Thanks for info!

Thanks Catherine for the info! It was very helpful. I'm thinking about taking NCLEX on the week of January 10th. I'm not nervous, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to be . I figured that since I can't study everything, I might as well focus on how to answer the questions. I took the Sylvia Rayfield course and I plan on reading Kaplan which has been very helpful so far. Does anyone else have any other suggestions on what material to study? I start working with my temp license on january 18th, and i want my permanent license by the time I got to work. In Louisiana, I can check my results in 48 hours.

BSN2004NSU

I was told by my state BON that 1 out of every 100 candidates will take 265 questions. The reason is that 60 questions is a very small amount of questions to judge if you should pass boards. The information from those who take 265 questions is used to determine if the same candidate would have passed at 60 (75) as well as at 265. It makes perfect sense to me. My state is in the process of changing the NCLEX.

Originally Posted by RN1976Nurse

I was told by my state BON that 1 out of every 100 candidates will take 265 questions. The reason is that 60 questions is a very small amount of questions to judge if you should pass boards. The information from those who take 265 questions is used to determine if the same candidate would have passed at 60 (75) as well as at 265. It makes perfect sense to me. My state is in the process of changing the NCLEX.

Your state can't make any changes to the NCLEX exam, it is a national exam, given throughout the world. The state BON has no control over the exam. They get just that you passed or didn't pass from Pearson-Vue, same as you do.

Originally Posted by RN1976Nurse

I was told by my state BON that 1 out of every 100 candidates will take 265 questions. The reason is that 60 questions is a very small amount of questions to judge if you should pass boards. The information from those who take 265 questions is used to determine if the same candidate would have passed at 60 (75) as well as at 265. It makes perfect sense to me. My state is in the process of changing the NCLEX.

Unfortunately...if someone from your SBON told you that, then they're certainly uninformed! If that were the case, then they (your SBON) would have every candidate take the maximum amount of questions. The whole idea is to see if the candidate will be a safe practicing novice that will someday become an expert. The SBON knows that students won't know or understand everything taught to them, but they should be able to at least safely critically reason their way. Some make it because they've learned & understand the minimum competency...others learn HOW to take the exam...some do poorly because of anxiety...& yet some just don't understand or get it. It's what you do with the knowledge learned...how one would apply it...that's what the NCLEX is about. If 60 question isn't enough to gage one's competency level....then there are way too many new nurses out there!

The NCLEX-PN/RN is designed to shut off once a candidate has answered 50% of the competency level questions either above or below passing standard...PERIOD. The test will give the candidate who titters at the minimum passing line a chance to prove they either know the material or not...in which case...it could go on from 86-200 (NCLEX-PN) or 76-265 (NCLEX-RN). The key is answering strings of passing level questions in a row or just being consistently above the passing competency level & the computer will shut off & pass the candidate, providing they answered that 50% minimum above passing. If said candidate consistently answered questions below the minimum competency levels, then the machine will shut off & that person will fail.

The other scenario is running out of time while taking exam: How one end the test will determine if one passes. This is the most difficult way to pass, mind you...but possible. Should the candidate run out of time before the exam is finished, then the computer will look at how said person answered their last 60 questions. They would have to have all the last 60 answered correctly...whether being above, at, or below the passing standard. That means that individual could literally answer the last question & it is a comprehensive or recall type question (which is the kind most nsg students are accustomed to in their junior & sometimes senior year that are NOT considered critical thinking or competency type questions). This type will count in that event despite it being well below passing level...doesn't matter.

The number the machine shut off on has NO baring as to whether or not the candidate passed or not (with the exception of running out of time as explained above). One can literally have the machine shut off at 85 (NCLEX-PN)/ 75 (NCLEX-RN) & fail...just like one could go the whole max 200 (NCLEX-PN) 265 (NCLEX-RN) & still pass. The same for when the machine shuts off anywhere in-between 86-200 (NCLEX-PN) & 76-265 (NCLEX-RN).

The other stuff you were told by the person from your SBON was simply a rumor they've picked-up from someone THEY thought knew what they were talking about.

Cheers!
Moe

Thanks catherine and everyone else for the info....I'm taking the NCLEX in June....my school also uses HESI at the end of each semester and we need a 900 in order to progress on to the next semester....I found the Psych HESI the hardest of them all in march I take the EXIT (simulates the NCLEX) i need a 900 ,to pass in order to graduate ....wish me luck....Good luck to every one...and Thanks one more time for the info.

Thanks

Thanks for the information, very helpfull. I have a question. What testbook do you think will be of great help for review, and also do you think Kaplan is helpful or do you have idea of anyother class.

Thanks

Originally Posted by hotchocolate

Thanks for the information, very helpfull. I have a question. What testbook do you think will be of great help for review, and also do you think Kaplan is helpful or do you have idea of anyother class.

Thanks

I use Saunders Review 2nd edition, it also comes with a CD...For HESI..I went to their web site and bought their book and CD...www.hesitest.com..I find Saunders very useful..I use it as a study guide for my class exams....I hope this is helpful...Good luck

my friend only answered 75 questions and failed.

Originally Posted by cjmmsn98

Hope you all do not mind- I teach a NCLEX coaching course at the BSN level, and felt like I wanted to tell you about the # of questions you get and what that actually means.

The NCLEX adapts to your skill level. The first questions that are presented to you are determining your ability level. Once your ability level is determined, the questions are presented in increasing level of difficulty/decreasing difficulty until you have answered enough questions for the computer to determine (with 95% statistical certainty) that you have met the passing standard.

The minimum number of questions you will have is 75 (60 questions plus 15 pilot items). You will not be able to distibguish pilot items from "real" items. SO, if you get 265 items, that means the computer has not yet determined that you have met the passing standard at the 95% confidence level. There is no random number of candidates that get the exam with 265- that is a myth.

The test is now 6 hours long, and you should take your time. Rushingthrough the questions will most likely lead to failure, because each one you get wrong due to guessing means the next question is easier, and then on and on, until you fail because you are guessing at them all. Take your time to think each question through and choose the best answer.

If you visit http://wwww.ncsbn.org you will find the explanation of CAT and scoring.

NCLEX is given throughout the US and its territoiries, so the same format is used and the same question bank is used across the US.

ANd I have a question for those of you that have recently taken the NCLEX-
about how many alternate format items did you get, and what type were they? Please email me privately, and thanks!

Catherine M., MS, RN, NCSN,AE-C

I had 130 questions today and I felt like they were so hard....is that a good or bad sign. I am going crazy right now. I just want to know. Is it true that if you go over the 75 questions that you are on the fence of passing or failing?

JEnn

Originally Posted by jennijen56

I had 130 questions today and I felt like they were so hard....is that a good or bad sign. I am going crazy right now. I just want to know. Is it true that if you go over the 75 questions that you are on the fence of passing or failing?

JEnn

Think happy thoughts .....i know someone who answered 150 questions and passed....let us know how you did?..good luck.