This may be a dumb question

AnaBanana12 · Jul 7, 2006

Hello,
this may be a dumb question that was addressed in earlier threads, but I couldn't find it:
What is the percentage that you must maintain in order to pass the NCLEX? I am confused by the brochure that is on the Pearson vue website. I understand that CAT format, as far as how they give questions based on how you answer them, but what percent do you need to maintain?? I have heard 50%, is that correct? Please help.
I take mine in less than 2 weeks, and even though I have been doing questions online every day, I feel like the more I do, the worse I do.
Thanks!

I feel ya! It seems like two weeks ago when I was doing questions my scores were much higher. Now that ive been doing them almost everyday (and getting closer to my NCLEX day) the worse im doing.

As far as your question goes, im not sure. But I do remember reading somebody's post about answering atleast 50% right, thats why Kaplan questions are so difficult. (i think.....)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

Hello,
this may be a dumb question that was addressed in earlier threads, but I couldn't find it:
What is the percentage that you must maintain in order to pass the NCLEX? I am confused by the brochure that is on the Pearson vue website. I understand that CAT format, as far as how they give questions based on how you answer them, but what percent do you need to maintain?? I have heard 50%, is that correct? Please help.
I take mine in less than 2 weeks, and even though I have been doing questions online every day, I feel like the more I do, the worse I do.
Thanks!

HI therere! No, it's not a dumb question. :)

The answer is, you're not looking for a certain percentage like on pencil and paper tests. The NCLEX is designed so that it keeps asking you questions based on the level of difficulty of the last question it asked you. If you got that correct, you get a slightly harder question next time. If you get it wrong, you get a slightly easier one.

The idea is, EVERYONE who passes OR fails gets aout 50% of the questions correct. The criteria is the level of difficulty by which you keep on the 50% level. So someone who passes can maintain that "half right" on a higher degree of difficulty than those who get "half right" with a substandard degree of difficulty.

It will ask you questions until it's sure, to ao 95% accuracy, that you are competent on the "passing" standard.

Ok now? :)

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 7, 2006

The test gets progressively more difficult until you answer about 50% right and wrong. It measures AT WHAT LEVEL you are doing that.

But, some of the questions are throwaway questions designed to test their validity for future exams. About 15 of them per test is my understanding.

So, if the test cuts off at 75, theoretically, you could pass by only getting 30 of them correct.

~faith,

Timothy.

RNLisa · Jul 7, 2006

HI therere! No, it's not a dumb question. :)
The answer is, you're not looking for a certain percentage like on pencil and paper tests. The NCLEX is designed so that it keeps asking you questions based on the level of difficulty of the last question it asked you. If you got that correct, you get a slightly harder question next time. If you get it wrong, you get a slightly easier one.
The idea is, EVERYONE who passes OR fails gets aout 50% of the questions correct. The criteria is the level of difficulty by which you keep on the 50% level. So someone who passes can maintain that "half right" on a higher degree of difficulty than those who get "half right" with a substandard degree of difficulty.
It will ask you questions until it's sure, to ao 95% accuracy, that you are competent on the "passing" standard.
Ok now? :)

Yea, I am ok now, thanks for the info. Hope I can pull it off. I am sure I will be posting after the exam how stressed I am....so be prepared!! LOL Thanks again.