There's no rhyme or reason to passing the NCLEX...

Published

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

You cannot guess whether or not you passed the NCLEX and no one else can tell you or guess for you.

It doesn't where the computer turns off whether it be 75, 115, 150, or 265 questions. It doesn't matter whether you got the last question right or wrong.

These are all old wives tales. Do not listen to them. They'll only make you more nervous. You'll be nervous enough waiting for your results. Don't borrow trouble from others. The only way to know if you have passed or not is to wait for the official results. Fact is most of us come out feeling like we didn't do well and fact is most of us do pass.

I have taken the NCLEX twice. Once NCLEX-PN and once NCLEX-RN. I was soooo nervous waiting for my results. Don't make it worse by listening to others who can't possibly know whether or not you'll pass. Good Luck to Everyone taking boards!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your post. As graduate nurses we have to handle this NCLEX issue maturely. You Rock!

I'll remember this info when I take my NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU.

Thank you so much. I have been waiting for a post like this. I see so many things about NCLEX that are very discouraging. So many wives tales. As a new grad preparing for the boards, it makes it hard for me sometimes coming to the site. But I do anyway because there are a few positive notes. If I can tell the post is about someone passing or failing based on a "number" I dont even readt. Anyway, Thanks again for this POSITIVE note..

Cina

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If I can tell the post is about someone passing or failing based on a "number" I dont even readt

If you're among the large number of people who are bothered by these posts, not reading them is really the best thing to do. We've taken some steps to cut down on the need for these posts. Among them:

- Posted a sticky at the top of the NCLEX Discussion Forum entitled 'Waiting for NCLEX results? Read here first!' It discusses a large number of widely-held myths about the exam, especially in regard to the divining of one's results.

- On any thread which makes a reference to a correlation between the number of questions and the pass/fail result, the moderators try to add a note (often in bold letters) that the number of questions does not predict pass or fail.

In the end though, no matter what we do, we're dealing with a very frustrating exam where both passers and failers tend to score around 50%. It's natural that there are going to be quite a few anxious testers out there. While it takes 48 hours or less to find out results in many places, I'm glad that they identify us as a place they can come to vent among friends during that wait.

Also, along the lines of correcting erroneous information, it wouldn't be accurate to say that there is no rhyme or reason to passing the NCLEX. The result is based on objective factors related to nursing knowledge, even if we can't take a person's description of their own exam and predict the result.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

It was meant to be there is no rhyme or reason to "guessing" whether or not you passed the NCLEX. I knew what I was thinking I just didn't convey it correctly. Sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I understand. I knew where you were going with it too, but just wanted to clarify, since some people will only read part of a statement and misinterpret.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

I agree with the original post. Why do people think the number of questions matters? Only the level of difficulty you manage to achieve determines pass or fail.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it's ultimately due to a lack of understanding about NCLEX scoring. I'm always amazed at the number of people who go to take the exam without understanding some of the basics behind the test (like the fact that both passers and failers tend to score around 50%.)

www.ncsbn.org is loaded with information on how the NCLEX works. The 2006 Candidate Bulletin can be accessed there and it is particularly helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hopefully this post will let everyone know that. Though sometimes with NCLEX jitters, they forget :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion