what is needed to pass nclex?

JentheRN05, RN · Aug 22, 2005

Hi I am sitting my nclex exam next week and am very confused as to what the percentage/number of questions you are required to answer correctly in order to pass. People have passed or failed on 75 -300+ questions, there doesnt seem to be any consistency. I am doing lots of practice questions and my average percentage of correct answers is 75-85%. Do you think that this is encouraging? Can anyone help?

I'm not exactly sure of the %/# of questions required. The tests are progressive. If you answer the easy questions right, you "progress" to even harder questions. If you answer what I am assuming is what they consider the hardest questions right and stay at that level, I would have to assume that's who passed NCLEX with 75 questions. If you start answering the moderately difficult questions wrong, they start you over and keep pushing you until you answer enough of the difficult questions right to advance you to a competent nurse status.

I personally went through a few quiz questions in NCLEX study books. Not many I might add, and I convienced myself that if I hadn't learned enough in nursing school to be a "competent" nurse than I don't deserve to pass (this was only to convience myself to do a good job the first time). So I quit studying. Took the test, passed in 83 questions. Honestly I think my education was awesome because I never noticed the questions getting harder. To me they seemed so easy that I swore I failed.

Hope this helps somewhat, and good luck. Believe in yourself and your capabilities and you will do fine.

nurselisaann · Aug 22, 2005

Dylan,

Read the sticky 2nd from the top in this forum, it explains the CAT format and how the number of questions you receive is determined. There are 75min-265 max questions on the NCLEX-RN. I believe the min on the NCLEX-PN is 85 and 205 max. The NCSBN website gives all this information too as well download-able brochures and bulletins that are sent to you via mail when you become eligible for the exam, so you can read ahead if you havent received them. Hope this helps

Lisa

ManyRN2B · Aug 27, 2005

I believe you have to answer at least 50% of the harder questions correctly. That is what the NCSBN website states. I think it wants to be sure with a 98% ACCURACY that you are competent.

Apple30 · Aug 27, 2005

What is needed to pass NCLEX? .... Hm..... You need to study, that's all :)

nursemomruns · Aug 29, 2005

I believe you have to answer at least 50% of the harder questions correctly. That is what the NCSBN website states. I think it wants to be sure with a 98% ACCURACY that you are competent.

You are close. You answer questions until there is a 95% confidence that you have attained a competent level.