NACE Practice Test

The NLN NACE Exam (Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam) is the primary gateway for LPNs and LVNs to advance to Registered Nursing (RN) programs, validating prior learning to bypass introductory coursework. LPN-to-RN bridge students may also want to practice with our NCLEX practice test.

Understanding NACE Certification for PN-to-RN Advancement

NACE certification through the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam I validates that licensed practical nurses possess the foundational nursing knowledge required for registered nurse licensure. Unlike traditional bridge programs that require additional semesters of coursework, NACE certification allows experienced LPNs to demonstrate competency through a single standardized assessment. Candidates who pass earn academic credit that satisfies prerequisite requirements at participating nursing programs, significantly reducing the time and cost of earning an RN degree.

NACE Registration Process

Follow these steps to register for and take the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam. LPN-to-RN bridge students may also want to practice with our NCLEX practice test.

1. Verify Eligibility - Ensure you meet the LPN/LVN experience requirements of your target bridge program.
2. Create NLN Account - Visit the National League for Nursing website and create a testing account.
3. Select Exam - Choose the specific NACE exam (NACE I or NACE II) required by your school.
4. Pay Fee - Pay the NACE test cost ($75 school-administered on campus or $96 virtual via Proctor360, NLN pricing effective March 2026) online.
5. Schedule Test - Book a session your school administers on campus, or schedule a live remote-proctored session with Proctor360 at least 48 hours ahead.
6. Review Materials - Use a NACE study guide and free NACE practice test resources to prepare.
7. Take Exam - Bring valid ID and arrive early on your testing day.

What Is the NACE Exam and Why It Matters for PN-to-RN Advancement

The NACE (Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam) is a standardized test developed by the National League for Nursing (NLN) that allows licensed practical nurses to demonstrate college-level nursing knowledge and accelerate their path to an RN degree. The NACE I specifically covers foundational nursing content areas including anatomy, physiology, and life sciences that LPNs are expected to have mastered through clinical experience and prior education. Passing the NACE can save months or even a full year of coursework by granting academic credit at participating nursing programs.

NACE Exam Structure and Scoring

The NACE I PN-RN exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 150 minutes (2.5 hours), and the NLN reports a percentage-correct score plus a percentile rank. Each nursing school sets its own minimum passing score, so candidates should confirm the required threshold with their specific program before testing.

NACE Certification Requirements for PN-RN Bridge Programs

NACE certification through the NLN serves as proof that a licensed practical nurse possesses the academic knowledge equivalent to foundational nursing coursework at the college level. Many PN-to-RN bridge programs require NACE certification as a prerequisite for admission or for granting advanced placement within their curriculum. Candidates must hold a current LPN or LVN license and typically need to register through the NLN's official testing portal to schedule their exam either on campus through their school or online with a live Proctor360 proctor.

How NACE Certification Differs from NCLEX

Unlike the NCLEX-RN, which is a licensure exam required to practice as a registered nurse, NACE certification is an academic credit-by-examination pathway that validates prior learning rather than granting a professional license. The NACE I focuses on foundational sciences and nursing concepts, while the NCLEX-RN emphasizes clinical judgment and safe patient care across all practice areas.

What Is the NACE Exam?

The NACE, or Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam, is a standardized test developed by the National League for Nursing (NLN) that allows licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses to earn credit for foundational nursing coursework. By passing the NACE I PN-RN exam, LPNs and LVNs can bypass redundant classroom hours and transition directly into an RN program at an advanced standing. The exam validates that a candidate already possesses the clinical knowledge and nursing fundamentals taught in early semesters of a registered nursing program, making it a practical gateway for experienced nurses seeking career advancement without repeating material they use daily in patient care.

NACE I PN-RN Exam Structure and Scoring

The NACE I PN-RN exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions covering foundations of nursing practice, including basic patient care, pharmacology principles, nutrition, mental health concepts, and the nursing process. Candidates are given 150 minutes to complete the test, which is administered on campus by the nursing school or online through the NLN's Proctor360 remote proctoring service. Scores are reported as a percentage correct with a percentile rank, and each nursing school sets its own minimum passing score (commonly in the 65-76% range). Because there is no universal passing threshold, applicants should confirm the required score with their target RN bridge program before sitting for the exam. Registration is handled through the NLN website, and the 2026 testing fee is $75 for a school-administered exam or $96 for the virtual version.

Free NACE Practice Exam Questions and Study Guide PDF

Looking for free NACE practice exam questions before you register for the real thing? The fastest way to gauge readiness is a NACE free practice exam that mirrors the official item style: single-best-answer, scenario-based questions drawn from the same nursing-process blueprint (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation) the NLN uses to build the NACE I PN-RN exam. This page works as a full NACE practice test free resource — every quiz module above maps to a content area on the blueprint, so a NACE practice exam session here pinpoints weak spots in basic health needs, medication principles, or fluid and electrolyte balance before you pay the $75-$96 official fee. Candidates searching for more structured NACE exam practice questions should pair each quiz with our downloadable NACE study guide PDF, which summarizes the same topics in a print-friendly format for offline review. Combine short, frequent practice sessions (20-30 questions at a time) with the flashcards above for spaced repetition, and let your results guide how much additional NACE prep you schedule before test day. Most candidates who work through 300 or more questions across every content area report feeling confident walking in, so treat this page as your ongoing NACE prep hub rather than a one-time review.

Budget approximately $100 to $150 for your NACE test prep and exam fees per test required.

Ready to Pass the NACE Exam?

Join thousands of nursing students who passed their NLN NACE exam with our free practice resources. Start your journey to becoming an RN today!

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Official Resources

• NLN Assessment Services - the National League for Nursing's official hub for NACE exam information, including current pricing and exam descriptions for both NACE I and NACE II.
• NLN Student Resources - official guidance from the NLN on registering for NLN assessments, testing policies, and what to expect on exam day.
• How to Access Your NACE Results - the NLN's official instructions for viewing your score report on your My Dashboard after testing.

Sample Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) I PN-RN Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) I PN-RN practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. The NACE I PN-RN exam is designed for which population of nursing students?

   • A. New nursing students entering an LPN program
   • B. Licensed practical nurses seeking registered nurse licensure through an accelerated program
   • C. Registered nurses pursuing a master's degree
   • D. Nursing students entering a doctoral program

Answer: B. Licensed practical nurses seeking registered nurse licensure through an accelerated program

The NACE I (Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam) is designed for LPNs/LVNs who wish to transition to RN status by demonstrating competency in nursing knowledge.

Answer: C. Honor the client's advance directive and advocate for comfort care measures.

A living will is a legal advance directive that outlines a competent client's wishes for medical treatment at the end of life. The nurse has an ethical and legal obligation to honor these documented wishes. The principle of autonomy dictates that the client's right to self-determination be respected. The nurse's primary role is to advocate for the client's wishes, which in this case involves providing comfort care rather than initiating unwanted life-sustaining treatment.

Answer: B. Immediately stop the task and ensure client safety

Client safety is the immediate priority; the charge nurse must stop the out-of-scope activity at once, then follow up with documentation and education.

Answer: B. Dilute in at least 100 mL and infuse no faster than 10 mEq/hour

IV potassium must be diluted and infused slowly (≤10 mEq/hr peripherally) to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias; IV push is never acceptable.

Take the full Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) I PN-RN practice test