How is the NCLEX exam scored?
The NCLEX employs a pass/fail system utilizing Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). This dynamic approach adjusts question difficulty based on your performance: correct answers lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect responses result in easier ones.
The exam length varies, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 145 questions. Depending on their performance, candidates may pass or fail at any point within this range.
Three key rules determine the exam’s conclusion:
- 95% Confidence Rule: The test ends if the computer is 95% certain of your competency level at the minimum question threshold.
- Maximum Length Rule: If your performance is borderline, the exam continues to the 145-question limit before determining your result.
- Time Limit Rule: The test concludes after five hours, and your result is based on all questions answered within that timeframe.
The NCLEX’s primary goal is to evaluate a candidate’s readiness for entry-level nursing practice. It uses a sophisticated ability estimate to determine if each test-taker meets the required passing standard, ensuring only qualified individuals enter the nursing profession.
What is the NCLEX passing score?
The NCLEX doesn’t use a traditional numerical passing score, making it unique among standardized tests. Instead, it employs a sophisticated logit-based system combined with Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). The passing standard is set at 0.00 logits, which doesn’t translate to a fixed percentage of correct answers.
As you take the exam, the computer continuously estimates your ability level, adjusting question difficulty based on your performance. You pass if your estimated ability consistently exceeds the 0.00 logit threshold with 95% confidence. This could happen after as few as 75 questions or as many as 145. At the end of the exam, you’ll simply receive a pass or fail result without any numerical score.
What Is “Partial Scoring?”
The NCLEX exam has significantly changed its scoring system, introducing a “partial credit scoring approach.” This method allows test-takers to earn points for partially correct answers, a departure from the previous all-or-nothing approach. The updated scoring system now incorporates three distinct rules:
- 0/1 Scoring: This traditional method awards one point for each correct response and zero for incorrect ones. The number of correct options available determines the maximum score per question.
- +/- Scoring: This innovative approach adds a point for correct selections but deducts a point for incorrect choices. However, the score for any question cannot fall below zero, protecting candidates from excessive penalties.
- Rationale Scoring: This method evaluates a candidate’s ability to identify cause-effect relationships. It awards one point for each pair of correctly connected answer options, testing a deeper understanding of nursing concepts.
How many NCLEX questions are there?
The NCLEX employs a variable-length format, meaning the number of questions can differ for each test-taker. Here’s a breakdown of the question structure:
- Minimum Questions: 75
- Maximum Questions: 145
The exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), which adjusts the difficulty and number of questions based on your performance. You may pass or fail at any point between 75 and 145 questions, depending on your demonstrated competency.
The test also includes 15 pretest questions that don’t count towards your score but are used to evaluate potential future exam items. These are mixed in with the scored questions; you won’t know which ones they are.
- Time Limit: 5 hours
While the number of questions varies, all test-takers have the same 5-hour time limit to complete the exam. This includes time for tutorials and breaks.
Am I supposed to reach the maximum number of NCLEX questions?
Reaching the maximum number of 145 questions on the NCLEX is not a goal or expectation for test-takers. The exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to assess your competency efficiently, meaning it can end with 75 to 145 questions. If you consistently perform well above or below the passing standard, your exam might conclude at least 75 questions.
Reaching the maximum often indicates that your performance is close to the passing threshold, requiring more questions for a definitive assessment. However, the number of questions you receive doesn’t correlate with passing or failing – some candidates pass at 145, while others fail.
How does the NCLEX use confidence intervals?
The NCLEX employs a sophisticated system called the calculated confidence interval rather than a simple numerical pass/fail score. Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) technology continues to present questions until it is statistically confident about your nursing competency.
The exam concludes, and you pass once the CAT system is 95% certain that your knowledge meets the required standard for nursing practice. Conversely, if the system becomes 95% confident that your knowledge falls below the required standard, the exam ends, and you fail.
Failing can occur in several ways:
- Not answering the minimum required 75 questions within the allotted time. Even if you answer the first 74 questions correctly, failing to reach question 75 results in automatic failure.
- Not demonstrating sufficient knowledge within the maximum 145 questions.
- Failing to answer enough questions correctly within the 5-hour time limit.
This adaptive system ensures a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate’s nursing knowledge and skills, adjusting to individual performance to determine readiness for professional practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions do you need to get right to pass the NCLEX?
There is no fixed number of correct answers needed to pass the NCLEX. The exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to assess overall competency, not a specific number of correct answers.
How many questions out of 85 to pass NCLEX?
There is no set number of questions out of 85 to pass. Depending on your demonstrated competency level, the NCLEX can consist of 75 to 145 questions.
How many out of 75 do you have to get right on NCLEX?
There is no specific number of correct answers out of 75 required to pass. The NCLEX assesses your overall performance and consistency in demonstrating nursing competency, not the number of correct answers.
What Score do You Need to Pass the NCLEX?
The NCLEX doesn’t use a traditional numerical score. Instead, it uses a logit scale with a passing standard of 0.00 logits. You pass if the computer determines with 95% confidence that your ability is above this standard.