Just finished the test

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 22, 2015

The number of questions only indicates how long it took the system to determine pass/fail with a statistical significance. You can pass or fail at 85 just like you can pass or fail at 205 questions or any number in between. The average number of questions for someone to pass is around 125.

LuvCash RN, ASN · Mar 22, 2015

I am sure you did fine just take a deep breath. I had only 1 math question well I will consider it as one anyway, and some have none. Most of my test was who do u see first, it can't be too bad I passed. Don't be concerned with the number of questions, I know its nerve wrecking. Best wishes!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2015

Has anyone had their test stop at 90? I thought that the LVN test should've stopped at 85. When I answered 5 more questions, I was thinking that I might reach 100 but I didn't. Is that bad? Does that determine whether I pass or fail.

Your question is puzzling: since you knew the test had a minimum number of questions, that being 85, you also knew there was a maximum number of questions (205). What made you think that getting 90 questions indicates you should have gone to 100? Why would you think the number of questions meant anything at all, other than the computer was done with you?

As just explained by the PP, the number of questions you answered doesn't mean anything at all: you pass, or you failed, but the number is irrelevant.

You also mentioned SATA, and that you think you might have gotten so many more because you don't do them well. Actually, the format of the question is also irrelevant: the computer doesn't give you more or less of them for any reason whatsoever, it's completely random. What ISN'T random is the CONTENT of each question: you will get more or less of specific categories of knowledge depending on how well you were answering them. If you do well, you get fewer of that type of question; if you do poorly, you will keep getting asked them until computer determines you are competent or incometent.

SATA, however is not a question of content; it is merely a format. Luck of the draw on that one. Don't hyperfocus on what type of question you got; no one here can tell you which of your questions were above the passing standard, and which were below it....or where you fell at the time the test closed.

Take heart in that MOST first-time testers in the US DO pass the exam, and so the odds are drastically in your favor. It is more likely you passed than you failed! Hang in there, wait for results, and good luck :)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2015

OP, I see your username says "LVN"....does this mean you got notification you passed and are now licensed?

EquinoxSolstice92 · Mar 22, 2015

No, I haven't gotten my license yet, I just took the test yesterday. I was gonna put that I was an LVN student, not an LVN... yet.

EquinoxSolstice92 · Mar 22, 2015

What made you think that getting 90 questions indicates you should have gone to 100?

I just thought that I would reach 100 questions on my first try or even more than that. Look, when it didn't stop at 85, I sort of... felt that I might've failed. I'm surprised that it stopped at 90. When I answered question 90, it just stopped and said that I'm finished. Then I completed the survey.

You also mentioned SATA, and that you think you might have gotten so many more because you don't do them well. Actually, the format of the question is also irrelevant: the computer doesn't give you more or less of them for any reason whatsoever, it's completely random.

You really think it's random? It feel random to me at all. I thought that the computer gave me SATA on purpose because I got one after the other. I don't know how many SATA questions I got but I'm guessing more than SATA.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2015

I just thought that I would reach 100 questions on my first try or even more than that. Look, when it didn't stop at 85, I sort of... felt that I might've failed. I'm surprised that it stopped at 90. When I answered question 90, it just stopped and said that I'm finished. Then I completed the survey.

Nah, you got what you got because the computer had determined to a 95% certainty that you either passed or you didn't. Think of it this way: given the likelihood of first-time testers passing, and knowing the kind of student you were, how you prepared for the exam, is it more likely you passed or failed? I'm going with passed, 'cause I'm feeling positive tonight. Hang in there! :)

You really think it's random? It feel random to me at all. I thought that the computer gave me SATA on purpose because I got one after the other. I don't know how many SATA questions I got but I'm guessing more than SATA.

Well.....YES, I don't think it's random, I know it is. Read the information provided about the test itself on the official site, it's all spelled out. Some people get very few and some people get tons of SATA questions; some people get a bunch of drag/drops and others none. The test doesn't give format-specific questions to each tester, THAT part is random. The level of difficulty and the area of knowledge it is drawn from, that's not random. That's the part you have to whip back into the box :)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 23, 2015

Question types are random, content is not. The # of SATA questions does not correlate to pass/fail as their are higher and lower cognitive level questions for each type (traditional multiple guess, alternative format--calculation, SATA, fill in the blank, hot spot, ordering, drag & drop)

Try this fact: Nearly 90% of US educated nurses pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. The average number of questions for those that passed is statistically around 120.

Assuming you are US educated the odds are in your favor for a pass!

EquinoxSolstice92 · Mar 23, 2015

Question types are random, content is not. The # of SATA questions does not correlate to pass/fail as their are higher and lower cognitive level questions for each type (traditional multiple guess, alternative format--calculation, SATA, fill in the blank, hot spot, ordering, drag & drop)
Try this fact: Nearly 90% of US educated nurses pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. The average number of questions for those that passed is statistically around 120.
Assuming you are US educated the odds are in your favor for a pass!

I also received those sequence questions. I admit, it's not the type of questions that bother me, it's the question itself. I used to be intimidated with SATA becausE I thought they're hard. Ever since I used NCSCN's Learning Extension, I got used to those SATA question types. Yes, I am US Educated. I hope I pass this exam. The Testing Administrator even told me to breathe.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2015

If you're in a State that participates in Quick Results, you can get them 48 hours after your test has been completed. You can also try looking on your State's BoN website; some update so fast they are faster than Pearson Vue's QR :) Some, it's true, update quite slowly, but it's worth a shot, right?

EquinoxSolstice92 · Mar 24, 2015

I took my test in Oakland, California so it might take a while. In all honesty, I don't want to know whether I passed or failed. I'm a little burned out right now.