The NCLEX Examination
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
developed the National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX, for short)
to determine if someone has the knowledge, skills, and abilities
essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry
level. Each State Board of Nursing—the entities responsible for
licensing nurses—uses these results when issuing RN and LPN licenses.
Students should become familiar with the exam’s process and format, and
use the available resources to help them pass the test. (Links to
resources are found in the For More Information box at the end of the
article.)
Process
After you graduate from your nursing program, you must send a
license application and fee to your State Board of Nursing. You also
need to contact the NCLEX test administrator, Pearson VUE, either
online, by phone, or fax to register and pay for the exam. For a list of
Pearson VUE testing locations visit
www.pearsonvue.com/nclex. Once your State Board has verified your
documentation to make sure you meet your state’s requirements, you will
then receive an Authorization To Test (ATT) notice.
Exam Preparation
Candidates who take the exam as soon as they are eligible have
a better pass rate than those who delay. So plan your time accordingly
and begin your NCLEX preparation early. You can study using a variety of
methods. We’ve compiled some resources to help you prepare
click here.
Test Format – Computerized Adaptive Testing
Up until 1994, the NCLEX used a standardized pencil-and-paper
format, with a score calculated from the number of right answers for a
set number of total questions. In ‘94, the exam switched to a
“Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT)” format. In adaptive testing, the
computer finds the difficulty level at which a candidate answers half of
the questions correctly. The computer holds a bank of over 3,000
potential multiple-choice questions, each of which has been assigned a
difficulty level. If a correct answer is given, the computer gives a
more difficult question next. If an incorrect answer is given, the next
question will be simpler. For this reason, the questions are different
for each candidate. Each candidate will get 50% of the questions
correct, but it’s the difficulty of the questions that determines
whether or not the student passes the exam.
Since the test is given on a computer, results are tabulated
along the way. Since one question’s answer determines the next question
offered, candidates cannot return to earlier questions to change the
answer. RN candidates must answer between 75-265 questions, and LPN
candidates must answer between 85-205 questions. If the candidate has
either a clear-cut pass or fail mark (with 95% statistical reliability)
after the minimum number of questions, the exam will end at that point.
Otherwise, the exam will continue until the judgment has been made. A
five-hour time limit is given.
NCSBN statistics show that it takes first-time, U.S.-educated
test-takers just under two hours to complete the PN exam, and that they
answer an average of 110 questions. Those taking the RN exam take just
over two hours, and answer an average of 120 questions.
Results
Nationwide, first-time NCLEX test-takers have a pass rate of
87.1% for the PN exam, and 80.1% for the RN exam. The overall exam rate
(including foreign-educated students and those re-taking the exam) is
79.5% for the PN exam, and 72.1% for the RN exam.
Because the Council reviews each test after the computer grades
it, expect to get your official results from your State Board of Nursing
a month after your test date. Results are only given by mail, so most
state boards request that you don’t call in for results.
If you don't pass the exam, you will be sent a Diagnostic
Profile that will let you know the area(s) in which you were deficient.
Most states allow you to retake the exam after 91 days. Find out the
rules for your state, and then take the time to prepare, making sure you
revisit problem areas.
Each state has different rules regarding when you may begin
working. Many insist you have your license beforehand, but in some
states you may begin a supervised period of work without an official
license. Check your State Board of Nursing to see what is allowed in
your state.
Becoming comfortable with the NCLEX exam—understanding the
format and taking practice exams—will help you stay relaxed when the big
day comes. With your license in hand, your prospects for the future look
bright.
For More Information:
|
