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.
I did the same thing this morning. I don't see how 1 hour has anything to do with it though? I felt like I took my time with each question. I've always been a very quick test-taker though.
I took the NCLEX-RN Sept 21st. I was 46 minutes into it and the computer screen went blank and my first thought was "Geez, I get a computer that screws up on me and drops dead...". Then I realized the test was OVER and I was DONE.
Then my second thought was: "I spent ALL that tuition money, time studying, and WORRYING for THIS!!!!" It was so FUNNY......
And Yes I passed. I don't know how ANYONE knows how many questions they had, as mine were not numbered. Did you all make a tick mark on a piece of paper and then count up how many questions you had?
I tried that for about one minute and gave up and just took the silly thing.
I also thought: "If this is all it takes to get a license to practice nursing the world is in trouble!"
I noticed some of you said you waited 15 days for results?
If you pull up your state board of nursing they will probably have your results (IF YOU PASSED) in less than 4-5 days, depending on the state.
It will show you as a licensed registered nurse.
It is cool here in Texas. We just go to the web site for the board of nursing and look up your name and or SSN and it will tell ANYONE if you are licensed or not. When the test score is issued to the state it automatically licenses you if you passed.
Specializes in Counseling Service, Children's Pastor.
At the start of my LPN program, the instructors told us - "The state board's got nothing on us. We're going to work you so hard that when you take the Nclex, you'll think it was easy." They weren't kidding. The NCLEX asked general questions, nothing like the wicked specific unit tests my instructors gave. I was shut off at the minumum and passed.
Well, I took the NCLEX-RN on Monday Oct 24. I am a student with a 3.5 GPA. I scored above average on all of the exams given at school to test proficiency in the various areas of nursing. I started studying for the NCLEX-RN as soon as a graduated.
BUT, I had 75 questions and failed.
I received my official scores for the MO state board of nursing on Tues Oct 25th informing me that I failed the exam.
My advise, the test at school mean nothing. I received A's and B's in nursing school and those test were hard. So I say take Kaplan. That was my mistake. I did not take Kaplan.
Agree 100%. Kaplan rulezz forever! We've used Kaplan for our nurses and we have a 100% passing rate so far! That's our experience with nurses trained completely different from the way the are trained in the US.
hey how about if u havnt finish the questions and the somputer stopped bcuz the 6 hours time period had elapsed do u think there is a possibility that u pass the exam even though u run out of time?
hey how about if u havnt finish the questions and the somputer stopped bcuz the 6 hours time period had elapsed do u think there is a possibility that u pass the exam even though u run out of time?
Yes. If you run out of time, the computer will look at the last 60 questions you answered. If you stayed above a certain level of difficulty for the last 60 questions, then you pass. If you dipped below that level for even one question, you fail.
so it means that in order for me to pass, the last 60 questions must be correct? oh..i just hope my test will be up to 75 only and pass....yeah cuz im not really fast when it comes to answering ?s that im not familiar with..pls include me in ur prayers too..it'l on dec 29 na...thanks:)
so it means that in order for me to pass, the last 60 questions must be correct? oh..i just hope my test will be up to 75 only and pass....yeah cuz im not really fast when it comes to answering ?s that im not familiar with..pls include me in ur prayers too..it'l on dec 29 na...thanks:)
I will definitely pray for you. And try not to worry. If you are taking the RN exam, you have six hours to finish. The average time is just over 2 hours.
so it means that in order for me to pass, the last 60 questions must be correct? oh..i just hope my test will be up to 75 only and pass....yeah cuz im not really fast when it comes to answering ?s that im not familiar with..pls include me in ur prayers too..it'l on dec 29 na...thanks:)
And dont forget....the statistics say that 90% of US educated nurses pass on the first try!!!
so it means that in order for me to pass, the last 60 questions must be correct? oh..i just hope my test will be up to 75 only and pass....yeah cuz im not really fast when it comes to answering ?s that im not familiar with..pls include me in ur prayers too..it'l on dec 29 na...thanks:)
The last 60 questions have to be correct in order for you to pass IF YOU RAN OUT OF TIME before a pass or fail decision could be made.
The NCLEX asked general questions, nothing like the wicked specific unit tests my instructors gave. I was shut off at the minumum and passed.
mshawk72
2 Posts
75 IN 1 HOUR THERE IS NO WAY I PASSED