By Chris Kolmar
Nursing can cover a wide range of fields, from the emergency room to home care, but in every case, the responsibilities are huge. Nurses are entrusted with the health and lives of their patients. Nurses must have high levels of empathy and well-developed critical thinking skills in order to provide the best care.
It should be no surprise, therefore, that nurses have to be rigorously tested before they can practice. That is why all nurses in the United States who wish to be either a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN) must first pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX.
5 Signs That You Passed the NCLEX
It can take up to six weeks to receive your results of the NCLEX; however, thanks to the structure of the test, there are signs that you may have passed that you can recognize right away. They include:
The difficulty of questions increased as the exam progressed.
The adaptive nature of the NCLEX means that as you answer a question correctly, the test gets progressively harder. This is to ensure that candidates are up to the challenge of the profession. So it means you are doing well as the questions get more difficult.
You received a lot of synthesis and analysis questions.
Synthesis and analysis questions ask you to analyze situations and propose solutions. These questions are particularly difficult because it places the responsibility on you, so their appearance means you have answered previous questions correctly.
You answered the least amount of questions required.
If the test shut off after 75 questions and each question was progressively more difficult, this could mean with the minimum amount of questions needed; the test decided you have passed.
You answered the maximum amount of questions before the time limit.
Alternatively, the CAT structure of the exam may wish to continually challenge you to see how far you can go.
The exam shuts off before the five-hour limit.
See AlsoMastering Nursing School Entrance Exams: Essential Guide & TipsHow to Pass the NCLEX First Time: 18 Do’s & Don’tsOvercoming NCLEX Failure: Strategies and Tips for SuccessHow hard is LPN schoolThis is only a good sign if the questions get progressively harder. When the test shuts off before the time limit elapses, it means that the computer has enough information to decide whether or not you passed.
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5 Signs That You Failed the NCLEX
Similarly, there are signs you possibly failed while taking the NCLEX. They include:
The difficulty of questions was random during the exam.
If the difficulty of the questions does not increase as you take the exam, then that means your previous questions have been incorrect.
The time limit expired before the test shut off.
If the test shuts off before the time limit expires, and the questions are not progressively harder, then the computer has enough information and likely means you failed.
The test shuts off before you answer the minimum amount of questions.
If you cannot even make it to the minimum amount of questions required, then the computer has already made its decision, which can only mean a failing grade.
You did not recognize the exam content.
Do not confuse this with the questions getting more difficult. A question can be difficult, but you may still recognize what it is asking. However, if you do not even recognize the context of the questions, it is likely that you are going to fail the exam.
You did not receive any synthesis and analysis questions.
If you do not see any synthesis or analysis questions, then the computer has not raised the difficulty of your questions, meaning that previous answers were likely incorrect.
What To Do If You Pass the NCLEX
You will know you passed the NCLEX when the official results are released by the state board of nursing. If you pass, congratulations. You will now be able to get your nursing license. From here, you have several paths you can take. You can choose a specialty, such as critical care; however, this is not necessary.
The most important thing to do is to begin applying to positions that interest you and fulfill your needs. You’ll want to work on your resume and cover letter. Also, consider networking opportunities to find positions and mentors.
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What To Do If You Fail the NCLEX
It is estimated that about 15% of test-takers fail the NCLEX. If you fail, do not worry. You can retake the NCLEX after 45 days. It is strongly recommended that you retake the exam as soon as possible since the material will still be fresh in your mind. In the meantime, develop a good study routine and work on the material you found most challenging.
It can be very helpful to take as many practice tests as possible, which you can find through organizations and online. It can also be helpful to find other people to study with so that you can hold each other accountable and receive real-time feedback.
What Is the NCLEX?
The NCLEX is the exam all nurses must take if they wish to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). The exam is used by state boards of nursing to decide whether or not they issue a license to the nurse.
To take the NCLEX, a candidate must first have graduated from an accredited nursing program. Then, the candidate must apply for a license from their state’s board of nursing. If the candidate meets all the eligibility requirements, the state board will authorize the candidate to register for the NCLEX.
NCLEX-PN vs. NCLEX-RN
There are two types of NCLEX, and though they are very similar, they do have subtle differences based on their purposes. The NCLEX-PN is for candidates who want to become licensed practical nurses who work as assisting doctors and nurses, while the NCLEX-RN is for prospective registered nurses who deal with direct patient care.
Since RNs have a larger set of responsibilities, including the ability to supervise LPNs, their exam reflects this. The NCLEX-RN will have more questions pertaining to direct patient care, while the NCLEX-PN will have questions about providing assistance to other healthcare officials.
However, these differences are minor; overall, both exams are very similar.
How Does the NCLEX Work?
The NCLEX is a dynamic test that uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to appropriately challenge the candidate. The test is taken at an authorized exam location. Candidates are allowed up to five hours to take the test, and the test can range from 75 to 145 questions. These results vary due to the CAT structure of the exam.
The CAT structure provides a new question based on the answer to the previous question. Through this analysis, the exam is designed to fully test the candidate’s capabilities. The difficulty of the questions is affected by previous answers because the exam wants an accurate picture of what type of nurse the candidate will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three NCLEX pass or fail decision rules?
The computer uses one of three rules to determine a pass or fail grade. They are the 95% Confidence Interval Rule, the Maximum-Length Exam Rule, and the Run-out-of-time (R.O.O.T.) Rule.
The 95% Confidence Interval Rule is when the computer determines with 95% certainty that you passed or failed within the exam’s parameters of amount of questions answered and length of time.
The Maximum-Length Rule means that the computer is going to ask you as many questions as possible to determine whether you pass or fail. Generally, this means that you are likely to pass, but the computer needs more information to be sure.
The Run-out-of-time Rule means what it says. When you reach the five-hour limit and the test has not used the other two rules, then the test will end. If you run out of time before completing the minimum amount of questions, then you fail; otherwise, the computer will analyze your questions to determine your grade.
What are the eligibility requirements for taking the NCLEX?
Though the final requirements for eligibility to take the NCLEX are determined by your state nursing board, in general, you must have a nursing degree from an accredited institute and fulfill all other nursing license requirements.
Does 145 questions on NCLEX mean you failed?
No, if you answer all 145 questions on the NCLEX, that does not mean you fail. In fact, if you answered 145 questions and each question was progressively more challenging, then that is a good sign that you passed.
By - Chris Kolmar
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job.
His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
