Number of NCLEX Questions

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care; L&D.

I just wanted to post another reassuring note that the number of questions you have really isn't indicative to whether you passed or failed. There were three of us in my class that all graduated together that took the NCLEX in the last week. One stopped at 75, I stopped around 160 and the third went to 265. All three of us passed and our licenses were up on our BON before our Quick Results were on Pearson Vue. Please don't get discouraged based simply on how many questions you stopped at.

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Yes, a pass is a pass and is just as sweet at the maximum number of questions as at the minimum, as well as any number in between!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

This is a good reminder to all nursing students are planning on taking the NCLEX. The number of questions dont matter. When the computer shut off we all hope for the best.

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Specializes in Cardiac - Adult.

The only thing I've read from the NCSBN about number of questions is:

"The number of questions a candidate answered is an indication of how close a candidate was to the passing standard. Only those candidates whose performance was close to the passing standard had to answer the maximum number of questions (265 for NCLEX-RN; 205 for NCLEX-PN). For candidates whose performance was further away from the passing standard, fewer items were required before a confident pass or fail decision could be made."

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I took my NCLEX-RN today and the computer shut down at 125. I don't know officially if I passed, but if the PVT is accurate I passed it.

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The nclex guys would like you to stay positive and think that. However, if you went all the way to 265 and passed, consider yourself lucky. The computer wasn't able to make up its mind since you're too close to the passing standard (either up or below). It goes back and review your last 60 questions to decide if you passed/failed. On the other hand, if you answer 75 questions and feel like you had a good grasp on things, then it is likely you passed. This is a fact. The higher it is you go, than harder it is to pass (fatigue factor, anxiety and running out of time/questions, etc). If you are in this situation, you MUST continue to march on and CONCENTRATE on every questions. Don't give up.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

a friend of mine started freaking out and psyching herself out after the computer didn't shut off at 75 questions. she ended up taking 265 questions and failed.

STAY POSITIVE if the computer doesn't happen to shut off at 75. you HAVE to go into the nclex fully prepared to take ALL 265 questions.

if you are a big visual learner, once you are allowed to write on your grease board write "i WILL pass today" on it and look at that if you start to freak out. or, if you are big on auditory learning, repeat "i am going to pass today" in your head a few times until your anxiety lessens. treat each question like it's the first one and forget about the one you just answered or the one about to come. focus on the question that you can answer at that moment.

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just focus if the computer wont shut off in 75 your in the game and have a chance to pass

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Hey....I got the 75 questions and that did NOT make me feel good. At question 73 I panicked because I wanted it to go higher than 75 to give me more of a chance to prove myself. I took my time on the last two questions and my heart sank to the floor when it shut off because I felt I did horribly on all 75. I don't think it matters how many questions you get, it's not a confidence booster, that's for sure!

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I read somewhere the other day that 75 questions means you are either doing a really good job or a really horrible job.

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