Preparing for the NCLEX Exam

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN Exam) has one singular purpose: to determine whether or not if it's safe for you to begin practice as an entry-level nurse. You’ll be tested on critical thinking skills about making nurses judgments. There are also four major categories in the examination and eight subcategories that compose the examination. All of the question in the NCLEX will involve integrated nursing content.

The NCLEX RN exam is a computer-adaptive test CAT, (you probably did some sort of equivalent at school) which does mean that it is a testing format that is interactively based on your response to the questions. Based on your skill level, the CAT will ensure that the questions on the NCLEX are not "too hard" or "too easy" for you – making it a fair challenge to complete meaning that it will test you to your fullest ability, whatever your skill.
The first question will be relatively easy (meaning its below the level of minimum competency.) If you answer it correctly, the computer will then give a slightly more difficult question. If answered incorrectly, it will then give a slightly easier question. By continuing to do this throughout the NCLEX, the computer is able to calculate your level of competence and evaluate your skill.

While the questions on the NCLEX exam are primarily multiple-choice (with four possible answer choices), there are also alternate question types. Alternate question types do include: multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spots, chart/exhibit and finally drag-and-drop.
One thing that you’ll be glad to hear is that there is no time limit for each individual question. You will have a maximum of 6 hours to complete the NCLEX-RN exam, (including a tutorial in the beginning.)

All of whom take the exam answer a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 questions for the examination. Regardless of how many you answer, you will additionally be given 15 experimental questions that do not count neither for nor against you.

The examination ends when:

• You have demonstrated that you have a minimum competency and answered the minimum number of questions
• You have demonstrated a lack of minimum competency and also answered the minimum number of questions
• You have answered the maximum number of questions that you are permitted to answer.
• You have used up the maximum time allowed for the examination - six hours.

The grading system on the NCLEX is a pass/fail – which means no numerical score. Although a determination will be made at the end of the exam as to whether you have passed or failed, the results will not be made available at the exam site. Then you are notified by your individual board of nursing (approximately two to four weeks after you take the NCLEX.)

Now you know about preparing for it, you’re going to need to take it. In order to register for the NCLEX RN exam you are responsible for sending the completed test application and the fee to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing which can be found also be found online.