[KRVRN]

I was an almost straight A student in nursing classes. My test shut off at 75 and I truly wondered if I failed. If you are answering correctly, the questions get harder and harder. It will probably get to where you feel like you are guessing on every one of them, so when it turns off at 75 you just might walk out feeling like you failed.

[Lurksalot]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

85% pass the first time that they take the exam.
So that means that 15% will need to take it again.

The number of questions that you get has no bearing on telling you if you passed or did not pass. I get quite a few e-mails and pms from those that did not pass with 75, as well as those that passed with 265. The number is just that, a number. Too much focus is placed on that, and too many ulcers are created.

Yeah, I know it doesn't have bearing on telling you if you passed or not. I was just curious how many pass when they get 75, since it seems like so many people get the minimum of 75 questions. I actually posted this before I sat for my boards, so I had no idea I would end up getting 75 myself. I know there have been some fail with 75 also. The NCLEX bulletin said "candidates with very high or very low abilities tend to receive minmum length tests." So I was musing that those getting 75 questions are mostly passing. Most of my classmates had 75 questions so far.

[SydnieRN]

I swore I failed. It shut of at 75 questions and I was begging for more. I truly thought there is no way i am that smart to get 75 questions and pass so I had to have failed. I felt like i guessed on every question. I looked at this site and it made me feel a little better because it appeared that more people passed at 75 then failed. and sure enought I found out today that I PASSED@! The shock has not yet worn off! hope it hits me soon!

[morningglory8]

At question 74 I was saying...come on, just one more question, pleeeeze, just one more, and click. It was over.

[angeRN6297]

I had 120 questions, took me 1hr...thought for sure I had failed...nope...thank goodness I had passed!! whoo!

[Lee75]

Originally Posted by ZASHAGALKA

It means you really really passed, or you really really failed. I think the test is designed to give you more leeway if you aren't doing well; to give you an opportunity to work off your test anxiety, etc.

So I think that it is MORE likely to give you more questions if you aren't doing well and LESS likely to if you prove yourself.

Most people that stop at 75 pass is my understanding.

I'm just glad I took the paper test.

~faith,
Timothy.

This is how I always understood it be too. So, when I was taking the boards (yr 2000) and mine didn't shut off at 75, I began to panic and I was a wreck the rest of the test. I ended up running out of time before even reaching the 275 or whatever it is. Well, of course I left in tears thinking i failed. But, I actually passed. So, if this happens to you, DON'T PANIC like I did.

[NoWaNrN]

LPN - had the min. 85 and passed

[truern]

Passed with 75??.

[ortess1971]

I took my boards last Wednesday (8/2) and found out Friday(8/4) that I passed with 75 questions. But boy, I really thought I failed. The questions started to get so hard-there was one I swear was in Chinese! I went straight in the ladies room and puked....I would not want to relive those 2 days of waiting for anything.

[RN4jewels]

My understanding is that the questions are mid level on a given topic and if you miss the mid level it goes down to an easy question on that concept and work back up but not necessarily sequentially. The questions are dispersed in the remainder of the test. If you answer the mid level question the harder questions come like another member said. When I went into the test I figured it would take 125 questions so I wouldn't get too anxious, but it turned off at 76 in 55 min. I have had friends fail with 75 and pass with 265 or out of time. Congrats to all the grads who have recently passed their exams!!