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2013 NCLEX® Examination Candidate Bulletin
The NCLEX® candidate bulletin contains information for all registrations and scheduling of NCLEX appointments beginning January 1, 2013.Additional information is available at www.ncsbn.orgDo not discard before receiving your exam results.
Contact Information
Contact Pearson VUE for questions regarding:• RegisteringtotaketheNCLEX• Methodsofpayment• AuthorizationtoTest(ATT)Letter• LostATTLetter• Scheduling/reschedulinganexamappointment• Acceptableformsofidentification• Commentsaboutthetestcenter
Visit: NCLEXCandidatewebsite,http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex
Call: NCLEXCandidateServices(PearsonVUE)
United States–Callat(toll-free)1.866.49NCLEX(1.866.496.2539),Monday–Friday,7amto7pm,U.S.CentralTime.
Asia Pacific Region–CallNCLEXCandidateServicesinKualaLumpur,Malaysia,at(paynumber)+603.8314.9605,Monday–Friday,9:00amto6pm,localtimeforeachcountry.
Europe, Middle East, Africa–CallNCLEXCandidateServices,at(paynumber)+44.161.855.7445,Monday–Friday,09:00to18:00,CentralEuropeanTime.
India–CallNCLEXCandidateServicesat(paynumber)91.120.439.7837,Monday–Friday,9amto6pm,IT.
All other countries not listed above–Call(paynumber)1.952.905.7403,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: NCLEXExaminationProgramPearsonProfessionalTesting5601GreenValleyDriveBloomington,MN55437-1099DO NOT SEND 3rd Party Payments to the above address.
Email: [email protected]
Contact the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) for questions regarding:• NCLEXdevelopment• GeneralNCLEXinformation• Generalquestions/inquiriesrelatingtoexaminationadministration
Visit: NCSBNwebsite,http://www.ncsbn.org
Write: NationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing,Inc.ExaminationsDepartment111E.WackerDrive,Suite2900Chicago,Illinois60601-4277
Call Examinations Department:866.293.9600
Fax Examinations Department:312.279.1036
Email: [email protected]
Contact your board of nursing for questions regarding:• Licensure• Nameoraddresschanges• NamecorrectionsonyourATTletter• Endorsement
Write or call your board of nursing.LinkstoallboardsofnursingwebsitesandcontactinformationisavailableontheNCSBNwebsite:www.ncsbn.org;clickonthelinktitledBoards of Nursing.
Examination results are sent to you by your board of nursing.Waitaminimumoffourweeksfollowingyourexaminationforyourresultstoarriveinthemail.
Join NCLEX on Facebook and Twitter!
Table of ContentsAbout NCLEX .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
ProgramOverview................................................................................................................................................................................................................1Registering for the Exam ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
RegistrationProcessOverview...........................................................................................................................................................................................2TestFeesandPolicies..........................................................................................................................................................................................................2HowtoRegister.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
InternetRegistration.....................................................................................................................................................................................................3U.S.Mail.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................3Telephone.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Third-PartyPayment(WorkforceException)....................................................................................................................................................................4TestingAccommodations.....................................................................................................................................................................................................4
Scheduling Your Exam .................................................................................................................................................................... 5AuthorizationtoTest(ATT)...................................................................................................................................................................................................5YourExamAppointment.......................................................................................................................................................................................................5DomesticScheduling............................................................................................................................................................................................................5InternationalScheduling......................................................................................................................................................................................................6GroupScheduling..................................................................................................................................................................................................................6ChangingyourAppointment................................................................................................................................................................................................6
What to Bring to the Test Site ........................................................................................................................................................ 7PersonalIdentificationRequirements...............................................................................................................................................................................7IdentificationfromaU.S.Sanctioned(Embargoed)Country.........................................................................................................................................7
Test Site Rules and Regulations .................................................................................................................................................... 8GroundsforDismissalandCancellationofResults.........................................................................................................................................................9Confidentiality........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9TestSecurity...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9InvalidResults......................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
The Day of the Exam .................................................................................................................................................................... 10Check-InProcess................................................................................................................................................................................................................10Breaks...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10Technicalissues..................................................................................................................................................................................................................11TestingEnvironment............................................................................................................................................................................................................11WhentheExamisFinished................................................................................................................................................................................................11ResultsReporting................................................................................................................................................................................................................11CandidatePerformanceReport........................................................................................................................................................................................11RetakePolicy........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11SubmittingCommentsandFurtherQuestions................................................................................................................................................................12
NCLEX Content, Test Development and Test Plans .................................................................................................................... 12ExamContent.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................12DevelopingtheNCLEX........................................................................................................................................................................................................12Definitions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................12NCLEXTestPlans................................................................................................................................................................................................................12ObtainingtheDetailedNCLEXTestPlan.........................................................................................................................................................................12ClientNeedsCategoriesCoveredontheNCLEXExaminations..................................................................................................................................13
NCLEX Psychometrics .................................................................................................................................................................. 13ComputerizedAdaptiveTesting(CAT)..............................................................................................................................................................................13PretestItems........................................................................................................................................................................................................................14NCLEXPassorFailDecisionRules..................................................................................................................................................................................14AlternateItemFormats.......................................................................................................................................................................................................14ThePassingStandard.........................................................................................................................................................................................................15SimilarItems.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................15Guessing...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................15
ABOUT NCLEX
PROGRAM OVERVIEWInApril1994,nurselicensurecandidatesbegantakingtheNationalCouncilLicensureExamination(NCLEX®)oncomputersattestcenterslocatedacrosstheUnitedStates(U.S.)andselectinternationalsites.Thechangetocomputerizedadaptivetesting(CAT)forthenurselicensureexaminationcameaboutasaresultofadecisionmadeinAugust1991bytheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing(NCSBN®).TheNCLEXisonlyprovidedintheCATformat.
TheNCLEXisgivenonacomputer.Youarenotexpectedtoknowhowtouseacomputerbeforeyoutaketheexamination.Therewillbeatutorialatthebeginningoftheexaminationthatwillinstructyouontheuseofthemouseandhowtorecordananswer.Anon-screencalculatorwillbeavailableduringtheexamination.ThemajorityofNCLEXitemsaremultiple-choicebutthereareotherformatsaswell.All item types are scored as either right or wrong. There is no “partial credit.”
TheNCLEXisdesignedtotestknowledge,skillsandabilitiesessentialtothesafeandeffectivepracticeofnursingattheentrylevel.BoththeNCLEX-RN®andtheNCLEX-PN®arevariablelength,computerized,adaptivetests.TheNCLEXisnotofferedinpaper-and-pencilororalexaminationformats.
TheNCLEX-RN examinationcanbeanywherefrom75to265items.Oftheseitems,15arepretestitemsthatarenotscored.Regardlessofthenumberofitemsadministered,thetimelimitforthisexaminationissixhours.
TheNCLEX-PNexaminationcanbeanywherefrom85to205items.Oftheseitems,25arepretestitemsthatarenotscored.Thetimelimitforthisexaminationisfivehours.
Itisimportanttonotethatthetimeallottedfortheexaminationincludesthetutorial,thesampleitems,allbreaks(restroom,stretching,etc.)andtheexamination.Allbreaksareoptional.NCLEXresultsareanimportantcomponentusedbyboardsofnursingtomakedecisionsaboutlicensure.Only boards of nursing can release NCLEX results to candidates.
1
REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM
REGISTRATION PROCESS OVERVIEW1. Submitanapplicationforlicensuretotheboardofnursingwhereyouwishtobelicensed.2. Meetalloftheboardofnursing’seligibilityrequirementstotaketheNCLEX.3. RegisterfortheNCLEXwithPearsonVUE.4. ReceiveAcknowledgementofReceiptofRegistrationfromPearsonVUE.5. TheBoardofNursingmakesyoueligibleinthePearsonVUEsystem.6. ReceiveAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)letterfromPearsonVUE.7. ScheduleyourexamwithPearsonVUE.
IfyouchoosetoprovideanemailaddressatthetimeofregisteringfortheNCLEX(whetherbymail,telephoneorviatheInternet),pleasenote thatallcorrespondencefromPearsonVUEwillarriveonlybyemail. Ifyoudonotprovideanemailaddresswhenyouregister,correspondencefromPearsonVUEwillarriveonlythroughU.S.mail.
Ifmore than twoweeks have passed since you have submitted a registration for theNCLEX and received acknowledgement fromPearsonVUE,andyouhavenotreceivedanATTletter,pleasecallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesattheappropriatenumberlistedontheinsidefrontcover.
Note:Foreducationalprogramcodeinformation,pleasereferencethePearsonVUEwebsiteatwww.pearsonvue.com/nclex.Ifthecodeforyourprogramisnotlisted,pleasecontactyourboardofnursing.
TEST FEES AND POLICIESFeeThefeefortakingtheNCLEXis$200.Youwillalsohavetopayotherlicensurefeesrequiredbytheboardofnursinginthejurisdictioninwhichyouareapplying(contactyourboardofnursingforinformationaboutlicensurefees).IfyouchoosetoscheduleyourNCLEXatatestcenteroutsideoftheU.S.*,youwillhavetopayanadditionalinternationalschedulingfeeof$150,andwhereapplicable,aValueAddedTax(VAT).Thesefeeswillbechargedwhenyouscheduleyourexaminationappointment.
After registering, candidateswhowant to change the board of nursingwhere licensurewas requestedor the typeof examinationrequested(RN/PN)willberequiredtopaya$50changefee.PleasecallPearsonVUEattheappropriatenumberlistedontheinsidefrontcovertorequestachangeandpaythe$50fee.Changes to the board of nursing or type of examination cannot be made after receiving eligibility from the board of nursing. *U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
No Refunds There will be no refund of registration fees (mail, telephone, or via the Internet) for any reason, including, but not limited to:
•DuplicateRegistrations•Failuretorescheduleand/orcancelyourexamappointmentoutsideof24businesshours•Failuretoappearforyourappointment
Do not submit another registration and fee before calling.Ifyoudecidetosubmitanadditionalregistration,firststoppaymentontheoriginalpayment,verifythestop-paymentwasprocessed,thencontactPearsonVUEattheappropriatenumberlistedontheinsidecoverofthisbulletin.
Additionally,therewillbenorefundofthe$150internationalschedulingfeeorVATforanyreason.
Failure to Pay AcandidatemaynottaketheNCLEXiftheregistrationfeehasbeenstoppedeitherbythecandidateorafinancialinstitution.Ifpaymentisstoppedafter thecandidate takes theexamination,NCSBNand theboardsofnursingreserve theright toholdand/orcancel thecandidate’sresult.
Registration Time LimitAllNCLEXregistrationswillremainopenfora365-daytimeperiodduringwhichaboardofnursingcandetermineacandidate’seligibility.Thistimeperiodbeginswhentheboardofnursingreceivesthecandidate’sregistrationfromthetestservice.Onceacandidateismadeeligible,heorshemusttestwithinthevaliditydatesprintedontheATTLetter.
Candidateswhoarenotmadeeligibleoraredeniedeligibilitybytheirboardofnursingwithinthe365-daytimeperiodwillforfeittheirregistration,includingtheregistrationfee.CandidateswhowishtotakeanNCLEXwillneedtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfee.Youmustwaituntilyourcurrentregistrationexpiresbeforereregistering.AcandidatemaynothavetwoNCLEXregistrations(ofthesameexamtype)openatthesametime.
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HOW TO REGISTER1. Submit an application for licensure to the board of nursing where you wish to be licensed. Be sure to meet that board of
nursing’s application deadline.
2. Register for the NCLEX using one of the following methods:
INTERNET REGISTRATIONVisittheNCLEXCandidatewebsite(www.pearsonvue.com/nclex)andselectoneofthefollowingregistrationoptions:
1. Paying by credit card:•Youcanpayforyourregistrationbycreditordebitcard,usingoneofthefollowing:VISA,MasterCardorAmericanExpress.Haveyourcreditcardreadywhenyoubeginyourregistration.
2. Paying by certified check, cashier’s check or money order:•Uponcompletionofregistration,followdirectionstoprinttheconfirmationdocument.
•Mailtheconfirmationdocumentandacertifiedcheck,cashier’scheckormoneyorder(madepayabletotheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing)for$200inU.S.currencydrawnonabankintheU.S.to:NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul, MN 55164-0950.Personalchecks,cash,foreigncurrency,stamps,receiptsorproofsofpaymentwillnotbeaccepted.
•Forthird-partypaymentsfromnursingschools,agenciesoremployers,pleasefollowthedirectionsonpage4.
U.S. MAIL REGISTRATIONObtainaregistrationscanformbycontactingyourboardofnursing(nophotocopiesareaccepted).
Youmustencloseacertifiedcheck,cashier’scheckormoneyorder (made payable to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing) for$200inU.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;signatureconfirmationofdeliveryisnotavailable.•Donotsendthird-partypaymentsfromyourschool,agencyoremployertothisaddress.
NOTE: Registrationsthatarenotproperlycompletedand/orarenotaccompaniedbytheproperpaymentwillbereturnedtoyouandwilldelayyourtesting.
TELEPHONE REGISTRATIONCallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatoneofthenumberslistedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletin.
•YoucanpayusingavalidVISA,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscreditordebitcard.
•Haveyourcreditcardreadywhenyoumakeyourtelephonecall.Youmustprovidethenameshownonthecreditcard,thecreditcardnumberandtheexpirationdate.
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THIRD-PARTY PAYMENTS (Workforce Exception)Nursingschools,agenciesoremployersmayregisterandadministrativelypayfortheNCLEXonbehalfofthecandidate.ThisisconsideredaWorkforce Exception.
Please follow the instructions below:1.Visitwww.pearsonvue.com/nclexandcompletearegistrationusingthe‘onlinecertifiedcheck/cashierscheck/moneyorderpaymentregistrationoption.’At the end of the registration, make sure to print the confirmation document.
2.Write‘WorkforceException’inthememolineofthecheck(madepayabletoNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing)andmailboththeNCLEXregistrationconfirmationdocumentandpaymentto:
NCLEX Workforce Program PearsonVUE5601GreenValleyDrive,Room220Bloomington,MN55437
Theonlinecertifiedcheck/cashier’scheck/moneyorderregistrationoptioncanbeusedforschools,agenciesoremployersthatarepayingformultiplecandidateregistrationsatatime;paymentmustbeaccompaniedbyanindividualconfirmationdocumentforeachcandidatebeingprovidedfor.
Ifyouareunabletoregisterusingthe‘onlinecertifiedcheck/cashierscheck/moneyorderpaymentregistration’option,youmayrequestahardcopyoftheregistrationformfromyourboardofnursingandmailthecompletedforminwiththethird-partypaymenttothemailingaddressabove.Do not use the envelope provided with the registration form when sending this type of payment.
NOTE: NCSBNandPearsonVUEhaveestablishedspecificguidelines for thisprovision (WorkforceException). Failure to follow theguidelineswillresultintherejectionand/orasignificantdelayofyourregistration.
TESTING ACCOMMODATIONSTestingaccommodationsforotherwisequalifiedcandidatescanbeprovidedonlywiththeauthorizationofyourboardofnursing.
•Requestinformationfromyourboardofnursingconcerningitsrequirementsforreceivingtestingaccommodations.ThisshouldbedonebeforesubmittingyourNCLEXregistration.
•Makeawrittenrequestforaccommodationstoyourboardofnursing.Yourrequestmustcomplywithrequirementsestablishedbyyourboardofnursingforcandidatesrequestingtestingaccommodations.
•Sendyourrequesttoyourboardofnursingasearlyaspossiblesothat,ifapproved,thetestingaccommodationscanbemadeinatimelymanner.
NOTE: DonotscheduleanappointmenttotaketheNCLEXuntilyouhavereceivedwrittenconfirmationofyouraccommodationsandyourATTletterindicating“AccommodationsGranted.”
Candidates approved for testingwith accommodationsmust schedule their testing appointment through theNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinatorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatthetelephonenumberlistedontheirATTletterandaskingfortheNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinator.Candidateswithaccommodationsmaynottestaswalk-insandcannotcanceltheiraccommodationsatthetimeoftheirappointment.
NOTE: CandidateswhoseektotestwithaccommodationscannotscheduletheirappointmentsthroughtheNCLEXCandidatewebsite.
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SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM
AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT)Afteryourboardofnursingdeclaresyoueligible,youwillreceiveyourATTLetter.
Note: YoumusthaveyourATTlettertoscheduleanappointmenttotaketheNCLEXandyoumustpresentaprintedcopyofyourATTletteratthetestcenteronthedayofyourexaminationtobeadmitted.ElectronicversionsoftheATTletterwillnotbeacceptedforadmittance.IfyoureceivedyourATTletterviaemail,youmustprinttheattachmentandbringitwithyouonthedayofyourexam.YouwillnotbeadmittedtotheexaminationwithoutyourATTletterandwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytotaketheexamination.
•TheATTlettercontainsyourauthorizationnumber,candidateidentificationnumberandanexpirationdate.•TheATTletterisvalidforaperiodoftimespecifiedbytheboardofnursing(variesfrom60daysto365days;however,theaveragelengthofanATTis90days).
•OncetheboardofnursingdeclaresyoueligibletotestandyourATTletterisissued,youmusttestwithinthevaliditydatesofyourATTletter.
•The ATT validity dates cannot be extended for any reason. If you do not test within these dates you will have to reregister and repay the examination fee.
YOUR EXAM APPOINTMENTTestcentersmayfillupquicklybecauseofhighvolumesandpreviouslyscheduledspecialevents.Waitingtocalltoscheduleyourtestingappointmentmaysignificantlylimittheselectionofdatesfromwhichyoucanchoosetoschedule.Additionally,ifyouwaituntilyourATTletterisclosetoexpiring,PearsonProfessionalCenters(PPCs)maynotbeabletoseatyoupriortoitsexpiration.Ifthisoccurs,youwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytotaketheexamination.
First-timetesttakerswillbeofferedanappointmentwithin30daysofthecall,oronlineattempt,toscheduleanappointment;repeatcandidateswillbeofferedanappointmentwithin45days.Ifyouwish,youmaydeclinetheappointmentofferedandschedulelaterthanthe30or45days.
Ifyoufailtoarriveforyourexaminationappointmentorfailtoreschedule/unschedulewithoutgivingtheappropriatenotice(asoutlinedonpage6),youwillforfeityourexaminationfee(andschedulingfeeifapplicable)andyourATTletterwillbeinvalidated.Youwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfeeof$200.Yourfailuretotaketheexaminationwillbereflectedinyourregistrationasanincidentreportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.
PearsonVUEwillnotbeheldresponsibleforexpensesincurredbeyondthecostoftheexam,includingbutnotlimitedtotravelexpensesandlostwagesonthedayoftheexam.
DOMESTIC SCHEDULING
YoumaytaketheexaminationatanyNCLEXapprovedPPC.YoucanfindPPClocationsandaddressesontheNCLEXCandidatewebsitewww.pearsonvue.com/nclex.
ExaminationappointmentsattestcentersintheU.S.,AmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslandsortheU.S.VirginIslandscanbescheduledthroughtheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatoneofthetelephonenumberslistedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletin.
•IfyouareusingtheNCLEX Candidate websitetoschedule,youwillbeaskedtosupplyyouruserIDandpassword,whichisprovidedonyourAcknowledgementofReceiptofNCLEXExaminationRegistrationletter.YoualsowillbeaskedyourpreferencefordateandtimeoftestingatthePPCofyourchoice.
•Ifyouscheduleviathetelephone,youwillbeaskedtosupplyyournameandyourATTnumber,alongwithotherinformationtoverifyyouridentity.YoualsowillbeaskedyourpreferencefordateandtimeoftestingatthePPCofyourchoice.
•Ifyourfirst-choicedateortimeisunavailable,youwillbeofferedanalternativeasclosetoyourfirstchoiceaspossible.
•AConfirmation of AppointmentwillbesenttoyoufromPearsonVUEwhichwillcontainthedate,timeandlocationofyourappointmentalongwithdirectionstothePPC.Verifythatalltheinformationiscorrect.Callorgoonlinetocheckthatyourappointmenthasbeenscheduledorrescheduledifyoudonotreceiveaconfirmation.ContactPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesimmediatelyatoneofthenumberslistedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletintocorrectanyerrorstoyourappointment.
5
INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULING
Ifyouchoose toscheduleyourexaminationata testcenteroutsideof theU.S.*,youwillbechargedanadditional,non-refundableschedulingfeeof$150.Ifapplicable,aValueAddedTax(VAT)mayalsobechargedforthisexamination.
Please be aware that once you have an appointment at a test center outside of the U.S.*, if you decide to reschedule to a test center in the U.S., you will not receive a refund for the $150 scheduling fee.
PleasealsobeawarethatthelistofavailabletestcentersoutsideoftheU.S.issubjecttochangewithoutpriornotice.Youwillbenotifiedintheeventthatthetestcenteratwhichyouarescheduledtotakeyourexaminationbecomesunavailable.Youmayrescheduletheexaminationatanotheravailabletestcenter.If,underthesecircumstances,youchoosetorescheduletheexaminationatatestcenterintheU.S.,your$150schedulingfeewillberefunded.
You can only schedule an appointment for test centers outside of the U.S.* by telephone through the Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services. Walk-ins will not be accepted at test centers outside of the U.S.
*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslandsandtheU.S.VirginIslands.
CHANGING YOUR APPOINTMENT
Ifyouneedtochangeyourappointmentdate,timeorlocation,youmaygototheNCLEXCandidatewebsite(www.pearsonvue.com/nclex)orcallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesone full business day (24 hours) before the scheduled exam date and timeasdescribedbelow:
ForexaminationsscheduledonTuesday,Wednesday,ThursdayorFriday,callatleast24hourspriortothedayandtimeofyourappointment,localstandardtime.
ForexaminationsscheduledonSaturday,SundayorMonday,callnolaterthanFridayatleast24hoursinadvanceofyourappointmenttime,localstandardtime.
CandidateswithappointmentsattestcentersoutsideoftheU.S.*mustcallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicestochangetheirappointment.CandidateswhohaveappointmentsatatestcenteroutsidetheU.S.mayrescheduletoanothertestcenteroutsidetheU.S.withoutforfeitingtheir$150schedulingfee.IfyouchoosetorescheduleyourexaminationtoatestcenterwithintheU.S.*,youwillforfeityour$150fee.
IfyouhaveanappointmentatoneofthetestcentersintheU.S.*andchoosetorescheduletoatestcenteroutsidetheU.S.,youwillbechargedanon-refundable$150schedulingfeeandanyapplicableValueAddedTax(VAT).
If youareacandidate receiving testingaccommodations,ask for theNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinator inorder tochangeyourappointment.
NOTE: Leavingamessageonanansweringmachinedoesnotconstitutegivingtherequirednoticeforreschedulingorunschedulingyourexamappointment.YoumusteitherrescheduleorunscheduleyourappointmentontheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteorbyspeakingwithanagentatPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesandreceiveaconfirmationofunscheduled/rescheduledappointmentletter.
*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
6
7
WHAT TO BRING TO THE TEST SITE
• Your Printed ATT Letter• Acceptable Identification
Whenyouarriveatthetestcenter,youwillberequiredtopresentoneformofacceptableidentificationandyourvalid,printedATTletter.IfyoureceivedyourATTletterviaemail,youmustprinttheattachmentandbringitwithyouonthedayofyourexam.Ifyouarrivewithoutthesematerials,youwillbeturnedawayandwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfeeof$200.Ifyoupaidtheadditionalinternationalschedulingfeeof$150,thatwillbeforfeitedaswell.
Only the identifications listed below will be accepted. Becauseof the importanceof theNCLEX,severalsecuritymeasureswillbeenforcedduringtheadministrationoftheexamination.Strictcandidateidentificationrequirementshavebeenestablished.
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTSTheonlyacceptableformsofidentificationfortestcentersintheU.S.*are:
•U.S.driver’slicense(DepartmentofMotorVehicle-issued)(ifexpired,arenewalslipthatcontainsaphotographandasignaturemustbepresentedinordertobeadmitted)
•U.S.stateidentification(DepartmentofMotorVehicle-issued)
•Passport
•U.S.MilitaryIdentification
TheonlyidentificationacceptablefortestcentersoutsideoftheU.S.*is:
•Passport
Allidentificationmustbevalidandnotexpiredwithsignatureandphotograph.All identification listed above must be in English and signed in English.
Driver’s/learner’spermits,temporaryidentification(examplesincludelimitedtermIDsandanyIDreading“temp”or“temporary”)andpassportcardsare not acceptedforadmittancetotheNCLEX.
IDENTIFICATION FROM A U.S. SANCTIONED (EMBARGOED) COUNTRYDuetoU.S.traderestrictions,candidateswhoindicatethattheyliveinasanctionedcountryareunabletobeadmittedtositfortheNCLEX.This isafederalrequirementbyTheOfficeofForeignAssetsControl(OFAC)oftheU.S.DepartmentofTreasury.Fora listofcountriesontheU.S.economicandtradesanctionslistvisitwww.ncsbn.org/1221.htm.
Testing at a Domestic PPC
InordertobeadmittedtotheNCLEX,candidateswhoaretestingataPearsonProfessionalCenter(PPC)withintheU.S.*andholdapassportfromasanctionedcountry,mustpresentoneofthefollowing:
•PassportfromthesanctionedcountrywiththeImmigrationandNaturalizationService(INS)stamp(temporaryI-1551),(en-dorsementbyINSinapassporttoshowadmissionforpermanentresidence)
•PassportfromthesanctionedcountryalongwithaU.S.PermanentResidenceCard(GreenCard)
•U.S.driver’slicense/U.S.stateidentification(DepartmentofMotorVehicle-issued)
Testing at an International PPC
InordertobeadmittedtotheNCLEX,candidateswhoaretestingataninternationalPPCandholdapassportfromasanctionedcountrymustalsopresentproofofresidency(governmentissuedidentification)fromanon-sanctionedcountry.Thisonlyappliestocandidatespresentingapassportfromasanctionedcountry.Candidatestestinginternationallywhoresideinanon-sanctionedcountrycanonlypresentapassportasaformofidentification.
Pleasevisitwww.ncsbn.org/1221.htmforthemostup-to-dateinformationontheU.S.SanctionedCountriesIdentificationPolicy.*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
8
Your NameThefirstandlastnameprintedonyouridentificationmustmatchexactlythefirstandlastnameprintedonyourATTletter.Ifthenamewithwhichyouhaveregisteredisdifferentfromthenameonyouridentification,youmustbringlegalnamechangedocumentationwithyoutothetestcenteronthedayofyourtest.Theonlyacceptableformsoflegaldocumentationare:amarriagelicense,divorcedecreeand/oracourtactionlegalnamechangedocument.AlldocumentsmustbeinEnglishandmustbetheoriginaldocuments.Candidateswishingtomakeanamechange,addresschangeoremailaddresschangemustcontacttheirboardofnursing.Thiscannotbedoneatthetestcenter.IfthenameonyouridentificationandATTletterdonotmatch,youwillbeturnedawayandwillhavetoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfee.*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
TEST SITE RULES AND REGULATIONSToensurethatallcandidates’NCLEXresultsareearnedundercomparableconditionsandrepresentfairandaccuratemeasurement,itisnecessarytomaintainastandardizedtestingenvironment.Thefollowingregulationsaredesignedtohelpensuresuchanenvironment.
BelowyouwillfindtheNCLEXcandidaterules.Pleasenotethatifyoudonotfollowtherulesortheinstructionsofthetestadministrator(TA),yourexaminationresultmaybewithheldorcancelled,yourexaminationfeemaynotberefundedandNCSBNandyourlicensingboardmaytakeotheraction,uptoandincludinglicenserevocationandcriminalprosecution.
Examplesofprohibited,irregularbehaviorinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:•Cell/mobile/smartphones,pagersorotherelectronicdevicesmaynotbeaccessedatallduringyourexaminationappointment(including breaks).Candidateswhorefusetostoretheircell/mobile/smartphones,pagersorotherelectronicdevicesinthePearsonVUEprovidedplasticbaguponcheck-inwillnotbeallowedtotest.Theywillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfeeof$200foranyadditionalNCLEXappointments.
•Toensureahighlevelofsecurityyouwillbemonitoredatalltimes.Bothaudioandvideowillberecorded.•Youmaynotbringoraccessanyeducational,testpreparationorstudymaterialstothetestingcenteratanytimeduringyourexamination.
•Youmaynotseekhelpfromanyotherpartyinansweringitems(inperson,byphone,textorbyemail)duringyourexamination(includingbreaks).
•Youmaynotdiscloseordiscusswithanyone,includinginstructors,informationabouttheitemsoranswersseeninyourexamination(thisincludespostingordiscussingquestionsontheInternetandsocialmediawebsites).
•Youmaynottaketheexaminationforsomebodyelse.•Youmaynottamperwiththecomputeroruseitforanyfunctionotherthantakingtheexamination.•Youmaynotengageindisruptivebehavioratanytimewhileinthetestcenter.•Personalitemsarenot allowedinthetestingroomandinsomecases,notallowedinthetestingcenterduringyourexamination(includingbreaks).Personalitemsnotallowedinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
nCellular/mobile/smartphones/PDA nCamerasofanykind nLipBalmnAnyelectronicdevices nCoats/Hats/Scarves/Gloves nPagers/Hand-heldcomputersnBags/Purses/Wallets nFoodorDrink nWatchesnBooks/StudyMaterials nGum/Candy nWeaponsofanykindnMedicalaids/devices
•Allpersonalitemsmustbestoredinyourlocker.Note:certainpersonalitemsmaybeaccessedduringbreaks,likemedications,medicalaids/devicesorfood/beverages.
•PearsonProfessionalCentersarenotresponsibleforlost,stolenormisplacedpersonalitems.•TheTAwillprovideyouwithanerasablenoteboardandmarkerbeforeyouenterthetestingroom.•Youmaynotwriteonthenoteboarduntilafterthetutorialiscomplete.Anywritingbeforeorduringthetutorialisconsidered“braindumping”andwillresultinanincidentreport,andresultsbeingplacedonhold.
•Acleannoteboardcanberequestedduringyourexaminationbyraising your hand.TheerasablenoteboardandmarkermaynotberemovedfromthetestingroomduringtheexaminationexceptbytheTA,andtheseitemsmustbereturnedtotheTAaftertheexamination.
•Writingonanymaterialsotherthanthenoteboardisconsidered“braindumping”andwillresultinanincidentreportandresultswillbeplacedonhold.
•Youwillbegiventheopportunitytotakea`scheduled’breakafterapproximatelytwohours,andagainafterapproximatelythreeandahalfhoursofexaminationtestingtime.Instructionswillappearonyourcomputerscreenattheappropriatetimes.
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•Torequestabreak,ortoexitthetestingroomforanyotherreason,raise your handfortheTAandwaittobeescortedoutofthetestingroom.Apalmveinscanwillbetakenwhenyouleave,andagainwhenyoure-enterthetestingroom.TheTAwillresumetheexamforyouuponyourreturn.Theexamclockwillnotstopwhileyouareonascheduledorunscheduledbreak.
•Ifyouexperiencehardwareorsoftwareproblemsduringtheexamination,notifytheTAimmediatelybyraising your hand.•EarplugsareavailablefromtheTAuponrequest;itisnotacceptabletobringyourownearplugs.•Examdataisencryptedandtransferredelectronicallytoyourlicensingboard.PleaserefrainfromaskingtheTAaboutexamcontentand/orresults.Ifyouhavequestionsabouttheexamination,pleasecontactNCSBN.
•NCSBNmaycancelorwithholdyourresultsifthereisabasistoquestionthevalidityoftheresultsforanyreason,notwithstandingthelackofanyevidenceofyourpersonalinvolvementinirregularactivitiesand/orforyourfailuretoadheretotheConfidentialityAgreement.Evidenceofinvalidresultsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,unusualresponsepatterns,unusualscoreincreasesfromoneexamtoanother,failuretoobeyexamadministrationrules,orobservedirregularbehavior.
•NCSBNreservestherighttocancelorwithholdanytestresultswhen,initsjudgment,atestingirregularityoccurs;thereisanapparentdiscrepancyin,orfalsificationof,atest-taker’sidentification;atest-takerengagesinmisconduct,orirregularbehavior,orviolatesNCLEX®ExaminationCandidateRules.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR CANCELLATION OF RESULTSAcandidatewhoviolatesthetestcenterregulationsorrules,orengagesinirregularbehavior,misconductand/ordoesnotfollowtheTA’swarning todiscontinue inappropriatebehaviormaybedismissed from the testcenterand theirexam feewill notbe refunded.Additionally,yourexamresultmaybewithheldorcancelledandyourlicensingboardmaytakeotherdisciplinaryactionsuchasdenialofalicenseand/ordisqualifyingyoufromfutureregistrationsforlicensure.Behaviorsthatareconsideredtoconstituteirregularbehaviorormisconductincludebutarenotlimitedto:
•Givingorreceivingassistanceofanykind.•Using,accessing,orattemptingtoaccessanyprohibitedaids.Prohibitedaidsareanydevicesormaterialsthatwillbehelp-fulintakingtheNCLEX.Examplesofaidsthatareprohibitedareelectronicdevices(e.g.cell/mobilephones,PDAs,handheldcomputers,etc.),handheldcalculators,conversiontables,dictionaries,etc.
•Attemptingtotaketheexaminationforsomeoneelse.•BringinganyNCLEXstudyaids(textbooks,notebooks,classroomnotes,etc.)tothetestingcenteroraccessingorattemptingtoaccesssuchstudymaterialsatanytimeafterthestartoftheexaminationadministration,includingbreaktimes.
•Failingtofollowtestingregulationsortheinstructionsofthetestadministrator.•Creatingadisturbanceofanykind.•Copying,reconstructingorremovingexaminationitemsand/orresponses(inanyformat)ornotesabouttheexaminationfromthetestingroomorattemptingtodothesame.
•Tamperingwiththeoperationofthecomputerorattemptingtouseitforanyfunctionotherthantakingtheexamination.
CONFIDENTIALITYCandidates should be aware and understand that the disclosure of examination items before, during, or after the examination is aviolationoflaw.Violationsofconfidentialityand/orcandidates’rulescanresultincriminalprosecutionorcivilliabilityand/ordisciplinaryactionsbythelicensingagencyincludingthedenialoflicensure.Ifyouareawareof,orhaveobservedanattempttocompromisetheNCLEXprocess,pleasereportittotheNCLEXTestSecuritygroup.Candidatesmayreportanysuspiciousbehaviorinthefollowingways:
CallPearsonVUEat1.866.496.2539,emailPearsonVUEatpvtestsecurity@pearsonvue.comorgotowww.pearsonvue.com/contact/securityandcompletetheform.
TEST SECURITYNCSBNstrives to report results thataccurately reflect theabilityofeach test taker.Accordingly,ourstandardsandprocedures foradministeringexamshavetworelatedgoals:givingtest-takerscomparableopportunitiestodemonstratetheirabilitiesandpreventingany test-takers fromgaininganunfair advantageover others. Topromote theseobjectives,NCSBN reserves the right to cancel orwithholdanytestresultswhen,initsjudgment,atestingirregularityoccurs;thereisanapparentdiscrepancyin,orfalsificationof,atest-taker’sidentification;atest-takerengagesinmisconduct,irregularbehavior,violatesthecandidaterulesorotherwisebreacheshis/herConfidentialityAgreement;ortheresultsarebelievedtobeinvalidforanyotherreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidate’spersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.
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INVALID RESULTS
NCSBNmaycancelorwithholdacandidate’sresultsif,inNCSBN’sjudgment,thereisabasistoquestionthevalidityoftheresultsforanyreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidate’spersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.Evidenceofinvalidresultsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedtounusualanswerpatternsorunusualscoreincreasesfromoneexamtoanother.Ifacandidate’sresult is cancelledor invalidatedwithout a finding that thecandidateengaged in irregular behavior, thecandidatemayappeal thedecisionand/orwillbeofferedafreeretest.Anappealisthecandidate’sexclusivemeansofredresswithregardtoNCSBN’sdecisiontotakethisaction.
THE DAY OF THE EXAMThestaffmembersat eachPPC followdesignatedprocedures toensure that theoperationof the test centermeetsNCSBNcriteria forstandardizedtesting.ThefollowingareproceduresthatwillbeadheredtowhenyouarriveatthePPCforyourNCLEXappointment.
CHECK-IN PROCESSPlantoarriveatthePPCatleast30minutesbeforeyourscheduledtestingtime.Ifyouarrivemorethan30minutesafteryourscheduledappointment, youmaybe required to forfeit yourNCLEXappointment. Your failure to take theexaminationwill be reflected in yourregistrationasanincidentreportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.
•YouwillberequiredtopresentyourprintedATTletterandavalidacceptableID.•Youwillbeaskedtoprovideyourdigitalsignature,apalmveinscan,andyouwillhaveyourfingerprintandphotographtaken.Hats,scarvesandcoatsmaynotbeworninthetestingroomorwhileyourphotographisbeingtaken.
•Friends,relativesorchildrenwhoaccompanyyoutothetestcenterarenotallowedtowaitinthetestcenterwhileyoutaketheexamination.
•Youwillberequiredtoleaveyourpersonalbelongingsoutsidethetestingroom.Securestoragewillbeprovided,however,candidatesarenotallowedtoaccessanyoftheprohibitedpersonalitemsatanytimeduringtheexam,includingbreaks.Youwillbeaskedtoremoveanylargejewelryorotheraccessoriesbeforeenteringthetestingroom.Storagespaceissmall,socandidatesshouldplanappropriately.PPCsassumenoresponsibilityforcandidates’personalbelongings.
•TheTAwillgiveyouashortorientationandthenwillescortyoutoacomputerterminal.Youmustremaininyourseatduringtheexamination,exceptwhenauthorizedtoleavebytestcenterstaff.YoumaynotchangeyourcomputerterminalunlessaTAdirectsyoutodoso.
•PleasereferencetheTestSiteRulesandRegulationslistedonpage8foradditionalinformationonthecheck-inprocess.
RaiseyourhandtonotifytheTAifyou:
•Believeyouhaveaproblemwithyourcomputer.•Needtochangenoteboards.•Needtotakeabreak.•Needtheadministratorforanyreason.•Havecompletedyourexam.
BREAKS•YouwillhaveuptosixhourstocompletetheNCLEX-RNExamination,andfivehourstocompletetheNCLEX-PNExamination;totalexaminationtimeincludesashorttutorial,twopre-programmedoptionalbreaksandanyunscheduledbreaksyoumaytake.
•Thefirstoptionalbreakisofferedaftertwohoursoftesting.Thesecondoptionalbreakisofferedafterthreeandonehalfhoursoftesting.
•Thecomputerwillautomaticallytellyouwhenthesescheduledbreaksbegin.•Youmustleavethetestingroomduringbothscheduledandunscheduledbreaks.•Itisstronglyadvisedthatyounotleavethetestcenterduringbreaks.•Whenyoutakeabreak,allpersonalitemsaccessed(includingpurses,wallets,etc.)maybeinspectedbytheTA.•Youwillberequiredtoprovideapalmveinscanbeforeandafteryourbreak.
Note: Candidates are not allowed to access any of the prohibited personal items during breaks (including but not limited to those listed on page 8).
All breaks count against testing time.
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TECHNICAL ISSUESOccasionally, technicalproblemsmayrequirereschedulingofacandidate’sexamination.Ifcircumstancesarisecausingyoutowaitmorethan30minutesafteryourscheduledappointmenttime,orarestartdelaylastslongerthan30minutes,youwillbegiventhechoicesofcontinuingtowaitorreschedulingyourappointmentwithoutanadditionalfee.
•Ifyouchoosetowait,youmaychangeyourmindatanytimepriortobeginningorrestartingtheexamination.•Ifyouchoosenottoreschedule,butrathertestafteradelay,youwillhavenofurtherrecourseandyourexamresultswillbeconsideredvalid.
•Ifyouchoosetorescheduleyourappointmentortheproblemcausingthedelaycannotberesolved,youwillbeallowedtotestatalaterdate,atnoadditionalcharge.Everyattemptwillbemadetocontactcandidatesiftechnicalproblemsareidentifiedpriortoascheduledappointment.
TESTING ENVIRONMENT
PPCsadministermanytypesofexaminationsincludingsomethatrequireessay-typeresponses.PPCshavenocontrolovernoisesmadebycandidatestypingduringanotherexamination.Typingnoiseisconsideredanormalpartofthecomputerizedtestingenvironment,justasthenoiseofturningpagesisanormalpartofthepaper-and-penciltestingenvironment.Earplugsareavailableuponrequest.
WHEN THE EXAM IS FINISHED
Afteryourexaminationisfinished,youwillbeaskedtocompleteabriefcomputer-deliveredquestionnaireaboutyourtestingexperience.Whenyouhavefinishedthequestionnaire,raise your hand to summon the TA.TheTAwillcollectandinventoryallnoteboards.TheTAwilldismissyouwhenallrequirementsarefulfilled.
Ifyoubelievetherewasanirregularityintheadministrationofyourexamortheassociatedtestconditionsthatyoubelieveadverselyaffectedtheoutcomeofyourexamination,youshouldnotifytheproctororTAbeforeyouleavethetestcenter.
RESULTS REPORTING
Forqualitycontrolpurposes,everyNCLEXisscoredtwice;oncebythecomputeratthetestcenterandthentheresultisverifiedaftertheexaminationrecordhasbeentransmittedtoPearsonVUE.Althoughtheexaminationisscoredasthecandidatecompleteseachitem,no resultsarereleasedatthetestcenter.Infact,testcenterstaffdonothaveaccesstotheexaminationresults.
Examinationresultsareavailableonlyfromtheboardsofnursingandwillbemailedtocandidatesapproximatelyonemonthaftertakingtheexamination.Do not callPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices,thePPCsorNCSBNforexaminationresults.Ifmorethan4weekshaspassedandyouhavenotreceivedyourresults,contactyourboardofnursing.
Youcanalsogetyour“unofficial”resultsafter48businesshoursthroughthequickresultsserviceavailableontheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteatwww.pearsonvue.com/nclex.Note: Quick results are not available in all states and there is a minimal fee for this service.
CANDIDATE PERFORMANCE REPORT
Whenacandidate fails, theboardofnursingsends thecandidateaCandidatePerformanceReport (CPR).This report identifies theperformanceasfailing,providesthenumberofitemsadministeredtothecandidate,andasummaryofthecandidate’srelativestrengthsandweaknessesbasedonthetestplan.ThisCPRisintendedforfailingcandidatestousetohelpguidetheirstudybeforeretakingtheexamination.
RETAKE POLICY
Candidatesmustwaitaminimumof45or90daysbetweeneachexamination.ThisretaketimeframeisdeterminedbyeachindividualboardofnursingandNCSBN.
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SUBMITTING COMMENTS AND FURTHER QUESTIONS
YoumayasktheTAforaConfidentialCommentSheettoprovideanyinformationaboutyourexamappointmenttoNCSBN,thePPCsorPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices.
Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourtestingsession,pleasecontactNCSBNwithintwoweeksofyourexamappointment.
NCLEX CONTENT, TEST DEVELOPMENT AND TEST PLANS
Exam ContentThepracticeofnursingrequiresknowledgeofthehealthneedsofclientsaswellasanunderstandingofintegratedprocessesfundamentaltonursingpractice.ClientNeedsareusedastheframeworkforbothRNandPNtestplans.NCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNexaminationsmayincludeitemswrittenatvariouscognitivelevels.1,2Themajorityofitemsarewrittenattheapplicationorhigherlevelsofcognitiveability.Ingeneral,iftheageoragecategoryoftheclientisnotstatedinanitem,itcanbeunderstoodthattheclientisanadult.
1Bloom,B.S.(ed).(1956).Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification ofEducational Goals, Handbook 1. Cognitive Domain. NewYork:DavidMcKayCo,Inc.2Anderson,L.W.,Krathwohl,D.R.(eds).(2001).A taxonomy for learning, teaching and assessing. A revision of Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. NewYork:AddisonWesleyLongman,Inc.
Developing the NCLEXTheNCLEXisdevelopedusingthefollowingsteps:
1.Todeterminethebasisforsafeandeffectiveentry-levelnursingpractice,NCSBNconductsapracticeanalysisofentry-levelnurseseverythreeyears.ThelegalscopeofnursingpracticeandresultsofthepracticeanalysisareusedtodevelopanNCLEXtestplan.Testplans,whichoutlinethecontentcategoriesandpercentageofexamitemsallocatedtothecategories,reflectthejob-relatedknowledge,skillsandabilitiesrequiredforsafeandeffectiveentry-leveljobperformance.
2.Itemwritersarepracticingnurseswhowriteitemsthattestentry-levelnursingpracticefortheRNorPNexamination.
3.Asecondexpertpanelofpracticingnursesthenreviewsthenewly-writtenitems.Thesecondreviewistoensurethateachitemreflectscurrententry-levelnursingpracticeandthatitisaccurate.
4.AllitemsusedinanexaminationhavebeenpretestedandareshowntohavemetNCSBNstatisticalcriteriabeforebeingusedasoperational(scored)items.
DefinitionsClient=Individual,familyorgroupwhichincludessignificantothersandpopulation.Nursing Diagnosis=Aclassificationofclientneedsand/orproblemsaccordingtopresumednaturalrelationships;e.g.,useofNorthAmericanNursingDiagnosesAssociation(NANDA)DefinitionsandClassifications.Prescription=Orders,interventions,remediesortreatmentsorderedordirectedbyanauthorizedhealthcareprovider.Exhibit=Denotesaclientchartormedicalrecordtypeofitem.
Additionalinformationisavailablebehindtabslistedonthescreen.Clickonatabtoreviewtheadditionalinformation.
NCLEX Test PlansTheNCLEX-RNandtheNCLEX-PNTestPlansaredocumentsthatdescribethescopeandcontentoftheexaminations.TheNCLEXTestPlanscanbedownloadedatnocostontheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.
Obtaining the Detailed NCLEX Test PlanAcandidateversionoftheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNDetailedTestPlanscanalsobedownloadedatnocostbyaccessingtheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.
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Client Needs Categories Covered on the NCLEXFourmajor“ClientNeeds”categoriesorganizethecontentofthe2013 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan(effectiveApril2013)andthe2011 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan.
Inthe2013 NCLEX-RNandthe2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plans,twoofthecategoriesaredividedintoatotalofsixsubcategories.“HealthPromotionandMaintenance”and“PsychosocialIntegrity”donothavesubcategories.Thefollowingprocessesareintegratedintoall“ClientNeeds”categoriesoftheRN and PN Test Plans: NursingProcess,Caring,CommunicationandDocumentation,andTeachingandLearning.
For the 2013 NCLEX-RN Test Plan (effective April 2013)
NCLEX-RN Client Needs
Percentage of Items from each Category/Subcategory
Safe and Effective Care Environment•Management of Care•Safety and Infection Control
17-23%9-15%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%
Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
Physiological Integrity•Basic Care and Comfort•Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies•Reduction of Risk Potential•Physiological Adaptation
6-12%12-18%
9-15%11-17%
For the 2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plan
NCLEX-PN Client Needs
Percentage of Items from 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 Potential•Physiological Adaptation
9-15%11-17%
9-15%9-15%
NCLEX PSYCHOMETRICS
Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)TheNCLEXisdifferentthanatraditionalpencil-and-paperexamination.Typically,pencil-and-paperexaminationsadministerthesameitemstoeverycandidate,thusensuringthatthedifficultyoftheexaminationisthesameacrosstheboard.Becausethedifficultyoftheexaminationisconstant,thepercentagecorrectistheindicatorofthecandidate’sability.Onedisadvantageofthisapproachisthatitisinefficient.Itrequiresthehighabilitycandidatestoansweralltheeasyitemsontheexamination,whichprovidesverylittleinformationabouttheirability.Anotherdisadvantageisthatguessingcanartificiallyinflatethescoresoflowabilitycandidates,becausetheycananswer these itemscorrectly 25percentof the time for reasons thathavenothing todowith theirability. Instead, theNCLEXusesComputerizedAdaptiveTesting (CAT) toadminister the items.CAT isable toproduceexamresults thataremorestableusing feweritemsbytargetingitemstothecandidate’sability.Thecomputer’sgoalduringtheNCLEXistodeterminetheabilityofthecandidateinrelationtothepassingstandard.Everytimethecandidateanswersanitem,thecomputerre-estimatesthecandidate’sability.Witheachadditionalanswereditem,theabilityestimatebecomesmoreprecise.
Eachitemthatthecandidatereceivesisselectedfromalargepoolofitemsusingthreecriteria:
1.Theitemislimitedtothecontentareathatwillproducethebestmatchtothetestplanpercentages.Itisensuredthateachcandidate’sexamhasenoughquestionsfromeachcontentareatomatchtherequiredtestplanpercentages.
2.Anitemisselectedthatthecandidateisexpectedtofindchallenging.Basedonthecandidate’sanswersuptothatpointandthedifficultyofthoseitems,thecomputerestimatesthecandidate’sabilityandselectsanitemthatthecandidateshouldhavea50%chanceofansweringcorrectly.Thisway,thenextitemshouldnotbetooeasyortoohardandtheexaminationcangetmaximuminformationaboutthecandidate’sabilityfromtheitem.
3.Excludesanyitemthatarepeatcandidatehasseeninthelastyear.
Pretest ItemsForCATtowork,thedifficultyofeachitemmustbeknowninadvance.ThedegreeofdifficultyisdeterminedbyadministeringtheitemsaspretestitemstoalargesampleofNCLEXcandidates.Becausethedifficultyofthesepretestitemsisnotknowninadvance,theseitemsarenotincludedwhenestimatingthecandidate’sabilityormakingpass-faildecisions.Whenenoughresponsesarecollected,thepretestitemsarestatisticallyanalyzedandcalibrated.IfthepretestitemsmeettheNCLEXstatisticalstandards,theycanbeadministeredinfutureexaminationsasscoreditems.
NCLEX Pass or Fail Decision RulesThedecisionastowhetheracandidatepassesorfailstheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNexaminationisgovernedbythreedifferentscenarios:
Scenario # 1: The 95% Confidence Interval RuleThisscenarioisthemostcommonforNCLEXcandidates.Thecomputerwillstopadministeringitemswhenit is95%certainthatthecandidate’sabilityiseitherclearlyaboveorclearlybelowthepassingstandard.
Scenario #2: Maximum-Length ExamSomecandidate’sabilitylevelswillbeveryclosetothepassingstandard.Whenthisisthecase,thecomputercontinuestoadministerquestionsuntilthemaximumnumberofitemsisreached.Atthispoint,thecomputerdisregardsthe95%confidenceruleandconsidersonlythefinalabilityestimate:
•Ifthefinalabilityestimateisabovethepassingstandard,thecandidatepasses.
•Ifthefinalabilityestimateisatorbelowthepassingstandard,thecandidatefails.
Scenario #3: Run-Out-of-Time Rule (R.O.O.T.)Ifacandidaterunsoutoftimebeforereachingthemaximumnumberofitemsandthecomputerhasnotdeterminedwith95%certaintywhetherthecandidatehaspassedorfailed,analternatecriteriaisused.
•Ifthecandidatehasnotansweredtheminimumnumberofrequireditems,thecandidateautomaticallyfails.
•Ifatleasttheminimumnumberofrequireditemswereanswered,thecomputerlooksatthelast60abilityestimates:nIfthelast60abilityestimateswereconsistentlyabovethepassingstandard,thecandidatepasses.nIfthecandidate’sabilityestimatedropsbelowthepassingstandardevenonceoverthelast60items,thecandidatefails.
Thisdoesnotmeanthatthecandidatemustanswerthelast60itemscorrectly.Eachabilityestimateisbaseduponallpreviousitemsanswered.
Alternate Item FormatsCandidatesmaybeadministeredmultiple-choiceitemsaswellasitemswritteninalternateformats.Theseformatsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:multipleresponse,fill-in-the-blankcalculation,orderedresponse,and/orhotspots.Allitemtypesmayincludemultimediasuchascharts,tables,graphics,soundandvideo.
Theshorttutorialatthebeginningoftheexaminationwillexplainhowtoanswereachofthealternatetypesofitems.
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The Passing StandardTheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNareseparateexaminationsthatreflectdifferentscopesofpractice.Accordingly,theseexaminationsarescoredonseparatescalesandhaveseparatepassingstandards.TheNCSBNBoardofDirectorsreevaluatesthesestandardsonceeverythreeyears.ThecriterionthattheBoardofDirectorsusestosetthestandardistheminimumlevelofabilityrequiredforsafeandeffectiveentry-levelnursingpractice.
ToassisttheBoardofDirectorsinmakingthisdecision,theBoardisprovidedwithinformationon:(1)theresultsofastandardsettingexerciseperformedbyapanelofexpertswiththeassistanceofprofessionalpsychometricians;(2)thehistoricalrecordofthepassingstandardwithsummariesofthecandidateperformanceassociatedwiththosestandards;(3)theresultsofastandardsettingsurveysenttoeducatorsandemployers;and(4)informationdescribingtheeducationalreadinessofhighschoolgraduateswhoexpressaninterestinnursing.
Oncethepassingstandardisset,itisimposeduniformlyoneveryexamrecordaccordingtotheprocedureslaidabove.TopasstheNCLEX,acandidatemustperformabovethepassingstandard.Thereisnofixedpercentageofcandidatesthatpassorfaileachexamination.
Similar ItemsOccasionally,acandidatemayreceiveanitemthatseemstobeverysimilartoanitemtheyreceivedearlierintheexamination.Thiscouldhappenforavarietyofreasons.Forexample,severalitemscouldbeaboutsimilarsymptoms,diseases,ordisorders,yetaddressdifferentphasesofthenursingprocess.Alternatively,apretest(unscored)itemcouldbeaboutcontentsimilartoanoperational(scored)item.Itisincorrecttoassumethataseconditem,whichissimilarincontenttoapreviouslyadministereditem,isadministeredbecauseyouansweredthefirstitemincorrectly.Alwaysselecttheansweryoubelievetobecorrectforeachitemadministered.Allexaminationsconformtotheirrespectivetestplan(NCLEX-RNorNCLEX-PN).
GuessingRapid guessing can drastically lower your score. Some test preparation companies have realized that on certain paper-and-penciltests,unanswereditemsaremarkedaswrong.Toimprovethecandidate’sscorewhentheyarerunningoutoftime,thesecompaniessometimesadvocaterapidguessing(perhapswithoutevenreadingtheitem)inthehopethatthecandidatewillgetatleastafewitemscorrect.Onanyadaptivetest,thiscanbedisastrous.Ithastheeffectofgivingthecandidateeasieritems,whichtheyalsogetwrong.Thebestadviceisto:(1)maintainareasonablepace(spendingnomorethanonetotwominutesoneachitem),and(2)carefullyreadandconsidereachitembeforeanswering.
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111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900,Chicago, IL 60601-4277
Examinations Department Toll-Free: 866.293.9600Examinations Department: 312.525.3750Fax: 312.279.1036Website: www.ncsbn.orgEmail: [email protected]
0899-001/13