Are You Preparing for the Latest Version of the NCLEX-RN® Exam?

The NCLEX-RN® test is reviewed and revised every 3 years and, as of April 1, 2019, the 2019 edition of the test is being used.

Why Is This Done?

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing® (NCSBN®) oversees the development of tests for nursing licensure and wants to ensure that current exams truly assess the skills needed by nurses in the present medical environment. They desire to be sure the content tested is appropriate and that the question types accurately assess nursing knowledge and skills. It is felt that a 3-year time span could encompass significant changes in test content and appropriate questioning methods.

What Is Different About the 2019 Edition of the NCLEX-RN® Exam?

The changes in the test are not considered to be major, but there are some differences in the content tested, including some minor additions to some content categories. There also seems to be a greater emphasis on certain types of questions.

Content Changes

The overall structure of the covered material has not changed. The questions still come from these categories and at these percentages:

Client Need Area	% of Test Items
Management of Care	17–23%
Safety and Infection Control	9–15%
Health Promotion and Maintenance	6–12%
Psychosocial Integrity	6–12%
Basic Care and Comfort	6–12%
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies	12–18%
Reduction of Risk Potential	9–15%
Physiological Adaptation	11–17%

However, there have been a few additions and revisions to specific content areas covered to better reflect current nursing practices and concerns.

Question Changes

The questions on the 2019 version of the NCLEX-RN® test remain multiple-choice, but there is a greater emphasis on testing nursing judgment. The exam does this by presenting more questions in different formats that require the nurse to think about situations on a deeper level and make more complicated decisions. Question types that encourage this more advanced thinking include fill-in-the blank and “multple-answer, multiple-choice” questions. There are also some questions that require you to choose a portion of a graphic or the order of events and at least one question with an audio segment.

How Can You Be Prepared for These Changes?

During your studies, be sure to access our test prep materials for the NCLEX-RN test here:

Union Test Prep’s Study Materials for the NCLEX-RN® Test

• We have reviewed and edited every single study guide, practice question, and flashcard in our 2016 edition of test preparation to be sure it is appropriate to use in preparation for the 2019 test. And we’ve added questions and flashcards, where necessary, to thoroughly cover the currently tested material.

• We have added a number of alternative-format questions so that you’ll be prepared for this type of question on the actual test.

• All this has been done by a licensed nurse who has been keeping up with the test modifications and has written helpful new material to add support during your studies.

So, check us out and, whatever study materials you use for the NCLEX-RN®, be sure they are designed to review the 2019 version of the test.