Categories of NCLEX: are we suppos to pass all the categories?

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Are we suppose to pass all the categories to pass the whole test?

That's what my Kaplan instructor said (you will get 50% correct to pass). Don't concentrate on analyzing the questions as they come because you will not know if they are easy or difficult since the exam is always difficult. However there are higher level questions such as the SATA that mean you are doing well. Don't get too confident when you see those and think your passing because the minute I did that I found out later that I failed. So just look at every question and answer each question to the best of your ability, this is your only chance of passing.

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Thanks for the advise! I don't think I'll ever be overconfident throughout the test! I just hope for the best. Some people have said that they didn't get many SATAs yet they still passed... So we will see how it goes when I take it! I'm just hoping to pass.

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The SATA's are not higher level questions. They are just a different format style for the questions. The number of SATA that you get is not determined by your passing/failing level.

I had one on my NCLEX-PN, I passed (I was thankful I only had one, I hate SATA). I have a friend who swore she had no less than 15 SATA (out of 85) and she passed. I also have friends who got a large number of SATA that failed and ones that got one or two and passed.

there's a post somewhere where all the rumors are addressed (SATA means your passing, etc)

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Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.

I am still a believer that it you get a ton of SATA questions that it meaning your passing. If your failing why would they give you a lot of higher level questions. I'm not saying that SATA are the only way to tell if your passing bc its not. I had other types of higher level questions that where not SATA too. Passed with 95Q's.

JMO.

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that's just the thing, SATA does not signify a higher level question. SATA by themselves are not considered higher level questions, its the content in the question that decides if its a high or low level quesiton. SATA are just a type of formatting the question. You can have very basic level info in that SATA. Basic level info is basic..just because the quesiton for the basic level is in a SATA format does not then change the basic level into a higher level.

Higher level questions are application and analysis. Math is not a higher level question.

I passed my NCLEX with the min of 85 questions: of those 85, I only had ONE SATA. And as I said in my previous post I do have friends that had quite a lot of SATA that failed. Had friends with 1 or 2 SATA that passed and failed, had friends who said they had a ton of SATA...some passed some did not.

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So basically, if I get one pharm question and I get it wrong then I failed the phrarm section and do not pass?

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So basically if I get one pharm question and I get it wrong then I failed the phrarm section and do not pass?[/quote']

No that can't be because I got 2 pharm question and I think I must've spent like 10 mins on the first one and couldn't get the answer finally I just put something because I was spending waaayyyy too long on it...and I still passed.

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Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.
that's just the thing, SATA does not signify a higher level question. SATA by themselves are not considered higher level questions, its the content in the question that decides if its a high or low level quesiton. SATA are just a type of formatting the question. You can have very basic level info in that SATA. Basic level info is basic..just because the quesiton for the basic level is in a SATA format does not then change the basic level into a higher level.

Higher level questions are application and analysis. Math is not a higher level question.

I passed my NCLEX with the min of 85 questions: of those 85, I only had ONE SATA. And as I said in my previous post I do have friends that had quite a lot of SATA that failed. Had friends with 1 or 2 SATA that passed and failed, had friends who said they had a ton of SATA...some passed some did not.

You passed with 85Q's, so that means you took the Nclex-PN right? Not the Nclex-RN? When I took my Nclex-PN 10yrs ago I didn't remember having one SATA questions either. But as far as the Nclex-RN I do believe in my opinion that this is a good indicator of doing well as I do believe the two test are different. As for ppl that fail the Nclex-RN with a lot of SATA (like your friend you said) I can bet the computer didn't fail her at 85, it kept going up into the mid-high 100's before failing her.

Not here to argue, I respect what your view is and like reading different opinions, although I may not agree with them bc at the end of the day neither one of us are sitting on the board as members making the nclex exam:) .

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When I failed the first time with 75Q I had barely any SATA questions. The second time around I had plenty obviously since I had 265 questions and failed again. But the third time almost every other question was a SATA question and I passed with 75Q. Iam not familiar with the PN test but I believe its true that for the RN that SATA's are higher level questions. Also on my first two tests I never got the drop down options but for the third test I had about 10. If you pass at 75Q, that means you passed with flying colors, that's why I believe those questions were higher level questions. Regardless of anything, you just wanna pass! Even if you have 265Q! stay strong and motivated and kick butt!

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As for ppl that fail the Nclex-RN with a lot of SATA (like your friend you said) I can bet the computer didn't fail her at 85, it kept going up into the mid-high 100's before failing her.

Not looking to argue myself :). The SATA is a newer format question. I took my NCLEX-PN in 2008 and it was around that time that they started using it. So that may be why you don't remember having any.

But, It's a good thing we didn't place that bet...he had the minimum amount of questions for the NCLEX-RN and passed first time. I remember he freaked out b/c he said, I get the minimum amount of questions and a ton of SATA.yeah I know I failed. He was wrong, he passed.

Anyway, we can have differing opinions. It's all good. :)

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Well when I take my test, i'm just gonna go slow on each and every question and think it through. And pray the whole time that I pass! haha. I've noticed that I do much better on my practice tests when I am awake, focused, and when I take my time answering the questions.

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Then definitely stick to what you know works for you. Me personally, I could never wake up at 8 to study nor could I have any chance passing the NCLEX at 8am. So I always booked in the afternoon when I knew I wasn't tired or not focused enough! Good luck to you! Let us know when you pass!

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