Minimum Scores for Boards

Nursing Students NP Students

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  1. Is the minimum passing score of nurse practitioner certification exams too low?

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Hello,

I was speaking with family members the other day about my board certification exam. I plan to take the ANCC for FNP and have been studying diligently for it. A family member asked what the minimum score for passing was, and I said I was not sure, but I was pretty sure it was either 65% or 75%. This baffled them, and they stated that they sure hope that it's 75%, because it would be scary to have a practitioner that "barely" passed at 65%. This intrigued me, and I have be searching to see what the minimum scores are for other professions. For physicians, USMLE Step 1 minimum is roughly 55-60%, but then Step 2 and Step 3 increases vaguely in terms of the minimum score to pass. PANCE also comes out to be approximately 65% minimum score, but each question is weighed differently.

What do you think? Do you think it is too low of a minimum score for the profession, or that it is appropriately scored and weighed?

Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

Nah, I'll judge from the information I've experienced. Soon enough, l'll post "how difficult" it was. How I was prepped and ready to pass boards before midway through my program. As evidenced by taking multiple assessment and board assessment tests from Barkley, apea, board vitals etc. I stand by what I say about our "minimum competence boards".

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Specializes in Family Practice, ER, Tele, ICU.

Yeah. That would be good information to give your potential employer when they asked how you prepared for your national certification. Oh wait... they won't. They ask if you have license, and that's pretty much all they care about. Talk about scary.

But be judgemental. I've actually worked with and been treated by practitioners who took boards more than once, and I have had full faith in their abilities. One bad test or exam score does not define how well a provider is able to practice. At least in my opinion it doesn't.

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Nah, I'll judge from the information I've experienced. Soon enough, l'll post "how difficult" it was. How I was prepped and ready to pass boards before midway through my program. As evidenced by taking multiple assessment and board assessment tests from Barkley, apea, board vitals etc. I stand by what I say about our "minimum competence boards".

Talk about scary. I'll take the person who's actually licensed and passed boards rather than the guy, who, mid-way through his course of study, already thinks he knows it all. Maybe they'll just let you skip the rest of your program, since you've got this thing in the bag?! You should talk to your professors and tell them what you just wrote here. I'm sure they'll be as impressed as I am.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I have passed ANCC at 88%. While I agree that passing is passing in the eyes of the certifying body, do you still agree that practitioners are at the same degree of competency whether they passed at 65% or 88%? Personally having gone through several interviews, I do agree that all employers ask if whether or not you passed, but I do want to point out that a fellow student who had to take boards twice was asked more than once about how many times she took it. I'm guessing they noticed a gap between graduation and the time of her certification.

But the question remains: Is 65% sufficient for safe practice? Where have they demonstrated that 65% proved minimum competency to practice and prescribe safely? While there are studies showing NPs provide safe care, there have not been recent ones for the most recent cohorts of student nurse practitioners.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.
Talk about scary. I'll take the person who's actually licensed and passed boards rather than the guy, who, mid-way through his course of study, already thinks he knows it all. Maybe they'll just let you skip the rest of your program, since you've got this thing in the bag?! You should talk to your professors and tell them what you just wrote here. I'm sure they'll be as impressed as I am.

Not impressed with your ability to place words in my mouth. I will take the person that is logical and understands the lack of rigor that the test presents over someone who pretends to boost her own ego. Good luck.

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I have passed ANCC at 88%. While I agree that passing is passing in the eyes of the certifying body, do you still agree that practitioners are at the same degree of competency whether they passed at 65% or 88%? Personally having gone through several interviews, I do agree that all employers ask if whether or not you passed, but I do want to point out that a fellow student who had to take boards twice was asked more than once about how many times she took it. I'm guessing they noticed a gap between graduation and the time of her certification.

But the question remains: Is 65% sufficient for safe practice? Where have they demonstrated that 65% proved minimum competency to practice and prescribe safely? While there are studies showing NPs provide safe care, there have not been recent ones for the most recent cohorts of student nurse practitioners.

Given that NPs do provide good quality care, that is your evidence that the license exams serve their purpose. The license exams just ensure a basic overall knowledge. The new NP is going to learn the rest of what he/she needs for their individual practice and patient population through on the job training and experience. If you do not approve of the current system, then it is up to you to prove it is inadequate.

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Nah, I'll judge from the information I've experienced. Soon enough, l'll post "how difficult" it was. How I was prepped and ready to pass boards before midway through my program. As evidenced by taking multiple assessment and board assessment tests from Barkley, apea, board vitals etc. I stand by what I say about our "minimum competence boards".

Why don't you share with us how you are doing in your MSN program, if you are in one? Also, once you take your NP license exam, please share your score with the rest of us.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

If I am in one? All A's thank you. Second, I will be more than happy to.

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If I am in one? All A's thank you. Second, I will be more than happy to.

We all expect nothing less than 100 percent from you.

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Specializes in Family Practice, ER, Tele, ICU.

I definitely feel they could be at the same competency level. It's the luck of the draw in terms of the questions you get on your exam. Now if every single person took the same exact test then your arguenenr may be more valid... But your point is off, that's like saying that all nurse who stopped their NCLEX at 75 questions are automatically better nurses than others who went to 77, 97, 120, etc. There is no evidence to support the arguement you made.

Everyone knows those questions are random. If you get more questions on things you know or have studied, you'll do better. If your lucky and got questions you knew versus ole' Miss 65% who got questions on material she was weaker in or didn't study, does that make you better? To me, it doesn't...

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Specializes in Family Practice, ER, Tele, ICU.

lwsoccjs:

Gonna watch this username to pop up on a "suggestions/advice on how to pass boards" thread...... Scary is being that confident without ever practicing.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.
lwsoccjs:

Gonna watch this username to pop up on a "suggestions/advice on how to pass boards" thread...... Scary is being that confident without ever practicing.

Lol :) appreciate the confidence. I like your counter arguement that it depends on the questions. Aren't all question on a compentency test considered valid and within an NP's scope. I guess not all of us need to worry about only getting questions on the subjects they prefer. Like I've said in the past, good luck to you.

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