Dispelling NCLEX myths

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

We've all heard the rumors about why students fail NCLEX or that a certain number or type of question is associated with passing or failing. Myths about the most important test in a nurse's career abound. Kaplan, who provides review courses for those preparing for NCLEX, has heard many myths from students in those courses and has provided two blog entries dispelling those myths. In particular, they look at:

  • Some test takers are just destined to get 265 questions
  • The proper accessories are very important
  • Everyone loves "Select All That Apply" questions
  • Not all nursing students are the same
  • It's all in the numbers
  • The test is psychic
  • Test-site administrators control your destiny

NCLEX Myths from Across the Country... Part 1

NCLEX Myths from Across the Country... Part 2

So what are other rumors/myths/"facts" you've heard about NCLEX?

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If you get the last question right, you've passed.

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Okay, reading this was extremely helpful. It will dispel all those uneasy moments during the exam if the questions given are "passing" level.

Basically, prepare the best as you can, do the best as you can with each question and hope for the best when you get the results. Got it!

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Specializes in Peds acute, critical care, Urgent Care.

O i have heard about the last question right myth. They actually have a book that breaks down the way the exam is structued, so if you are slick enough, you have a good idea if you passed or not ;)

For example, when I took my LPN, the book on the exam showed us a 'table' of types of questions and their difficulties. Of course, SATA are the hardest level of thinking on the NCLEX and since the test is set up to get more difficult the better you do, if you are getting nothing but SATA chances are you are well above pass level bar.

You can get all of your SATA questions wrong and still pass, because in theory, if you keep answering correctly to get to the SATA, you are well above pass level already ;)

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
O i have heard about the last question right myth. They actually have a book that breaks down the way the exam is structued, so if you are slick enough, you have a good idea if you passed or not ;)

For example, when I took my LPN, the book on the exam showed us a 'table' of types of questions and their difficulties. Of course, SATA are the hardest level of thinking on the NCLEX and since the test is set up to get more difficult the better you do, if you are getting nothing but SATA chances are you are well above pass level bar.

You can get all of your SATA questions wrong and still pass, because in theory, if you keep answering correctly to get to the SATA, you are well above pass level already ;)

The belief about SATA being hardest is a complete myth. It is literally dispelled in this article. SATA are neither harder nor easier then any other kind of questions. They are merely a different format.

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Specializes in Neuro/NSGY, critical care, med/stroke/tele.
Of course, SATA are the hardest level of thinking on the NCLEX and since the test is set up to get more difficult the better you do, if you are getting nothing but SATA chances are you are well above pass level bar.

[...]because in theory, if you keep answering correctly to get to the SATA, you are well above pass level already ;)

No. Nonononono. THIS. IS. A. MYTH. and exactly what OP is trying to dispel.

DIRECTLY from NCSBN:

There is no established percentage of items with alternate formats that will be administered to candidates. The NCLEX is computer adaptive and items are based on the candidate's ability. There are alternate item types in all areas of the test plan, across all difficulty levels.

Just because it is a SATA question does not mean it's above passing standard.

JUST BECAUSE IT IS A SATA QUESTION DOES NOT MEAN IT'S ABOVE PASSING STANDARD.

:banghead:

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If you get the last question right, you've passed.

Source?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Source?

She was just stating a rumor that runs rampant

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Specializes in Telemetry.
Source?

I *think* she was posting it as a myth she's heard. Though I have been known to be wrong once or twice. ;)

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I *think* she was posting it as a myth she's heard. Though I have been known to be wrong once or twice. ;)

You and Beachy are correct. Rose was asking for rumors and that's one of them!

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

Reading the info on the links was fun.

Clearly some of the myths are even too stupid for AN. (If the test administrator says "See you later" it means you failed and will be coming back)

But the SATA question myth just won't die.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Just as some anecdotal evidence against SATA being the hardest and meaning you are doing very well.

I passed the NCLEX in 75 Qs. I had only like 10 SATA. I didn't count, but there definitely werent an abundance of them. Actually, the only other alternate format questions I got were 2 or 3 exhibit questions. Anyway, I remeber the SATA not being that difficult. I had a few that were just asking for side effects expected during disease process or what to expect with exacerbation or crisis in some disease/conditions. Basic content type questions. And I am no SATA whiz. I actually loath them. The regular run of the mill questions were the ones that had my head spinning and me wanting to run crying from the test room at like question 50.

Anyway, according to the myth I wasn't doing very well. But according to my license being posted on by state BON website, I guess it was wrong lol.

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