Nurse Executive, Board Certified (NE-BC) Practice Test

The actual ANCC NE-BC exam consists of 150 questions (130 scored and 20 pretest), with a 3-hour time limit. This practice test contains 85 questions, which is a representative sample of the content and difficulty. It is designed to give you a reliable indicator of your readiness, but you should plan to take additional practice tests to build stamina and cover the full breadth of the exam.

The ANCC uses a scaled scoring system, with a passing score of 500 on a scale of 0 to 800. The exact number of correct answers needed varies slightly based on the difficulty of the test form. Generally, you need to answer approximately 70-75% of the scored questions correctly. This practice test will help you gauge whether you are consistently performing at that level.

You should understand key concepts such as variance analysis, return on investment, full-time equivalent (FTE) calculations, and the basics of healthcare reimbursement (e.g., DRG, value-based purchasing). For legal topics, focus on the principles of employment law, patient privacy (HIPAA), and fraud and abuse laws. You do not need to memorize every statute, but you must be able to apply them to executive-level scenarios.

Start by taking this practice test to identify your weakest areas. Many candidates find Business Skills and Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment require more study because they involve concepts less familiar to clinical leaders. Communication and Relationship Building and Leadership often feel more intuitive but still require review of specific theories (e.g., transformational leadership, emotional intelligence). Allocate at least 40% of your study time to the two domains where you score lowest.

Yes. Set aside 90 minutes in a quiet environment, answer all 85 questions without interruption, and avoid using reference materials. Afterward, review each question, especially those you answered incorrectly, to understand the underlying rationale. This simulation will help you build pacing and reduce test-day anxiety.