- The exam has 163 questions (145 scored, 18 unscored) across three 60-minute sections.
- Science carries the most weight at 38%, ahead of Verbal Ability (34%) and Mathematics (28%).
- Pricing effective March 1, 2026 is $59 on-campus or $80 for virtual proctoring via Proctor360.
- There's no universal passing score - your target cutoff comes from your nursing program, not NLN.
Quick Facts Snapshot
If you only have five minutes before you need to walk into a testing center or log into Proctor360, this section is your one-page brain dump. Every number here comes straight from the current exam blueprint - no guessing, no rounding.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 163 (145 scored / 18 unscored) |
| Sections | Verbal Ability, Mathematics, Science |
| Time per section | 60 minutes each |
| Question format | Four-option multiple choice |
| Delivery | Computer-based, live proctor onsite or virtual via Proctor360 |
| Price (effective 3/1/2026) | $59 school-paid on-campus, $80 virtual |
| Passing score | Set by individual schools, not NLN |
| Retake wait | 30 days minimum (unless school specifies otherwise) |
| Score validity | 3 years |
Domain Cheat Sheet
Three domains, three timers, one shared strategy: know exactly what each section rewards. This is the part of the cheat sheet most candidates skim past - don't. Section weighting tells you where to spend your limited study hours.
Domain 1: Verbal Ability (34%)
Tests reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, and sentence-level reasoning under a strict 60-minute clock.
- Word-relationship and analogy-style vocabulary items
- Short passages requiring inference, not just recall
- Context clues for unfamiliar terms - no dictionary allowed, obviously
Domain 2: Mathematics (28%)
Covers arithmetic, algebraic reasoning, fractions/decimals/percentages, ratios, and basic measurement conversions - all without a scored penalty for calculator use policies set by your test site.
- Dosage-style ratio and proportion problems
- Fraction-decimal-percent conversions done quickly
- Word problems that hide the actual math behind a clinical scenario
Domain 3: Science (38%)
The largest domain on the exam, blending anatomy & physiology, biology, chemistry, and general science reasoning. This is where most points are won or lost.
- Body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, etc.)
- Basic chemistry: atomic structure, pH, reactions
- Scientific method and data interpretation questions
For a full breakdown of subtopics, sample question styles, and how each domain is weighted against the others, the PAX-RN Exam Domains Guide goes far deeper than a cheat sheet can.
Key Takeaway
Because Science is worth 38% - more than Verbal Ability or Mathematics individually - a weak Science foundation drags your composite score down faster than any other single domain. Prioritize accordingly.
Registration & Fee Mechanics
Unlike some certification exams with a single flat national fee, this exam's pricing depends on how you sit for it, not just where. Effective March 1, 2026, there are two price points:
- $59 - school-paid, on-campus administration with a live proctor physically present
- $80 - virtual administration, proctored remotely through Proctor360
Note the phrase "school-paid" attached to the $59 rate - that tier assumes your nursing program is coordinating and covering the on-campus session, so your actual out-of-pocket cost can vary by institution. Always confirm with your program's admissions office before assuming which rate applies to you. A full cost comparison, including what drives the price difference between formats, lives in the PAX-RN Certification Cost breakdown.
Retakes & Score Validity
Two numbers to lock into memory here: 30 and 3.
- 30 days is the default minimum wait between attempts, though individual schools can set a different retest frequency - always check your specific program's policy before assuming the standard window applies.
- 3 years is how long your score stays available/reportable after you test.
This means a strong score taken early in your application process can often carry you through multiple admission cycles without retesting - a detail worth factoring into when you schedule relative to application deadlines. Timing nuances like this are covered in the PAX-RN Exam Dates guide.
Key Takeaway
If your first attempt falls short of your program's cutoff, you're not locked out - you're on a 30-day (or school-defined) clock to retest, and your existing score simply gets superseded once a new one posts.
7-Day Rapid Review Plan
This isn't a generic study calendar - it's built around the exam's actual domain weighting so your hours go where the points are. If you have a full study runway rather than one week, the PAX-RN Study Guide lays out a longer-term plan.
Science Deep Dive
- Review body systems, focusing on cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems
- Drill basic chemistry: atoms, pH scale, chemical reactions
- Practice data-interpretation questions under timed conditions
Verbal Ability Sharpening
- Timed vocabulary-in-context drills
- Short-passage inference practice (aim for 60-minute pacing)
- Review word roots and prefixes common on the exam
Mathematics Speed Work
- Fraction/decimal/percent conversion drills
- Ratio and proportion word problems in clinical-style framing
- Basic measurement conversion practice
Full Simulation
- Take a full-length timed practice test covering all three sections
- Review missed items by domain, not just by question number
- Rest - don't cram new material the night before test day
Running a full practice session under real time pressure on our practice test platform is the single best way to confirm you can finish each 60-minute section without rushing the last ten questions.
Question Format Quick Reference
Every question on this exam is four-option multiple choice - no multi-select, no fill-in-the-blank, no drag-and-drop. That consistency is actually an advantage: you can standardize your elimination strategy across all three sections.
- 163 total questions split across the exam, but only 145 are scored - the remaining 18 are unscored field-test items you can't identify during the exam.
- Because unscored items are indistinguishable, treat every single question as if it counts.
- Each section (Verbal Ability, Mathematics, Science) gets its own dedicated 60-minute block - time doesn't carry over between sections.
For candidates wondering whether this pacing feels harder than other entrance exams, the Difficulty Guide breaks down where most test-takers lose time.
Who Actually Uses These Scores
This exam exists purely as an admissions screening tool for nursing programs - it is not a licensing exam and does not itself qualify you for a nursing job. Schools use your Verbal Ability, Mathematics, and Science scores (individually or as a composite) to decide who gets an interview or acceptance offer, and each program sets its own cutoff independently since NLN doesn't publish one.
If you're trying to understand the bigger picture - how this score fits into your nursing career trajectory, whether it's worth the prep time, or what roles it eventually opens doors to - these related resources go further than a cheat sheet can:
- Is the PAX-RN Certification Worth It? ROI Analysis
- PAX-RN Requirements: Eligibility & Prerequisites
- PAX-RN Salary Guide
And if you're still building foundational familiarity with the exam before diving into prep, start with What Is PAX-RN? or run a diagnostic on our practice platform to see where you currently stand across all three domains.
FAQ
Of the 163 total questions, 145 are scored and 18 are unscored field-test items. You cannot tell which is which during testing, so treat every question as if it counts.
No. NLN does not set a universal passing score - each nursing school establishes its own admission cutoff, so your target number depends entirely on the program you're applying to.
Effective March 1, 2026, it's $59 for a school-paid on-campus administration and $80 for virtual administration proctored through Proctor360.
The standard minimum wait is 30 days, though individual schools can set a different retest frequency, so confirm your program's specific policy.
Science, since it's the heaviest-weighted domain at 38%, compared to 34% for Verbal Ability and 28% for Mathematics. A weak Science score has the biggest impact on your overall result.