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.
hello, i am new here.. i am planning to take the nclex but i haven't decided what state yet to apply.. anyone here who could pls tell me where is the best state to apply? is north carolina alright and is it a non-cg state?thanks a lot..
Planning on taking boards 6/21/06 scared out of my mind!!!!!!!!!! been studying for weeks now and feel like the more I study the more I don't know... help
So, elizabells, did you pass???? I took the dreadful test yesterday.. . 75 questions. . . and haven't slept a wink since!!! I'm freakin' here!! Please reply!
Even though I have no idea whether or not I passed. . . what I found to be the most useful info. . . KAPLAN. If there is a Kaplan review class between now and then, I highly recommend it!! Makes is a little easier to understand what the questions are 'really' asking. Good luck to you!!! Please pass a little luck this way too as I took the test yesterday . . . painfully waiting!!
you know today i just found out that i have failed the nclex-rn for the fouth time. i am currently a lpn (9 years). all my questions seem to be nursing mangement with a few safety and infection control. i felt good after the exam...but there was something that said YOU FAILED. I HAD 265 QUESTIONS. today i feel like calling it quits with this whole nclex-rn exam regardless of how my co-workers, supervisors, family&friends, and clients feel and keep telling me if i did not know it i would have already thought that you were RN.
elizabells & rn-emt, have you received any results yet?!? I am scheduled to take nclex on Monday, June 12th in Richmond, VA. I am SO ready to get this over with!!! my class [Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC] graduated May 13th; we've been doing the online NCSBN review. Anyone else using this program? Best wishes to everyone; let us know when you get some results, elizabells & rn-emt!!! We CAN do this!!!
Hello everyone! I'm new to this thread but i've been reading the comments posted here for a while now. I am currently an LVN working at a State hospital. I took my NCLEX-RN exam last Wednesday (exactly a week ago) here in California. When leaving the building I felt really confident but a week has now gone by and my name is not on the BRN website. I was wondering if anybody else graduated college in another country, works as an LVN, and took the NCLEX-RN? I'm feeling really badly right now.
elizabells & rn-emt, have you received any results yet?!? I am scheduled to take nclex on Monday, June 12th in Richmond, VA. I am SO ready to get this over with!!! my class [Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC] graduated May 13th; we've been doing the online NCSBN review. Anyone else using this program? Best wishes to everyone; let us know when you get some results, elizabells & rn-emt!!! We CAN do this!!!
Whoooo hoooo!! I just received my results!! RN it is!!! Good luck to all of you!!
elizabells & rn-emt, have you received any results yet?!? I am scheduled to take nclex on Monday, June 12th in Richmond, VA. I am SO ready to get this over with!!! my class [Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC] graduated May 13th; we've been doing the online NCSBN review. Anyone else using this program? Best wishes to everyone; let us know when you get some results, elizabells & rn-emt!!! We CAN do this!!!
Oh, sorry, i did pass. I've just been too freaked out about job-hunting to update!
Hi Everyone, I just graduated from Fresno State's RN/BSN program and am feeling SO nervous about my upcoming NCLEX (June 13th). This may sound terrible, but it was kind of reassuring seeing that others are also a little concerned.
Anyway, here are some tips I've picked up at my first two days of NCLEX review (Hurst Review):
Always pretend you have only one patient, so if you can "stay with the patient" stay with them!
You will (probably) never answer "reassess in 15 minutes"
There are no HAPPY NCLEX questions: always assume something is wrong.
If you can only do ONE THING, pick the best/biggest thing you could do to help the patient (calling the doctor is usually not the ONE most important thing you can do for the patient)
If you get a question about a halo, remember the most important thing is to have a screwdriver nearby.
Radioactive isotope - tongs, lead lined container/blanket, then call radiology.
Thanks for listening and I look forward to hearing all your success stories, NCLEX tips, and words of wisdom!
Good luck on your test on the 13th,..I am scheduled on the 15th,...and very nervous about the whole thing(I just graduated from MN AD Nursing) The free NCLEX link you listed is wonderful..thank you very much!!!!
questor
3 Posts
hello, i am new here.. i am planning to take the nclex but i haven't decided what state yet to apply.. anyone here who could pls tell me where is the best state to apply? is north carolina alright and is it a non-cg state?thanks a lot..