Level-wise Free NCLEX-PN Practice Questions

The scheduling for the first-timers is generally done within the first 30 days of registering, whereas the allotment time for repeaters is close to 45 days. If the center and time of your choice are not available, you may get another one close to the time and date you opted for. However, if the given appointment is not convenient for you, you can reschedule the examination before the expiry of the ATT.

Most likely, there is not a possibility of a repeat question in the NCLEX exams. However, if you feel that the question has been repeated, then it must be a bit different from the previous one, or they might be looking for the correct answer, which you did not mark at first.

On the other hand, if you are a repeat test taker, then there might be a possibility of the repeat items getting appeared on the screen. The NCSBN has also accepted that some questions may sound similar, but it is not necessary that the same questions will be there for you to attempt.

It is mandatory to attempt a minimum of 85 questions from a set of 215 questions in the NCLEX-PN test to be eligible to pass the exam. However, if you attempt close to the minimum number of questions required and your competency level remains above the passing standard constantly for the last 60 questions, there is a possibility to clear the examination.

Also, if you fail to clear the test, you will receive a shortened CPR mentioning the number of questions you had to answer to get yourself evaluated.

CAT does the scoring, but the criteria are set by the Board of Directors (BOD) of the NCSBN. The BOD analyzes various aspects of the examination and revises the passing standard for the same every three years. It is done to ensure that the candidates passing the test are capable enough to carry out safe and efficient nursing practices.

Before reaching a decision, the BOD is provided with various information like the record of :

• Passing standard,
• The interest of high school graduates in nursing,
• Results of standard setting exercise received from employers and educators, and
• Results of the standard setting survey taken up by the professionals and experts.

Computerized Adaptive Testing or CAT is a type of online exam evaluation that uses the latest computer technology to enhance the efficiency of the examination process. In CAT, all the candidates get different questions based on their ability, and it is mandatory to answer all the questions. The next item appears on the screen based on the answer to the previous question. For instance, if you are answering the questions correctly, you will receive more difficult items as per your ability. On the other hand, if you are incorrect, the next item will be comparatively easy.

Easy items are the questions for the low-ability candidates appearing for the NCLEX-PN exam that are displayed on the screen one after the other when you are not answering correctly during CAT. On the contrary, difficult items appear on the computer screen during the test to be attempted by the high-ability candidates as they are answering the previous ones right along with maintaining a competency level above the passing standard.

The passing standard for the candidates is reevaluated every three years by the NCSBN BOD. Also, the passing or failing of the applicants appearing for the examination is determined based on the following three concepts:

• 95% Confidence Interval Rule
  In this scenario, the computer stops analyzing and presenting the questions after obtaining that the answers of the candidates are either evidently above or certainly below the passing standard, i.e., the candidate is 95% sure of either passing or failing the test. This is the most common concept applicable to the NCLEX aspirants.
• Maximum-length Exam
  If the candidate is close to the passing standard and does not fall in the category of 95% confidence rule, he/she is evaluated for the maximum number of questions attempted. This way, the pass or fail result of the aspirants depends on the ability estimate, which can be either above or below the passing standard.
• Run-out-of-time Rule (R.O.O.T.)
  In case the aspirant fails to attempt the maximum number of items and is not a part of the 95% confidence rule, the R.O.O.T. method is applied to determine the result. The candidate directly fails the NCLEX-PN exam if the attempt of the minimum number of questions is not attained. In another case, if the aspirant has attempted items somewhere between the minimum and maximum value, the last 60 questions of the candidate will be evaluated. If he/she is found to be above the passing standard, the applicant will be declared pass. Otherwise, the candidate will have to reappear for the examination to get the nursing license.

No. As the examination is based on CAT, you have to answer every question. However, if you do not answer correctly, then the next item is comparatively easy, increasing the chances to 50% of you doing it right. On the other hand, if you answer it right, the next one may be a bit difficult.

Yes, it is mandatory that your full name should be same on ATT and the identity proof you will be providing at the examination center. If not, you have to carry the original legal name-change documents on the spot, like a marriage license or divorce decree, having your first and last names written in Roman characters. For the change in email or address, you need to contact your respective BON/RB well in advance, as it is not possible to make the changes at the test center.

The ID proofs that will be accepted include any government-issued, non-expired identification having your signature, recent photograph, and name:

• Driver’s License
• Military Identification Card
• Passport
• Permanent Residence Card
• State Identification Card

If you fail to present a valid proof of identification at the exam center, you will not be allowed to appear for the NCLEX-PN test. Also, you will have to submit the exam fee again for reappearing in the future.

Once submitted, the registration fee is not returned under any circumstances. The aspirants are allowed to cancel or reschedule their test within the validation of ATT for 90 days. However, if you are unable to appear for the exam within the assigned days or you fail to cancel/reschedule your appointment before 24 hours of the examination, nothing can be done other than reappearing for it by registering once again.

Alternate questions or items are the questions in the NCLEX-PN test that are different from the general four-choice or multiple choice questions. Alternate items are either right or wrong and can be of various types:

• Multiple response items – These questions may have more than one correct response, which needs to be identified correctly by the candidate.
• Fill in the blanks items – The candidate has to fill in the correct answer in the blank after calculating it.
• Hot spot items – The items which have information presented in the form of a graphic or chart and are required to be solved accordingly.
• Ordered response items – Also known as drag-and-drop questions, these items demand the candidates pick the options and arrange them to display them in the right order.
• Audio items – In this format, the aspirant has to listen to the audio using headphones in order to provide the correct answer.

Your registered BOD/RB has the right to release the official result, which is generally sent to the candidates in a time frame of around 45 days.

The units of measurement used in the examination are the ones of the nursing profession and will be known to the aspirants appearing for the test. A mix of the international system of units (SI), metric and imperial measurement options are used in the exam.

A nurse, who has 6 months or less experience, is known as NCLEX entry-level nurse. However, as per the recent decision of the NCSBN, effective from April 1, 2017, an “Entry Level Nurse” is a nurse who has not more than 12 months of experience in the field.