Accused of cheating at pearson vue

Published

Hello,

This actually is not for myself but for someone I know. This person was seeing a tutor and the tutor was teaching her a method of writing down key words on whiteboard. And during the test the proctor told her this is your last whiteboard this is cheating! I have never heard of this, this happened at the Fairfield CA has anyone had experience with this this? I have no idea on how to help her? Any advice would be greatly appreciated it? I used many boards for my NCLEX and passed I was never told I am cheating but I took my exam in Oakland!

Specializes in Public Health.
I took my nclex today. I guess i did a quick brain dump. I didn't read it on the rules nor was I informed.

I was on my last tutorial question and just wrote down "c-f +40 9/5 -40 f-c +40 5/9 -40" Protein value and then I started the test. Then I wrote a bit more after a couple of questions like mnemonics. Using maybe 1/8 of the paper.

The proctor did not come up to me and take my board away. I know before it stated on the NCSBN that it was not allowed. But now it doesn't state on the rules.

  • A clean note board can be requested during your exam by raising your hand. The erasable note board and marker may not be removed from the testing room during the exam except by the TA, and these items must be returned to the TA after the exam.
  • Writing on any materials other than the note board is prohibited and will result in an incident report and results will be placed on hold.

If everyone else read it and was informed, you were too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

From what I've heard, you can't write on the whiteboards until the actual test starts. Prior to that (such as during practice questions) is against the rules.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just to make everything clear she did NOT start using whiteboard until the test started I just never heard that you are limited to the amount of whiteboard used. For me I used over 5 whiteboards

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro Intensive Care.
I took my nclex today. I guess i did a quick brain dump. I didn't read it on the rules nor was I informed.

I was on my last tutorial question and just wrote down "c-f +40 9/5 -40 f-c +40 5/9 -40" Protein value and then I started the test. Then I wrote a bit more after a couple of questions like mnemonics. Using maybe 1/8 of the paper.

The proctor did not come up to me and take my board away. I know before it stated on the NCSBN that it was not allowed. But now it doesn't state on the rules.

  • A clean note board can be requested during your exam by raising your hand. The erasable note board and marker may not be removed from the testing room during the exam except by the TA, and these items must be returned to the TA after the exam.
  • Writing on any materials other than the note board is prohibited and will result in an incident report and results will be placed on hold.

Brain dumping is addressed on the white sheet they give you as soon as you walk in the door. The one you have to read before they process you to go in to take the test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Page 8 of the candidate bulletin. 5th bullet from the bottom addresses brain dumping

https://www.ncsbn.org/2013_NCLEX_Candidate_Bulletin.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Is it just me, or does anyone also find cheating because of "brain dumping" ridiculous?

I mean for once, it came out of your own BRAIN it's your BRAIN. Your own BRAIN. It's just easier for others to write things down in able for them to relax knowing that they have it written down. Just like a security blanket. I mean I'm no where near understanding NCSBN regarding this matter. I just don't think it should be called cheating as you did not use any other tool but your BRAIN.

It's your BRAIN, how can you cheat using your BRAIN? Sorry I just don't understand :( it seems that they're making it so hard. The US needs nurses. My mom is a nurse supervisor in a correctional department and complains when they are short of nurses. A lot of nurses are forced to do over times and they get paid time and a half. So isn't it just awkward to be holding people like what they are doing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You can brain dump...after the tutorial is finished. If you can't wait 5 minutes to dump maybe you aren't ready for the exam.

There isn't a shortage of nurses. There is a job shortage. There are also facilities not willing to fill positions when people quit or transfer (for a variety of reasons).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Is it just me, or does anyone also find cheating because of "brain dumping" ridiculous?

I mean for once, it came out of your own BRAIN it's your BRAIN. Your own BRAIN. It's just easier for others to write things down in able for them to relax knowing that they have it written down. Just like a security blanket. I mean I'm no where near understanding NCSBN regarding this matter. I just don't think it should be called cheating as you did not use any other tool but your BRAIN.

It's your BRAIN, how can you cheat using your BRAIN? Sorry I just don't understand :( it seems that they're making it so hard. The US needs nurses. My mom is a nurse supervisor in a correctional department and complains when they are short of nurses. A lot of nurses are forced to do over times and they get paid time and a half. So isn't is just awkward to be holding people like what they are doing?

I, find brain dumpling to be ridiculous, actually.

All the information, two years of nursing information is not going to be on the exam, and writing down concepts when the test is application-based; meaning, you have to THINK before you select a question; the "concept" itself is not the answer; information in the brain is useless unless it is APPLIED.

Also, there is plenty of nurses in America, due to the fact that many pass the boards the first time, along with the ridiculous amount of nurses in many areas, and new and experienced nurses struggling to land their first job or change a specialty or find another job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As mentioned you can brain dump but not until after the tutorial. Yes it is your brain and probably your study notes but as the rules have been there for several years there is really no excuse for it to happen.

Also you comment about the US needing nurses, have you not read the various threads discussing how people are struggling to find work and with IEN the struggle is finding a employer willing to wait the 3 plus years for you to get a visa allowing you to live and work in the US

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I just think that one state or area is very much concentrated with nurses than other areas. Like in California, heck there's an overload of nurses already. And I am just assuming that facilities are not hiring new nurses specially ones that are not educated in the US which is kind of sad. And no I have not been reading and I probably made comments in which I am not well informed about. I apologize if I said it the wrong way but I was just referring to my mom's job... They laid off a lot of nurses but they are needing them big time and sometimes they pay them double just to have somebody there which she finds awkward because the state is paying "more" rather than less. But again that is just in her situation not in general I guess. As for the brain dumping I now understand that you can actually do it when you begin the test. Thank you. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
As mentioned you can brain dump but not until after the tutorial. Yes it is your brain and probably your study notes but as the rules have been there for several years there is really no excuse for it to happen.

Also you comment about the US needing nurses, have you not read the various threads discussing how people are struggling to find work and with IEN the struggle is finding a employer willing to wait the 3 plus years for you to get a visa allowing you to live and work in the US

Maybe she read the press release instead of all the threads.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Cant brain dump during a code blue ... just sayin' ... why do so during the NCLEX? I agree, if you have to brain dump on that exam, you are NOT ready! FWIW, I barely used one whiteboard, I think I wrote out one mnemonic for one question and worked out a math problem, that was it.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion