As you click the Submit button in your NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN, the first thought that comes to your mind is relief, anxiety, hope, and second-guessing yourself. It takes a long time to wait till you have your official results.
Though there is no indication that is sure to make you pass, several successful nurses can attest to some of the common experiences that lead to success. Upon observing these signs, you can be calm throughout the waiting time.
Here are five reasons to hope you have passed the NCLEX exam--and some of the most effective methods of maintaining your composure in the meantime.
5.You Had Difficulty progressing in a Good Experience.
What this means:
The NCLEX involves Computerized Adaptive Testing(CAT). It will also increase and decrease the level of difficulty of questions depending on your performance.
Harder questions- correct answers only.
False responses - less difficult questions.
In case your question kept on increasing in level of difficulty, it is a good indicator that the system was responding to similar answers correctly.
What those who succeed in tests say:
Each question was even more difficult than the one before it.
I continued to see more questions of critical thinking and SATA.
Even when not knowing, I would be able to make two good decisions.
Nurseclex Tip:
This is the same logic of testing that is reflected in our adaptive CAT simulations. Training on Nurseclex will also ensure you know the healthy difficulty patterns prior to the actual exam, to ensure that the actual exam feels familiar and easy to handle.
4.Your Exam Between 75-145 (RN) or 85-150 (PN) Questions.
When your test is cut short before it can finish several students get panicked--although early cutoffs frequently signal that the algorithm had found 95% confidence of you passing the test.
The facts:
NCLEX-RN: 75-145 questions
NCLEX-PN: 85-150 questions
Approximately 85-90 percent of those that complete the minimum number of questions pass the test.
Why:
It is not the number of questions that determines the right or wrong. Your regularity of answers on the other side of the passing line does.
This is a very good sign especially when your exam was terminated before time and the questions were challenging.
You were composed and made Smart Test Strategies.
The NCLEX test does not only require one to pass because of knowledge but also because of mental control.
Positive mental signs:
You took the process of elimination.
Instead, you were calm on unfamiliar subjects.
You entertained Keyword and priority words (first, best, immediate).
You were patient with your gut feelings rather than debunking your responses to a second degree.
You used safety precautions such as ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
In case you were leaving with the thought of I used it all I knew, you can consider this preparation-based confidence.
Nurseclex Success Story:
The first time was a failure because I panicked. Following some Nurseclex strategy modules, I was calm, I believed in my plan and my score was 75 questions passed! - Jennifer M., RN
3.You Got Varying Question Forms (Including Advanced Freqs).
A good sign of good performance is the sight of other forms of questions especially the SATA (Select All That Apply).
High-level question types:
SATA (thinking critically, application)
Priority Steps (Actionordonance)
Hot Spot (visual recognition)
CHART/ EXHIBIT (data interpretation).
Audio/Video (clinical observation)
These are more frequent when the computer is assessing the higher levels of competency. When you had a number of those online in your test then you must have been operating at an above pass level.
2.Your Exam # Discussed a variety of NCLEX Content Areas.
NCLEX is created to assess in-depth nursing knowledge. Having a balanced combination of the topics would normally indicate that you met the criteria in all aspects.
NCLEX-RN categories:
Management of Care
Safety & Infection Control
Health Promotion & Maintenance.
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological Therapy and Parenteral Therapy.
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
These questions appear on multiple of these, particularly Basic Care and Parenteral Therapies, pharmacology, and prioritization, so this indicates there was uniform competency.
1.Other Positive Signs
You might also notice:
- You were left with time and was not in a hurry.
- You were familiar with situations in your Nurseclex practice sets.
- You were on track and you did not blank out in your mind.
- You went away exhausted--but not subdued.
These minor clues are to serene assurance and preparedness- main hints of a camel passing NCLEX attitude.
What to do when waiting to get the results.
- Avoid checking too often. Portals that show results quickly are seductive and refreshing, continuously will never help relieve stress.
- Don't compare. Each NCLEX exam is different- experience will not reflect your peers.
- Stay off anxiety forums. Get used to trusted materials such as Nurseclex.
- Practice self-service: sleeping, fluid balance, exercise, and healthy meals.
- Prepare both ways. It should have a second step plan; it could be to applaud or revisit.
The Moral of the Story: When Prepared, You Are Ready.
Assuming that your exam had more difficult questions, a cutoff early, mixed subjects, and relaxed and concentrated thought, it is highly likely that you passed.
Keep in mind that the NCLEX does not focus on perfection; it focuses on competent and safe nursing practice.
You do not have to have all the questions right. It only requires steady, secure decision-making.
Preparation with Confidence at Nurseclex.
At Nurseclex, it is our business to make you feel that confidence before the test with the tools that have proven to do so:
- Simulation of adaptive CAT - actual examination development.
- More than 1,000 NCLEX questions - RN and PN realistic questions and difficulties.
- Every type of question SATA, ordered response, hot spots, and multimedia.
- Coverage - includes Basic Care and Parenteral Therapies among all eight NCLEX categories.
- Test-taking guidelines - remain composed, think rationally, and make correct choices.
- Analytics dashboard - view your progress and areas of weakness.
- Elpine PN and RN teacher tutoring - practical advice by practical nurses.
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Share Your Experience
Took the NCLEX recently? Share your story:
How many questions that you get?
What signs did you notice?
What was your approach to the test anxiety?
Your contributions may assist the upcoming nurse in line waiting to get his or her results!
Related Reading
How to make the ideal NCLEX study time (Coming soon)
10 Best NCLEX custom passed test-taking tips (Out soon looks like someone took these notes home).
What to Do When You Fail the NCLEX: The Full Recovery Plan (Coming soon).
How to Understand NCLEX Scoring: What You Must know (Coming Soon).
About Nurseclex
Nurseclex offers nursing students to succeed in passing NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN on the first attempt. Through our adaptive learning system and highly qualified question banks, we have helped more than 10,000 nurses to succeed.
Nurseclex.com Start your NCLEX On-the-job today.
Disclaimer
These are indicators relying on shared experiences of people who take the test. They do not present a pass-fail situation. Your score is only proven by your results on your official state board.
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