Test "on hold"

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Omg. I took my NCLEX this afternoon and did the "trick". It says my results are "on hold". After some research, I think I might be guilty of "brain dumping" which is a Pearson Vue rule that states candidates may not write on their whiteboard until AFTER the tutorial is over.

First of all, I only wrote "Fix the problem", "ABC'S!!!!" and a couple lab values. I waited in the lobby to take my test for 15 minutes...so I don't see how this could be considered brain-dumping.

Secondly, I didn't understand what they meant by "tutorial" I thought the tutorial was the lady talking to me and explaining the rules. Yes, dumb but when you're nervous and you've never taken the thing before, this is an easy and honest mistake, no!?!?

OMG THEY CAN FAIL ME FOR THIS AND POSSIBLY REVOKE MY PRIVILEGES TO TEST IN THIS STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did this happen!??!? I am beside myself.

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I am sorry to hear about your experience, that is really unfortunate. I'm not sure how it worked for you, but when I tested on Tuesday before we got finger printed and palm scanned, we had to read this paper that told us the NCLEX rules, including the brain dumping. Then, the lady told me not to write anything down until the test begins after the tutorial. She said that I should really only be writing down math problems on the wipe board, anything else may be investigated.

I have known of other people on here that have broken the rules by accident and got put on hold. I know that they personally called their BON, and I know some of them were able to explain their situation and were "forgiven". But I have no idea what this outcome will be. I wish you the best, keep us posted!!

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Thanks, tweety. I didn't understand what they meant by "tutorial". I thought the lady talking to me was the tutorial. I dunno I was so nervous. I wonder if I should call the board or just wait.

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Thanks tweety. I didn't understand what they meant by "tutorial". I thought the lady talking to me was the tutorial. I dunno I was so nervous. I wonder if I should call the board or just wait.[/quote']

I would wait a few days, sometimes they lift the holds on their own. If its still on hold in a few days I would call!

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Omg. I took my NCLEX this afternoon and did the "trick". It says my results are "on hold". After some research, I think I might be guilty of "brain dumping" which is a Pearson Vue rule that states candidates may not write on their whiteboard until AFTER the tutorial is over.

First of all, I only wrote "Fix the problem", "ABC'S!!!!" and a couple lab values. I waited in the lobby to take my test for 15 minutes...so I don't see how this could be considered brain-dumping.

Secondly, I didn't understand what they meant by "tutorial" I thought the tutorial was the lady talking to me and explaining the rules. Yes, dumb but when you're nervous and you've never taken the thing before, this is an easy and honest mistake, no!?!?

OMG THEY CAN FAIL ME FOR THIS AND POSSIBLY REVOKE MY PRIVILEGES TO TEST IN THIS STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did this happen!??!? I am beside myself.

I have never heard of "brain dumping" that is the craziest thing I have ever heard of.

Honey, don't overthink this....the results are "on hold" until your test is formally graded.

Mine was the same.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Be prepared. Brain dumping is seen as a form of cheating. If that is the decision, your result would be invalidated and the matter referred to your BoN.

Don't lose hope just yet. Depending on what you wrote (one reason the white boards are not erasable) they may just invalidate the results and permit you to retest (of course you would have to pay again).

Good luck. Sit tight until you get official word. But if you know you potentially broke the rules, wait for official notice or quick results rather than the PVT which would be unreliable in this case

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Can someone explain the brain dumping concept? I don't remember that being part of the instructions when I went to Pearson to take my NCLEX.

I don't see how that is cheating.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

From NCSBN "You may not write on the note board until after the tutorial is complete. Any writing before or during the tutorial is considered "brain dumping" and will result in an incident report and results being placed on hold."

If done pre-test its the equivalent of creating crib notes or a cheat sheet.

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Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. I just don't see how an extra two minutes of a computer tutorial is going to make a difference as far as "brain dumping" goes. Surely they'll review my test and see that I only wrote two lab values (which weren't even on the test) and a couple motivational sayings. Then again, they could make the argument "well nurses should know how to follow simple instruction..." CRAP. :dead: Will let you know how it goes...

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Specializes in floating.

There are sometimes other reasons that your results go on hold. However, in your case it may be because of the white board. I was warned that anything I did was under audio/video recording, and that I had to wait until after the tutorial to write anything on the white board. The lady told me that nothing was to be written on the white board that didn't pertain to the question I was answering, and if anything was written down aside from that my test result may be voided. My point is that they may see you writing down lab values not presented in any of your test questions as a form of brain dumping, and therefore cheating. Hopefully that doesn't wind up being the case.

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I took the NCLEX today 6/28 also. My results are also "on hold" according to Pearson. I have no idea why. I didnt leave, didnt take a break, and didnt even touch my white board until question 10 or so.

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I took the NCLEX today 6/28 also. My results are also "on hold" according to Pearson. I have no idea why. I didnt leave, didnt take a break, and didnt even touch my white board until question 10 or so.

Hm. Okay. Hopefully we're just the random "hold" people and nothing more. Still freaking out. I called the board yesterday and left a message. I don't expect to hear back.

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