You can pass NCLEX with 77 questions

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I took my NCLEX exam on Friday. After it was over I searched and searched for some reassurance that I may have passed but could not find any. I wanted to post something to make anyone who finds themself in my position feel a little more calm and hopeful. I know I was feeling completely lost and hopeless.

Allow me to explain a bit about the NCLEX examination. It is what is referred to as CAT format or Computer Adaptive Testing. This means that the test adapts itself according to how you answer each question. If you answer incorrectly, the computer gives you an easier question and if you answer questions correctly, the computer advances the degree of difficulty, and so on throughout the examination.

Once the computer has determined (using some complicated algorithm I do not understand) that it is 95% certain that you are at or above the standard required OR so far below the required standard that you could not reach the standard even with additional questions, it shuts off.

BAM! Just like that, your test is over!

The minimum amount of questions on the NCLEX for RN is 75, and the maximum number of questions is 265. 15 questions on every test do not count because they are "trial questions" meaning that NCLEX is trying them out to see if they are good questions to include on future examination. So, the theory is that if your examination ends after 75 questions you really know your stuff, or you were really doing so badly that 190 more questions could not help you reach the standard.

Now, I studied for 3 solid months, and trained myself to get the maximum number of questions on this exam. I did not want to allow myself to get psyched out if I was at question 199. I PLANNED to see this test all the way through. To sit for the ENTIRE six hour maximum, and work my way through 265 questions.

I was pretty calm on Friday morning when I arrived at the testing center. I had slight butterflies in my belly but nothing more. I sat down and did my tutorial and when that was over, I closed my eyes, took in a deep cleansing breath and began.

The questions were, in my opinion, low level questions. Instead of getting more difficult as they are supposed to, they kept getting a little easier. I thought back on the tips and tricks about how to pass NCLEX. "Remember, if you see the same question more than once you probably got it wrong. CHOOSE ANOTHER ANSWER," I kept waiting for the questions to get difficult and they weren't.

So, I held my breath when I submitted my answer for the 75th question and when the test went to number 76, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was not so far below standard that the computer kicked me off. I relaxed instantly, feeling I still had a fighting chance and I put in my ear plugs preparing to go the distance.

I answered 76 and moved on to question 77. When I submitted my answer, the color drained from my screen, and from my face as well. I sat there, stunned. I shook my head at the computer. No...no no no no NOOOO! I could not believe it!

I completed the exit survey....did you feel the testing center was professional? Was the computer system user friendly? Etc. I continued to shake my head in disbelief. Then the testing attendant came in, to escort me away from my computer. Tears filled my eyes as I was fingerprinted out of the testing center, as I opened my locker to get my belongings, as I walked through the parking lot.

I spent the remainder Friday in painfully stunned silence. I felt like someone had assaulted me. I knew I had not passed. I KNEW. "The exam is supposed to get more complicated as you answer questions correctly." I had a question about auscultating lung sounds for goodness sake! How complicated is that?

At the same time, I knew I was prepared for this exam. It could not have been nerves because I was really very calm.I knew that I was not incompetent. I was enraged. How could this moronic computer decide after 77 questions that I was not able to reach the standard to pass? If it had only given me 188 more questions! Why can we not go back to paper and pencil? Let me prove myself! How unfair!

I kept trying to have hope that perhaps I had passed, but I kept returning to the same thing. The exam is adaptive. The questions as supposed to get more difficult if you are doing well. Everyone says it was the most difficult test they have ever taken. Most people say there are things on the exam they have never heard of. Therefore, I could not have passed. Period. End of discussion.

This morning, my results were ready. I paid my fee to find out my fate. There is was on the screen before me. "Result: pass" My hands started shaking. I looked away and then back to the screen. Still there... "Result: pass."

Small 'p'. No fireworks. No song. Not even an uppercase 'P'.

I am in total shock at the moment, not because I thought I could not do it, but because of the experience of the NCLEX examination. Those who have not experienced the NCLEX cannot truly understand the magnitude of this examination. It is the single most insane, unrealistic, complicated, crazy exam I have ever encountered. It seems illogical that this is the standard by which a potential nurse is deemed capable or not.

I am not in anyway trying to brag or toot my own horn. I am the least confident or cocky person in the world. I am actually disappointed that I did not truly get to answer anything that makes me feel as though I have proven myself. I just wanted to offer some encouragement to anyone out there who might be wondering if the questions on NCLEX can seem to get easier and still have a passing score.

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Thanks for your post. The NCLEX was the single most disorienting test of my life, including the GRE. I remember getting angry too at so many "You are the nurse..." questions. I remember clicking those answers wishing I could tell someone in person why I was prioritizing the way I was.

That feeling is still alive and well in me. I think it helps on the job.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I pretty much felt the same as you. Felt very confident and relaxed going in. Thought the exam/questions were much easier than some of the exams in school. I cried after mine shut off at 75, but the only difference in our stories.....I had the feeling of knowing I passed as soon as the computer shut off, and felt much relief. Of course, I started second guessing myself a few hours later.

Congrats!

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Well you can pass or fail with 75 just as you can 265. The number of questions really is not an indication except for the fact if your test ends at 75 either you passed easily or really bombed.

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"this morning, my results were ready. i paid my fee to find out my fate. there is was on the screen before me. "result: pass" my hands started shaking. i looked away and then back to the screen. still there... "result: pass."

small 'p'. no fireworks. no song. not even an uppercase 'p'. "

okay, this made me laugh my tail off. i was thinkg the same thing. i also recently passed with 75 questions. i went in ready to take the whole 265 questions. i was expecting the sky to drop and i was expecting to have the worse day of my life. not so. sure i was a bit anxious after the exam because i expected a lot worse. i just went home and took a good long nap and figured what is done is done. i had to work the following night. after my shift was over satuday morning, i ran home hoping for the best but expecting the worse. there i saw is (barely) pass. no neon colors, no !!! marks, no stars, the heavens did not open, i did not feel a sense of awe, just pass. i just checked the licence website, my perm lic# is bigger than the pass. well, i will take my pass and be on my merry little rn way!:D

when i saw the results, i told my kids and they were like...."yeah, can we go the the park?" i called my hubby at work and of couse i got a bigger reaction from him, however, he was like i am going to pick up a pint of something to celebrate when i get home. ummmm, that is all fine and good, but you know i don't drink! the weekend got much better, we had a bigger pass celebration with friends and family over the weekend.

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Another thing about the format of the test - because of its adaptive nature, you are bound to get a bunch of the answers wrong - it only matters if the questions thrown at you were above or below the competency line. So everyone goes home feeling they missed about half the questions - which is true. Only some remained above the passing grade and others below it.

I only say this because everyone seems to leave NCLEX feeling discouraged because they didn't know the answers to all the questions. No one ever does!

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Is there any state that allows you to take the NCLEX for RN by challenging the board that any one knows of?

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"Some boards of nursing have laws or regulations that allow failing NCLEX examination candidates to review the actual test items answered incorrectly, and challenge the accuracy of items and answers. More specific information about review, challenge, and fees for this service must be obtained from your board of nursing."

....from the NCSBN NCLEX Examination pamphlet provided to me when I left my NCLEX examination.

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Love the original post! I finished in 75 questions also and I was SURE I failed! When I got in my car to leave I was so anxious I couldnt even stand to stop at the first red light I came across...I had to turn right and go in the wrong direction just to keep moving :bugeyes:...I drove straight to the school where my fellow classmates who had also taken it went and we all proceeded to tell each instructor how terribly we had failed! Then we went out for lunch and drinks to drown our sorrows (not being a big drinker myself this was a desperate measure to get my mind off failing). Turns out not only did we have a good time but we also passed! Yay!:yeah:

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

Congratulations! You can now write "RN" after your name. It's a wonderful feeling.

I would like to add, that the old pen and paper tests of yesteryear totally sucked rocks. I'm glad to see that we've progressed to computerized models.

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I need to know if I pass my NCLEX. It stops at 77 questions. OMG. I am so nervous. It's like I have a thousand of butterflies running in my belly.

4:31 pm

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The NCLEX actually stops at 75 questions, so you can certainly pass it in that amount of questions. Generally it takes somewhere in the 120s-150s, but don't freak out if you haven't finished in 150 questions. It'll be fine, try and stay calm :)

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