United States
Hong KongHow the NMLS exam is scored
A raw percentage of the scored questions. 75% of 115 is 87 correct. There is no scaling, no curve and no equating between forms, so the requirement is identical on every sitting.
Simply, and that is the interesting part.
Count the scored questions you answered correctly, divide by 115, and compare against 75%. There is no adjustment for the difficulty of the form you happened to sit.
Why that is unusual
Most credentialing exams scale. The provider builds several forms, they are not exactly equal in difficulty, and a statistical process equates them so a candidate on a hard form is not penalized.
The visible consequence of scaling is that nobody can tell you how many questions you need. The food manager exams do this - a scaled score of 75 is the standard, and the number of correct answers behind it floats.
This exam does not scale. Eighty-seven of 115, every time.
What the five unscored questions do
Nothing, to your result. They are being trialled for future forms and are excluded from the calculation entirely.
They are also invisible. Since you cannot identify them, treat the paper as 120 questions that all count and aim for 90 correct. That clears 87 of 115 whichever five turn out to be free.
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions administered | 120 |
| Questions scored | 115 |
| Pass mark | 75% |
| Correct answers needed | 87 |
| Sensible working target | 90 of 120 |
What this means for preparation
Two practical things follow from a raw percentage.
The first is that your mock scores mean something. If a mock is built to the same content weights, a 70% on it is a genuine warning rather than a number that might be rescued by an easy form.
The second is that every question is worth the same. A three-step payment calculation and a one-line definition each move you the same distance towards 87. When time is short late in the paper, the definitions are the better use of it.
Not a policy on a web page that could change quietly. 12 CFR 1008.105(e)(1) requires a test score of not less than 75 percent correct answers. That is as firm as a pass mark gets.
Common questions
Is the NMLS exam scaled?
No. It is scored as a raw percentage of the 115 scored questions, so the requirement does not move between forms.
How many correct answers do you need on the NMLS exam?
87 of the 115 scored questions. Work to 90 of the 120 administered, since five are unscored and unidentifiable.
Do the unscored questions affect my result?
No. They are excluded from the calculation entirely and exist to trial items for future forms.
Are some questions worth more than others?
No. Every scored question carries the same weight, whether it is a definition or a multi-step calculation.
Where is the 75% requirement set?
In federal regulation, at 12 CFR 1008.105(e)(1), which requires a score of not less than 75 percent correct answers.