not penalize you for using the full time. In fact, many who pass take close to the full hours because they answer thoughtfully and methodically.
You have five hours for NCLEX-RN and four hours for NCLEX-PN. That time includes everything. Use it strategically: not to rush, but to demonstrate consistent, safe clinical judgment. The goal is not to finish early, but to finish correctly. Your hours are yours to manage—use them with confidence.