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.
Well it's done. I took the nclex yesterday morning. I thought I would feel relieved after I finished, but when the blue screen appeard after the 75th question I thought "That's It?" What a horrible feeling not knowing if I passed or not. I took the Arnett practice test in school both for the LPN and RN and took only the minimum questions and scored high on them, but the nclex was nothing like that. I'm so embarrased to tell people how many questions I had in fear that I did really bad. I'm trying not to cry, but it doesn't help knowing that all the new graduate nurses have passed their nclex on the unit I'm orientating on. Good luck to all of you who are awaiting the nclex.
I just took the nclex exam last sept 24,and i got most questions on assessment,which patient to see FIRST,patient prioritization,and some nursing delegations to LPN,and NA..and just got 1 problem solving.Oh,i got drugs and its side effects,too with their health teachings.
I was able to make it till number 110,and the comp shuts down,which makes me more nervous...im still waiting for my result since they said california dont participate in this quick result,which makes it even stressful and harder...waiting is really stressing me out!
Don't worry...it's not about the numbers,as they said..though,im still waiting for mine,as well...I just took the nclex exam last sept 24 here in california,and till now i dont know if i pass or fail..i reached number 110,whew!!!
Me,too,i want to cry right even till now coz the waiting is driving me nuts...i dont even know how my husband keeps up with me,i'm causing him lots of stress,too.
Let's just pray for the best!
noelle027 said:
Hi all,
Well it's done. I took the nclex yesterday morning. I thought I would feel relieved after I finished, but when the blue screen appeard after the 75th question I thought "That's It?" What a horrible feeling not knowing if I passed or not. I took the Arnett practice test in school both for the LPN and RN and took only the minimum questions and scored high on them, but the nclex was nothing like that. I'm so embarrased to tell people how many questions I had in fear that I did really bad. I'm trying not to cry, but it doesn't help knowing that all the new graduate nurses have passed their nclex on the unit I'm orientating on. Good luck to all of you who are awaiting the nclex.
Hi,congrats to you,there you go,you're now an RN..:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: wish i passed mine,too...just took it last sat,sept 24,and still waiting for the result..california dont have the quick result,so it's really more stressful for me.But im very happy for you..:)
jansailsea said:
Well, it works for me!
Had 89 & quick results said passed .
Sent out 20 cover letters & resumes on Wed. 09/28/05 @04:45PM & had a call back today 09/29/05, interview for Friday!
Hi,congrats to you,there you go,you're now an RN..:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: wish i passed mine,too...just took it last sat,sept 24,and still waiting for the result..california dont have the quick result,so it's really more stressful for me.But im very happy for you..:)
Thank you for the elevation, but- actually, I'm an LPN, got my license number in 5 days!
Have to redo college credits as they are over 10 years old, so I'm studying college algebra now.
Definitely want that RN designation.
The phone is ringing off the wall from responses to my resumes, thank heaven.
Well it's done. I took the nclex yesterday morning. I thought I would feel relieved after I finished, but when the blue screen appeard after the 75th question I thought "That's It?" What a horrible feeling not knowing if I passed or not. I took the Arnett practice test in school both for the LPN and RN and took only the minimum questions and scored high on them, but the nclex was nothing like that. I'm so embarrased to tell people how many questions I had in fear that I did really bad. I'm trying not to cry, but it doesn't help knowing that all the new graduate nurses have passed their nclex on the unit I'm orientating on. Good luck to all of you who are awaiting the nclex.
Well I did it! I found out on 9/29 through quick results that I passed, hooray!!:balloons: Reading through everyone's postings helped me keep positive attitude. Starting on Monday I will be making RN pay. Thanks for your feedback, good luck to you all.
Thank you for the elevation, but- actually, I'm an LPN, got my license number in 5 days!
Have to redo college credits as they are over 10 years old, so I'm studying college algebra now.
Definitely want that RN designation.
The phone is ringing off the wall from responses to my resumes, thank heaven.
jansailsea :balloons:
I take my nclex pn on 10/11. Can you give me any points on the questions they ask. I am also in my 2nd year for RN, and seem to be having a hard time studying for nursing tests and also taking micro and trying to keep studying for boards. I have the saunders 2nd edition pn that I am trying to find time to keep studying besides my school reading. Help
Hmm,i dont know about NCLEX-PN exam,coz i took the NCLEX-RN,not NCLEX-Pn,but i guess,they are just quite the same,in some ways..But since you got 2 weeks left before your exam date,then maybe it's best for you to practice answering test questions more on your pc,so you have some insight on how the exam will go,and to familiarize yourself in choosing the best answers from the given questions.Focus this remaining days on that,spend your whole free day studying,and yeah,saunders the best!So i think you'll be just fine.
Wow,what a busy person you are,indeed with your nclex-pn exam coming plus your Rn studies.Goodluck to you.have a nice day!
mis111 said:
I take my nclex pn on 10/11. Can you give me any points on the questions they ask. I am also in my 2nd year for RN, and seem to be having a hard time studying for nursing tests and also taking micro and trying to keep studying for boards. I have the saunders 2nd edition pn that I am trying to find time to keep studying besides my school reading. Help
I take my nclex pn on 10/11. Can you give me any points on the questions they ask. I am also in my 2nd year for RN, and seem to be having a hard time studying for nursing tests and also taking micro and trying to keep studying for boards. I have the saunders 2nd edition pn that I am trying to find time to keep studying besides my school reading. Help
It can be done. To study for the Nclex-pn I recommend using the computer cd that came with Saunders. The study guide works best since you can get immediate feedback and you can get the feel of taking questions on a computer. Priority assessment questions are always good to prepare for. Then after you pass you nclex-pn, because I can confidence in you, I recommend buying the Saunders NCLEX-RN study book. My nursing program recommended it and so far we all have passed. As for the micro, I was in the same situation a year ago. Note cards worked for me eventhough they took a long time to write out, but I remembered the info. better. Also, it helps to get a study partner. It's better if you have someone quizing you back on newly learned info. and visa versa. So good luck to you. You're going into a rewarding career. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
noelle027, BSN, RN
9 Posts
Hi all,
Well it's done. I took the nclex yesterday morning. I thought I would feel relieved after I finished, but when the blue screen appeard after the 75th question I thought "That's It?" What a horrible feeling not knowing if I passed or not. I took the Arnett practice test in school both for the LPN and RN and took only the minimum questions and scored high on them, but the nclex was nothing like that. I'm so embarrased to tell people how many questions I had in fear that I did really bad. I'm trying not to cry, but it doesn't help knowing that all the new graduate nurses have passed their nclex on the unit I'm orientating on. Good luck to all of you who are awaiting the nclex.