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.
Hi msburns! I too graduated about five years ago and because of hardships and life at that time could not take my boards. As you, I graduated in the top of my class. Now, I am getting ready to take my boards and will pass them! You will too! With all the positive things and ppl in your life now, nothing can hold you back but yourself....good luck to you and keep studying...I have a Saunders Comp. Review book and it is wonderful...also, there are other threads out there that talk about this...you should browse around...also, there are great threads about ppl in your shoes and mine and they have inspired me and made me feel great about doing this again! Again, good luck to you and all you do...I will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers!
Thank you so much blondi2809! You really got my hopes up, which i needed. I have wanted to do this for so dang long, and when I think of the feeling I had when I found out that I failed, it just made me kept putting it off. But yeah, Im like you, Im going to pass this time! Thanks, and I hope you do well and you also will be in my prayers!
Wow..sure wish I knew about this site 20 years ago! What a great idea assisting new grads like this. It would have sure helped reduce the pretest NCLEX jitters! I was a nervous wreck! Thank goodness it's over for me! Good Luck and way to go helping those in need with this site! I took an NCLEX study course. I couldn't have passed with out it as I am horrible at taking tests!
You guys...are gonna pass for sure this time! When do you take the exam?? I will wait to hear from you. Many feel the need to premed.... it happened with others in my group too 20 yrs ago!
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.
Good luck guys. I freaked with the check-in process. The test itself wasn't bad. When I tool the LPN boards a million years ago, it was paper and pencil. You had a bunch of people crammed into this large room, with proctors. You couldn't pee alone, and when it was pencil and paper it took 6 to 8 hours. The RN was 2 days long. I'm sure you will do well be confident. The more questions you answer I think the more it helps.
I am pretty sure here in Ohio you can take it as many times as you need to. I graduated in 94 and this will be my 3rd time taking it, no limitations on ammount of time out of school. I suppose they figure if you can pass the test you are safe enough? It is amazing how much I remember, I guess nursing school did a good job. Just I am not a great test taker.
I had to tell you all that I passed the exam last Thursday!!!!!! I only had 75 questions and was donein less than 45 minutes. I was sure that I failed it and it was such a shock when the computer just stopped at 75. I didn't know what to do with myself.
I used the course at learningext.com and found that to be helpful except that I felt that I did not have enough questions. I also used the book exam cram as well as the cd that came with it.
I don't know if that helps anyone but thought that I should pass it along, although after reading about Suzanne's course I would probably have used that if I had known about it before I sat the test and if I had failed I would have been looking for it.
I must admit that it has been a long and difficult journey to get this far so I really hope that it will all have been worth it.
blondi2809
13 Posts
Hi msburns! I too graduated about five years ago and because of hardships and life at that time could not take my boards. As you, I graduated in the top of my class. Now, I am getting ready to take my boards and will pass them! You will too! With all the positive things and ppl in your life now, nothing can hold you back but yourself....good luck to you and keep studying...I have a Saunders Comp. Review book and it is wonderful...also, there are other threads out there that talk about this...you should browse around...also, there are great threads about ppl in your shoes and mine and they have inspired me and made me feel great about doing this again! Again, good luck to you and all you do...I will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers!