Want to know what the number of questions you got means?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

It doesn't mean anything. It's irrelevant if you're wondering whether you passed or failed. Wish I could make this post on every thread that asks this question, but I guess I'll have to be satisfied with a thread for it. :)

You could have 75, 85, 92, 104, 153, 161, 260 questions. You could have the minimum number or the maximum number for your exam, and it doesn't mean that you passed or that you failed. It isn't a good sign or a bad sign if you got .

The ONLY thing to consider, when getting the minimum number of questions is "is it more likely that I did really well or really poorly when the test stopped at the minimum number?" Stopping at that point means either the test "knows" that giving you more and more questions is pointless, because you either obviously know your stuff, so you pass....or you obviously don't, and won't be allowed to continue.

Getting the maximum number of question means that you were close to pass, close to fail for a long time, meaning that in order to determine your competency you needed to go the full distance. And you either ended up on the 'plus' side and passed, or the 'minus' side and failed.

So yes, we've seen people who pass at the minimum number and fail at the minimum number. And pass at the maximum number and fail at the maximum number. And every single number in between.

Don't make yourself crazy agonizing over what the number of total questions you had means. It won't matter, and you'll just end up feeling crazy!

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

What she said!!!

And something else-------> Getting a ton of SATA does not MEAN you passed nor does it mean you failed. The TYPE of questions you get does not determine if you are passing or not. The type of questions is just that..the TYPE. Getting math on your NCLEX doesn't mean you failed.

Getting the minimum amount of questions does say one thing, like the OP said, either you did really well and the computer knows this or you did so poorly there is no reason to continue because there is no chance you will pass.

[NurseKat274]

The way I look at it-- if you keep getting questions, YOU'RE STILL IN THE GAME! Don't quit when the computer keeps going after 75!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I think a lot of people read too much into the NCLEX. I think people would be happier and less stressed (as if it's really possible) if they just took the test at face value, and not wasted time analyzing how many questions they got or how many SATA they had or what color the screen goes before the test ended or the remark the proctor made to them on the way out the door.

[Nurse Leigh]

it has been four years since i took nclex rn and i continue to thank my lucky stars i will never have to do it again. i'm trying to psyche myself up to take a certification exam (some of which i hear are even more fun than nclex). when i walked out of the testing center i was convinced i had failed. seriously, felt like i was too stupid to drive my car home!

i had never heard of the pvt (did it exist back then?) so i waited a while then began cyber stalking the licensing board website for my state. when a license number appeared by my name, i was afraid i was hallucinating and dully called a friend and asked her to check, not telling her what i saw on my computer. she checked, found my name with a license number and squealed her congrats to me over the phone. i was happy to know i passed but still so stressed i could not even get that excited (nclex ptsd?)

so when i read posts of people freaking out, boy do i understand! with my experience behind me, i would suggest that once you are done with the test, regardless of how many questions you answered, how many were sata, and how long it took, take a deep breath. exhale and repeat as needed. there is nothing for you to do at this point; it is out of your hands. so have a nice meal. take a nap. read a (non-nursing) book. get a massage (many massage schools offer student massages for reasonable prices) do what you can to decompress.

the day after your test, if you really want, try the pvt, or look at your state's licensing website (though i would worry about the validity of the pvt). if you passed, congrats! if not, time to see where you need to improve.

i guess my point is that you should allow yourself some time to recover immediately after the test--adrenaline is good for short periods of time, not hours upon hours. i wish you all luck and hope you can take the advice i have given (wish someone had told me these things back then!) and try to relax.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I think the thing with this test is that since there's so much at stake, people over-analyze every aspect. Reading meaning into what has no meaning, and this is what creates even more anxiety--if that was possible.

So really....this thread post is supposed to at least help you relax about ONE thing: the number of questions really is completely irrelevant beyond the basic '75 questions means you did very well or very poorly--which do you think is more likely'?

Then take a breath.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

the probability is better than not that you pass. 85% of 1st time NCLEX takers..pass it..those are pretty good odds. So as RNsRWe said, take a breath and try not to over analyzie it. Best of luck to you all.

[NesaC]

When the test stopped at 85 I was very concerned. The next few days were the longest ever. Thank God I pasted:)

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

bump. This needs to be seen at this time of year :)

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

duplicate post

[Amy'sGrandbaby, BSN, RN]

Thanks

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

it has been four years since i took nclex rn and i continue to thank my lucky stars i will never have to do it again. i'm trying to psyche myself up to take a certification exam (some of which i hear are even more fun than nclex).

imo, certification exams are in fact worse than the nclex. on the brighter side, you will know if you passed or failed before you leave the testing center.