Writing multiple times?

Nurses General Nursing

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OK I may get flamed big time for this and I am not trying to insult anyone but I have a question. Does anyone else ever think that some people should choose a different professional path when they read posts about having failed the NCLEX multiple times? I did read one post from someone who failed 14 times. I mean really? I will admit that I am Canadian and I have no experience with the NCLEX but do you really want a nurse that had to write dozen times before they could get a license? We get three shots and that's it you are done. I think three times is plenty. I can't imagine writing 10+ times and not questioning that maybe I shouldn't be a nurse. I know some people say it due to being a bad test taker but how did they get through school?

What does everyone else think?

GrnTea normally I totally agree with you but with this comment you are very mistaken. It is not common fallacy nor a "new wives' tale' about the fifteen items that are being used for possible questions on upcoming versions. There are at LEAST 15 on every single NCLEX taken by testers.

The factual basis can be found NCBSN.org site

https://www.ncsbn.org/Reliability.pdf 3rd page, second section from the bottom.

Scoring Validity:

How does the National Council ensure that NCLEX scores are ?

During examination administration, each examinee receives at least 15 ‘tryout’ items. These items are

not counted towards an examinee’s score. Rather, examinee performance on these items is tracked

for all examinees. This allows the National Council to determine the exact difficulty of each item.

Using this information and Rasch measurement theory, the National Council can accurately calculate a

measure of each examinee’s ability.

The article at the link above at ncsbn.org cites one study published in 1991 and one published in 1977. How can we possibly trust this source? However, thanks for showing where to look for information on NCLEX test construction. I honestly didn't know where to look, but felt it was time to go to the sources. Here's another one that helped me get some basic understanding. https://www.ncsbn.org/2013_NCLEX_RN_Detailed_Test_Plan_Candidate.pdf NCSBN has many different links to NCLEX info...haven't checked them all for info on the 15 questions question. :)

According to the info in the 2013 document, you're allowed to take the exam 8 times a year with 45 days minimum in between, I think. Other regulations on retaking the exam are determined by your state BON and may differ.

Re: poor test takers....I had a nursing school classmate who did poorly on our school exams although she knew the material better than I did. She also seemed capable of applying her knowledge in critical thinking during clinicals. I never did figure out why she picked dumb answers to questions. I think it was anxiety about the testing situation causing mental blinders or something...

Interesting subject, though. Thanks OP and others for keeping the thread going.

][/b]The article at the link above at ncsbn.org cites one study published in 1991 and one published in 1977. How can we possibly trust this source? However thanks for showing where to look for information on NCLEX test construction. I honestly didn't know where to look, but felt it was time to go to the sources. Here's another one that helped me get some basic understanding. https://www.ncsbn.org/2013_NCLEX_RN_Detailed_Test_Plan_Candidate.pdf NCSBN has many different links to NCLEX info...[b']haven't checked them all for info on the 15 questions question[/b]. :)

Th cites may have had studies published in those years BUT the info on the number of test questions still stands as it is still linked on the website in 2013. How can it be trusted, it comes right from the horses mouth, the place that MAKES the NCLEX..the NCSBN. GrnTea stated that the 15 questions on every test are 'test' questions for future tests was a 'new wives' tale' and a common fallacy, i was merely pointing out that it is not a wives tle or fallacy, but in fact, a documented fact. Anf for what its worth, that link you provided has souces sited from 1956. (Bloom, et al., 1956) ;).

But I found on the link you provided on page 43 which verfies it again:

IV. Administration of the NCLEX-RN

® Examination

Examination Length

The NCELX-RN

® Examination is a variable length computerized adaptive test. It is not offered in paper-and-pencil or oral examination formats and can be anywhere from 75 to 265 items long. Of these items, 15 are pretest items that are not scored.

Th cites may have had studies published in those years BUT the info on the number of test questions still stands as it is still linked on the website in 2013. How can it be trusted, it comes right from the horses mouth, the place that MAKES the NCLEX..the NCSBN.

Sorry about that CT Pixie...I couldn't find the original article you cited from your link...My mistake. No disrespect intended. And thanks for locating the 15 questions part for us in the current NCSBN page.

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