my little analysis of the NCLEX

Nursing Students NCLEX

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what do you think of this logic?

wouldn't the chances of passing (if you felt you bombed) be higher if the test shut off at 80-90 questions? i think this only because from what i read there are 3 options at question 75...

- you passed

- you failed

- you are close enough to the passing standard but not quite there (this is the key statement that i read somewhere)

so, if you feel like you bombed and it shut off at 75 then you might have indeed failed. however, if you feel you have bombed and it shut off at 80-90 then that would mean that you definitley were not doing as poorly as you thought during those first 75 questions and you were "close enough to the passing standard" at question 76. so, if you're close enough to the passing standard at 75 and you only get 12-14 more questions then i would think that its a pass, no? if you went on to 250+ questions then you zig-zagged all over the curve and it could go either way at that point. i just don't see how one can be so "close to the passing standard" at 75 and then get failed with only a dozen more questions.

thoughts?

(this is just my theory)

Okay, this is not theory.

The computer will only give you enough questions to demonstrate that you are safe or you are not.

If you missed the last question it gave you, you will be retaking the exam.

If you got the last question right, you passed.

I went into more detail on another thread, but really, this is in fact how it works. Ask any statistician.....

Good luck everybody, my turn's coming up soon!

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Okay then Chris, so tell me how difficult does the last question have to be or does it not matter? And at what # (75, or any) especially if at 75? Because if at 75, and you answer the 75th, last question wrong, wouldn't it give you more questions. If not then you must have/or must have not have answered at least 5 (like I said) of minimal difficult and other questions right. And remember this is just a thought, for entertainment purposes only, poking a little bit of fun at NCLEX. The truth be told that's why this test is so VAGUE in methodology of pass/fail rates. MANY WOULD INDEED FAIL this NCLEX test, and quite deservingly (but not so :uhoh21: ...so this keeps the NCLEX statisticians busy, and play with the numbers, in favor of some and not others. GOOD LUCK, nonetheless!! Stay in touch...I love to tip the scale in controversial subjects :rotfl:. NCLEX peri,pre,intra,post-anxiety has its affects.

Okay, this is not theory.

The computer will only give you enough questions to demonstrate that you are safe or you are not.

If you missed the last question it gave you, you will be retaking the exam.

If you got the last question right, you passed.

I went into more detail on another thread, but really, this is in fact how it works. Ask any statistician.....

Good luck everybody, my turn's coming up soon!

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

congratulations to your wife, bender.

"fyi - my wife found out today that she passed at ~89 questions!!!"

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congratulations to your wife, bender.

"fyi - my wife found out today that she passed at ~89 questions!!!"

thanks!!! ...somebody noticed :)

my other theory on the secret of the nclex (i love conspiracy theories) is that you get credit for a wrong answer (as long as its still correct, but not the "best" answer). you follow? this is my theory only. the nclex is based on making sure you will be a safe nurse. now, as we all know, there are always 2 answers that can indeed be correct but one is more correct. my theory is that as long as you rule out the 2 obvious blatent wrong (unsafe) answers then you get some or full credit for the question per the secret nclex formula. the test is far too hard to have such a high passing rate for me to think any different.

i like the nclex because its a very cool program.

my np boards were horrible in comparison because you only had x number of questions and you had to get x number correct or you failed. if you get a hard test then you are in trouble!!

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thanks!!! ...somebody noticed :)

my other theory on the secret of the NCLEX (i love conspiracy theories) is that you get credit for a wrong answer (as long as its still correct, but not the "best" answer). you follow? this is my theory only. the NCLEX is based on making sure you will be a safe nurse. now, as we all know, there are always 2 answers that can indeed be correct but one is more correct. my theory is that as long as you rule out the 2 obvious blatent wrong (unsafe) answers then you get some or full credit for the question per the secret NCLEX formula. the test is far too hard to have such a high passing rate for me to think any different.

QUOTE]

Now this is a theory I like - have you talked to nclex bender? I'll look up the number if you need it!!! :lol2:

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Specializes in medical, surgery/ob-gyn/urology.
thanks!!! ...somebody noticed :)

my other theory on the secret of the NCLEX (i love conspiracy theories) is that you get credit for a wrong answer (as long as its still correct, but not the "best" answer). you follow? this is my theory only. the NCLEX is based on making sure you will be a safe nurse. now, as we all know, there are always 2 answers that can indeed be correct but one is more correct. my theory is that as long as you rule out the 2 obvious blatent wrong (unsafe) answers then you get some or full credit for the question per the secret NCLEX formula. the test is far too hard to have such a high passing rate for me to think any different.

QUOTE]

Now this is a theory I like - have you talked to nclex bender? I'll look up the number if you need it!!! :lol2:

I have thought this exact same thing lol..... It has always seemed so odd to me that so many people think they fail, come out of the test in tears, etc to find out they passed.... i mean I have heard the 50/50 thing, etc and im sure its true, but it does put that thought into your head where you begin to wonder........ Natl pass rate of 85% is pretty good considering how hard the test really is, or appears to be!

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Okay, this is not theory.

The computer will only give you enough questions to demonstrate that you are safe or you are not.

If you missed the last question it gave you, you will be retaking the exam.

If you got the last question right, you passed.

I went into more detail on another thread, but really, this is in fact how it works. Ask any statistician.....

Good luck everybody, my turn's coming up soon!

This theory would only be true if you were in the "failed" zone at 75. If someone were answering really difficult questions (way above the 0.3 difficulty level needed to pass) and that statistically sound 'zone of ability' (you know, that theory where the computer is 96% certain of your range of ability) was entirely above the 0.3 mark, it would not matter whether or not they got the last question right (it wouldn't necessarily change your 'zone' enough to matter). At that point, the computer could definitely have already established the "pass" status for this test and just be finishing with the mandatory number of questions. Sorry to bust your theory, but I studied this whole CAT/NCLEX thing good before I took this exam and I *know* this is the truth.

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Disclaimer: FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!!! THIS IS HELPING COPE WITH THE FACT THAT I MAY HAVE FAILED THE NCLEX, AND KEEPING IT REAL IN THE PROCESS. :uhoh3: LOL

Here goes...

You have to answer at least 75. That's standard... Okay then, if you answer the max of 265, it is stated that they count the last 60 questions of those...follow me...Well, that only leaves at least 15 questions in the minimum 75, in the first place. Now, remember you won't answer all of the 15 right either, therefore you are scored based on the minimal passing standard of 0.30, which is 30%(that's 4.5 or 5 needed in 75 questions) Moreover if you divide the max # of questions, 265 by 75 (the # questions, per 75) you get 3.50. Now multiply 4.5 by 3.5 which is 15.75(16 when you round up) questions on the last of at least 60 to pass....The more harder ones you get right along with less harder ones if at least 5 of them out of 75 are correct, you pass...and for those who take the maximum 265, remember they count the last 60 as a basis for the previous questions you answered corrects and overall you then only need to answer difficult level questions along with less harder ones of at least 16 correct to pass. That's why so many people feel they FAILED coming away from the test. And some who passed and felt like they failed, felt that way because they didn't have a clue on many of the questions they answered ( if anyone would admit to it) But what is most important is that you see PASS, Including myself..Because to answer every single question right, however not uncommon, is rare, and the BON's know this... and the number of questions is IMPORTANT (remember they need you to capture those difficult level questions too) because the FAIL rate would be ridiculously high if it weren't for them giving those questions so one could fall into their pass/fail standard without doubt. I welcome all any suggestions/comments...remember this is for fun...but what if part if not all makes sense :coollook:

You used the 0.3 passing rate as a percentage of the questions you need to get right. alright - just so you *really * know that the 0.3 is actually a measure of question difficulty (each question is assigned a difficulty level) and has nothing to do with the number of questions you get right or wrong. Wouldn't want to confuse folks... especially those of us (like me) who are easily confused:rotfl: .

As I also took the test yesterday, I can appreciate your frustration/anticipation/dread over the test results... how soon will you know? Luckily my state participates in the early results, so I'll know Friday.

Hang in there!

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:coollook: Hi, I am a new grad. I just finished the Anderson Review and bought the Kaplan book to do at home. I graduated May 17 and finished my review last week. They told us to study 100 hours and to do 5000 questions before taking the test. Any thoughts on that? I have mt ATT but I am afraid to set a date....

Congrats to all who have passed!

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This theory would only be true if you were in the "failed" zone at 75. If someone were answering really difficult questions (way above the 0.3 difficulty level needed to pass) and that statistically sound 'zone of ability' (you know, that theory where the computer is 96% certain of your range of ability) was entirely above the 0.3 mark, it would not matter whether or not they got the last question right (it wouldn't necessarily change your 'zone' enough to matter). At that point, the computer could definitely have already established the "pass" status for this test and just be finishing with the mandatory number of questions. Sorry to bust your theory, but I studied this whole CAT/NCLEX thing good before I took this exam and I *know* this is the truth.

nobody (except those that designed the program) knows the truth - including you and i. we have our theories. personally, i think my theory is correct.

:)

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Hmm, interesting theory, did ya'll take into account the number of practice questions that do not count towards you passing/failing. There are always 10 or so they throw in to 'test' the new questions.

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