CEN question

JessicRN · May 29, 2009

How close are the practice tests in the books to the real test? I guess I'm asking/hoping that the books are purposely harder then the test. I think that was true with the books for boards.
I took a practice test and got a 73%. I think passing is 75% right?

Sorry I found the book tests easier then the actual test I never got less then a 90% on the book tests but in the exam I got 80%

mwboswell · May 29, 2009

Hi bjaeram,

I think I can help you - over the past two years I've been working on and have recently just published some new CEN review material as well as a CEN review course that we do on-site. Part of all the background research on all that included looking at the major/leading texts and resources that are on the market.

While there are many books out there (mine included) which have "CEN-like" exams in them, the only one that has "official" CEN questions in it is the ENA's CEN Review Manual circa 2004. The material in this book is questions from previous CEN exams.

When the BCEN "updated" their exam in 2007, the old question bank was culled down and new questions put in. Now these "old" exam questions can be found in their review manual as well as the ENA online practice exams.

So in answer to your question it's "yes" and "no".

As one who has researched the main materials, the core curriculum and the CEN exam process, I firmly believe that the ENA CEN Review Manual most closely replicates the actual CEN exam; both in scope of knowledge and in question type.

Now, you mentioned that you only got 73% - I'm assuming that was your overall score right? However, break it down into "systems" (OB/GYN/GU, Professional issues, patient management, Trauma etc) and look at the areas you did well in and not-so-well in. The main utility of taking sample "exams" is to find your strengths and weaknesses of certain sections, not really your overall score. So find out that information and use it to help you further refine/prepare for the exam.

Hope this helps.

Email me anytime if you need anything!

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 30, 2009

There is also a CEN practice exam -- it's $75 for 150 questions. Kinda pricey, but I took it the day before my exam, and felt good going in because I did very well on the practice exam (135 out of 150 on the practice, and 137/150 on the real thing!). The real exam was very similar in flavor to the practice exam.

http://www.ena.org/bcen/cen/CEN-PracticeExamInfo.asp

There is also a 50-question practice exam that is less expensive -- something like $30.

I hated spending more money on materials, but the return on investment was worth it -- we get a "bolus of cash" for passing, and that bolus far exceeded my investment. :)

Passing is 109 correct out of 150, so roughly 73%. Good luck!