On your way to becoming a successful nurse? Then, you might know the importance of having a good NCLEX score. NCLEX is a critical stage that a student pursuing to become a nurse has to go through for his or her license to practice the profession. To effectively prepare for the examination and eventually pass, a candidate needs to understand the NCLEX scoring system comprehensively. This blog is all you need to get the full idea of the NCLEX scoring system and I am sure it will help you get that dream score of yours. So, dive in!

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) was designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities used by a newly licensed nurse for safe and effective nursing care. There are two types of NCLEX examinations:

NCLEX-RN: The NCLEX-RN is the exam to become a registered nurse.

NCLEX-PN: The NCLEX-PN exam is dedicated for people who want to become a practical/vocational nurse.

Both exams are administered and offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for the acquisition of nursing licenses in the United States and Canada. The NCLEX Examinations are one of the requirements in ensuring that nurses acquire the minimum scope where the public will be assured of safe and competent care.

NCLEX is a computer-administered exam, which is adaptive. Some of the features include:

Adaptive Nature: The difficulty level varies according to the candidate’s responses.

Question Types: Mostly multiple-choice type, followed by multiple responses, fill-in-the-blank type, hot spot, chart or exhibit, drag-and-drop, and audio questions.

Also Read: Nclex Exam Pattern & Syllabus

NCLEX Exam Duration and Questions

NCLEX-RN: The NCLEX Exam for registered nurses consists of a maximum of 74-145 questions with a 5-hour time limit.

NCLEX-PN: The NCLEX Exam for Practical Nurses consists of 85-205 questions in total that need to be completed in 5 hours

The Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) format ensures that different questions are created for each candidate so that the exam is thoroughly fair and individualistic. This adaptive testing ensures that the examination can draw out, with many accurate measurements, a candidate’s competence based on his ability to answer questions ranging from easy to difficult.

Types of Questions

Multiple-Choice Questions: A question or problem is stated with four or more answer options out of which only one can be correct.

Multiple Response Questions: For this question type, you can choose all the correct options from the options stated.

Fill-in-the-Blank: You need to type the correct answer to a question stated.

Hot Spot Questions: You will be asked to find a spot on a graph or chart asked for.

Chart/Exhibit Questions: You are required to analyze data from written charts and exhibits.

Drag-and-Drop: You may be asked to place steps in an order or to group items by moving them into the correct box.

Audio Questions: You will listen to an audio clip and then have questions regarding this clip

The NCLEX is not scored on a percentage basis nor on a basis of the number correct out of the total items. It is based on a pass/fail system using the following principles:

95% Confidence Interval Rule: The examination will continue until the computer has determined, with 95% confidence, that the candidate’s ability is either above or below the passing standard.

Maximum-Length Exam Rule: Once a candidate presents the maximum number of questions, the pass or fail decision is made on the candidate’s final ability estimate.

Run-Out-of-Time Rule: A candidate who runs out of time and does not reach the maximum number of questions has the last 60 ability estimates considered by the computer to check if the candidate can meet the standard constantly.

Partial Scoring Systems

The NCLEX also employs other appropriate methods to effect and nurture partial scoring for a correct evaluation:

0/1 Scoring: This is a type of partial scoring where, for each multiple-choice question, one candidate’s point is awarded for the right alternative and no marks are awarded for the wrong one. This is a very simplistic method of scoring that can assist in making the assessment more conspicuous.

+/- Scoring: Questions with more than one answer may allow partial credit: For example: Partial credit can be given for the choice of some of the correct options, but not all. This scoring method tends to encourage candidates to do their best to answer all parts of a question without penalizing them too severely for partial knowledge.

Rationale Scoring: Some questions will require candidates to put down the rationale of the answers. Correct Rationales may fetch more points or be used to give partial credit. The scoring method involves not only the correctness of the answer but also the understanding behind it, thus giving a fuller assessment of the candidate’s knowledge.

The actual algorithm of the NCLEX is highly guarded and intricate, but in general, the process of how the test is scored can be broken down as follows:

Adaptive Testing: Each response alters the difficulty of subsequent questions to generate an individual test path.

Real-Time Ability Estimation: Continuous ability estimations made by the computer based on candidate responses.

Final Decision: The test ends when the system is 95% sure that you either pass or fail, based on your ability estimate as compared to the passing standard.

Your NCLEX Score Report

When the candidates have taken the NCLEX examination, they receive a report on scores. This report contains:

Pass/Fail Status: The overall result of the test stating whether the candidate passed or failed the exam.

Diagnostic Profile: A profile of performance across many content areas and question types for candidates who do not pass that allows for determination of strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding the NCLEX and how to prepare for its structure and question types is the key to acing it. Here are some tips that will help you achieve a passing score in the NCLEX Exam:

Understand the Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the CAT format and the kinds of questions you will encounter.

Use Reliable Study Resources: Try to use authentic resources to practice for the exam like NCLEX review books, mock test papers, and online resources.

Time Management Practice: Practice for the test under timed conditions. This will help you in using the allocated time effectively.

Review Rationales: Understand the reasoning behind correct answers to enhance your critical thinking skills.

Join Study Groups: Join peers for discussion of hard concepts and sharing of resources.

The NCLEX scoring system and methods are well structured and sought out. It aims to bring out the competence of future nurses. An adaptive style of test and pass/fail scoring sounds very intimidating, but it can be accomplished with enough preparation and a clear strategy. Hope this blog helps in demystifying the NCLEX scoring system and arm you with the knowledge you may need to reach that goal of becoming a licensed nurse. With the right approach and mindset, one will be able to pass the NCLEX and begin a fulfilling nursing practice.

Study thoroughly the structure, the scoring system, and strategies for taking the NCLEX exam, and you will be laying a foundation for success. Focus hard, practice well, and go to the exam with confidence. Good luck!