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.
Congrats- that's great! Yes, Hesi is an indicator of how you'll do on the boards. The questions are similar, and so is the format. But, I would still keep studying and focussing on the sections you maybe weak in. Mine was maternity and mental health. But, honestly I had maybe 2 questions in maternity, and like 10 in mental health- but it will vary for each person. Good luck!!
Took my NCLEX yesterday and had quite a few in Maternity and mental health.... which is really good for me since those are my strong subjects!!
I took my NCLEX on 7/19/05 and I found out the next day that I passed. The computer shut off at 75 questions.
I ALSO PRAYED AND my mom put me on her church's prayer chain. I thank God for guiding me during the test.
I took the Kaplan course and studied with Kaplan's QBANK. I also studied all 7 of the tests they provide online. I had started using Saunders, but after taking the Kaplan course, I left Saunders behind. Kaplan's questions are harder and make you think. Also, their test questions are very similar to NCLEX. I thought the NCLEX was a breeze and felt confident I passed when I left. You can pass NCLEX and I think you can study. KAPLAN was the reason I passed. I studied about 2000 questions.
About me: I was not the strongest nursing student and had to study a lot. I got C's and B's on my nursing exams in school. My first 3 HESI's were 850 and my last HESI at the end of the year was 900. My school required us to take HESI at the end of each semester and wanted us to have a minimum score of 850. I do have a previous BS degree in MASS Comm and graduated Magna Cum Laude. My stong points are my interpersonal skills and that's why I wanted to be a nurse. I want to make a difference in this world - as most of us do and that's why I changed careers.
Student here, i have a question. What does the 95% mean? Lets say the computer shuts off at 75 questions, does that mean you have to get at least 71 of the 75 questions right to pass the nclex? Or if I get the 265 question test, I need 251 questions right out of the 265 to pass?
I plan to buy the Saunders review book. There is the comprehensive nclex rn review book and a Saunders q&a review book? Which should i get? I only wanna get one, which is recommended?
I also want to use the Kaplan review book? Is that something i can buy on amazon.com?
Do you mean when you pass the NCLEX the 95% certainty that you will be safe in practice as a new grad? The 95% certainty is that you will be safe to practice as a new grad and they are 95% certain, at least this is my interpretation, that you can recognize that a patient is going bad or that a patient needs to be seen because of their condition. They actually expect you to miss 50% of the questions and 15 of the first 75 questions are experimental questions that do not count for or against you. To me that means that you really need to get at least 30 questions right but they have to be of the right level of questions. They cannot be something that only requires just straight knowledge- you have to be able to apply the knowledge to figure out the situation that is presented to you.
I took the Kaplan course and got the Exam Cram book and used "Nursing made insanely easy book" . Just remember to do every question you can get your hands and most importantly look at all of the rationale, especially when you are uncertain of the content of the question. Oh, and the Kaplan book that has strategy to deal with the questions, I think, is worth the $35.Oh, I just looked at the Kaplan book to which you referred, and it is cheaper than 35 so it is REALLY worth it. That is the same book I got. I could figure out what the answer should be, a little better, even if I had no clue what the question was about. It gives you wonderful strategies- just remember the strategy when you are actually taking the test... Practice the strategy on the practice questions, I promise it will help!
I just took the NCLEX on Friday and eleven of my 75 questions were Select all that apply. It was awful. I was told in nursing school that we only have two or three and I got eleven.
It just goes to show you that there are plenty of rumors and not as many facts about NCLEX floating around out there. The only people that really know for sure are the ones that make up the test.
Hi! Im new here and ive been going through so many messages here. Im trying to find out how to apply in taking the nclex. Ive been searching the web and have come up unsuccessfully. I have no idea whatsoever. Im from the philippines. Could you please help me out.
I took my NCLEX yesterday and had 90 questions. That thing was hard as hell so maybe I did well! hahaha. I am soooo agonizing over this test because when I got home I looked at some of the stuff that I had and woah was I wrong! It was ALLL about some priority with those patients and who you can't put together...I wonder if those are supposed to be easy or hard? LOL.
I also had which order would you question type questions? would you consider those hard or easy!!!
Anyone in need of a Saunders NCLEX review book let me know....I'll sell it cheap, as long as I pass... :bowingpur
hi, this is iyanla from the Phils., hope to ask help from you guys, I love studying, I love nursing and i want to be truly a nurse that cares, i wonder if you could halp me or send me your notes.....your reviewer, i work hard for me to finish my studies and what i am earning i enough for me to be able to pay for my tuition fee.......i hope you could give me copies of your reviewer....thank oyu very much
HI! im new here and ive been going through so many messages here. im trying to find out how to apply in taking the nclex. ive been searching the web and have come up unsuccessfully. i have no idea whatsoever. im from the philippines. could you please help me out.
hi mishie!this is iyanla from the Phils. too. I wonder what schoool are you enrolled in...
I took the NCLEX on Saturday, only had 75 questions, got a question that my 3rd grader could have answered at the very end, and spent the last few days certain and despondent that I failed. Well, I PASSED! The lesson here is don't believe what you read about if you get an easy question at the end, it means you failed. Buying into that has caused me a lot of heartache. Assume the best unless you hear the worst. Good luck to everyone. And thanks again for the supportive words.
Anne, RN!
CONGRATULATIONS ANNE! How exciting for you. Seeing your postings are quite encouraging. After reviewing your postings as well as others, it seems we sometimes are the hardest on ourselves and we tend to question the validity of our intelligence. I too become anxious and nervous whenever taking a nursing exam, so I know for certain I will eventually have mutal feelings on the NCLEX when the time approaches. Thank you for your posting and encouragement!
Thank you Catherine for your time in posting this message to all. It is really good to know that there are people out there who are genuinely helpful and willing to share information/insight with others. It is evident that you are truly a caring person and RN!!
I am posting from Germany, and preparing for NCLEX with 2nd Ed. of Saunders Comp. Review and Lippincotts 8th Ed. Exam Review. Now I am just wondering whether one can use older editions to prepare for NCLEX or whether it is better to get the lastest editions? Hope someone can shed some light on this for me. Going thru credentials review to get authority to test and a travelling to a test center is quite costly....I wouldn't want to have to retake, if it can be avoided
Sapphy, BSN, RN
87 Posts
Took my NCLEX yesterday and had quite a few in Maternity and mental health.... which is really good for me since those are my strong subjects!!