Certification scores

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So I took my boards May 12 and I passed. Yesterday I received my actual scores in the mail. Once I looked at my actual score I kept wondering how did this fare compared to other NPs who took the test and does anybody really care what I scored on this test? Every book that I have read and every NP that I have talked to has said that the actual score does not matter....but if the actual score doesn't really matter then why not just give everyone a pass or fail? Why give everyone an actual number score? This number has to be important to someone right?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Did you take the ANCC exam?

ANCC's handbook states that the exam is either pass or fail. However, you do get a score on the test (and I did even back in 2003 when I took it).

The test contains 150 questions with an additional 25 pilot test items that don't count toward your total score. You must answer a minimum of 105 questions correctly (70%) in order to pass. The final score is determined by assigning each correct answer into a scale with 500 being a perfect score.

The passing score is 350. The final score does not compare your performance with other examinees. It does tell you how close you were to failing the test (below 350) or getting a perfect score (500).

Roughly, you can make a guess as to how many questions you answered correctly by the following equation:

Number of Items Answered Correctly = ANCC Score X 150 divided by 500

In my experience, employers do not ask about your score when making hiring decisions, just the fact that you are certified. Most physicians (and even some NP's) are not even aware of how this score is computed and what a good score means.

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/CertificationHandbook.aspx

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I took the AANP. We were given 150 questions and 15 of those questions did not count. Everyone has told me the same thing ....your actual score doesn't matter yet they still send you your actual score. Maybe the scoring is given for those who are unfortunate and don't pass the exam?? I guess we will never really know the reasons behind receiving an actual score.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

AANP uses the same procedure which is called criterion-referenced examination. You must obtain a minimum number of correct answers to pass and your score is assigned to a scale between 200 to 800. Passing score is 500.

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Specializes in Author/Business Coach.

I never got a score and I took the ANCC exam

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