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 recently bought a Kaplan book. Would any of you recommend reading the book without taking the class?
I'm going into my last semester of nursing school and graduate in may 06. I have not been working through nursing school as an extern. I'm interested in going into L&D but heard you need to have passed NCLEX. I was wondering what you new graduate nurses recommend as far as getting a job right after graduation or wait until passing the nclex. I've been trying to
decide if I should start an extern but I don't want this last semester of nursing school to be stressful. Is it best to start a job right after graduating or to focus on nclex and take time off? Does anyone have any advice!!
I recently bought a Kaplan book. Would any of you recommend reading the book without taking the class?
I'm going into my last semester of nursing school and graduate in may 06. I have not been working through nursing school as an extern. I'm interested in going into L&D but heard you need to have passed NCLEX. I was wondering what you new graduate nurses recommend as far as getting a job right after graduation or wait until passing the nclex. I've been trying to
decide if I should start an extern but I don't want this last semester of nursing school to be stressful. Is it best to start a job right after graduating or to focus on nclex and take time off? Does anyone have any advice!!
Lori
I read the Kaplan book but did not take the course. I did 90% of my NCLEX study in Saunders. I starting looking for jobs in my last semester and worked as an LPN extern my last semester - most places demand that you only work 2 12 hours shifts a month. It looks goood to have SOME experience on your resume. I started looking for a "real job" 1 week after graduation (during Christmas week in fact), and had no trouble at all finding one before I took the NCLEX. I start the new job Monday, passed Nclex this week......so it all worked out for me ?
Congratulations!! That's great how everything worked out at the end. I'm thinking of just focusing on this last semester of nursing school and worry about getting a job later. I don't want to feel pressured and stressed out trying to do everything at once during the semsester. I would be more at ease knowing that I passed my nclex before starting a job.
Hi new to the forum and you've answered all the questions I needed answered but I am still so nervous about my results. All the nurses at my job thinks that I passed, because it shut of at 96. And looking at the other members with their same concerns made me think I may have passed too. But after reading your message I don't have such high hopes. I got almost 30 pharm questions with no scenarios it was straight flat out if you knew that med. It was meds I have never heard of before except for Coumadin. The rest of the test was priority questions which I like. But I have never heard of anyone getting this many med questions. I almost cried... Thanks for the mesaage it was clear and consise and the most accurate I've read.
Hi new to the forum and you've answered all the questions I needed answered but I am still so nervous about my results. All the nurses at my job thinks that I passed, because it shut of at 96. And looking at the other members with their same concerns made me think I may have passed too. But after reading your message I don't have such high hopes. I got almost 30 pharm questions with no scenarios it was straight flat out if you knew that med. It was meds I have never heard of before except for Coumadin. The rest of the test was priority questions which I like. But I have never heard of anyone getting this many med questions. I almost cried... Thanks for the mesaage it was clear and consise and the most accurate I've read.
Please try not to fret. Keep in mind that 15 of the RN questions and 25 of the PN questions are pretest items that do not count toward your result.
Our university uses the HESI exit exam to determine the probablility of students' passing NCLEX. It has a very high prediction correlation with passing NCLEX. Our school's pass rate is 98%.
Hi
I just recently took the HESI exit exam and received a score of 953 with a conversion score of 87% -- however, no one really explained the scores to me. Does that mean I should do ok with the NCLEX
I just wanted everyone in here to know that I just found out by quick results that I did pass my NCLEX-PN. I answered all of the 205 questions and thought that it was very hard and was sure that I didn't pass. Also, previously someone had posted that random people get the whole amount of questions and that is true. Someone I know got a letter after they took the NCLEX saying that they had been randomly selected to receive all of the questions. So if you do get ALL of the questions there is still hope :)
I just wanted everyone in here to know that I just found out by quick results that I did pass my NCLEX-PN. I answered all of the 205 questions and thought that it was very hard and was sure that I didn't pass. Also, previously someone had posted that random people get the whole amount of questions and that is true. Someone I know got a letter after they took the NCLEX saying that they had been randomly selected to receive all of the questions. So if you do get ALL of the questions there is still hope ?
Good-Luck
EMS
I don't know what kind of letter your acquaintance received or who sent it, but it was not from NCSBN. First of all, no one receives ALL of the questions. There are thousands of questions in the test pools. Second of all, no one is selected to receive the maximum number of questions or the minimum number of questions, or any particular number of questions. That is a myth that is repeated over and over. The number of questions that candidates answer is based on their ability, not including the pretest items.
I don't know what kind of letter your acquaintance received or who sent it, but it was not from NCSBN. First of all, no one receives ALL of the questions. There are thousands of questions in the test pools. Second of all, no one is selected to receive the maximum number of questions or the minimum number of questions, or any particular number of questions. That is a myth that is repeated over and over. The number of questions that candidates answer is based on their ability, not including the pretest items.
That is true -- I am in the middle of the Kaplan course now and there was a lengthy discussion about this myth. It all depends on how you are answering the questions etc. There is no randomness about it. I am taking my boards in Feb and nervous as can be and that rumor certainly added to it because I have trouble after about 80 maintaining focus --- I only hope I can test well enough for the computer to shut off at 75 - although by then, hopefully my stamina will be better and more able to go into the hundreds at least.
I have just taken the NCLEX this morning. I am new to this website and it's sorta funny how i found it. YES...I"M FREAKING out after the test and had to come to the computer and find out what is the ratio of pass to fail with 75 questions. I have been reading the website and it is comforting, but I really would like to know. I had 2 "select all that apply" one EASY math problem and then the rest were priorities and stuff that i had no idea. yes, it happened a lot that i tried to anser the question without looking at my options and probably every single one did not have the option i liked.
i was also wondering if anyone can give me some advice on how to check the internet to look for my name when it is posted!
Did you find out how you did? I am taking mine next month and am in a state of panic already over it. I am taking the Kaplan course right now but just want it to be over and be done with it.
If you are taking kaplan course,then dont be afraid,you'll surely pass.Just put in mind the lesson you learn from them,apply the critical thinking skills wisely on each question,dont hurry in answering,take your time...you'll be fine!Once you're through with your test 1-7 exam,review them again before your exam,just to be sure you understood the rationale this time before the exam,re-read it over and over again,and trust me,you'll do well in the nclex.
You're in good hands in Kaplan....:)
AngelsRN said:
Did you find out how you did? I am taking mine next month and am in a state of panic already over it. I am taking the Kaplan course right now but just want it to be over and be done with it.
Lori_RN_BSN, BSN, RN
30 Posts
I recently bought a Kaplan book. Would any of you recommend reading the book without taking the class?
I'm going into my last semester of nursing school and graduate in may 06. I have not been working through nursing school as an extern. I'm interested in going into L&D but heard you need to have passed NCLEX. I was wondering what you new graduate nurses recommend as far as getting a job right after graduation or wait until passing the nclex. I've been trying to
decide if I should start an extern but I don't want this last semester of nursing school to be stressful. Is it best to start a job right after graduating or to focus on nclex and take time off? Does anyone have any advice!!
Lori