Failed at 265, now what? My plan...

[Megahappy]

I finally got my results from the BRN and after 265 questions I was ABOVE passing standard in one area and NEAR passing standard in all of the rest. Do you have to be above passing standard in ALL areas, or how does it work? Anyone know?

I'll be honest... I did not study as much as I should have. This time around, I am doing the Saunders quizzes and Kaplan online Qtrainer and Qbank. I am considering the learningext. thing... should I? I feel like I am still right there... could pass, could fail, never doing so great on anything that I feel comfortable, but never doing bad enough to think "no wonder you failed." Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Nurse Joker]

You were definitely in the game, since you got the entire range of 265 questions. I do recommend the Learning Extension from NCSBN as the questions are quite similar to the ones on the NCLEX. Definitely do the the Kaplan Qtrainer/Q-banks and expose yourself to the various types of questions that can be expected to be asked on the NCLEX. You'll develop familiarity with the answers and the rationales to each question. This helped me a lot on my recent NCLEX testing, but everyone is different in how they learn or study. Personally, I can't stand to read outlines and expect myself to remember every detail, every intervention, etc. Also, when you do your review questions, start off by answering a minimum number of questions each day, and gradually increase the number of questions you answer as you approach your next test date. Try to answer around 300 questions by the time you take your next test. This is to build up your stamina for the test, as the NCLEX can be very mentally draining as the time goes on. I hope this information is helpful.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You have to get a pass in all areas to pass the exam. Practice questions and make sure you understand what is being asked. Read the rationales

[Megahappy]

So I wasn't really THAT close then since I got "near passing" in almost all areas?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

To be honest and in my opinion I would set a new study plan and start as if you haven't sat the exam before. Practise questions and make sure you understand what it is they are asking. Read the rationales even if you got it right, will either enforce what you already know or point you in the direction you need to go

[Freedom42]

You've got to score above the passing standard in all areas. Here's how the NCSBN explains it:

On the Candidate Performance Report (CPR), what does "Near the Passing Standard" mean statistically?

"Near the Passing Standard" means that the scoring algorithm is not able to determine with 95% certainty whether a particular candidate's ability estimate is above or below the passing standard in a content area. In other words, the candidate's 95% confidence interval for his/her ability estimate encompasses the passing standard.