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Discussion

NCLEX Does it have to be 85 questions to pass?

Hey y'all I am taking my pn boards august twenty sixth and I mist admitted I am scared. My question to y'all is do you have to get 85 questions to pass ?? I mean what if you go to 90 or 100 does that mean you didn't pass! Please some advice ! I am very nervous I know I will pass but I don't think with 85 questions.

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  • Expert

You can pass the NCLEX-PN with any number of questions between 85 and 205.

The person who passes with 85 questions exceeded the passing standard very quickly, so the computer adaptive technology ends the test since there's no reason for the test taker to keep answering questions.

On the other hand, the person who passes after answering 200+ questions remained near the passing standard for a long time, and therefore, had to keep answering more questions before the computerized adaptive testing system was finally able to make the determination that the test taker passed.

The minimum, whether it be pass or fail, is 85 questions.

Some do poorly that the test shuts off at 85; most do well that the test shuts off at 85.

Remember, the NCLEX is a computer adaptive test (CAT) that offers questions of increasing difficulty; the better one does, the harder the questions; if one is not answering the questions appropriately, the easier the questions will be; one can do well and then get a higher difficulty question, get it wrong, and have to begin all over with easier questions.

There's no way knowing what questions the test taker is going to get, either.

  • Author

OK thank you that makes sense! I just pray I pass!!!

Read the test plan.... so you get more comfortable with the test and you will not get blind-sided =)

The NCLEX has a minimum and maximum number of questions. Any number from minimum to maximum is what is required. The computer will shut off once you've gotten at least the minimum and you've met (with 95% confidence) that you have passed or failed. The only thing you can infer from going beyond the minimum is that you're very near passing standard and the computer is unable to determine pass or fail and it will keep presenting questions until it has determined that you've passed or failed, and that may require the entire length of the exam to determine this. There isn't even a set pass/fail percentage like you find on traditionally scored exams. It's literally graded simply pass or fail.

Likewise the only thing you can infer from the exam shutting off a the minimum is that you clearly were above or below passing standard, resulting in a pass or fail, respectively.

You can pass at 85 or 205. Try going to youtube.com and look up Kaplan NCLEX review to get a better idea of how the test adapts to your answers. Good Luck!!

  • Author

Thank you so helpful!!!

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