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.
Don't worry too much about it. I passed the PN Nclex with the maximum number of questions (205). My license number was on the Ohio Board of Nursing site within 6 days. But Ohio may be different than in California. I also got my quick results from pearson vue within 48 hours, that cost me 8.95. Did you get a lot of prioritizing questions? Those are "apparently" the harder ones. I would say just wait it out and see. Just remember that there is always hope because I thought that I really did fail and I did pass. There is hope for you too
OK - I am in panic mode now. I am waiting still for my ATT, but have been practicing questions and just seem to do worse and worse. I did well in school and understand rationales after reading them but I just cant seem to get it together. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I just want to pass this and be over and done with it and get on with being a great nurse.
The NCLEX adapts to your skill level. The first questions that are presented to you are determining your ability level. Once your 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.
Just curious-- what do you mean when you say the NCLEX "adapts to your skill level"?? Does this mean if you have a low skill level you get easier questions? I took the boards in the dark ages (when it was 2 full days of testing w/no computers & waited 6wks for results) so this is very foreign to me.
The NCLEX adapts to your skill level. The first questions that are presented to you are determining your ability level. Once your 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.
Just curious-- what do you mean when you say the NCLEX "adapts to your skill level"?? Does this mean if you have a low skill level you get easier questions? I took the boards in the dark ages (when it was 2 full days of testing w/no computers & waited 6wks for results) so this is very foreign to me.
Yes, if you have a lower ability, you get easier questions. Everyone gets a different test based on his or her ability. Candidates answer between 75 and 265 questions for the RN exam and between 85 and 205 for the PN exam. The formats are a little different than when we took it, too. There are no more questions where you get a case study and then answer 3 -5 questions based on that information. Also, there are multiple response questions, where candidates pick all that apply, fill-in -the-blank questions, hot spot items, exhibit items, and drag and drop items. It's all on computer now. Quite a bit different than what we had!
catherine- I am confused about the NCLEX, if everyone who wants to become a licensed RN has to take this exam, and its the same exam for everyone across the nation, how are ADN students compared to BSN students supposed to do well, or visa versa; depending on how and who the test is administered for. Is there a seperate test for the type of degree you have? I know that the Bachelor's programs are much different from the ADN programs so how do you succeed while taking the test?
catherine- I am confused about the NCLEX, if everyone who wants to become a licensed RN has to take this exam, and its the same exam for everyone across the nation, how are ADN students compared to BSN students supposed to do well, or visa versa; depending on how and who the test is administered for. Is there a seperate test for the type of degree you have? I know that the Bachelor's programs are much different from the ADN programs so how do you succeed while taking the test?
The test is the same regardless of your degree. The exam is designed to assess competency for entry level nursing practice. This may interest you: the statistics that came out in October 2005, show that the BSN candidates have a lower pass rate than Associate Degree and Diploma grads. For the Diploma grads, it was 88.4%, for the AD grads, it was 85.3%, and for the BSN grads, it was 84.8%.
Specializes in Internal Med, Dementia Care, Womens Health.
I took nclex pn exam today and Ifelt like the questions were so different from all the practice questions that i have done. I felt like an idiot. Now all I can do is go over all the questions in my head and I feel like I got them all wrong!! The computer shut off at 85 and I am a nervous wreck! my school has a 99% pass rate for first time takers and what if I am the one who fails, I got straight A's in nursing school but I felt unprepared is this all normal? help!!
I took nclex pn exam today and Ifelt like the questions were so different from all the practice questions that i have done. I felt like an idiot. Now all I can do is go over all the questions in my head and I feel like I got them all wrong!! The computer shut off at 85 and I am a nervous wreck! my school has a 99% pass rate for first time takers and what if I am the one who fails, I got straight A's in nursing school but I felt unprepared is this all normal? help!!
Your school has a high pass rate because they do a good job of preparing students for nursing practice. You did well when you were there, so you must have learned the material. Have faith in yourself and remember...the odds of passing are in your favor!
I took the nclex pn yesterday. the computer cut off at 85 questions. my school also has a 99% pass rate. I thought the same thing, suppose I'm the 1% that fails. Several of my friends have taken their boards and all passed with the computer cutting off at 85 questions. thanks for the info and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I know we have to wait if we got 75 questions. But do more people usually pass with 75 or fail. People keep saying you have to be preety stupid to fail with 75 questions. Does anyone know of anyone that has failed with 75?
jlemstover
8 Posts
Don't worry too much about it. I passed the PN Nclex with the maximum number of questions (205). My license number was on the Ohio Board of Nursing site within 6 days. But Ohio may be different than in California. I also got my quick results from pearson vue within 48 hours, that cost me 8.95. Did you get a lot of prioritizing questions? Those are "apparently" the harder ones. I would say just wait it out and see. Just remember that there is always hope because I thought that I really did fail and I did pass. There is hope for you too
Good Luck and let me know how you did
EMS