How often is the NCLEX offered?
In the US, the NCLEX is offered continuously around the year, seven days a week, except for the National holidays. However, not all testing centers offer weekend appointments. There are a few hoops you need to jump through to schedule your NCLEX test date.Â
The importance of the ATT
The last semester of your nursing school will be hectic. You will go through the most intensive clinicals in the ICUs and ORs, studying complex care nursing while thinking about and preparing for the NCLEX.
What is an ATT?
An authorization to test (ATT) is a document that proves you’ve met the criteria to take the NCLEX.
In preparation for the licensing exam, you will need to contact the Board of Nursing (BON) and start the application for licensure before you graduate. Your school will instruct you on the best time to apply as the processing time of each BON is different. You will most likely need to be fingerprinted and undergo a background check. Once your BON has confirmed your background check and credentials, it will inform Pearson VUE that you are ready to test. Pearson VUE will then email you the ATT, which you will use to schedule your NCLEX.Â
How to get your ATT
Register with Pearson VUE as soon as you have submitted your application with the BON, as Pearson VUE is integral to the NCLEX application process. All the official and current information about NCLEX registration can be found on the NCSBN and the Pearson VUE websites. Once you graduate, your Nursing school will send your graduation documents and the transcript to the BON. States differ on processing times, so you may wait anywhere from a few days to 3–4 weeks to receive your ATT from Pearson VUE via email.Â
Tip: Keep in touch with your classmates, because if 98% of them have received their ATT and you haven’t, there is a possibility your documents got lost between the school and the BON and you may need to place some phone calls.
How to find NCLEX test dates
You won’t be able to see the available NCLEX test dates until you receive the ATT and are ready to register for the test. Finding a way to view the test dates without the ATT is pointless, as the availability of dates changes multiple times per day and you can’t register for the exam.
Once you receive your ATT, log into the Pearson VUE, go to the NCLEX scheduling, and enter the ATT number. You will be presented with the testing locations and their schedules, from which you may choose the date and the time that works best for you. You may also call Pearson VUE for available testing dates and to set up scheduling, although their website strongly encourages you to do this online.
ATT validity and the NCLEX
On average, ATT is valid for 90 days. In Texa,s ATT is valid for 75 days (see step 7). Try to schedule your testing date as soon as you receive the ATT, as most colleges will graduate their nursing cohorts around the same time in December and May.Â
Please do not wait to schedule your exam when your ATT is close to expiring, as there will be few to no dates to choose from!
The testing site nearest to you may not have available seats either, in which case you may have to schedule the NCLEX at a different site, or you will have to submit an application for a new ATT.Â
Get Ready for the NCLEX in Time
with Lecturio’s Next Gen NCLEX Preparation Package
Choosing your test date
So far you’ve learned that your NCLEX test date will partly depend on several factors that are out of your control. When you receive your ATT, it is helpful to know when is the best time to take the NCLEX within the 90-day period.
Mind distances and testing site availability in your state
Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, testing centers are few and far between, especially in the Western states. Most states have only 3–4 testing sites per entire state, and a few states have only one center, meaning that you may find yourself driving hundreds of miles to a testing location. Please check where the nearest center is located, so that you can plan accordingly.Â
Take into account ATT validity
Consider that if you fail the NCLEX, you must generally wait 45 days to retake it. Some states may be more strict and make you wait longer to retake the exam. Please check the details surrounding the ATT on your state’s BON website. In most cases, if you take the NCLEX in the first 45 days of your ATT, you should be able to retake the NCLEX on the same ATT, thus saving a few hundred dollars. Unsurprisingly, most nursing students choose to take the NCLEX approximately 45 days after graduation, but there are examples of students taking the NCLEX just a few days after the graduation!
Estimate required preparation time
Some of the factors that will affect the date you select are:
- Individual study habits and learning style: Are you the type of person that is ready to take the NCLEX by the graduation date because you’ve spent the last semester reviewing the questions, or do you prefer to focus on it after the graduation? If you are concerned about taking the NCLEX within the 45 days of the ATT, consider preparing somewhat in advance of graduating.
- Overall confidence: Your nursing professors will encourage you to take the NCLEX as soon as you graduate so you don’t forget what you’ve learned. They are not wrong – If you have done well enough to get through the nursing school, the school should have done a decent job preparing you for the NCLEX. In this chart published by the NCSBN, the first-time pass rate of US-educated students in 2023 was 88.56%, and that should be encouraging. However; if you don’t feel strong about your knowledge you may feel more confident if you have 4 – 6 weeks or longer to review the exam material.
- Personal commitments and responsibilities: After graduating, nursing students can be found spending several hours per day reviewing the material. Those who have established families with children may find themselves taking longer to prepare for the exam because of additional time-management challenges.
Last words
In summary, the key to successfully choosing your test date is being well-prepared to take the NCLEX by the graduation date, and being aware of your readiness to test. If you plan to enter the workforce as soon as you graduate, start reviewing your questions during the last semester. After applying with the BON and registering with Pearson VUE, check your email account daily for the ATT. In most states, to make the best use of your ATT, schedule your NCLEX test date within the first 45 days of the ATT according to your readiness. If you study and review your material during the semester and are quick to act once you receive your ATT, you will have the largest selection of dates.
NCLEX is a challenging exam, but it is made to be passed and your nursing school program is made to prepare you for it. Nowadays there are multiple excellent test review resources you can utilize to your advantage. I wish you the best of luck in your nursing journey!
