The NCLEX adapts to your skill level. The first questions that are presented are determining your ability level. Once that ability level is determined, the questions are presented in increasing level of difficulty/decreasing difficulty until you have answered enough questions for the computer to determine (with 95% statistical certainty) that you have met the passing standard.
The minimum number of questions you will have is 75 (60 questions plus 15 pilot items). You will not be able to distinguish pilot items from "real" items. SO, if you get 265 items, that means the computer has not yet determined that you have met the passing standard at the 95% confidence level. There is no random number of candidates that get the exam with 265 questions- that is a myth.
You will not be able to tell whether you have passed by the number of questions you get!
The test is 6 hours long, and you should take your time. You have paid $200 for that test seat- USE IT!
Rushing through the questions or rapid guessing will most likely lead to failure, because each one you get wrong due to guessing means the next question is easier, and then on and on, until you fail because you are guessing at them all. Take your time to think each question through.
You will not leave the exam feeling good- the test challenges every bit of you, so you will feel tired and unsure of yourself. The way you feel does not equate into passing or failing. You cannot judge. Wait for your results.
NCLEX is given throughout the US and its territories, so the same format is used and the same question bank is used across the US. You do not have to take the exam in the same state where you are applying for licensure.
These are some resources for NCLEX prep that I like (no monetary incentive for sharing).
I am impressed with the strategy that is taught in the Kaplan course.
Lastly, you must manage anxiety. Pay attention to strategies to reduce anxiety. Approach each question as a new patient- one at a time, and focus completely on that question (patient).
Do not get distracted by thoughts of passing or failing, or by focusing on the number of questions you have had. Just keep going, one at a time, until the test ends. Then- be good to yourself while you wait for results. Remember you will not be able to accurately judge whether you passed by the way you feel. The test challenges you and you will not feel great when it is over.
This thread (and forum) makes me want to run out and buy all the NCLEX-RN books I can and start studying NOW. And I'm not even in nursing school... yet.
Actually, *looks sheepish* I already have one book. I dunno... this is one test that looks like you want to start REALLY early on.
I dread the day that I take the NCLEX. I'll be an absolute wreck before and after, downing tablets of Gaviscon. When I do pass, I still think I'll be a wreck and in total shock!
I own 6 NCLEX books and used all of them...Mosbys, Saundes, Lippencott, Billings, NCLEX made easy and Nclex Drexel, I know just by having a varity really helped and I used CD's from all of them....Saunders was by far the best...but then I like all of them really.............I think having at least a couple NCLEX books would widen your academics some..........GOOD LUCK
BabyRN2Be said:
This thread (and forum) makes me want to run out and buy all the NCLEX-RN books I can and start studying NOW. And I'm not even in nursing school... yet.
Actually, *looks sheepish* I already have one book. I dunno... this is one test that looks like you want to start REALLY early on.
I dread the day that I take the NCLEX. I'll be an absolute wreck before and after, downing tablets of Gaviscon. When I do pass, I still think I'll be a wreck and in total shock!
:rotfl: Congradulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is for the new RN cheers to you :biere: relax and enjoy..............the feeling....THRESSA
Do you still want to sell your NCLEX book. I will be graduating in June 2006 and figure I better get a jump on these. Am in Med-Surg clinical rotations now and getting ready to test on endocrine and then cardiac. Let me know if you still have it. I would love to take it off your hands!
Congradulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is for the new RN cheers to you relax and enjoy..............the feeling....THRESSA
It feels so weird walking around signing RN after my name. People look at me like, "oooh wow..." all the time after I sign it, and you can see their smile. I like that....: ) Before they would be like, "oh yeah, have a good day..." and now they see that and with a grin say, "Where do you work?" hahahaha. Ahhhh, the joys...LOL. I love it. And the best part of it is that I made it through nursing school. It wasn't the mean patients or the higher than mighty doctors, or even the other nurses on the floor treating me like crap because I was just a student....it was getting to finally receive that card in the mail from the board of nursing that said I am a Registered Nurse, and getting the joy of slapping it across the face of that one nursing instructor who told me I needed to choose a new career. Take that Dr. M., PhD in being a total B***h.
To all the other RN's out there who just graduated and passed the NCLEX, GREAT JOB. I know what you went through. It's all worth it in the end.
I am scared out of my mind right now because I took my NCLEX this morning. I really feel that I did not pass. I had so many prayers for me this morning, that I really feel blessed even if I don't make it. Anyway, I am totally praying for a miracle because when that computer cut off at 75- I felt like I was not given a chance to prove myself. I just put my head down for a couple of minutes. If I find out that I have passed, I will get down on my knees and thank GOD for my miracle!!! Anyway, congratulations to all whom have already passed, and good luck to those that will be taking the wonderful test soon!
I'm currently in an acclerated program at Drexel... and our school requires a 85 % conversion score... which is, I just realized after looking over my results, is less than the actually score *DARN THEM!!!* that is too say an 85% does not equally 850! it is actually some where in the 900s. We have to take a HESI after each nursing course, which they then uses those scores average them and use that to predict how well you will do on the final one, which is the one we need to pass the program. Sadly, since it is an acclerate program, it barely gives us 10 weeks to boost our scores to a good range where we could feel comfortable about passing... for those of use with below 85! But our program still allows us to get pinned, we just have to retake Senior Seminar.
Help please someone, I am in the final few weeks of school, and all of a sudden my nerves are just frazzeled :uhoh21: I am not sure why. Also any tips for getting ready for the NCLEX would be greatly appreciated. I just feel like I am not going to make it. I have not felt this way all year.
Hello everyone this is my first time on this website and I just to tell those who have taken their boards and passed GOOD JOB, and GOOD Luck to everyone who haven't yet taken the exam. I took my exam yesterday morning and I almost passed out when the computer shut off at 75 questions. I felt that I needed at least 50 more. I tried calling today to get my results and nearly fainted while dialing the phone number. My results wasn't available yet so I am keeping the faith and patiently waiting until tomorrow to call back.
I MAY be ready for the test but the score but I haven't used all the material I have yet. I just want to make sure that I tried my best first..
The recommended score is 70%..
I am really tempted to postpone the date from July 14th to July 20th.... so nervous... I don't know what to do... Have to make a quick decision before someone take the spot
I feel you.......... I took the test this morning and feel the same exact way! This is a true nightmare.. I hope you pass and wish you peace while you wait. I will not find out my results until Tuesday, I think.. unless of course they count weekends as business days. Keep thinking positive as I am trying to also. PS I got 75 too!
MsScarletRN said:
I am scared out of my mind right now because I took my NCLEX this morning. I really feel that I did not pass. I had so many prayers for me this morning, that I really feel blessed even if I don't make it. Anyway, I am totally praying for a miracle because when that computer cut off at 75- I felt like I was not given a chance to prove myself. I just put my head down for a couple of minutes. If I find out that I have passed, I will get down on my knees and thank GOD for my miracle!!! Anyway, congratulations to all whom have already passed, and good luck to those that will be taking the wonderful test soon!
I to almost postponed my test date because I didn't feel ready...
but prolomiging the agony wasn't worth it...I scored 64%to 70% at times depending on the test I was taking.......... you still have a few days before you take the tset...practice till then, and then give it your best shot...
If you already don't know the basics you won't by the 20th...you made it thru school and you can this you can conquer....you still have 5 days...like I said study more questions...read the rationals and what you truely don't understand look up in text books....I'm sure you will do fine...I didn't reschudle and passed with 75 questions...I felt like a failure afterwards like most others but I passed, so I must have known something............well good luck to you THRESSA...............I"ll say a prayer for you the 14th
atlanta said:
I only get 64.8% on the test trainer 7 on Kaplan?
I MAY be ready for the test but the score but I haven't used all the material I have yet. I just want to make sure that I tried my best first..
The recommended score is 70%..
I am really tempted to postpone the date from July 14th to July 20th.... so nervous... I don't know what to do... Have to make a quick decision before someone take the spot
Can someone tell me how this works. I am hearing that you can call 24 hours after the test and recieve unofficial results. Is this true and how does it work. Thanks
this is for the new RN 
I took the test this morning and feel the same exact way! This is a true nightmare.. I hope you pass and wish you peace while you wait. I will not find out my results until Tuesday, I think.. unless of course they count weekends as business days. Keep thinking positive as I am trying to also. PS I got 75 too!
BabyRN2Be
1,987 Posts
This thread (and forum) makes me want to run out and buy all the NCLEX-RN books I can and start studying NOW. And I'm not even in nursing school... yet.
Actually, *looks sheepish* I already have one book. I dunno... this is one test that looks like you want to start REALLY early on.
I dread the day that I take the NCLEX. I'll be an absolute wreck before and after, downing tablets of Gaviscon. When I do pass, I still think I'll be a wreck and in total shock!