Failing the NCLEX at 77 Questions

BabyRN2Be · Apr 16, 2004

I REALLY hate this CAT system of test taking. Since the questions increase in difficulty and become so hard, it seems like everyone coming out of the test feels that he or she has failed! That's so draining for the test taker, and having to wait for the test results is ulcer inducing!! :angryfire

There's got to be a better way. Bring back the paper and #2 pencils please, or at least give us a choice!

yvonneRN2B · Apr 16, 2004

I am crossing my fingers for you. Can you give us any info on what kind of questions you had and how the new format was? I take mine next friday and I am getting very nervous.

CarolineRn · Apr 16, 2004

I am crossing my fingers for you. Can you give us any info on what kind of questions you had and how the new format was? I take mine next friday and I am getting very nervous.

Hi Yvonne! Well, I can tell you this, the NCLEX test is like no other test I have ever taken. You'll understand exactly what I mean when you take yours. I was questioned about blood administration (the one question I got that was "choose ALL of correct answers") I seemed to have a lot of prioritizing, emergency situations (priority) ESRD, dialysis, pre and post-op care, about six drugs, one math, one lab-type question (lithium toxicity--ANOTHER one which I am sure I missed) thallessemia (Other than thinking it was something to do with lack of something in the blood, yet ANOTHER I missed) It seemed at first I had a lot of easyish ones that I should have known, but wasn't 100% about, like questions about positioning (things we learn in ADN schools in our first semester) I had absolutely NO L&D, I had an ortho post-op, one or two diabetes, a few peds (developmental) no cancers, but I think I had a chemo question, one myasthenia gravis, six meds (one cardiac I knew, the rest I was clueless) I think I remember having a nutrition question, NO cardiac (which I was hoping I would get because I work on a cardiac floor and have really been learning alot about that lately) Something about hypothyroidism, and that's all I can really remember. It seemed that every other question I was presented with was something I didnt know!! I can tell you that having a good understanding of blood pressures and fluid vol overload and such will help, as I seem to remember thinking about that alot, but can't recall specifics. Some psych. OH--- I was so worried about ABG's, I spent all last night re-learning them-- not ONE question about ABG's. Oh, one last thing, know your diagnostic test preps too.

Say a prayer for me. As I recall all these, I feel worse and worse. :uhoh21:

suehp · Apr 16, 2004

Ok, Nervous wreck here. I just took the NCLEX this morning, and like a lot of you, I walked out feeling like I failed. It seemed like every other answer was wrong.. The computer shut down at 77 questions, and I just stared blankly at it, thinking "Ok, this could be good." and that thought was immediately replaced by, "This could be BAD!" What if I missed so many questions that the computer felt there was no need to continue its torture? I know most people say they passed around 75, but strange enough, that doesn't seem to console me, as that nagging "what if" voice keeps reverberating through my brain! I practiced and practiced for this test, but none of the questions seemed like anything I had been asked anywhere before!
I thought I read somewhere on here last night where someone posted about failing at 75 questions. That seems really harsh, as there are potentially 265 questions. I understand that it's not how many questions answered correctly that matters, but that the computer looks to see your competency level. Man, I just feel like if I was on the floors today and some of these issues came up, I would have been proven the most incompetant person ever.
This anxiety is already eating me alive, I have no idea how I'm supposed to make it until Monday.
Thanks for listening everyone.

I felt exactly the same as you with 76 questions....I came out feeling ok but later on I thought oh no what if I failed..... I found out 2 days later I passed.. :balloons: Hang on in there...it is tough all the waiting. fingers crossed for you :)

Jailhouse RN · Apr 16, 2004

It matters not what was on another candidates test. Each and every NCLEX exam is different. They also pick at random people to do the entire test. No, you are not told. You just take the test. I know people who shut off at the minimum of 75 and I know some who did 100+ questions and all passed. You will find out on Monday; I have a good feeling you passed. Those I know who were most afraid of failing, passed!!!

CarolineRn · Apr 16, 2004

WEC, Sue, Yvonne, Thanks so much for your support. You have no idea how much it helps right now. I'm trying so hard not to stress this whole thing, but I think some of it is payback-- sent from my best friend who took the boards 2 years ago (when I was just starting nursing school) in retaliation for my nonchallant attitude to her stress. I just *knew* she passed. (she did) but I wasn't much help when she needed me most, looking back. I wish I had the same confidence in myself!! (but then again, I didnt really know what sitting for boards was like until today.) ARRRRGGGGHHH! Please still be here for me if I come back and have to tell you guys I failed!!!!

suehp · Apr 16, 2004

ARRRRGGGGHHH! Please still be here for me if I come back and have to tell you guys I failed!!!!

I am sure it wont come to that....

(hope you guys dont mind me butting in occassionally here as I am a UK RN - on my way to Florida soon - just kept reading the threads here for support when I was sitting my NCLEX in feb!)

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2004

I REALLY hate this CAT system of test taking. Since the questions increase in difficulty and become so hard, it seems like everyone coming out of the test feels that he or she has failed! That's so draining for the test taker, and having to wait for the test results is ulcer inducing!! :angryfire
There's got to be a better way. Bring back the paper and #2 pencils please, or at least give us a choice!

Be glad you didn't have to sit through the Boards for TWO days like I did, back in the days when it was given in five parts....and we didn't find out whether we passed or not for TWO months! :uhoh3: And, let me tell you, EVERYTHING was covered: Medical, Surgical, OB, Peds and Psych...right down to every clinical scenario imaginable. :eek:

CarolineRn · Apr 17, 2004

Be glad you didn't have to sit through the Boards for TWO days like I did, back in the days when it was given in five parts....and we didn't find out whether we passed or not for TWO months! And, let me tell you, EVERYTHING was covered: Medical, Surgical, OB, Peds and Psych...right down to every clinical scenario imaginable.

CseMgr1, As soon as I finished the test I called my best friend and she said basically the same thing as you. I don't know HOW you withstood the two month-long wait. That's just torturous. But having covered everything, you were at least given a chance to prove that while weak in certain areas, there were those you were strong in. I don't feel like I was tested enough over some things I am more confident in. :crying2: I'm sure this CAT way of testing is reliable, but it sure makes one feel stupid. I went to bed at 9 pm tonight, and here it is almost 0400, and I'm up feeling anxiety ridden again. :uhoh21: The workweek can't get here fast enough!

caseyspen · Apr 17, 2004

can you share any study tips? How did you prepare for the nclex? Is there anything you would do differently now that you have taken the test? How long and how often did you study for the boards?

thanks,

casey

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Apr 17, 2004

I didn't feel the need to study, for I felt well-prepared for the Boards. I credit the Diploma program I graduated from, for making sure that me and my classmates were ready for them, by requiring a LOT of clinical hours, along with the dreaded NLN's...which mirrored it. "If you do well on the NLN's, you'll do well on the Boards", our instructors told us at the end of every course...and they were right. :)