Difficulty Levels of NCLEX

Texasdude · Jun 7, 2016

I got the answer to my question. Just in case anyone is interested there are 11 logits. The passing standard is at 0 logits. The logits range from 6 to -5. Most of the questions are written above the application level. You only will get about 50% of the questions correct regardless of whether you pass or fail. The idea is to be above 0 logits when you get your 50% correct.

pixiestudent2 · Jun 7, 2016

Your time would be better spent studying nclex questions than figuring out the passing algorithm. Haha good luck

inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 7, 2016

I got the answer to my question. Just in case anyone is interested there are 11 logits. The passing standard is at 0 logits. The logits range from 6 to -5. Most of the questions are written above the application level. You only will get about 50% of the questions correct regardless of whether you pass or fail. The idea is to be above 0 logits when you get your 50% correct.

When taking the NCLEX this information helped calm me and my friends down before, during, and after the exam .

To OP most of what I've learned is what your last comment says. It really helped me calm down once I took the test and it cut off at 75 questions. I freaked out because I know I didn't know some of the information and it was nerve wracking. I'm sending you positive vibes during this next journey begins!

Texasdude · Jun 7, 2016

Thanks

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 8, 2016

Here is a post from a while ago.

The test is looking for consistency at or above the pass line. Which means a narrow band of correct and incorrect answers above the pass line like a saw-tooth pattern. For illustration purposes, lets say that the levels of difficulty range from -4 (easiest) to 4 (impossible to get correct) with 0 being the pass line. They start you out with a passing question.
Level 0- correct, move up to level 1
Level 1- correct, move up to level 2
Level 2- incorrect, move down to level 1
Level 1- correct, move up to level 2.... until answering question 75. After question 75 it determines that you are consistently staying around the Level 1 (between level 0 and Level 2 range) which is passing and it stops.
Lets say that at the beginning you were nervous and were all over the place, like a roller coaster pattern, no consistent pattern. Then at question 80 you calmed down and started getting several questions right and now you are above the pass line. Now you consistently stay above the level 0 questions. After a certain number of questions, it determines that you are now consistently in the narrow band and it stops.
The NCLEX decides if the test taker passes or fails based on the following three caveats:
1. 95% Confidence Interval: Questions 1-75 are evaluated to determine if you passed or failed based on if your answers fell above (right answer) or below (wrong answer) the 95% confidence interval (red line on the chart). If a pass/fail cannot be determined by this measure (because there were some questions above and some below the confidence interval) then the next evaluation criteria would be used.
2. Maximum Length Exam Rule: If the 95% confidence level is too close to determine a pass or fail then the computer will allow you to continue answering questions, up to question 265. If after answering all 265 questions and there is not a 95% confidence level, then pass/fail is determined by question 265. If the result of question 265 was above the pass line, then candidate passed. If the result of question 265 was below the pass line, the candidate failed.
3. Run Out of Time Rule: The NCLEX-RN exam has a maximum time limit of 6 hours. If the pass/fail determination has not been decided by the 6 hour mark then the last 60 questions will be graded to determine pass/fail. If all of the last 60 questions are above the pass line, then you pass. If you dip below the pass line, even only one question, then you fail.

RAndaRoo · Jun 8, 2016

^^^ That was a really good explanation.

Texasdude · Jun 8, 2016

Here is a post from a while ago.

Guy in Babyland.....that is the EXACT answer I was looking for! I knew I had seen this information somewhere. You the man! THANK YOU!

Jareen · Jun 8, 2016

I got the answer to my question. Just in case anyone is interested there are 11 logits. The passing standard is at 0 logits. The logits range from 6 to -5. Most of the questions are written above the application level. You only will get about 50% of the questions correct regardless of whether you pass or fail. The idea is to be above 0 logits when you get your 50% correct.

How do we do that?

AspiringNurseMW · Jun 9, 2016

Dear AspiringNurseMW-As a nursing student I am sure that you were taught professionalism. Also, I am sure that you were taught communication techniques. If a patient asked the question that I asked, I am quite sure that you would not have responded this way. If a nurse (and you are a nurse) responded to me this way in a hospital setting it would have ruined the PT/nurse relationship. It also would have impeded patient care. I am asking a professional question and if you cannot respond in a professional manner please pass on replying to my post. Thank you. I am a nice guy and would gracefully accept an apology.

If you decided to share why you are making things so complicated then maybe people would be more inclined to help or know better how to answer.

I'm sorry. Can you tell what was in my voice? If a person came up to me and asked what you did, I would answer the same way except without the attitude that you are imagining... my statement was neither rude nor impolite.

That's the thing with online forums, you have to watch and you react to things because often things are misinterpreted because they are online, just as you did.

And I actually tried to help you my asking you to expound on your original post so that people WOULD be willing to answer.

So maybe you should actually try being nice and be grateful when people are trying to understand and help.

Guest957596 · Jun 9, 2016

I tested yesterday. I can honestly say I thought it would be much different. I was able to pull out those analysis and application questions no problem while studying, but my test was ALL over the place. I thought if I got up to that "level" I'd be good but I had things from basic care, safety, priority...... I had things I felt I hadn't even heard of during school. I had to use process of elimination for some answers. I feel I failed!
On that note, I heard the more SATA you have the better your doing but then heard it's random. There is no way to figure the test out. My class had many pass in 75... some 90... some ALL 265 feeling as though they failed... best of luck and I can say practice your critical thinking

You left out "ASN", "RN" after you handle, Geus412!

Guest957596 · Jun 9, 2016

I have a question that requires a little more than "the standard answer" when it comes to the difficulty levels of NCLEX (I take the test in a week). I know about the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. They are:
1. memorizing (not passing level)
2.understanding (not passing level)
3.application (PASSING level)
4.analysis (PASSING level)
Using the 1-4 number system above: If I answer a level 3 (application) question, will it drop me to a level 2 (understanding) question? Or are there levels in between 2 and 3? Since you only have to get 50% of NCLEX correct it seems there would be a larger scale than 4 levels. I saw a chart in school that measured from like +6 to a -5 but not sure if it applies. In other words, there were 11 levels total with the passing level being at 0 logits. Please don't tell me I am thinking to much. I am just a very "strategic" person! LOL :) Thanks for any insight!!!

OK, you are not thinking too much. You're just nuking it.

Jareen · Jun 18, 2016

This post was helpful .. Looking back on my exam I knew when I went under the line and when I was above the line