NLN PAX Overview

NLN PAX

Overview

Including administrative and break time, the NLN PAX requires ~4 hours and tests high school to 100-level college achievement. There are 3 timed sections consisting of 214 multiple-choice questions. The NLN PAX builds questions from these competencies, which are concepts that students need to know and skills they need to perform. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure they have met the competencies before taking the exam. The NLN is no longer proctored in the state of Hawai’i. (Compiled from the National League for Nursing.)

Breakdown

 

Test Section Number of Questions Time
Verbal 80 60 minutes
Math 54 60 minutes
Science 80 60 minutes
Total Content Time 214 3 hours

Registration

  • Must create an account on the website.
  • Option of taking a computer or paper-based test
  • Payment with any major credit card and money order is allowed
  • Registration fee varies
  • Money orders are only accepted when paying at least 10 days before registration closes
  • Personal checks are NOT accepted
  • You may designate as many programs as you wish to receive your scores

Content

Verbal

  • Word knowledge
  • Reading comprehension

Math

  • Geometry
  • Word problems
  • Algebra
  • Scientific notation
  • Fractions
  • Decimals
  • Percentages
  • Data interpretation
  • Basic calculations
  • Conversions
  • Graphs 
  • Applied mathematics

Science

  • Basic biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Some Earth Science
  • Some Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Question based on diagrams, drawings, and graphs

Success Tips

✓ Study material covered on the exams through

  • Reviewing courses
  • Studying guidebooks

✓ Review the results of your practice exam to identify areas in which you need improvement

  • Spend more time reviewing material in these areas
  • Identify tactical errors you may have made
  • Develop strategies for answering each type of question

✓ Start preparing for the exams well in advance

  • Pace yourself!
  • Find a balance between preparing thoroughly, but not studying too much

✓ Do your best the first time you take the exam.

  • Check the schools you want to apply to for their retake policy
  • A typical waiting period between tests is 6 months
  • If rescheduling, you must do so at least one day before registration CLOSES.
    • Rescheduling fee is $15 + the price difference of the new exam.
  • NLN fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • If you do cancel or do not attend your exam, there is no refund

✓ Take time just before the exam to relax

  • Get a good night's sleep
  • Eat a good nutritious breakfast

✓ Scope out the exam location prior to your test day 

Preparation

Your most important preparation for the NLN/TEAS is your undergraduate courses, many of which sharpen your writing and verbal reasoning skills. 

Score Distribution

  • Composite raw score, percent correct score, and relative performance score.
  • Percentiles range from 0-99
  • Composite scores range from 0-200
  • UH Mānoa’s School of Nursing will use the relative performance column when evaluating students for admission.
    • Minimum score for UH Mānoa is the 50th percentile in each section
    • Other nursing programs may have different requirements or look at other scores

Official Test Prep Materials

  • Review Guide for RN Pre-Entrance Exam, by the NLN