doubt

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 18, 2014

No. It's a national standardized examination. It doesn't matter if you take the exam in London, Paris, Los Angeles. Chicago or a New York suburb.

staypositivee · Oct 18, 2014

i have heard that some test centers are less stressful than others. there are some where someone is walking around behind you and there are some where they watch you on camera as to not put so much stress on you.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 18, 2014

You are videotaped at ALL NCLEX test centers. The proctor is supposed to be walking around on occasion to ensure exam security. How frequently depends on the needs of the test takers. Not all testers are sitting for the NCLEX there are hundreds of other exams.

Your voice is recorded as well as all of your keystrokes, you are recoded at the terminal as is the entire test center.

Sure there are test centers in nicer facilities than others but the same security measures are in place at all sites.

elkpark · Oct 18, 2014

The computer is unaware of its surroundings and doesn't know where it is. The test is the test.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2014

As others stated, it is the same computer randomized test everywhere. Same security, same list of rules you have to sign. You are video'd everywhere. Proctors either walk around, or watch you from an area behind glass (where I tested someone was on the other side of the glass staring into the room the entire time). You cannot bring anything into the room, you have to remove headbands and hats, you cannot chew gum. You have to raise your hand to leave your terminal for a break. All of that is the same everywhere.

The test centers are manned by humans and the only difference in any test center is (like in everything else in the world) the attitude they bring to work. I was lucky, the test center employees were friendly and seemed to want to ease the anxiety by treating all of the candidates nicely. I have heard from others that some test center employees are rude and seem to enjoy your discomfort. I actually heard that from classmates who took the test in the same test center I was in on a different day.

Read and follow all of the rules so that you cannot be accused of cheating, and you will be fine. If the proctor or check in people are rude, ignore them. The center itself makes no difference.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 18, 2014

i have heard that some test centers are less stressful than others. there are some where someone is walking around behind you and there are some where they watch you on camera as to not put so much stress on you.

You are creating your own test anxiety and stress by creating worries based upon biased reports of others (we re all biased in our opinions). You cannot change the unknowns. The security policies are uniform. You can only change your own attitude and perception. Walk in to a center feeling you will make your best effort for success. No one can take that away from you.

staypositivee · Oct 18, 2014

Of course security policies are uniform, but some people are more nervous test takers than others. telling someone to just relax doesn't always help them relax. when I went to take my nclex, the woman at the test center said that they have a higher volume of testers because they are nicer there. that doesn't mean that they have different policies. they still follow all the national rules and regulations. they just allow the test takers a little bit more breathing room by not PACING the floor. that's what I meant. yes they do walk around depending on the needs of the test takers but ONLY depending on the needs of the test takers. they have test centers where they watch you from behind a glass and they also have test centers where they pace the exam room.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2014

Of course security policies are uniform, but some people are more nervous test takers than others. telling someone to just relax doesn't always help them relax. when I went to take my nclex, the woman at the test center said that they have a higher volume of testers because they are nicer there. that doesn't mean that they have different policies. they still follow all the national rules and regulations. they just allow the test takers a little bit more breathing room by not PACING the floor. that's what I meant. yes they do walk around depending on the needs of the test takers but ONLY depending on the needs of the test takers. they have test centers where they watch you from behind a glass and they also have test centers where they pace the exam room.

Not sure where to go with this. I do hope you don't take at face value what anyone behind any counter in any business says about their ability to be 'nicer' than others in the same position.....frankly, I laughed at the idea that she told you they do "higher volume" because they are "nicer" there! I mean....really?

So let's stop worrying over what is ONLY an issue if someone MAKES it an issue.....whether or not the testing center they are sitting in is going to jinx them but another testing center in another city might not. If you want to reduce anxiety, please stop looking for ways to INCREASE it!

This is only my take on the matter, but instead of easing other's anxiety, you are feeding into it. NOW, instead of only worrying about 100 minor details (most of which don't affect anyone's testing outcomes, either), NOW they are thinking about your guessing about the environment of the PV Test Center itself.

For future test-takers: PLEASE do not worry about such matters as this. Whether someone is walking around every five minutes or every ten, it is what it is, and it WILL happen no matter WHERE you take your exam. You WILL be videotaped and recorded. You WILL be fingerprinted and stared at. ACCEPT this as part of the process, and put it all aside. NONE of that matters, as it's an equal footing for all.

I will say this: if one testing center did have a higher "fail" rate than another one, I could only assume that the schools of nursing that are closest to this testing center also have a poorer quality of test-preparedness. And even that's just academic guesswork, as there is no such measure of outcomes for individual test centers to be considered.

Beyond that.....prepare for what you CAN change, not what you CAN'T.

staypositivee · Oct 18, 2014

everyone has there own comforts. if it makes someone feel better to know that the center is nicer, and that relaxes them, let them have it.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2014

Ok. I don't seem to be able to make you see how you are NOT comforting people, but causing more anxiety; so be it.

Most people choose a test center because it's nearest their home, or has the most convenient appointment date/time. Adding a new criterion in ("hello, PV? I heard it's best to go wherever people say they are nicer....are you the nicest center?") just adds fuel to the anxiety fire.

I hope I can get everyone else who might be freaking out over what you wrote to calm down and focus on the TEST, not the ROOM. That, I believe, offers far more comfort!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 18, 2014

everyone has there own comforts. if it makes someone feel better to know that the center is nicer, and that relaxes them, let them have it.

It's irrelevant. What you think is nice my not be the same as the next test taker. Perservating on this is helpful to no one. If you take your test in the middle of Manhattan this morning and all staff were pleasant , the monitor watched through the glass an only walked through the room 4 times while you were testing has no bearing on what will happen if someone else takes the test in the same center in the afternoon or the next morning. You may think 4 walk arounds are great the next person may think it's too much. The next session may have issues with the computers and the proctor has to enter the room more frequently. You are worrying about random, subjective non-issues that may or may not occur from one time to the next. There is no definitive answer nor is there a way to predict anyone's experience in a particular site.

You are increasing the anxiety of the OP and others based upon anecdotal statements from others, heresay, and your own perceptions.

I took my NCLEX and it happened that a classmate was there at the same appointment time. I guarantee our perceptions, anxiety and reality were vastly difference. I would recommend the center in a heartbeat as they were professional, followed the rules and tried to assist me with/troubleshoot a personal issue totally unrelated to the testing within the guidelines. I know for a fact that my classmate did not recommend the testing center (and it is sad because the other 2 centers in state are significantly further away)