How to Read Your NCLEX Candidate Performance Report

What the CPR is

The Candidate Performance Report, or CPR, is a two-page individualized report sent to candidates who do not pass the NCLEX. It is intended to guide preparation for a retake.

The report covers the NCLEX test-plan content areas and clinical judgment. It does not show a numeric score for each section.

What the three labels mean

Below the Passing Standard

Your estimated ability in that area was clearly below the passing standard. These areas are the first study priority.

Near the Passing Standard

Your estimated ability was not clearly above or clearly below the passing standard in that area. “Near” does not mean that you were at or above the standard.

Above the Passing Standard

Your estimated ability in that area was clearly above the passing standard. Maintain these areas with mixed review rather than removing them from the plan entirely.

What the CPR cannot tell you

The NCLEX is not graded as separate content sections. Overall performance determines pass or fail.

Do not:

• count the number of Above, Near, and Below labels to recreate a score;
• assume all Near labels mean you missed passing by one question;
• compare labels with another candidate as if the exams were identical;
• use the report to estimate a pass probability for your next attempt.

The official sample CPR states that a pass/fail decision is not calculated by adding performance across content areas.

A simple order for reviewing the report

1. Mark every area listed as Below.
2. Note the clinical-judgment steps that are Below or Near.
3. Add the Near content areas.
4. Group related needs into one or two early study priorities.
5. Keep mixed practice for the full test plan.
6. Recheck progress with new questions and rationale recall.

For example, repeated difficulty with Management of Care and Prioritize Hypotheses may point toward practice that combines delegation, client priority, cue recognition, and risk—not four unrelated reading assignments.

Once that pattern is clear, work on weaker areas in Passy with focused questions and rationale review instead of treating each label as an isolated score.

What if the CPR is abbreviated?

If a candidate does not answer the minimum number of items, the official NCLEX CPR page says the candidate receives an abbreviated report. It identifies the number answered and the minimum required, but does not provide the full diagnostic information.

In that situation, combine the current test plan with honest reflection on content, pacing, and test-day conditions. Your nursing regulatory body remains the authority for retake requirements.

Turn the report into a retake plan

Use the CPR to choose the first focus, then build a schedule that includes:

• targeted practice in Below areas;
• follow-up work in Near areas;
• mixed questions across the test plan;
• clinical-judgment practice;
• delayed review of missed concepts;
• a calmer final review.

You can turn the report into focused practice while keeping mixed questions in the plan so stronger areas stay active.

Read what to do after not passing the NCLEX for the official retake timing and next steps. Then build a practical NCLEX study outline around the date your nursing regulatory body allows.

The CPR is most useful when it reduces your next decision: start with the clearest need, practice it, and use new evidence to adjust.