After you test you should receive an email stating something along the lines of "Now that you've completed your NCLEX blah blah blah". It is at this point that you can try the PVT to get an IDEA where you stand. However, your test is graded twice. Once automatically and once by Pearson Vue staff just to be sure the computer got it right. This usually happens within the first 24 hours and is why many say the results are only accurate post 24 hours. In which case you really could be failing at first and then when the 15 research questions are removed you could be passing and vice versa.
When you try the PVT you can use a prepaid card that has very little money on it, or put in your correct CC number and incorrect CVC (security code), whether or not you put in the correct expiration date is up to you, but I would change it to be safe. Once you officially submit the payment you will get one of four pop ups--
Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time.~~~ GOOD POPUP
The candidate currently has an open registration for this exam. A new registration cannot be made at this time.~~~ GOOD POPUP
Card declined (for whatever reason)~~~ BAD POPUP
The candidate currently has test results that are on hold. Another registration cannot be made at this time.~~~Means NOTHING, they are simply taking another look at your exam to be sure you didn't cheat. This could be from odd movements during your test that caught their eye, difficult palm vein scans, finishing quickly, something that happened with the computer system that you had no idea about, your computer cut off in the middle of your test, literally anything they deemed as suspicious or the computer flagged.
Once the hold is lifted you will either get the good or the bad popup.
Please note that if your pop up isn't worded EXACTLY like this or is SLIGHTLY different it still means the SAME THING. Therefore, do not freak out thinking you did/didn't pass because of that.
Are there people who do everything exactly right and the PVT doesn't work for them? YES. However, that number is VERY small and most of the time the people it "doesn't work" for did not do it correctly. If done correctly it will work and will be rather accurate as it is with the OVERWHELMING majority of testers.
Is it possible to be charged and still pass? Yes, it is. If you do then you are one of those people that I talked about when I said some didn't do the trick correctly. ? The PVT is simply an exploitation of the company's billing software in a way that wasn't meant to be. Therefore, if you punch in all of the credit card info and it takes your money..... ? oh well, it's doing what it is designed to do.
The PVT isn't definite because it wasn't designed to be. However, overwhelming majority proves that it is rather accurate, but should only be used as an idea of where you stand until you either get your quick results, or see your name on your BON.
I believe I have covered most of the topics that I see regularly asked. If you get a good pop up, take it as a good chance that you passed and relax until you get your results. If you get the bad one recognize that it means you probably failed, but you will not know until you get your results.
I failed my first time taking the NCLEX and got the bad pop up, passed the second time with the good pop up. The most important thing is to not drive yourself CRAZY scouring the internet trying to find situations just like yours or asking a million times whether or not we all believe you passed because it'll only stress you out more. TRUST ME I KNOW. Good luck to you all! The NCLEX will really mess with your mind, but we all made it through nursing school and assuming you put your best foot forward while there, you CAN and WILL PASS the NCLEX!!