11 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin

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2011 NCLEX

Examination Candidate Bulletin

This bulletin contains information for all registrations and scheduling ofNCLEX examination appointments beginning January 1, 2011.

Additional information is available at www.ncsbn.orgDo not discard before receiving your test results.
http://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.ncsbn.org/


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Contact Information

Contact Pearson VUE for questions regarding: RegisteringtotaketheNCLEXexamination AuthorizationtoTest(ATT)Letter

LostATTLetter Scheduling/reschedulinganexamappointment

Acceptableformsofidentication Commentsaboutthetestcenter

Visit: NCLEXCandidatewebsite, http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex

Call: NCLEXCandidateServices(PearsonVUE)

United StatesCallat(toll-free)1.866.49NCLEX(1.866.496.2539),MondayFriday,7amto7pm,U.S.CentralTime.

Asia Pacifc RegionCallNCLEXCandidateServicesinKualaLumpur,Malaysia,at(paynumber)+603.8314.9605,MondayFriday,8:30amto6pm,UniversalTime.

Europe, Middle East, AricaCallNCLEXCandidateServices,at(paynumber)+44.161.855.7445,Monday-Friday8amto6pm,CentralEuropeanTime.

IndiaCallNCLEXCandidateServicesat(paynumber)91.120.439.7837,Monday-Friday9amto6pm,IT.

All other countries not listed aboveCall(paynumber)1.952.681.3815,Monday-Friday,7amto7pm,CentralTime.

Candidates with hearing impairmentswhouseaTelecommunicationsDevicefortheDeaf(TDD)CalltheU.S.A.RelayServiceat(toll-free)1.800.627.3529ortheCanada&InternationalInboundrelayserviceat(paynumber)605.224.1837.Theseservicesareavailable24hoursaday,

sevendaysaweek.

Write:NCLEXExaminationProgramPearsonProfessionalTesting

5601GreenValleyDrive

Bloomington,MN55437-1099

DO NOT SEND 3rd Party Payments to the above address.

E-mail:[email protected].

Contact the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) for questions regarding NCLEXexaminationdevelopment GeneralNCLEXexaminationinformation

UnresolvedconcernsrelatedtoexaminationadministrationVisit: NCSBNwebsite, http://www.ncsbn.org

Write:NationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing,Inc.ExaminationsDepartment

111E.WackerDrive,Suite2900

Chicago,Illinois60601-4277

Call Examinations Department:866.293.9600

Fax Examinations Department:312.279.1036

E-mail:[email protected]

Contact your board of nursing for questions regarding: Nameoraddresschanges NamecorrectionsonyourATTletter

Licensure Endorsement

Write or call your board o nursing.LinkstoallboardsofnursingwebsitesandcontactinformationisavailableontheNCSBNwebsite:www.ncsbn.org;clickonthelinktitled Boards o Nursing.

Examinationresultsaresenttoyoubyyourboardofnursing.Waitaminimumoffourweeksfollowingyourexaminationforyourresultstoarriveinthemail.

Join the NCLEX examinations on Facebook andTwitter!
http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclexhttp://www.pearsonvue.com/nclexhttp://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.facebook.com/pages/NCSBN-NCLEX-RNR-NCLEX-PNR-Examinations/179448145694http://www.twitter.com/NCLEXInfohttp://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.ncsbn.org/http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclexhttp://www.twitter.com/NCLEXInfohttp://www.facebook.com/pages/NCSBN-NCLEX-RNR-NCLEX-PNR-Examinations/179448145694


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ABOUT NCLEX

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

InApril1994,nurselicensurecandidatesbegantakingtheNationalCouncilLicensureExamination(NCLEX )oncomputersattestcenters

locatedacrosstheUnitedStates(U.S.)andselectinternationalsites.Thechangetocomputerizedadaptivetesting(CAT)forthenurse

licensureexaminationcameaboutasaresultofadecisionmadeinAugust1991bytheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursin

(NCSBN).TheNCLEXexaminationsareonlyprovidedintheCATformat.

TheNCLEXexaminationisdesignedtotestknowledge,skillsandabilitiesessentialtothesafeandeffectivepracticeofnursingatthe

entrylevel.NCLEXexaminationresultsareanimportantcomponentusedbyboardsofnursingtomakedecisionsaboutlicensure. Only

boards o nursing can release NCLEX examination results to candidates.

TheNCLEXexaminationisgivenonacomputer.Youarenotexpectedtoknowhowtouseacomputerbeforeyoutaketheexamination

Anon-screencalculatorwillbeavailableduringtheexamination.ThemajorityofNCLEXexaminationitemsaremultiplechoicebutthere

areotherformatsaswell.All item types are scored as either right or wrong. There is no partial credit. Atutorialwillbeincludedas

partoftheexaminationthatwillinstructyouontheuseofthemouseandhowtorecordananswer.

BoththeNCLEX-RNandtheNCLEX-PNarevariablelengthadaptivetests.TheNCLEXexaminationsarenotofferedinpaper-and-pencil

ororalexaminationformats.AnNCLEX-RNexaminationcanbeanywherefrom75to265items.Oftheseitems,15arepretestitemsthat

arenotscored.Regardlessofthenumberofitemsadministered,thetimelimitforthisexaminationissixhours.AnNCLEX-PNexamination

canbeanywherefrom85to205items.Oftheseitems,25arepretestitemsthatarenotscored.Thetimelimitforthisexaminationi

vehours.Itisimportanttonotethatthetimeallottedfortheexaminationincludesthetutorial,thesampleitems,allbreaks(restroom,stretching,etc.)andtheexamination.Allbreaksareoptional.

WHATS NEW IN 2011?

2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plan

The2011NCLEX-PNTestPlanwasapprovedbytheNCSBNDelegateAssemblyinAugust2010andwaspostedontheNCSBNwebsite

www.ncsbn.org /1287.htm,shortlythereafter.ThisnewtestplangoesintoeffectonApril1,2011.Theformatofthetestplanwasretained

andonlyminoreditsweremadeforcurrencyandclarication.

REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM

REGISTRATION PROCESS OVERVIEW1. Submitanapplicationforlicensuretotheboardofnursingwhereyouwishtobelicensed.

2. MeetalloftheboardofnursingseligibilityrequirementstotaketheNCLEXexamination.

3. RegisterfortheNCLEXexaminationwithPearsonVUE.

4. ReceiveAcknowledgementofReceiptofRegistrationfromPearsonVUE.

5. TheboardofnursingmakesthecandidateeligibletotaketheNCLEX.

6. ReceiveAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)letterfromPearsonVUE.

Ifyouchoosetoprovideane-mailaddressatthetimeofregisteringfortheNCLEXexamination(whetherbymail,telephoneorviathe

Internet),pleasenotethatallcorrespondencefromPearsonVUEwillarriveONLYbye-mail.Ifyoudonotprovideane-mailaddresswhen

youregister,correspondencefromPearsonVUEwillarriveONLYthroughU.S.mail.

IfmorethanfourweekshavepassedafteryouhavesubmittedaregistrationforanNCLEXexamination,receivedacknowledgementfromPearsonVUE,andyouhavenotreceivedanATTletter,pleasecallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesattheappropriatenumber

listedontheinsidefrontcover.

Note:Forprogramcodeinformation,pleasereferencetheNCSBNwebsiteatwww.ncsbn.org/1213.htm.Ifthecodeforyourprogramisno

listed,pleasecontactyourboardofnursing.

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TEST FEES AND POLICIES

FeeThefeefortakingtheNCLEXexaminationis$200.Youwillalsohavetopayotherlicensurefeesrequiredbytheboardofnursinginthe

jurisdictioninwhichyouareapplying.Youmustcontactyourboardofnursingtondoutaboutthesefees.Ifyouchoosetoscheduleyour

NCLEXexaminationatatestcenteroutsideoftheU.S.*,youwillhavetopayanadditionalinternationalschedulingfeeof$150,andwhere

applicable,aValueAddedTax(VAT).Thesefeeswillbechargedwhenyouscheduleyourexaminationappointment.

Afterregistering,candidateswhowanttochangetheboardofnursingwherelicensurewasrequestedorthetypeofexamination

requested(RN/PN)willberequiredtopaya$50changefee.*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.

No RefundsThere will be no reund o registration ees (mail, telephone, or via the Internet) or any reason, including, but not limited to:

DuplicateRegistrations

Failuretorescheduleand/orcancelyourexamappointmentoutsideof24businesshours

Failuretoappearforyourappointment

Do not submit another registration and ee beore calling.Ifyoudecidetosubmitanadditionalregistration,rststoppaymentonthe

originalpayment.

Additionally,therewillbenorefundofthe$150internationalschedulingfeeorVATforanyreason.

Failure to PayAcandidatemaynottaketheNCLEXexaminationiftheregistrationfeehasbeenstopped,cancelledorotherwiserevoked,eitherbythe

candidateoranancialinstitution.Ifpaymentisstoppedafterthecandidatetakestheexamination,NCSBNandtheboardsofnursing

reservetherighttoholdand/orrevokethecandidatesresult.

Registration Time LimitAllNCLEX examinationregistrationswill remain open for a 365-day timeperiodduringwhicha boardof nursingcan determine a

candidateseligibility.Thetimeperiodbeginswhentheboardofnursingreceivesthecandidatesregistrationfromthetestservice.Once

acandidateismadeeligible,heorshemusttestwithinthevaliditydatesprintedontheATTLetter.

Candidateswhoarenotmadeeligiblebytheirboardofnursingwithinthe365-daytimeperiodwillforfeittheirregistration,includingth

registrationfee.CandidateswhowishtotakeanNCLEXexaminationwillneedtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfee.Youmustwait

untilyourcurrentregistrationexpiresbeforereregistering.AcandidatemaynothavetwoNCLEXexaminationregistrations(ofthesameexamtype)openatthesametime.

HOW TO REGISTER

1. Submit an application or licensure to the board o nursing where you wish to be licensed. Be sure to meet that board onursings application deadline.

2. Register or the NCLEX examination using one o the ollowing methods:

INTERNET REGISTRATIONVisittheNCLEXCandidatewebsite(www.pearsonvue.com/nclex)andselectoneofthefollowingregistrationoptions:

1. Paying by credit card:

Youcanpayforyourregistrationbycreditordebitcard,usingoneofthefollowing:VISA,MasterCardorAmericanExpress.

Haveyourcreditcardreadywhenyoubeginyourregistration.

2. Paying by certied check, cashiers check or money order:

Uponcompletionofregistration,followdirectionstoprinttheconrmationdocument.

Mailtheconrmationdocumentandacertiedcheck,cashierscheckormoneyorder(madepayabletotheNationalCouncil

ofStateBoardsofNursing)for$200inU.S.currencydrawnonabankintheU.S.to:NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul,MN 55164-0950.Personalchecks,cash,foreigncurrency,stamps,receiptsorproofsofpaymentwillnotbeaccepted.

Forthird-partypaymentsfromnursingschools,agenciesoremployers,pleasefollowthedirectionsonpage3.

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U.S. MAIL REGISTRATION

Obtainaregistrationscanformbycontactingyourboardofnursing(nophotocopiesareaccepted).

Youmustencloseacertiedcheck,cashierscheckormoneyorder (made payable to the National Council o State Boards o Nursing) for$200

inU.S.currencydrawnonabankintheU.S.withyourregistration.Usetheenclosedenvelopetoreturnyourregistrationformandpayment.

Mail to: NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul, MN 55164-0950.

Personalchecks,cash,foreigncurrency,stamps,receiptsorproofsofpaymentwillnotbeaccepted.

WeareonlyabletoacceptP.O.Boxdeliveries;signatureconrmationofdeliveryisnotavailable.

NOTE: Registrationsthatarenotproperlycompletedand/orarenotaccompaniedbytheproperpaymentwillbereturnedtoyouandwil

delayyourtesting.

TELEPHONE REGISTRATION

CallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatoneofthenumberslistedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletin.

YoucanpaybyusingavalidVISA,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscreditordebitcard.

Haveyourcreditcardreadywhenyoumakeyourtelephonecall.Youmustprovidethenameshownonthecreditcard,thecreditcardnumberandtheexpirationdate.

THIRD-PARTY PAYMENTS (Workforce Exception)Nursingschools,agenciesoremployersmayregisterandadministrativelypayfortheNCLEXexaminationonbehalfofthecandidate.

ThisisconsideredaWorkorce Exception .Ifyourregistrationisaccompaniedbysuchapayment,do not usetheenclosedenvelopeto

returnyourregistrationandpayment.

Please ollow the instructions below:

WriteWorkforceExceptiononapost-itnote(oranynote),placeitonthe$200check (made payable to National Council o State Boards

o Nursing)andmailboththeNCLEXregistrationformandpaymentto:

NCLEXWorkforceProgram

PearsonVUE

5601GreenValleyDrive,Room220

Bloomington,MN55437

Ifyouare unable toobtain a registrationscanform,youmayuse theonline certiedcheck/cashierscheck/moneyorder paymen

registrationoptionandmailtheconrmationdocumentinwiththethird-partypaymenttothemailingaddressabove.

NOTE: NCSBNandPearsonVUEhaveestablishedspecicguidelinesforthisprovision(WorkforceException).Failuretofollowthe

guidelineswillresultintherejectionand/orasignicantdelayofyourregistration.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Testingaccommodationsforotherwisequaliedcandidatescanbeprovidedonlywiththeauthorizationofyourboardofnursing.

Requestinformationfromyourboardofnursingconcerningitsrequirementsforrequestingtestingaccommodations.ThisshouldbedonebeforesubmittingyourNCLEXexaminationregistration.

Makearequestforaccommodationstoyourboardofnursing.Yourrequestmustcomplywithrequirementsestablishedbyyou

boardofnursingforcandidatesrequestingtestingaccommodations.Sendyourrequesttoyourboardofnursingasearlyaspossiblesothat,ifapproved,thetestingaccommodationscanbemade

inatimelymanner.

NOTE:DonotscheduleanappointmenttotaketheNCLEXexaminationuntilyouhavereceivedwrittenconrmationofyouraccommodations

andyourATTletterindicatingAccommodationsGranted.

Candidatesapproved for testingwithaccommodationsmustschedule their testing appointmentthrough theNCLEXAccommodations

CoordinatorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatthetelephonenumberlistedontheirAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)letterand

askingfortheNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinator.Candidateswithaccommodationsmaynottestaswalk-ins.

NOTE: CandidateswhoseektotestwithaccommodationscannotscheduletheirappointmentsthroughtheNCLEXCandidatewebsite.

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SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM

AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT)

Afteryourboardofnursingdeclaresyoueligible,youwillreceiveyourATTLetter.

Note: YoumusthaveyourATTlettertoscheduleanappointmenttotaketheNCLEXexaminationandyoumustpresentyourATTlettera

thetestcenteronthedayofyourexaminationtobeadmitted.YouwillnotbeadmittedtotheexaminationwithoutyourATTletterandwi

berequiredtoreregisterandrepaytotaketheexamination.

TheATTlettercontainsyourauthorizationnumber,candidateidenticationnumberandanexpirationdate.EachATTletterisvalidfor

aperiodoftimespeciedbytheboardofnursing(variesfrom60daysto365days;however,theaverageis90days).Oncetheboardof

nursingdeclaresyoueligibletotestandyourATTletterisissued,youmusttestwithinthevaliditydatesofyourATTletter.These validity

dates cannot be extended or any reason. I you do not test within these dates you will have to reregister and repay the examination ee

YOUR EXAM APPOINTMENT

Testcentersmayllupquicklybecauseofhighvolumesandpreviouslyscheduledspecialevents.Waitingtocalltoscheduleyourtesting

appointmentmaysignicantlylimittheselectionofdatesfromwhichyoucanchoosetoschedule.Additionally,ifyouwaituntilyourATT

letterisclosetoexpiring,PearsonProfessionalCenters(PPCs)maynotbeabletoseatyoupriortoitsexpiration.Ifthisoccurs,youwil

berequiredtoreregisterandrepaytotaketheexamination.

First-timetesttakerswillbeofferedanappointmentwithin30daysofthecall,oronlineattempt,toscheduleanappointment;repea

candidateswillbeofferedanappointmentwithin45days.Ifyouwish,youmaydeclinetheappointmentofferedandschedulelaterthan

the30or45days.

Ifyoufailtoarriveforyourexaminationappointmentorfailtoreschedule/unschedulewithoutgivingtheappropriatenotice(asoutlined

onpage5),youwill forfeityourexaminationfee(andschedulingfeeifapplicable)andyourATTletterwillbeinvalidated.Youwillbe

requiredtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfeeof$200.Yourfailuretotaketheexaminationwillbereectedinyourregistrationas

anIncidentReportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.

DOMESTIC SCHEDULING

YoumaytaketheexaminationatanyNCLEXapprovedPPC.YoucanndPPClocationsandaddressesontheNCLEXCandidatewebsitewww.pearsonvue.com/nclex.

ExaminationappointmentsattestcentersintheU.S.,AmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslandsortheU.S.VirginIslandscanbe

scheduledthroughtheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatoneofthetelephonenumbers

listedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletin.

IfyouareusingtheNCLEX Candidate websitetoschedule,youwillbeaskedtosupplyyouruserIDandpassword,whichisprovidedonyourAcknowledgementofReceiptofNCLEXExaminationRegistration.Youalsowillbeaskedyourpreferencefor

dateandtimeoftestingatthePPCofyourchoice.

Ifyouscheduleviathetelephone,youwillbeaskedtosupplyyournameandyourATTnumber,alongwithotherinformationto

verifyyouridentity.YoualsowillbeaskedyourpreferencefordateandtimeoftestingatthePPCofyourchoice.

Ifyourrst-choicedateortimeisunavailable,youwillbeofferedanalternativeasclosetoyourrstchoiceaspossible.

AConfrmation o AppointmentwillbesenttoyoufromPearsonVUEwhichwillcontainthedate,timeandlocationofyourappointmentalongwithdirectionstothePPC.Verifythatalltheinformationiscorrect.Callorgoonlinetocheckthatyour

appointmenthasbeenscheduledorrescheduledifyoudonotreceiveaconrmation.ContactPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesimmediatelytocorrectanyerrorstoyourappointment.

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INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULING

IfyouchoosetoscheduleyourexaminationatatestcenteroutsideoftheU.S.*,youwillbechargedanadditionalnon-refundable

schedulingfeeof$150.Ifapplicable,aValueAddedTax(VAT)mayalsobechargedforthisexamination.

Please be aware that once you have an appointment at a test center outside o the U.S.*, i you decide to reschedule to a test center in

the U.S., you will not receive a reund or the $150 scheduling ee.

PleasealsobeawarethatthelistofavailabletestcentersoutsideoftheU.S.issubjecttochangewithoutpriornotice.Youwillbenotied

intheeventthatthetestcenteratwhichyouarescheduledtotakeyourexaminationbecomesunavailable.Youmayreschedulethe

examinationatanotheravailabletestcenter.If,underthesecircumstances,youchoosetorescheduletheexaminationatatestcenter

intheU.S.,your$150schedulingfeewillberefunded.

You can only schedule an appointment or test centers outside o the U.S.* by telephone through the Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate

Services. Walk-ins will not be accepted at test centers outside o the U.S.

*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslandsandtheU.S.VirginIslands.

GROUP SCHEDULING

Groupscheduling(3ormorecandidates)mustbedonethroughthePearsonVUEGroupSchedulingCoordinator.Forfurtherinformation

pleasecontacttheGroupSchedulingCoordinatorbye-mailatpvgroupreservations@pearson.comorbyfaxat952-6105120.

CHANGING YOUR APPOINTMENT

Ifyouneedtochangeyourappointmentdate,timeorlocation,youmaygototheNCLEXCandidatewebsite (www.pearsonvue.com/nclex

orcallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesone ull business day (24 hours) beore the scheduled exam date and time asdescribed

below:

ForexaminationsscheduledonTuesday,Wednesday,ThursdayandFridaycallatleast24hourspriortothedayandtimeofyourappointment.

ForexaminationsscheduledonSaturday,SundayorMonday,callnolaterthanFridayatleast24hoursinadvanceofyourappointmenttime.

Candidateswithappointmentsat testcentersoutsideof theU.S.*mustcallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicestochangetheiappointment.CandidateswhohaveappointmentsatatestcenteroutsidetheU.S.mayrescheduletoanothertestcenteroutsidetheU.S

withoutforfeitingtheir$150schedulingfee.IfyouchoosetorescheduleyourexaminationtoatestcenterwithintheU.S.*,youwillforfei

your$150fee.

IfyouhaveanappointmentatoneofthetestcentersintheU.S.*andchoosetorescheduletoatestcenteroutsidetheU.S.,youwillbe

chargedanon-refundable$150schedulingfeeandanyapplicableValueAddedTax(VAT).

Ifyouareacandidatereceivingtestingaccommodations,askfortheNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinatorinordertochangeyour

appointment.

NOTE: Leavingamessageonanansweringmachinedoesnotconstitutegivingtherequirednoticeforreschedulingorunschedulingyou

testingappointment.YoumusteitherrescheduleorunscheduleyourappointmentontheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteorbyspeakingwith

anagentatPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices.

*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.

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WHAT TO BRING TO THE TEST SITE

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Your ATT Letter

Acceptable Identifcation

Only the identifcations listed below will be accepted. Because of the importance of the NCLEX examination, several security measures

will be enforced during the administration of the examination. Strict candidate identication requirements have been established.

Identifcation Requirements

When you arrive at the test center, you will be required to present one form of acceptable identication and your valid ATT letter. If you

arrive without these materials, you will be turned away and will be required to reregister and repay the examination fee of $200. If you

paid the scheduling fee of $150, that will be forfeited as well.

The only acceptable forms of identication for test centers in the U.S.* are:

U.S. drivers license (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued) (if expired, a renewal slip that contains a photograph and asignature must be presented in order to be admitted)

U.S. state identication (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued)

Passport

U.S. Military Identication

The only identication acceptable for test centers outside of the U.S.* is:

Passport

All identication must be valid and not expired with signature and photograph. All identifcation listed above must be in English and

signed in English.

Drivers/learners permits or temporary identication are not accepted for admittance to the NCLEX examination.

IDENTIFICATION FROM A U.S. SANCTIONED (EMbARgOED) COUNTRy

DDue to U.S. trade restrictions, candidates who indicate that they live in a sanctioned country are unable to be admitted to sit for the

NCLEX examination. This is a federal requirement by The Ofce of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Fo

a list of countries on the U.S. economic and trade sanctions list visit www.ncsbn.org/1221.htm.

Testin at a Domestic PPC

In order to be admitted to the NCLEX examination, candidates who are testing at a Pearson Professional Center (PPC) within the U.S.*

and hold a passport from a sanctioned country, must present one of the following:

Passport from the sanctioned country with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) stamp (temporary I-1551), (en-dorsement by INS in a passport to show admission for permanent residence)

Passport from the sanctioned country along with a U.S. Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)

U.S. drivers license/U.S. state identication (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued)

Testin at an International PPCIn order to be admitted to the NCLEX examination, candidates who are testing at an international PPC and hold a passport from a

sanctioned country must also present proof of residency (government issued identication) from a non-sanctioned country. This only

applies to candidates presenting a passport from a sanctioned country. Candidates testing internationally who reside in a non-sanctioned

country can only present a passport as a form of identication.

Please visit www.ncsbn.org/1221.htm for the most up-to-date information on the U.S. Sanctioned Countries Identication Policy.

*U.S. includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Your Name

Therstandlastnameprintedonyouridenticationmustmatch exactlytherstandlastnameprintedonyourATTletter.Ifthename

withwhichyouhaveregisteredisdifferentfromthenameonyouridentication,youmustbringlegalnamechangedocumentationwith

youtothetestcenteronthedayofyourtest.Theonlyacceptableformsoflegaldocumentationare:amarriagelicense,divorcedecre

and/oracourtactionlegalnamechangedocument.AlldocumentsmustbeinEnglishandmustbetheoriginaldocuments.Candidates

wishingtomakeanamechange,addresschangeore-mailaddresschangemustcontacttheirboardofnursing.Thiscannotbedonea

thetestcenter.

*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.

TEST SITE RULES AND REGULATIONS

ToensurethatallcandidatesNCLEXexamination resultsareearnedundercomparableconditionsandrepresentfairandaccurate

measurement,itis necessarytomaintainastandardizedtestingenvironment.Thefollowingregulationsaredesignedtohelpensure

suchanenvironment.

BelowyouwillndtheNCLEXexaminationcandidaterules.Pleasenotethatifyoudonotfollowtherulesortheinstructionsofthetest

administrator(TA),yourexaminationresultmaybewithheldorcancelled,yourexaminationfeemaynotberefundedandNCSBNand

yourlicensingboardmaytakeotheraction,uptoandincludinglicenserevocationandcriminalprosecution.

Examplesofprohibited,irregularbehaviorinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:

Youmaynotbringanyeducational,testpreparationorstudymaterialstothetestingcenter.Youmaynotaccessanysuchstudymaterialsorseekhelpfromanyotherpartyinansweringitems(inperson,byphone,textor

bye-mail)duringyourexamination(includingbreaks).

Youmaynotdisclosetoanyone,includinginstructors,informationabouttheitemsoranswersseeninyourexamination(this

includespostingquestionsontheInternetandbraindumping).

Youmaynottaketheexaminationforsomebodyelse.

Youmaynottamperwiththecomputeroruseitforanyfunctionotherthantakingtheexamination.

Youmaynotengageindisruptivebehavioratanytimewhileinthetestcenter.

Thefollowingpersonalitemsarenotallowedinthetestingroom.Personalitemsnotallowedinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

nAnyelectronicdevices nGloves nPursesnBags nGum nScarvesnBooks nHand-heldcomputers nStudyMaterialsnCamerasofanykind nHats nWatchesnCellular/mobilephones nLipBalm nWalletsnCoats nPagers nWeaponsofanykindnFoodordrink nPersonalDigitalAssistants(PDA)

Allpersonalitemsmustbestoredinyourlocker.Cell/mobilephones,pagersorotherelectronicdevicesmustbeturnedoffbeforestoringtheminalocker.Certainpersonalitemsmaybeaccessedduringbreaks,likemedicationsorfood/beverages.

Cell/mobilephones,pagersoranyotherelectronicdevicesmay not be accessed atallduringyourexaminationappointment(includingbreaks).PearsonProfessionalCentersarenotresponsibleforlost,stolenormisplacedpersonalitems.

TheTAwillprovideyouwithanerasablenoteboardandmarkerbeforeyouenterthetestingroom.Youmaynotwriteonthenoteboarduntilaterthetutorialhasbeencompleted.Thisisconsideredbraindumping.Cleannoteboardscanberequestedduringyourexaminationbyraisingyourhand.Theerasablenoteboardandmarkermaynotberemovedfromthetestingroom

duringtheexaminationexceptbytheTA,andtheseitemsmustbereturnedtotheTAaftertheexamination.

Toensureahighlevelofsecurityyouwillbemonitoredatalltimes.Bothaudioandvideowillberecorded.


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GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR CANCELLATION OF RESULTS

Anexamineewhoviolatesthetestcenterregulationsorrules,orengagesinirregularbehavior,misconductand/ordoesnotfollow

theTAswarningtodiscontinueinappropriatebehaviormaybedismissedfromthetestcenterandtheirexamfeewillnotberefunded.

Additionally,yourexamresultmaybewithheldorcancelledandyourlicensingboardmaytakeotherdisciplinaryactionsuchasdenialo

alicenseand/ordisqualifyingyoufromfutureregistrationsforlicensure.Behaviorsthatareconsideredtoconstituteirregularbehavio

ormisconductincludebutarenotlimitedto:

Givingorreceivingassistanceofanykind.

Usinganyprohibitedaids.ProhibitedaidsareanydevicesormaterialsthatwillbehelpfulintakingtheNCLEXexamination.Ex-amplesofaidsthatareprohibitedareelectronicdevices(i.e.cell/mobilephones,PDAs,handheldcomputers,etc.),handheld

calculators,conversiontables,dictionaries,etc.

Attemptingtotaketheexaminationforsomeoneelse.

BringinganyNCLEXexaminationstudyaids(textbooks,notebooks,classroomnotes,etc.)tothetestingcenteroraccessing

orattemptingtoaccesssuchstudymaterialsatanytimeafterthestartoftheexaminationadministration,including,butnotlimitedto,breaktimes.

Failingtofollowtestingregulationsortheinstructionsofthetestadministrator.

Creatingadisturbanceofanykind.

Copying,reconstructingorremovingexaminationitemsand/orresponses(inanyformat)ornotesabouttheexaminationfromthetestingroomorattemptingtodothesame.

Tamperingwiththeoperationofthecomputerorattemptingtouseitforanyfunctionotherthantakingtheexamination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Candidatesshouldbeawareandunderstandthatthedisclosureofexaminationitemsbefore,during,oraftertheexaminationisa

violationoflaw.Violationsofcondentialityand/orcandidatesrulescanresultincriminalprosecutionorcivilliabilityand/ordisciplinary

actionsbythelicensingagencyincludingthedenialoflicensure.Ifyouareawareof,orhaveobservedanattempttocompromisethe

NCLEXexaminationprocess,pleasereportittotheNCLEXTestSecuritygroup.Candidatesmayreportanysuspiciousbehaviorinthe

followingways:

CallPearsonVUEat1.866.496.2539ore-mailPearsonVUEat [email protected]/contact/security

andcompletetheform.

TEST SECURITY

NCSBNstrivestoreportresultsthataccuratelyreecttheabilityofeachtesttaker.Accordingly,ourstandardsandproceduresfo

administeringexamshavetworelatedgoals:givingtest-takerscomparableopportunitiestodemonstratetheirabilitiesandpreventing

anytest-takersfromgaininganunfairadvantageoverothers.Topromotetheseobjectives,NCSBNreservestherighttocancelor

withholdanytestresultswhen,initsjudgment,atestingirregularityoccurs;thereisanapparentdiscrepancyin,orfalsicationof,atest

takersidentication;atest-takerengagesinmisconduct,irregularbehavior,violatesthecandidaterulesorotherwisebreacheshis/he

CondentialityAgreement;ortheresultsarebelievedtobeinvalidforanyotherreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceo

acandidatespersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.

INVALID RESULTS

NCSBNmaycancelorwithholdacandidatesresultsif,inNCSBNsjudgment,thereisabasistoquestionthevalidityoftheresultsfor

anyreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidatespersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.Evidenceofinvalid

resultsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedtounusualanswerpatternsorunusualscoreincreasesfromoneexamtoanother.Ifacandidates

resultiscancelled,revokedorinvalidatedwithoutandingthatthecandidateengagedinirregularbehavior,thecandidatemayappea

thedecisionand/orwillbeofferedafreeretest.AnappealisthecandidatesexclusivemeansofredresswithregardtoNCSBNsdecision

totakethisaction.


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9

THE DAY OF THE EXAM

ThestaffmembersateachPPCfollowdesignatedprocedurestoensurethattheoperationofthetestcentermeetsNCSBNcriteriafor

standardizedtesting.ThefollowingareproceduresthatwillbeadheredtowhenyouarriveatthePPCforyourNCLEXexaminationappointment.

CHECK-IN PROCESSPlantoarriveatthePPCatleast30minutesbeoreyourscheduledtestingtime.Ifyouarrivemorethan30minutesateryourscheduled

appointment,youmayberequiredtoforfeityourNCLEXexaminationappointment.Yourfailuretotaketheexaminationwillbereected

inyourregistrationasanincidentreportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.YouwillberequiredtopresentyourATTletterandavalidacceptableID.

Youwillbeaskedtoprovideyoursignature,apalmveinscan,andyouwillhaveyourngerprintandphotographtaken.Hats,

scarvesandcoatsmaynotbeworninthetestingroomorwhileyourphotographisbeingtaken.

Friends,relativesorchildrenwhoaccompanyyoutothetestcenterwillnotbepermittedtowaitinthetestcenterwhileyoutaketheexamination.

Youwillberequiredtoleaveyourpersonalbelongingsoutsidethetestingroom.Securestoragewillbeprovided,however,

candidatesarenotallowedtoaccessanyoftheprohibitedpersonalitemsatanytimeduringtheexam.Storagespaceissmallsocandidatesshouldplanappropriately.PPCsassumenoresponsibilityforcandidatespersonalbelongings.

TheTAwillgiveyouashortorientationandthenwillescortyoutoacomputerterminal.Youmustremaininyourseatduring

theexamination,exceptwhenauthorizedtoleavebytestcenterstaff.YoumaynotchangeyourcomputerterminalunlessaTAdirectsyoutodoso.

PleasereferencetheTestSiteRulesandRegulationslistedaboveforadditionalinformationonthecheck-inprocess.

RaiseyourhandtonotifytheTAifyou:

Believeyouhaveaproblemwithyourcomputer.

Needtochangenoteboards.

Needtotakeabreak.

Needtheadministratorforanyreason.

Havecompletedyourexam.

BREAKSYouwillhaveuptosixhourstocompletetheNCLEX-RNExamination,andvehourstocompletetheNCLEX-PNExamination;total

examinationtimeincludesa shorttutorial,twopreprogrammedoptionalbreaksandanyunscheduledbreaksyoumaytake.Thersoptionalbreakisofferedaftertwohoursoftesting.Thesecondoptionalbreakisofferedafterthreeandonehalfhoursoftesting.The

computerwillautomaticallytellyouwhenthesescheduledbreaksbegin.Youmustleavethetestingroomduringbothscheduledand

unscheduledbreaks.Itisstronglyadvisedthatcandidatesnotleavethetestcenterduringbreaks.Additionally,whenyoutakeabreak

allitemsaccessed(includingpurses,wallets,etc.)maybeinspectedbytheTA.Youwillberequiredtoprovideapalmveinscanbefore

andafteryourbreak.

Note:Candidatesarenotallowedtoaccessanyoftheprohibitedpersonalitemsduringbreaks(includingbutnotlimitedtothoselisted

onpage7).

All breaks count against testing time.

TECHNICAL ISSUESOnrareoccasions,technicalproblemsmayrequirereschedulingofacandidatesexamination.Ifcircumstancesarisecausingyouto

waitmorethan30minutesafteryourscheduledappointmenttime,orarestartdelaylastslongerthan30minutes,youwillbegiventhe

choicesofcontinuingtowaitorreschedulingyourappointmentwithoutanadditionalfee.

Ifyouchoosetowait,youmaylaterchangeyourmindatanytimepriortobeginningorrestartingtheexamination.

Ifyouchoosenottoreschedule,butrathertestafteradelay,youwillhavenofurtherrecourseandyourtestresultswillbe

consideredvalid.

Ifyouchoosetorescheduleyourappointmentortheproblemcausingthedelaycannotberesolved,youwillbeallowedtotestatalaterdate,atnoadditionalcharge.Everyattemptwillbemadetocontactcandidatesiftechnicalproblemsareidentied

priortoascheduledappointment.


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10

TESTING ENVIRONMENT

PPCsadministermanytypesofexaminationsincludingsomethatrequireessay-typeresponses.PPCshavenocontrolovernoisesmade

bycandidatestypingduringanotherexamination.Typingnoiseisconsideredanormalpartofthecomputerizedtestingenvironment,jus

asthenoiseofturningpagesisanormalpartofthepaper-and-penciltestingenvironment.Earplugsareavailableuponrequest.

WHEN THE EXAM IS FINISHED

Afteryourexaminationisnished,youwillbeaskedtocompleteabriefcomputer-deliveredquestionnaireaboutyourtestingexperience

Whenyouhavenishedthequestionnaire,raiseyourhandtosummontheTA.TheTAwillcollectandinventoryallnoteboards.TheTA

willdismissyouwhenallrequirementsarefullled.

Ifyoubelievetherewasanirregularityintheadministrationofyourtestortheassociatedtestconditionsthatyoubelieveadversely

affectedtheoutcomeofyourexamination,youshouldnotifytheproctororTAbeforeyouleavethetestcenter.

RESULTS REPORTING

Forqualitycontrolpurposes,everycomputerizedNCLEXexaminationisscoredtwice;oncebythecomputeratthetestcenterand

thentheresult isveriedafter theexaminationrecordhasbeentransmittedtoPearsonVUE.Althoughtheexaminationis scoredas

thecandidatecompleteseachitem,NORESULTSarereleasedatthetestcenter.In fact,testcenterstaffdonothaveaccesstothe

examinationresults.ExaminationresultsareavailableONLYfromtheboardsofnursingandwillbemailedtocandidatesapproximatelyonemonthaftertakingtheexamination.DONOTCALLyourboardofnursing,PearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices,thePPCsor

NCSBNforexaminationresults.

Youcanalsogetyourunofcialresultsafter48businesshoursthroughthequickresultsserviceavailableontheNCLEXCandidate

websiteatwww.pearsonvue.com/nclexorbycalling1-900-776-2539.

Note: Quick results are not available in all states and there is a ee or this service.

CANDIDATE PERFORMANCE REPORT

Whenacandidatefails,theboardofnursingsendsthecandidateaCandidatePerformanceReport(CPR).Thisreportidentiesthe

performanceasfailing,providesthenumberofitemsadministeredtothecandidate,andasummaryofthecandidatesrelativestrengths

andweaknessesbasedonthetestplan.ThisCPRisintendedforfailingcandidatestousetohelpguidetheirstudybeforeretakingthe

examination.

RETAKE POLICY

Candidatesmustwaitaminimumof45or90daysbetweeneachexamination.Thepolicyofdeterminingtheminimumfrequencywithin

whichacandidatemayretaketheexaminationisestablishedbyeachindividualboardofnursingandNCSBN.

SUBMITTING COMMENTS AND FURTHER QUESTIONS

YoumayasktheTAforaCondentialCommentSheettoprovideanyinformationaboutyourtestingsessiontoNCSBN,thePPCso

PearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices.

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourtestingsession,pleasecontactNCSBNwithintwoweeksofyourtestingappointment.


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NCLEX TEST PLANS, TEST DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENT

NCLEX Test Plans

TheNCLEX-RNandtheNCLEX-PNTestPlansaredocumentsthatdescribethescopeandcontentoftheexaminations.TheNCLEXTes

PlanscanbedownloadedatnocostontheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.

Obtaining the Detailed NCLEX Test Plan

AcandidateversionoftheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNDetailedTestPlanscanalsobedownloadedatnocostbyaccessingtheNCSBN

websiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.

Test Content

Thepracticeofnursingrequiresknowledgeofthehealthneedsofclientsaswellasanunderstandingofintegratedprocessesfundamenta

tonursingpractice.ClientNeedsareusedastheframeworkforbothRNandPNtestplans.NCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNexaminationsmay

includeitemswrittenatvariouscognitivelevels.1,2Themajorityofitemsarewrittenattheapplicationorhigherlevelsofcognitiveability

Ingeneral,iftheageoragecategoryoftheclientisnotstatedinanitem,itcanbeunderstoodthattheclientisanadult.

1Bloom,B.S.(ed).(1956).Taxonomy o Educational Objectives: The Classifcation oEducational Goals, Handbook 1. Cognitive Domain. NewYork:DavidMcKayCo,Inc.

2Anderson,L.W.,Krathwohl,D.R.(eds).(2001).A taxonomy or learning, teaching and assessing. A revision o Blooms taxonomy o educational objectives. NewYork

AddisonWesleyLongman,Inc.

Developing the Examination

StepsinthedevelopmentoftheNCLEXexaminationareoutlinedbelow.

1.Todeterminethebasisforsafeandeffectiveentry-levelnursingpractice,NCSBNconductsapracticeanalysisofentry-levelnurseseverythreeyears.Thelegalscopeofnursingpracticeandresultsofthepracticeanalysisareusedtodevelopan

NCLEXtestplan.Testplans,whichoutlinethecontentcategoriesandpercentageoftestitemsallocatedtothecategories,reectthejob-relatedknowledge,skillsandabilitiesrequiredforsafeandeffectiveentry-leveljobperformance.

2.Itemwritersarepracticingnurseswhowriteitemsthattestentry-levelnursingpracticefortheRNorPNexamination.

3.Asecondexpertpanelofpracticingnursesthenreviewsthenewly-writtenitems.Thesecondreviewistoensurethateachitemreectscurrententry-levelnursingpracticeandthatitisaccurate.

4.AllitemsusedinanexaminationhavebeenpretestedandareshowntohavemetNCSBNstatisticalcriteriabeforebeingused

asoperational(scored)items.

DenitionsClient=individual,familyorgroup.

Nursing Diagnosis=Aclassicationofclientneedsand/orproblemsaccordingtopresumednaturalrelationships;e.g.,useofNorth

AmericanNursingDiagnosesAssociation(NANDA)DenitionsandClassications.

Prescription=Orders,interventions,remediesortreatmentsorderedordirectedbyanauthorizedhealthcareprovider.

Exhibit=Denotesaclientchartormedicalrecordtypeofitem.

Additionalinformationisavailablebehindtabslistedonthescreen.Clickonatabtoreviewtheadditionalinformation.


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Client Needs Categories Covered on the NCLEX Examinations

FourmajorClientNeedscategoriesorganizethecontentofthe2010 NCLEX-RNTest Plansandthe2011 NCLEX-PNTest Plans.

Inthe2010 NCLEX-RNandthe2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plans,twoofthecategoriesaredividedintoatotalofsixsubcategories.Health

PromotionandMaintenanceandPsychosocialIntegritydonothavesubcategories.Thefollowingprocessesareintegratedintoall

ClientNeedscategoriesoftheRN and PN Test Plans:NursingProcess,Caring,CommunicationandDocumentation,andTeachingand

Learning.

For the 2010 NCLEX-RN Test Plan

NCLEX-RN Client Needs

Percentage o Itemsrom each Category/Subcategory

Safe and Effective Care Environment

Management of Care

Safety and Infection Control

16-22%

8-14%

Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%

Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%

Physiological Integrity

Basic Care and Comfort

Pharmacological and

Parenteral TherapiesReduction of Risk Potential

Physiological Adaptation

6-12%

13-19%

10-16%

11-17%

For the 2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plan

NCLEX-PN Client Needs

Percentage o Itemsrom each Category/Subcategory

Safe and Effective Care Environment

Coordinated Care

Safety and Infection Control

13-19%

11-17%

Health Promotion and Maintenance 7-13%

Psychosocial Integrity 7-13%

Physiological Integrity

Basic Care and Comfort

Pharmacological Therapies

Reduction of Risk PotentialPhysiological Adaptation

9-15%

11-17%

9-15%9-15%

NCLEX PSYCHOMETRICS

Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)

TheNCLEXexaminationisdifferentthanatraditionalpencil-and-paperexamination.Typically,pencil-and-paperexaminationsadministe

thesameitemstoeverycandidate,thusensuringthatthedifcultyoftheexaminationisthesameacrosstheboard.Becausethe

difcultyoftheexaminationisconstant,thepercentagecorrectistheindicatorofthecandidatesability.Onedisadvantageofthis

approachisthatitisinefcient.Itrequiresthehighabilitycandidatestoansweralltheeasyitemsontheexamination,whichprovidesverylittleinformationabouttheirability.Anotherdisadvantageisthatguessingcanarticiallyinatethescoresoflowabilitycandidates

becausetheycananswertheseitemscorrectly25percentofthetimeforreasonsthathavenothingtodowiththeirability.Instead,the

NCLEXexaminationusesComputerizedAdaptiveTesting(CAT)toadministertheitems.CATisabletoproducetestresultsthataremore

stableusingfeweritemsbytargetingitemstothecandidatesability.ThecomputersgoalduringtheNCLEXexaminationistodetermine

theabilityofthecandidateinrelationtothepassingstandard.Everytimethecandidateanswersanitem,thecomputerre-estimatesthe

candidatesability.Witheachadditionalanswereditem,theabilityestimatebecomesmoreprecise.

Eachitemthatthecandidatereceivesisselectedfromalargepoolofitemsusingthreecriteria:

1.Theitemislimitedtocontentareathatwillproducethebestmatchtothetestplanpercentages.Itisensuredthateachcandi-

datesexamhasenoughquestionsfromeachcontentareatomatchtherequiredtestplanpercentages.

2.Anitemisselectedthatthecandidateisexpectedtondchallenging.Basedonthecandidatesanswersuptothatpointand

thedifcultyofthoseitems,thecomputerestimatesthecandidatesabilityandselectsanitemthatthecandidateshouldhavea50%chanceofansweringcorrectly.Thisway,thenextitemshouldnotbetooeasyortoohardandtheexaminationcangetmaximuminformationaboutthecandidatesabilityfromtheitem.

3.Excludesanyitemthatarepeatcandidatehasseeninthelastyear.


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Pretest Items

ForCATtowork,thedifcultyofeachitemmustbeknowninadvance.Thedegreeofdifcultyisdeterminedbyadministeringtheitems

aspretestitemstoalargesampleofNCLEXcandidates.Becausethedifcultyofthesepretestitemsisnotknowninadvance,these

itemsarenotincludedwhenestimatingthecandidatesabilityormakingpass-faildecisions.Whenenoughresponsesarecollected,the

pretestitemsarestatisticallyanalyzedandcalibrated.IfthepretestitemsmeettheNCLEXstatisticalstandards,theycanbeadministered

infutureexaminationsasscoreditems.

NCLEX Pass or Fail Decision Rules

ThedecisionastowhetheracandidatepassesorfailstheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNexaminationisgovernedbythreedifferentscenarios

Scenario # 1: The 95% Confdence Interval Rule

ThisscenarioisthemostcommonforNCLEXexaminationcandidates.Thecomputerwillstopadministeringitemswhenitis95%certain

thatthecandidatesabilityiseitherclearlyaboveorclearlybelowthepassingstandard.

Scenario #2: Maximum-Length Exam

Somecandidatesabilitylevelswillbeveryclosetothepassingstandard.Whenthisisthecase,thecomputercontinuestoadminister

questionsuntilthemaximumnumberofitemsisreached.Atthispoint,thecomputerdisregardsthe95%condenceruleandconsiders

onlythenalabilityestimate:

Ifthenalabilityestimateisabovethepassingstandard,thecandidatepasses.

Ifthenalabilityestimateisatorbelowthepassingstandard,thecandidatefails.

Scenario #3: Run-Out-o-Time Rule (R.O.O.T.)

Ifacandidaterunsoutoftimebeforereachingthemaximumnumberofitemsandthecomputerhasnotdeterminedwith95%certainty

whetherthecandidatehaspassedorfailed,analternatecriteriaisused.

Ifthecandidatehasnotansweredtheminimumnumberofrequireditems,thecandidateautomaticallyfails.

Ifatleasttheminimumnumberofrequireditemswereanswered,thecomputerlooksatthelast60abilityestimates:

nIfthelast60abilityestimateswereconsistentlyabovethepassingstandard,thecandidatepasses.

nIfthecandidatesabilityestimatedropsbelowthepassingstandardevenonceoverthelast60items,theexamineefails.

Thisdoesnotmeanthatthecandidatemustanswerthelast60itemscorrectly.Eachabilityestimateisbaseduponallpreviousitems

answered.

Alternate Item FormatsCandidatesmaybeadministeredmultiplechoiceitemsaswellasitemswritteninalternateformats.Theseformatsmayincludebutare

notlimitedtomultipleresponse,ll-in-the-blankcalculation,orderedresponse,and/orhotspots.Allitemtypesmayincludemultimedia

suchascharts,tables,graphics,soundandvideo.

Theshorttutorialatthebeginningoftheexaminationwillexplainhowtoanswereachofthealternatetypesofitems.


17/18

The Passing Standard

TheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNareseparateexaminationsthatreectdifferentscopesofpractice.Accordingly,theseexaminationsare

scoredon separatescalesandhaveseparatepassingstandards.TheNCSBNBoardofDirectorsreevaluatesthesestandardsonce

everythreeyears.ThecriterionthattheBoardofDirectorsusestosetthestandardistheminimumlevelofabilityrequiredforsafeand

effectiveentry-levelnursingpractice.

ToassisttheBoardofDirectorsinmakingthisdecision,theBoardisprovidedwithinformationon:(1)theresultsofastandardsetting

exerciseperformedbyapanelofexpertswiththeassistanceofprofessionalpsychometricians;(2)thehistoricalrecordofthepassing

standardwithsummariesofthecandidateperformanceassociatedwiththosestandards;(3)theresultsofastandardsettingsurveysen

toeducatorsandemployers;and(4)informationdescribingtheeducationalreadinessofhighschoolgraduateswhoexpressaninteres

innursing.

Oncethepassingstandardisset,itisimposeduniformlyoneverytestrecordaccordingtotheprocedureslaidabove.TopassanNCLEX

examination,acandidatemustperformabovethepassingstandard.Thereisnoxedpercentageofcandidatesthatpassorfaileach

examination.

Similar Items

Occasionally,acandidatemayreceiveanitemthatseemstobeverysimilartoanitemtheyreceivedearlierintheexamination.This

couldhappenforavarietyofreasons.Forexample,severalitemscouldbeaboutsimilarsymptoms,diseases,ordisorders,yetaddress

differentphasesofthenursingprocess.Alternatively,apretest(unscored)itemcouldbeaboutcontentsimilartoanoperational(scored

item.Itisincorrecttoassumethataseconditem,whichissimilarincontenttoapreviouslyadministereditem,isadministeredbecaus

youansweredtherstitemincorrectly.Alwaysselecttheansweryoubelievetobecorrectforeachitemadministered.Allexaminations

conformtotheirrespectivetestplan(NCLEX-RNorNCLEX-PN).

Guessing

Rapidguessingcan drastically lower yourscore.Sometestpreparationcompanieshave realizedthaton certainpaper-and-penc

tests,unanswereditemsaremarkedaswrong.Toimprovethecandidatesscorewhentheyarerunningoutoftime,thesecompanies

sometimesadvocaterapidguessing(perhapswithoutevenreadingtheitem)inthehopethatthecandidatewillgetatleastafewitems

correct.Onanyadaptivetest,thiscanbedisastrous.Ithastheeffectofgivingthecandidateeasieritems,whichtheyalsogetwrong.

Thebestadviceisto:(1)maintainareasonablepace(spendingnomorethanonetotwominutesoneachitem),and(2)carefullyreadand

considereachitembeforeanswering.

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11 NCLEX Candidate Bulletin

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