40 Things on the NCLEX

The Purpose of the NCLEX Exam 1. To find out if you are a safe/effective nurse.
2. For safety of the public.
3. To test out for minimum competency.

The Content of the Test 4. It is based on the activities/knowledge of a nurse (at level entry.)
5. It is written by nursing faculty and specialists. Of the clinic
6. The exam is presented as multiple-choice questions (with four possible answer choices.)
7. It’s based on integrated nursing content - not on the medical model of medical, surgical, obstetrics, paediatrics and psychiatric nursing.
8. The test also includes 15 questions for experimental use.
Administration of The Exam 9. The test adapts to your own knowledge, skills, and level of ability.
10. The sequence of the questions is determined interactively.
11. All questions are selected based on the difficulty of the item and the test plan.
12.All test dates and times are individually scheduled through a Sylvan Learning Center.
13. The tests are administered at individual computer stations.

About Taking the NCLEX Exam. 14. PC knowledge is not required.
15. There are two keys are used: the space bar (to move the cursor) and enter/return (to highlight and lock in your answer.)
16. All the other computer keys are disconnected and won’t be able to be used.
17. You will receive instructions and a practice exercise before beginning the actual exam.
18. Necessary background information appears on the physical screen with the question.
19. The computer will give you an easy first question.
20. The following question is then selected by the computer and is based on your response to the first question.
21. If your answer is correct, the next question is harder.
22. If your answer is incorrect, the next question is easier.
23. Questions are selected to precisely measure your ability in each area of the test plan.

The Timing 24. There is no time limit ( but only for each individual question.)
25. You will answer a minimum (of 75 questions) to a maximum (of 265 questions.)
26. The maximum time for the exam is 6 hours, including the practice exercise and all breaks.
27. There is a mandatory (compulsory) 10-minute break after 2 hours of testing.
28. Furthermore there is an optional 10-minute break after 1 1/2 hours additional test time.

Examination Ends When... 29. When the computer has determined what your ability is, or
30. When a maximum of 6 hours of testing is reached, or
31. When a maximum of 265 questions have been answered.

The Score 32. It’s a pass/fail exam.
33. No penalty for guessing.
34. The 15 experimental questions aren’t counted.

The Problems 35. No answer changes.
36. No scrolling back.
37. No skipping questions. You must answer to continue.

The Good Bits 38. Testing is available year-round, 15 hours a day, six days a week, (in five-hour time slots.)
39. Results are released by individual boards.
40. If you fail, you can try again in 3 months.