NCLEX · Scoring
Can You Get Partial Credit on the NCLEX?
For years, select all that apply questions were all or nothing, and a lot of study advice still assumes they are. That changed with the Next Generation NCLEX — and knowing the scoring rules changes how you should answer.
A note on what this page is and is not. I am an educational psychologist, not a nurse. Scoring rules are about how the test is built, which is squarely in my lane — but always check NCSBN's own materials if anything here seems to conflict with them.
The short answer
Yes. Since the Next Generation NCLEX launched in April 2023, many question types can earn partial credit, including select all that apply. NCSBN uses three scoring rules: 0/1, +/-, and rationale. A standard multiple choice question with one correct answer is still simply right or wrong.
The three NCLEX scoring rules
Each question type uses one of three scoring rules. The rule decides whether a wrong choice just earns nothing, or actually costs you a point.
| Rule | How it works | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| 0/1 | One point for each correct response. Wrong responses earn zero but take nothing away | Standard multiple choice, "select N" multiple response, matrix multiple choice, drop-down and drag and drop cloze items |
| +/- | One point added for each correct choice and one point subtracted for each incorrect choice. An item's score does not go below zero | Select all that apply (multiple response) and matrix multiple response items |
| Rationale | Linked answers must be correct together. A pair of blanks is worth one point; a set of three is worth two | Drop-down rationale and drag and drop rationale items |
How +/- scoring works on select all that apply
Under +/- scoring, every option you select counts, for or against you. Picking a correct option adds a point, and picking an incorrect one subtracts a point. Here is how that plays out on an item with three correct options.
| What you selected | Calculation | Points earned |
|---|---|---|
| All three correct options, nothing else | 3 − 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Two correct options, nothing else | 2 − 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Three correct options plus one incorrect | 3 − 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Two correct options plus one incorrect | 2 − 1 | 1 of 3 |
| One correct option plus two incorrect | 1 − 2 | 0 (the score does not go negative) |
What partial credit means for how you answer
Partial credit rewards careful, option-by-option thinking and penalizes selecting options "just in case." Three practical changes follow from the rules.
Judge every option on its own
On select all that apply items, treat each option as a separate true-or-false question about this specific client. Do not try to guess how many answers "should" be correct. That approach was never reliable, and under +/- scoring it actively costs you.
Do not add an option you do not believe in
Selecting an option you think is probably wrong, as insurance, subtracts a point if it is wrong. Choose the options you can justify, and leave the rest.
Always fill every blank on 0/1 items
On drop-down and drag and drop cloze items, a wrong answer costs nothing. Never leave a blank empty — an educated guess can only help. For more on these formats, see NCLEX drag and drop questions.
What you will not see on results day
Partial credit happens behind the scenes. Your result is pass or fail, and you do not receive a score for individual questions. The adaptive system uses your item scores to estimate your ability, which is explained in how the NCLEX decides when to stop.
There is one real comfort in all of this. Under the old system, a single wrong choice wiped out an entire select all that apply question. Now, what you do know counts. If anxiety makes you freeze on these questions, remember that getting most of it right still earns you most of the points. The test anxiety quiz can help you see how much anxiety is affecting your practice.
The best way to absorb the new scoring is to practice with it. NURSING.com is the one I point students toward; its Next Generation questions show how each item type is built, and the rationales explain every option rather than just the right one.
Disclosure: that is an affiliate link. If you subscribe I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I believe help students.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you get partial credit on the NCLEX?
Yes. Since the Next Generation NCLEX launched in April 2023, many item types can earn partial credit, including select all that apply. Standard multiple choice questions with one correct answer are still scored as simply right or wrong.
Is select all that apply still all or nothing on the NCLEX?
No. Select all that apply items now use +/- scoring. You gain a point for each correct option you choose and lose a point for each incorrect option, and the item score does not drop below zero.
Do wrong answers take away points on the NCLEX?
Only on items that use +/- scoring, such as select all that apply and matrix multiple response. On 0/1 items like drop-down cloze and select N questions, a wrong answer earns zero but takes nothing away.
What are the three NCLEX scoring rules?
The 0/1 rule gives one point per correct response with no penalty. The +/- rule adds a point for each correct choice and subtracts one for each incorrect choice. The rationale rule requires linked answers to be correct together.
Should I guess on NCLEX select all that apply questions?
Choose only the options you can justify. Because incorrect selections subtract points under +/- scoring, adding an option you doubt as insurance can lower your score. On 0/1 items, by contrast, always answer every blank.
Sources
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Next Generation NCLEX: item types and scoring rules. NCSBN.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). NCLEX.com.