What is the passing score for NCLEX?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

This is my 1st post in allnurses.com .. I am excited to be here ..

Anyways ,, I am working on a paper in my graduate school.. I am trying to look for the passing score for the NCLEX examination ?! How do students know they passed the NCLEX ?! is it like the TOEFL or GRE scores ?!

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Specializes in lots of specialties.

Actually there is no passing score. you can go to https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm

That website should be able to answer most Q's about the examination.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

This website will tell you all you need to know about the exam and how it is scored.

NCSBN

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The passing "score" is that point in the exam where the test taker has either met or not met the minimum standard. This can occur after the minimum number of 75 questions or the maximum number of questions, or any point in between. For each test, it is an individual point in the test, based upon the questions provided and those that are answered correctly to that point. Read the info provided in the NCSBN link.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Actually, a passing score is 50%.

And a failing score is 50%.

And everyone will get as close to 50% as the computer can get. WHERE your 50% is (above passing standard or below passing standard) is what determines if you pass or fail.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

SShannon81 & Silverdragon102 Thanks for providing the website .. That was very helpful !!

caliotter3 & cardiacRN2006 Thanks for enlightening me with your knowledge .. I will do some more reading on the issue...

Thanks @ll ..

HAve a good day !

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Specializes in ICU, Med-Surg, Post-op, Same-Day Surgery.
cardiacRN2006 said:
Actually, a passing score is 50%.

And a failing score is 50%.

And everyone will get as close to 50% as the computer can get. WHERE your 50% is (above passing standard or below passing standard).

How did you determine that 50% is the passing criteria?? Is that on the NCSBN website? or do you have inside info? Thanks!

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Specializes in lots of specialties.

your very welcome glad to help

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
cardiacRN2006 said:
Actually, a passing score is 50%.

And a failing score is 50%.

And everyone will get as close to 50% as the computer can get. WHERE your 50% is (above passing standard or below passing standard). [endquote=cardiacRN2006;3712499]

How did you determine that 50% is the passing criteria?? Is that on the NCSBN website? or do you have inside info? Thanks!

It is on the NCSBN website

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Passing score is when the computer can determine with 95% certainty that you're performing at or above the required minimum which is 75%; if the computer can determine this at the minimum 75 questions then the computer shuts off and you pass. By the same token, when the computer can determine with 95% certainty that you will not meet the minimum 75 percent regardless of the number of questions it can possibly give you (max 265), then the computer will shut off and you fail.

Hope this somewhat clears it up! Go to NCSBN website for more details.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
lgarciarn said:

Passing score is when the computer can determine with 95% certainty that you're performing at or above the required minimum which is 75%; if the computer can determine this at the minimum 75 questions then the computer shuts off and you pass. By the same token, when the computer can determine with 95% certainty that you will not meet the minimum 75 percent regardless of the number of questions it can possibly give you (max 265), then the computer will shut off and you fail.

Hope this somewhat clears it up! Go to NCSBN website for more details.

Where do you get the required minimum of 75% when the ncsbn website states

NCLEX examination decisions are not based on the number or percentage of items answered correctly, but rather on the difficulty of the items that a candidate can answer correctly 50% of the time. Cat administers test items with difficulty levels such that each candidate will answer about half correctly; these items provide the most information. Thus, all candidates answer about 50% correctly. Passing candidates answer 50% of more difficult items correctly, and failing candidates answer 50% of easier items correctly.

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I read the information on the NCSBN site, and there was one piece of information that clearly spoke to the difficulty of the NCLEX exam:

For 2010 (up to May), the pass rate for US educated RN new grads was 91%. 9 out of 10 RN grads pass the NCLEX.

If anyone ever gives you 90% probability of winning anything, take that bet.

In my ABSN cohort, all but 3 members passed. One of them was a chronically lame and uninspired student. The other two went on vacation right after graduation, made a cursory effort to study for the exam, and rode the exam all the way to 265 questions and failed. All three passed on the second attempt (second attempt NCLEX test takers have about a 50% chance of passing according to NCSBN).

Put in an honest attempt to study for the exam and get the right review materials. I suggest Silvestri and NCSBN (web-based).

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