What's the reason for failing the NCLEX?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

Many (but not all) nursing schools write their tests at the recognition/recall level. Therefore, a student can take one of these tests and pass it just by memorizing certain chapters or theory lectures. The 'recall' level is the most basic format of preparing a test.

The NCLEX, however, is written at the application/analysis level. You cannot look at the typical NCLEX question and know the answer by recalling some lecture in nursing school. You actually need to analyze NCLEX questions and come up with what you believe is the best answer.

Some nursing schools administer tests and quizzes that are written at the analysis/application level, but others are still administering quizzes at the recall level, which is essentially the easiest and most basic level.

Most people who fail the NCLEX are smart people who have never been exposed to test questions that seem to have 4 correct answers. Some people don't adequately prepare because they think they're going to see these 'recall'-style questions on the NCLEX. However, they're blown away and probably become anxious when they see these difficult questions on the computer screen. The vast majority are written in the analysis or application level, and some people never learned to approach these questions properly.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

Is it cramming and not retaining long term knowledge that's the problem? Or perhaps just nerves? Perhaps the knowledge is there, but someone is just a bad test taker?

The knowledge is there for most test-takers, but they probably never learned to apply it. Most NCLEX questions are written at the application level, but most nursing schools still administer questions at the recall level. If you're going to ever pass a test that is written at the application level, then you need to apply your education and experiences in order to select the correct answer.

I really want to know so I'll have a heads up on passing my test.

Read the Kaplan book on strategies for passing the NCLEX. If you don't pass, they promise to refund all monies spent on that book.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

Thanks for your reply. Once again you gave a great answer.:)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

Thanks for your reply. Once again you gave a great answer.:)

No. Thank you for the gracious compliment! :)

Though I know that, in all probability, someone is going to come along and totally disagree with what I have declared about NCLEX questions. :stone

nursemomruns · Dec 19, 2005

No. Thank you for the gracious compliment! :)
Though I know that, in all probability, someone is going to come along and totally disagree with what I have declared about NCLEX questions. :stone

Commuter, you are right about the NCLEX questions. Most of the questions for the exams are written at the application level or higher. There are some that are at the comprehension or knowledge level, but they are considered lower level, or easier questions. For those not familiar with the original Bloom's taxonomy, the order is knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation.

BabyRN2Be · Dec 20, 2005

I don't know if The Commuter pointed this out, but schools have different standards for their grading system. A "B" might be an "A" at another school and vice versa. Some schools get tunnel vision and only focus on a few areas they feel are important, while leaving out or letting the student learn on his own such areas as pharmacology.

Suzanne4 is the moderator of this forum, and she recommends Saunders for review. She has her own program she developed for test takers. She has had awesome results. When you are ready to take the NCLEX, send her your email address through a PM (not in the forum itself), and she will send you her plan.

As I've said, she's had EXCELLENT results with it.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

You haven't started nursing classes yet, right? It will make a lot more sense once you get further into the program. The biggest difference is that the tests are based on critical thinking. In most of your classes, a multiple choice question will only have one answer that is correct. But on a nursing exam, all of the choices are technically correct - it's up to you to decide exactly what they're looking for. Lots of emphasis on prioritization and things like that.

My four big tips for taking the N-CLEX:

1. Focus on doing practice questions beforehand, rather than trying to review everything.

2. Go with your first instinct, don't overanalyze, and move on.

3. There is ALWAYS something you can do before calling the doc or getting help.

4. AIRWAY - BREATHING - CIRCULATION

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

From what i heard from people in my class that took it and fail (their own reason said, that is).

One said she rushed through, didn't read the questions thoroughly.

Another had a panic attack and never finished (this person had severe anxiety a LOT though).

Another went in thinking she was going to do great, but also had waited a year before taking the test, without working or anything. She felt like she'd "lost" a lot of what she knew.

Another SAID she "forgot how the answering goes" (i'm assuming the method), yet this was also the person that didn't take the cellophane off of a couple of her books in class. I don't think that was just a coincidence.

PreggersRN, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2005

Commuter,

I am one of those people that failed the NCLEX. And I can tell you that it was not that I did not retain knowledge. I graduated for a nursing school with a good name and not only passed the classes, but passed with A's and B's.

I think the problem for me was not knowing what to expect. I studied NCLEX review books ahead of time. I studied for about 3 months. So the main problem was not knowing what to expect.

Also, I received no help from the school I graduated from in this regard. They were only concerned with graduating as many students as they could and not concentrating on AT THE VERY LEAST directing us to where we could get information on how to prepare and what to expect.

Just my opinion.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 21, 2005

You haven't started nursing classes yet, right? It will make a lot more sense once you get further into the program. The biggest difference is that the tests are based on critical thinking. In most of your classes, a multiple choice question will only have one answer that is correct. But on a nursing exam, all of the choices are technically correct - it's up to you to decide exactly what they're looking for. Lots of emphasis on prioritization and things like that.
My four big tips for taking the N-CLEX:
1. Focus on doing practice questions beforehand, rather than trying to review everything.
2. Go with your first instinct, don't overanalyze, and move on.
3. There is ALWAYS something you can do before calling the doc or getting help.
4. AIRWAY - BREATHING - CIRCULATION

No, I haven't started yet. So, it's kinda like CPR--the ABC's? I think I see now. I guess you'd do what will prevent the most damage first, like getting a good airway, since we all know how long you'll last without air.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2005

Commuter,
I am one of those people that failed the NCLEX. And I can tell you that it was not that I did not retain knowledge. I graduated for a nursing school with a good name and not only passed the classes, but passed with A's and B's.

In my 2 or 3 previous posts I had never mentioned anything concerning retention of knowledge.

I had said that most people who failed NCLEX are smart people who did not properly apply the knowledge to answer the questions correctly. In order to pass a test that contains application-level questions, you must be able to apply your knowledge, expertise, and experience.

Grades have absolutely nothing to do with NCLEX success. I know of many 'C' students who passed on the first time. I also know many 'A' students who have failed 2 or 3 times. It's all about the application and knowing how to take a higher-level examination.