265 questions!!!!

why oh why does NCLEX make you take 265 questions!!! I HATE NCLEX! I have to say that was 5hrs and 11mins of pure hell! oh yeah I had 265 questions! and whats more I feel like I passed after my first 75! So I just had to rant because 265 questions is a hell of alot of questions to answer! :trout:

Sorry you had to go through all those questions; I know I would've hated it! But take some comfort in this: clearly you hadn't passed at 75 questions, or it would have shut off then. So it gave you plenty of opportunity TO pass, by answering alot more questions :)

Maybe not great comfort, but hey: in this case, you didn't WANT it to stop too soon, right?

Sorry you had to go through all those questions; I know I would've hated it! But take some comfort in this: clearly you hadn't passed at 75 questions, or it would have shut off then. So it gave you plenty of opportunity TO pass, by answering alot more questions :)

Maybe not great comfort, but hey: in this case, you didn't WANT it to stop too soon, right?

I agree

Stimpy,

It's still a really stressful event, but overall the system is a lot better than it used to be. Back in the good ol' days, it was paper and pencil. Everyone got all of the questions. At least now there's a significant chance that the student will get less.

The other thing that's better is the travel involved. In most cases, students can schedule the NCLEX a short distance from their homes and knock things out in a half-day or less. Here in Texas, our more experienced nurses remember going to Austin for a whole weekend.

I took all 265 last week and passed! I know you did too! The waiting is the worst part. Hang in there the feeling you get for the word PASS is worth it!

Sorry you had to go through all those questions; I know I would've hated it! But take some comfort in this: clearly you hadn't passed at 75 questions, or it would have shut off then. So it gave you plenty of opportunity TO pass, by answering alot more questions :)

Maybe not great comfort, but hey: in this case, you didn't WANT it to stop too soon, right?

what if I did pass at 75 and was selected to be one of the few to take ALL 265 I had 23 alternative type questions! 8 of which popped up in the first 75. 3 of which I know I got right! alot of the questions seemed a little easy. I counted 52 priority questions in the first 75... after that I gave up counting. but anyways It really doesn't matter I passed and I am glad!

It's still a really stressful event, but overall the system is a lot better than it used to be. Back in the good ol' days, it was paper and pencil. Everyone got all of the questions. At least now there's a significant chance that the student will get less.

Goodness, I couldn't agree with you more Eric. If given the choice, I would go for the pencil and paper test given twice a year instead of a test in which most takers feel absolutely rotten after taken it. Fortunatley, I live in a quick results state, but my heart goes out to those who have to wait at least 4-6 weeks to get their results.

Maybe I misread your post Eric, if so, my apologies. I just feel so bad for those coming out of the test center whoe want to curl up in the fetal position for the rest of the ride hom.

what if I did pass at 75 and was selected to be one of the few to take ALL 265

You didn't. NO one is "selected" to take all 265 questions, apparently that's some kind of urban legend I hadn't heard of :)

I had 23 alternative type questions! 8 of which popped up in the first 75. 3 of which I know I got right! alot of the questions seemed a little easy.

Well, having 8 alternate questions in the first 75 isn't so odd...people here have had 15! As for them seeming a little easy, well....they may HAVE been easy, which is why you were NOT passing at 75. You weren't yet at the passing mark, and it got harder the more you got correct.

Getting alot of priority questions is a good sign, but only if you get them right, of course. Otherwise, you'll keep answering questions.

I'm glad you passed, but it DOES matter that you understand why you got the test you did...so you don't misguide other people into believing the NCLEX myths :)

Worth copying from the person who put the first message on the first "sticky" on this board--might dispel a myth or two:

"I teach a semester long course to prep our grads for NCLEX. Please read this entire post carefully.

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."

i had 265 questions also in pittsburgh pa and found out today that i passed and am so happy i was so scared that i didn't and want to tell everyone that 265 means nothing just as 75 dosn't and just as everyone on this web site does i tried to analyze the number of questions but it can be done. i'm living proff.

jess new RN

Wow thats great..I am waiting for my results and am so nervous that i feel sick. I studied for at least two months...doing questions and questions. I am so nervous.

Congrats to all who pass the NCLEX at 265 questions. I wish I was one of them. After 100 questions, I was dead tired and of course I failed. I don't care of many questions I do anymore as long as I pass this darn test................................Wish me luck