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.

Contact Information

Contact Pearson VUE for questions regarding:• RegisteringtotaketheNCLEXexamination• 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,8:30amto6pm,UniversalTime.

Europe, Middle East, Africa–CallNCLEXCandidateServices,at(paynumber)+44.161.855.7445,Monday-Friday8amto6pm,CentralEuropeanTime.

India–CallNCLEXCandidateServicesat(paynumber)91.120.439.7837,Monday-Friday9amto6pm,IT.

All other countries not listed above–Call(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: NCLEXExaminationProgramPearsonProfessionalTesting5601GreenValleyDriveBloomington,MN55437-1099DO NOT SEND 3rd Party Payments to the above address.

E-mail: pvamericascustomerservice@pearson.com.

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

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

E-mail: nclexinfo@ncsbn.org

Contact your board of nursing for questions regarding:• Nameoraddresschanges• NamecorrectionsonyourATTletter• Licensure• Endorsement

Write or call your board of nursing.LinkstoallboardsofnursingwebsitesandcontactinformationisavailableontheNCSBNwebsite:www.ncsbn.org;clickonthelinktitledBoards of Nursing.

Examinationresultsaresenttoyoubyyourboardofnursing.Waitaminimumoffourweeksfollowingyourexaminationforyourresultstoarriveinthemail.

Join the NCLEX examinations on Facebook and Twitter!

Table of ContentsAbout NCLEX .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

ProgramOverview................................................................................................................................................................................................................1What’sNewin2011...............................................................................................................................................................................................................1

Registering for the Exam ............................................................................................................................................................... 1RegistrationProcessOverview...........................................................................................................................................................................................1TestFeesandPolicies..........................................................................................................................................................................................................2HowtoRegister.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................2

InternetRegistration.....................................................................................................................................................................................................2U.S.Mail.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................3Telephone.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................3

ThirdPartyPayment(WorkforceException)....................................................................................................................................................................3TestingAccommodations.....................................................................................................................................................................................................3

Scheduling Your Exam .................................................................................................................................................................... 4AuthorizationtoTest(ATT)...................................................................................................................................................................................................4YourExamAppointment.......................................................................................................................................................................................................4DomesticScheduling............................................................................................................................................................................................................4InternationalScheduling......................................................................................................................................................................................................5GroupScheduling..................................................................................................................................................................................................................5ChangingyourAppointment................................................................................................................................................................................................5

What to Bring to the Test Site ........................................................................................................................................................ 6PersonalIdentificationRequirements...............................................................................................................................................................................6IdentificationfromaU.S.Sanctioned(Embargoed)Country.........................................................................................................................................6

Test Site Rules and Regulations .................................................................................................................................................... 7GroundsforDismissalandCancellationofResults.........................................................................................................................................................8Confidentiality........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8TestSecurity...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8InvalidResults........................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

The Day of the Exam ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9Check-InProcess..................................................................................................................................................................................................................9Breaks.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9Technicalissues....................................................................................................................................................................................................................9TestingEnvironment............................................................................................................................................................................................................10WhentheExamisFinished................................................................................................................................................................................................10ResultsReporting................................................................................................................................................................................................................10CandidatePerformanceReport........................................................................................................................................................................................10RetakePolicy........................................................................................................................................................................................................................10SubmittingCommentsandFurtherQuestions................................................................................................................................................................10

NCLEX Test Plans, Test Development and Content .................................................................................................................... 11NCLEXTestPlans................................................................................................................................................................................................................11ObtainingtheDetailedNCLEXTestPlan.........................................................................................................................................................................11TestContent..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11DevelopingtheNCLEXExamination.................................................................................................................................................................................11Definitions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11ClientNeedsCategoriesCoveredontheNCLEXExaminations..................................................................................................................................12

NCLEX Psychometrics .................................................................................................................................................................. 12ComputerizedAdaptiveTesting(CAT)..............................................................................................................................................................................12PretestItems........................................................................................................................................................................................................................13NCLEXPassorFailDecisionRules..................................................................................................................................................................................13AlternateItemFormats.......................................................................................................................................................................................................13ThePassingStandard.........................................................................................................................................................................................................14SimilarItems.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................14Guessing...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................14

ABOUT NCLEX

PROGRAM OVERVIEWInApril1994,nurselicensurecandidatesbegantakingtheNationalCouncilLicensureExamination(NCLEX®)oncomputersattestcenterslocatedacrosstheUnitedStates(U.S.)andselectinternationalsites.Thechangetocomputerizedadaptivetesting(CAT)forthenurselicensureexaminationcameaboutasaresultofadecisionmadeinAugust1991bytheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing(NCSBN®).TheNCLEXexaminationsareonlyprovidedintheCATformat.

TheNCLEXexaminationisdesignedtotestknowledge,skillsandabilitiesessentialtothesafeandeffectivepracticeofnursingattheentrylevel.NCLEXexaminationresultsareanimportantcomponentusedbyboardsofnursingtomakedecisionsaboutlicensure.Only boards of nursing can release NCLEX examination results to candidates.

TheNCLEXexaminationisgivenonacomputer.Youarenotexpectedtoknowhowtouseacomputerbeforeyoutaketheexamination.Anon-screencalculatorwillbeavailableduringtheexamination.ThemajorityofNCLEXexaminationitemsaremultiplechoicebutthereareotherformatsaswell.All item types are scored as either right or wrong. There is no “partial credit.” Atutorialwillbeincludedaspartoftheexaminationthatwillinstructyouontheuseofthemouseandhowtorecordananswer.

BoththeNCLEX-RN®andtheNCLEX-PN®arevariablelengthadaptivetests.TheNCLEXexaminationsarenotofferedinpaper-and-pencilororalexaminationformats.AnNCLEX-RNexaminationcanbeanywherefrom75to265items.Oftheseitems,15arepretestitemsthatarenotscored.Regardlessofthenumberofitemsadministered,thetimelimitforthisexaminationissixhours.AnNCLEX-PNexaminationcanbeanywherefrom85to205items.Oftheseitems,25arepretestitemsthatarenotscored.Thetimelimitforthisexaminationisfivehours.Itisimportanttonotethatthetimeallottedfortheexaminationincludesthetutorial,thesampleitems,allbreaks(restroom,stretching,etc.)andtheexamination.Allbreaksareoptional.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2011?2011 NCLEX-PN® Test PlanThe2011NCLEX-PN®TestPlanwasapprovedbytheNCSBNDelegateAssemblyinAugust2010andwaspostedontheNCSBNwebsite,www.ncsbn.org /1287.htm,shortlythereafter.ThisnewtestplangoesintoeffectonApril1,2011.Theformatofthetestplanwasretainedandonlyminoreditsweremadeforcurrencyandclarification.

REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM

REGISTRATION PROCESS OVERVIEW1. Submitanapplicationforlicensuretotheboardofnursingwhereyouwishtobelicensed.2. Meetalloftheboardofnursing’seligibilityrequirementstotaketheNCLEXexamination.3. RegisterfortheNCLEXexaminationwithPearsonVUE.4. ReceiveAcknowledgementofReceiptofRegistrationfromPearsonVUE.5. TheboardofnursingmakesthecandidateeligibletotaketheNCLEX.6. ReceiveAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)letterfromPearsonVUE.

Ifyouchoosetoprovideane-mailaddressatthetimeofregisteringfortheNCLEXexamination(whetherbymail,telephoneorviatheInternet),pleasenotethatallcorrespondencefromPearsonVUEwillarriveONLYbye-mail.Ifyoudonotprovideane-mailaddresswhenyouregister,correspondencefromPearsonVUEwillarriveONLYthroughU.S.mail.

IfmorethanfourweekshavepassedafteryouhavesubmittedaregistrationforanNCLEXexamination,receivedacknowledgementfromPearsonVUE,andyouhavenotreceivedanATTletter,pleasecallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesattheappropriatenumberlistedontheinsidefrontcover.

Note:Forprogramcodeinformation,pleasereferencetheNCSBNwebsiteatwww.ncsbn.org/1213.htm.Ifthecodeforyourprogramisnotlisted,pleasecontactyourboardofnursing.

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TEST FEES AND POLICIESFeeThefeefortakingtheNCLEXexaminationis$200.Youwillalsohavetopayotherlicensurefeesrequiredbytheboardofnursinginthejurisdictioninwhichyouareapplying.Youmustcontactyourboardofnursingtofindoutaboutthesefees.IfyouchoosetoscheduleyourNCLEXexaminationatatestcenteroutsideoftheU.S.*,youwillhavetopayanadditionalinternationalschedulingfeeof$150,andwhereapplicable,aValueAddedTax(VAT).Thesefeeswillbechargedwhenyouscheduleyourexaminationappointment.

After registering, candidates who want to change the board of nursing where licensure was requested or the type of examinationrequested(RN/PN)willberequiredtopaya$50changefee.*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.

Additionally,therewillbenorefundofthe$150internationalschedulingfeeorVATforanyreason.

Failure to Pay AcandidatemaynottaketheNCLEXexaminationiftheregistrationfeehasbeenstopped,cancelledorotherwiserevoked,eitherbythecandidateorafinancialinstitution.Ifpaymentisstoppedafterthecandidatetakestheexamination,NCSBNandtheboardsofnursingreservetherighttoholdand/orrevokethecandidate’sresult.

Registration Time LimitAll NCLEX examination registrations will remain open for a 365-day time period during which a board of nursing can determine acandidate’seligibility.Thetimeperiodbeginswhentheboardofnursingreceivesthecandidate’sregistrationfromthetestservice.Onceacandidateismadeeligible,heorshemusttestwithinthevaliditydatesprintedontheATTLetter.

Candidateswhoarenotmadeeligiblebytheirboardofnursingwithinthe365-daytimeperiodwillforfeittheirregistration,includingtheregistrationfee.CandidateswhowishtotakeanNCLEXexaminationwillneedtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfee.Youmustwaituntilyourcurrentregistrationexpiresbeforereregistering.AcandidatemaynothavetwoNCLEXexaminationregistrations(ofthesameexamtype)openatthesametime.

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 examination 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,pleasefollowthedirectionsonpage3.

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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.

NOTE: Registrationsthatarenotproperlycompletedand/orarenotaccompaniedbytheproperpaymentwillbereturnedtoyouandwilldelayyourtesting.

TELEPHONE REGISTRATIONCallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatoneofthenumberslistedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletin.

•YoucanpaybyusingavalidVISA,MasterCardorAmericanExpresscreditordebitcard.

•Haveyourcreditcardreadywhenyoumakeyourtelephonecall.Youmustprovidethenameshownonthecreditcard,thecreditcardnumberandtheexpirationdate.

THIRD-PARTY PAYMENTS (Workforce Exception)Nursingschools,agenciesoremployersmayregisterandadministrativelypayfortheNCLEXexaminationonbehalfofthecandidate.ThisisconsideredaWorkforce Exception.Ifyourregistrationisaccompaniedbysuchapayment,do not usetheenclosedenvelopetoreturnyourregistrationandpayment.

Please follow the instructions below:Write‘WorkforceException’onapost-itnote(oranynote),placeitonthe$200check(made payable to National Council of State Boards of Nursing)andmailboththeNCLEXregistrationformandpaymentto:

NCLEXWorkforceProgramPearsonVUE5601GreenValleyDrive,Room220Bloomington,MN55437

If you are unable to obtain a registration scan form, you may use the online certified check/cashiers check/money order paymentregistrationoptionandmailtheconfirmationdocumentinwiththethird-partypaymenttothemailingaddressabove.

NOTE: NCSBN and Pearson VUE have established specific guidelines for this provision (Workforce Exception). Failure to follow theguidelineswillresultintherejectionand/orasignificantdelayofyourregistration.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONSTestingaccommodationsforotherwisequalifiedcandidatescanbeprovidedonlywiththeauthorizationofyourboardofnursing.

•Requestinformationfromyourboardofnursingconcerningitsrequirementsforrequestingtestingaccommodations.ThisshouldbedonebeforesubmittingyourNCLEXexaminationregistration.

•Makearequestforaccommodationstoyourboardofnursing.Yourrequestmustcomplywithrequirementsestablishedbyyourboardofnursingforcandidatesrequestingtestingaccommodations.

•Sendyourrequesttoyourboardofnursingasearlyaspossiblesothat,ifapproved,thetestingaccommodationscanbemadeinatimelymanner.

NOTE: DonotscheduleanappointmenttotaketheNCLEXexaminationuntilyouhavereceivedwrittenconfirmationofyouraccommodationsandyourATTletterindicating“AccommodationsGranted.”

Candidates approved for testing with accommodations must schedule their testing appointment through the NCLEX AccommodationsCoordinatorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatthetelephonenumberlistedontheirAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)letterandaskingfortheNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinator.Candidateswithaccommodationsmaynottestaswalk-ins.

NOTE: CandidateswhoseektotestwithaccommodationscannotscheduletheirappointmentsthroughtheNCLEXCandidatewebsite.

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SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM

AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT)

Afteryourboardofnursingdeclaresyoueligible,youwillreceiveyourATTLetter.

Note: YoumusthaveyourATTlettertoscheduleanappointmenttotaketheNCLEXexaminationandyoumustpresentyourATTletteratthetestcenteronthedayofyourexaminationtobeadmitted.YouwillnotbeadmittedtotheexaminationwithoutyourATTletterandwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytotaketheexamination.

TheATTlettercontainsyourauthorizationnumber,candidateidentificationnumberandanexpirationdate.EachATTletterisvalidforaperiodoftimespecifiedbytheboardofnursing(variesfrom60daysto365days;however,theaverageis90days).OncetheboardofnursingdeclaresyoueligibletotestandyourATTletterisissued,youmusttestwithinthevaliditydatesofyourATTletter.These 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 APPOINTMENT

Testcentersmayfillupquicklybecauseofhighvolumesandpreviouslyscheduledspecialevents.Waitingtocalltoscheduleyourtestingappointmentmaysignificantlylimittheselectionofdatesfromwhichyoucanchoosetoschedule.Additionally,ifyouwaituntilyourATTletterisclosetoexpiring,PearsonProfessionalCenters(PPCs)maynotbeabletoseatyoupriortoitsexpiration.Ifthisoccurs,youwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytotaketheexamination.

First-timetesttakerswillbeofferedanappointmentwithin30daysofthecall,oronlineattempt,toscheduleanappointment;repeatcandidateswillbeofferedanappointmentwithin45days.Ifyouwish,youmaydeclinetheappointmentofferedandschedulelaterthanthe30or45days.

Ifyoufailtoarriveforyourexaminationappointmentorfailtoreschedule/unschedulewithoutgivingtheappropriatenotice(asoutlinedonpage5),youwillforfeityourexaminationfee(andschedulingfeeifapplicable)andyourATTletterwillbeinvalidated.Youwillberequiredtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfeeof$200.YourfailuretotaketheexaminationwillbereflectedinyourregistrationasanIncidentReportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.

DOMESTIC SCHEDULING

YoumaytaketheexaminationatanyNCLEXapprovedPPC.YoucanfindPPClocationsandaddressesontheNCLEXCandidatewebsitewww.pearsonvue.com/nclex.

ExaminationappointmentsattestcentersintheU.S.,AmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslandsortheU.S.VirginIslandscanbescheduledthroughtheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatoneofthetelephonenumberslistedontheinsidefrontcoverofthiscandidatebulletin.

•IfyouareusingtheNCLEX Candidate websitetoschedule,youwillbeaskedtosupplyyouruserIDandpassword,whichisprovidedonyourAcknowledgementofReceiptofNCLEXExaminationRegistration.YoualsowillbeaskedyourpreferencefordateandtimeoftestingatthePPCofyourchoice.

•Ifyouscheduleviathetelephone,youwillbeaskedtosupplyyournameandyourATTnumber,alongwithotherinformationtoverifyyouridentity.YoualsowillbeaskedyourpreferencefordateandtimeoftestingatthePPCofyourchoice.

•Ifyourfirst-choicedateortimeisunavailable,youwillbeofferedanalternativeasclosetoyourfirstchoiceaspossible.

•AConfirmation of AppointmentwillbesenttoyoufromPearsonVUEwhichwillcontainthedate,timeandlocationofyourappointmentalongwithdirectionstothePPC.Verifythatalltheinformationiscorrect.Callorgoonlinetocheckthatyourappointmenthasbeenscheduledorrescheduledifyoudonotreceiveaconfirmation.ContactPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesimmediatelytocorrectanyerrorstoyourappointment.

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INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULING

If you choose to schedule your examination at a test center outside of the U.S.*, you will be charged an additional 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.

GROUP SCHEDULING

Groupscheduling(3ormorecandidates)mustbedonethroughthePearsonVUEGroupSchedulingCoordinator.Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontacttheGroupSchedulingCoordinatorbye-mailatpvgroupreservations@pearson.comorbyfaxat952-6105120.

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,ThursdayandFridaycallatleast24hourspriortothedayandtimeofyourappointment.

ForexaminationsscheduledonSaturday,SundayorMonday,callnolaterthanFridayatleast24hoursinadvanceofyourappointmenttime.

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: Leavingamessageonanansweringmachinedoesnotconstitutegivingtherequirednoticeforreschedulingorunschedulingyourtestingappointment.YoumusteitherrescheduleorunscheduleyourappointmentontheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteorbyspeakingwithanagentatPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices.

*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 Identification

Only the identifications 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 identification requirements have been established.

Identification RequirementsWhen you arrive at the test center, you will be required to present one form of acceptable identification 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 identification for test centers in the U.S.* are:

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

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

• Passport

• U.S. Military Identification

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

• Passport

All identification must be valid and not expired with signature and photograph. All identification listed above must be in English and signed in English.

Driver’s/learner’s permits or temporary identification 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 Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury. For a list of countries on the U.S. economic and trade sanctions list visit www.ncsbn.org/1221.htm.

Testing at a Domestic PPCIn 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. driver’s license/U.S. state identification (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued)

Testing 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 identification) 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 identification.

Please visit www.ncsbn.org/1221.htm for the most up-to-date information on the U.S. Sanctioned Countries Identification Policy.*U.S. includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Your NameThefirstandlastnameprintedonyouridentificationmustmatchexactlythefirstandlastnameprintedonyourATTletter.Ifthenamewithwhichyouhaveregisteredisdifferentfromthenameonyouridentification,youmustbringlegalnamechangedocumentationwithyoutothetestcenteronthedayofyourtest.Theonlyacceptableformsoflegaldocumentationare:amarriagelicense,divorcedecreeand/oracourtactionlegalnamechangedocument.AlldocumentsmustbeinEnglishandmustbetheoriginaldocuments.Candidateswishingtomakeanamechange,addresschangeore-mailaddresschangemustcontacttheirboardofnursing.Thiscannotbedoneatthetestcenter.*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.

TEST SITE RULES AND REGULATIONSToensure thatallcandidates’NCLEXexamination resultsareearnedundercomparableconditionsand represent fairandaccuratemeasurement, it isnecessarytomaintainastandardizedtestingenvironment.Thefollowingregulationsaredesignedtohelpensuresuchanenvironment.

BelowyouwillfindtheNCLEXexaminationcandidaterules.Pleasenotethatifyoudonotfollowtherulesortheinstructionsofthetestadministrator(TA),yourexaminationresultmaybewithheldorcancelled,yourexaminationfeemaynotberefundedandNCSBNandyourlicensingboardmaytakeotheraction,uptoandincludinglicenserevocationandcriminalprosecution.

Examplesofprohibited,irregularbehaviorinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:

•Youmaynotbringanyeducational,testpreparationorstudymaterialstothetestingcenter.

•Youmaynotaccessanysuchstudymaterialsorseekhelpfromanyotherpartyinansweringitems(inperson,byphone,textorbye-mail)duringyourexamination(includingbreaks).

•Youmaynotdisclosetoanyone,includinginstructors,informationabouttheitemsoranswersseeninyourexamination(thisincludespostingquestionsontheInternetand“braindumping”).

•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.Youmaynotwriteonthenoteboarduntilafterthetutorialhasbeencompleted.Thisisconsidered“braindumping.”Cleannoteboardscanberequestedduringyourexaminationbyraisingyourhand.TheerasablenoteboardandmarkermaynotberemovedfromthetestingroomduringtheexaminationexceptbytheTA,andtheseitemsmustbereturnedtotheTAaftertheexamination.

•Toensureahighlevelofsecurityyouwillbemonitoredatalltimes.Bothaudioandvideowillberecorded.

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GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR CANCELLATION OF RESULTS

Anexamineewhoviolates the testcenter regulationsor rules,orengages in irregularbehavior,misconductand/ordoesnot followtheTA’swarningtodiscontinueinappropriatebehaviormaybedismissedfromthetestcenterandtheirexamfeewillnotberefunded.Additionally,yourexamresultmaybewithheldorcancelledandyourlicensingboardmaytakeotherdisciplinaryactionsuchasdenialofalicenseand/ordisqualifyingyoufromfutureregistrationsforlicensure.Behaviorsthatareconsideredtoconstituteirregularbehaviorormisconductincludebutarenotlimitedto:

•Givingorreceivingassistanceofanykind.

•Usinganyprohibitedaids.ProhibitedaidsareanydevicesormaterialsthatwillbehelpfulintakingtheNCLEXexamination.Ex-amplesofaidsthatareprohibitedareelectronicdevices(i.e.cell/mobilephones,PDAs,handheldcomputers,etc.),handheldcalculators,conversiontables,dictionaries,etc.

•Attemptingtotaketheexaminationforsomeoneelse.

•BringinganyNCLEXexaminationstudyaids(textbooks,notebooks,classroomnotes,etc.)tothetestingcenteroraccessingorattemptingtoaccesssuchstudymaterialsatanytimeafterthestartoftheexaminationadministration,including,butnotlimitedto,breaktimes.

•Failingtofollowtestingregulationsortheinstructionsofthetestadministrator.

•Creatingadisturbanceofanykind.

•Copying,reconstructingorremovingexaminationitemsand/orresponses(inanyformat)ornotesabouttheexaminationfromthetestingroomorattemptingtodothesame.

•Tamperingwiththeoperationofthecomputerorattemptingtouseitforanyfunctionotherthantakingtheexamination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Candidates should be aware and understand that the disclosure of examination items before, during, or after the examination is aviolationoflaw.Violationsofconfidentialityand/orcandidates’rulescanresultincriminalprosecutionorcivilliabilityand/ordisciplinaryactionsbythelicensingagencyincludingthedenialoflicensure.Ifyouareawareof,orhaveobservedanattempttocompromisetheNCLEXexaminationprocess,pleasereportittotheNCLEXTestSecuritygroup.Candidatesmayreportanysuspiciousbehaviorinthefollowingways:

CallPearsonVUEat1.866.496.2539ore-mailPearsonVUEatpvtestsecurity@pearsonvue.comorgotowww.pearsonvue.com/contact/securityandcompletetheform.

TEST SECURITY

NCSBNstrives to report results thataccurately reflect theabilityofeach test taker.Accordingly,ourstandardsandprocedures foradministeringexamshavetworelatedgoals:givingtest-takerscomparableopportunitiestodemonstratetheirabilitiesandpreventingany test-takers from gaining an unfair advantage over others. To promote these objectives, NCSBN reserves the right to cancel orwithholdanytestresultswhen,initsjudgment,atestingirregularityoccurs;thereisanapparentdiscrepancyin,orfalsificationof,atest-taker’sidentification;atest-takerengagesinmisconduct,irregularbehavior,violatesthecandidaterulesorotherwisebreacheshis/herConfidentialityAgreement;ortheresultsarebelievedtobeinvalidforanyotherreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidate’spersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.

INVALID RESULTS

NCSBNmaycancelorwithholdacandidate’sresultsif,inNCSBN’sjudgment,thereisabasistoquestionthevalidityoftheresultsforanyreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidate’spersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.Evidenceofinvalidresultsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedtounusualanswerpatternsorunusualscoreincreasesfromoneexamtoanother.Ifacandidate’sresultiscancelled,revokedorinvalidatedwithoutafindingthatthecandidateengagedinirregularbehavior,thecandidatemayappealthedecisionand/orwillbeofferedafreeretest.Anappealisthecandidate’sexclusivemeansofredresswithregardtoNCSBN’sdecisiontotakethisaction.

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THE DAY OF THE EXAMThe staff members at each PPC follow designated procedures to ensure that the operation of the test center meets NCSBN criteria forstandardizedtesting.ThefollowingareproceduresthatwillbeadheredtowhenyouarriveatthePPCforyourNCLEXexaminationappointment.

CHECK-IN PROCESSPlantoarriveatthePPCatleast30minutesbeforeyourscheduledtestingtime.Ifyouarrivemorethan30minutesafteryourscheduledappointment,youmayberequiredtoforfeityourNCLEXexaminationappointment.Yourfailuretotaketheexaminationwillbereflectedinyourregistrationasanincidentreportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.

•YouwillberequiredtopresentyourATTletterandavalidacceptableID.•Youwillbeaskedtoprovideyoursignature,apalmveinscan,andyouwillhaveyourfingerprintandphotographtaken.Hats,

scarvesandcoatsmaynotbeworninthetestingroomorwhileyourphotographisbeingtaken.•Friends,relativesorchildrenwhoaccompanyyoutothetestcenterwillnotbepermittedtowaitinthetestcenterwhileyou

taketheexamination.•Youwillberequiredtoleaveyourpersonalbelongingsoutsidethetestingroom.Securestoragewillbeprovided,however,

candidatesarenotallowedtoaccessanyoftheprohibitedpersonalitemsatanytimeduringtheexam.Storagespaceissmall,socandidatesshouldplanappropriately.PPCsassumenoresponsibilityforcandidates’personalbelongings.

•TheTAwillgiveyouashortorientationandthenwillescortyoutoacomputerterminal.Youmustremaininyourseatduringtheexamination,exceptwhenauthorizedtoleavebytestcenterstaff.YoumaynotchangeyourcomputerterminalunlessaTAdirectsyoutodoso.

•PleasereferencetheTestSiteRulesandRegulationslistedaboveforadditionalinformationonthecheck-inprocess.

RaiseyourhandtonotifytheTAifyou:

•Believeyouhaveaproblemwithyourcomputer.•Needtochangenoteboards.•Needtotakeabreak.•Needtheadministratorforanyreason.•Havecompletedyourexam.

BREAKSYou will have up to six hours to complete the NCLEX-RN Examination, and five hours to complete the NCLEX-PN Examination; totalexaminationtimeincludesashort tutorial, twopreprogrammedoptionalbreaksandanyunscheduledbreaksyoumaytake.Thefirstoptionalbreakisofferedaftertwohoursoftesting.Thesecondoptionalbreakisofferedafterthreeandonehalfhoursoftesting.Thecomputerwillautomaticallytellyouwhenthesescheduledbreaksbegin.Youmustleavethetestingroomduringbothscheduledandunscheduledbreaks.Itisstronglyadvisedthatcandidatesnotleavethetestcenterduringbreaks.Additionally,whenyoutakeabreak,allitemsaccessed(includingpurses,wallets,etc.)maybeinspectedbytheTA.Youwillberequiredtoprovideapalmveinscanbeforeandafteryourbreak.

Note:Candidatesarenotallowedtoaccessanyoftheprohibitedpersonalitemsduringbreaks(includingbutnotlimitedtothoselistedonpage7).

All breaks count against testing time.

TECHNICAL ISSUESOnrareoccasions,technicalproblemsmayrequirereschedulingofacandidate’sexamination.Ifcircumstancesarisecausingyoutowaitmorethan30minutesafteryourscheduledappointmenttime,orarestartdelaylastslongerthan30minutes,youwillbegiventhechoicesofcontinuingtowaitorreschedulingyourappointmentwithoutanadditionalfee.

•Ifyouchoosetowait,youmaylaterchangeyourmindatanytimepriortobeginningorrestartingtheexamination.•Ifyouchoosenottoreschedule,butrathertestafteradelay,youwillhavenofurtherrecourseandyourtestresultswillbe

consideredvalid.•Ifyouchoosetorescheduleyourappointmentortheproblemcausingthedelaycannotberesolved,youwillbeallowedtotest

atalaterdate,atnoadditionalcharge.Everyattemptwillbemadetocontactcandidatesiftechnicalproblemsareidentifiedpriortoascheduledappointment.

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TESTING ENVIRONMENT

PPCsadministermanytypesofexaminationsincludingsomethatrequireessay-typeresponses.PPCshavenocontrolovernoisesmadebycandidatestypingduringanotherexamination.Typingnoiseisconsideredanormalpartofthecomputerizedtestingenvironment,justasthenoiseofturningpagesisanormalpartofthepaper-and-penciltestingenvironment.Earplugsareavailableuponrequest.

WHEN THE EXAM IS FINISHED

Afteryourexaminationisfinished,youwillbeaskedtocompleteabriefcomputer-deliveredquestionnaireaboutyourtestingexperience.Whenyouhavefinishedthequestionnaire,raiseyourhandtosummontheTA.TheTAwillcollectandinventoryallnoteboards.TheTAwilldismissyouwhenallrequirementsarefulfilled.

Ifyoubelievetherewasanirregularityintheadministrationofyourtestortheassociatedtestconditionsthatyoubelieveadverselyaffectedtheoutcomeofyourexamination,youshouldnotifytheproctororTAbeforeyouleavethetestcenter.

RESULTS REPORTING

For quality control purposes, every computerized NCLEX examination is scored twice; once by the computer at the test center andthentheresult isverifiedaftertheexaminationrecordhasbeentransmittedtoPearsonVUE.Althoughtheexamination isscoredasthecandidatecompleteseachitem,NORESULTSarereleasedatthetestcenter.Infact,testcenterstaffdonothaveaccesstotheexaminationresults.ExaminationresultsareavailableONLYfromtheboardsofnursingandwillbemailedtocandidatesapproximatelyonemonthafter taking theexamination.DONOTCALLyourboardofnursing,PearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices, thePPCsorNCSBNforexaminationresults.

Youcanalsogetyour“unofficial”resultsafter48businesshoursthroughthequickresultsserviceavailableontheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteatwww.pearsonvue.com/nclex orbycalling1-900-776-2539.

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

CANDIDATE PERFORMANCE REPORT

Whenacandidate fails, theboardofnursingsends thecandidateaCandidatePerformanceReport (CPR).This report identifies theperformanceasfailing,providesthenumberofitemsadministeredtothecandidate,andasummaryofthecandidate’srelativestrengthsandweaknessesbasedonthetestplan.ThisCPRisintendedforfailingcandidatestousetohelpguidetheirstudybeforeretakingtheexamination.

RETAKE POLICY

Candidatesmustwaitaminimumof45or90daysbetweeneachexamination.ThepolicyofdeterminingtheminimumfrequencywithinwhichacandidatemayretaketheexaminationisestablishedbyeachindividualboardofnursingandNCSBN.

SUBMITTING COMMENTS AND FURTHER QUESTIONS

YoumayasktheTAforaConfidentialCommentSheet toprovideany informationaboutyourtestingsessiontoNCSBN,thePPCsorPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices.

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourtestingsession,pleasecontactNCSBNwithintwoweeksofyourtestingappointment.

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NCLEX TEST PLANS, TEST DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENT

NCLEX Test PlansTheNCLEX-RNandtheNCLEX-PNTestPlansaredocumentsthatdescribethescopeandcontentoftheexaminations.TheNCLEXTestPlanscanbedownloadedatnocostontheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.

Obtaining the Detailed NCLEX Test PlanAcandidateversionoftheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNDetailedTestPlanscanalsobedownloadedatnocostbyaccessingtheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.

Test 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 ExaminationStepsinthedevelopmentoftheNCLEXexaminationareoutlinedbelow.

1.Todeterminethebasisforsafeandeffectiveentry-levelnursingpractice,NCSBNconductsapracticeanalysisofentry-levelnurseseverythreeyears.ThelegalscopeofnursingpracticeandresultsofthepracticeanalysisareusedtodevelopanNCLEXtestplan.Testplans,whichoutlinethecontentcategoriesandpercentageoftestitemsallocatedtothecategories,reflectthejob-relatedknowledge,skillsandabilitiesrequiredforsafeandeffectiveentry-leveljobperformance.

2.Itemwritersarepracticingnurseswhowriteitemsthattestentry-levelnursingpracticefortheRNorPNexamination.

3.Asecondexpertpanelofpracticingnursesthenreviewsthenewly-writtenitems.Thesecondreviewistoensurethateachitemreflectscurrententry-levelnursingpracticeandthatitisaccurate.

4.AllitemsusedinanexaminationhavebeenpretestedandareshowntohavemetNCSBNstatisticalcriteriabeforebeingusedasoperational(scored)items.

DefinitionsClient=individual,familyorgroup.Nursing Diagnosis=Aclassificationofclientneedsand/orproblemsaccordingtopresumednaturalrelationships;e.g.,useofNorthAmericanNursingDiagnosesAssociation(NANDA)DefinitionsandClassifications.Prescription=Orders,interventions,remediesortreatmentsorderedordirectedbyanauthorizedhealthcareprovider.Exhibit=Denotesaclientchartormedicalrecordtypeofitem.

Additionalinformationisavailablebehindtabslistedonthescreen.Clickonatabtoreviewtheadditionalinformation.

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Client Needs Categories Covered on the NCLEX ExaminationsFourmajor“ClientNeeds”categoriesorganizethecontentofthe2010 NCLEX-RN® Test Plansandthe2011 NCLEX-PN® Test Plans.

Inthe2010 NCLEX-RNandthe2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plans,twoofthecategoriesaredividedintoatotalofsixsubcategories.“HealthPromotionandMaintenance”and“PsychosocialIntegrity”donothavesubcategories.Thefollowingprocessesareintegratedintoall“ClientNeeds”categoriesoftheRN and PN Test Plans: NursingProcess,Caring,CommunicationandDocumentation,andTeachingandLearning.

For the 2010 NCLEX-RN Test Plan

NCLEX-RN Client Needs

Percentage of Items from 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 Therapies•Reduction 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 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)TheNCLEXexaminationisdifferentthanatraditionalpencil-and-paperexamination.Typically,pencil-and-paperexaminationsadministerthe same items to every candidate, thus ensuring that the difficulty of the examination is the same across the board. Because thedifficulty of the examination is constant, the percentage correct is the indicator of the candidate’s ability. One disadvantage of thisapproachisthatitisinefficient.Itrequiresthehighabilitycandidatestoansweralltheeasyitemsontheexamination,whichprovidesverylittleinformationabouttheirability.Anotherdisadvantageisthatguessingcanartificiallyinflatethescoresoflowabilitycandidates,becausetheycananswertheseitemscorrectly25percentofthetimeforreasonsthathavenothingtodowiththeirability.Instead,theNCLEXexaminationusesComputerizedAdaptiveTesting(CAT)toadministertheitems.CATisabletoproducetestresultsthataremorestableusingfeweritemsbytargetingitemstothecandidate’sability.Thecomputer’sgoalduringtheNCLEXexaminationistodeterminetheabilityofthecandidateinrelationtothepassingstandard.Everytimethecandidateanswersanitem,thecomputerre-estimatesthecandidate’sability.Witheachadditionalanswereditem,theabilityestimatebecomesmoreprecise.

Eachitemthatthecandidatereceivesisselectedfromalargepoolofitemsusingthreecriteria:

1.Theitemislimitedtocontentareathatwillproducethebestmatchtothetestplanpercentages.Itisensuredthateachcandi-date’sexamhasenoughquestionsfromeachcontentareatomatchtherequiredtestplanpercentages.

2.Anitemisselectedthatthecandidateisexpectedtofindchallenging.Basedonthecandidate’sanswersuptothatpointandthedifficultyofthoseitems,thecomputerestimatesthecandidate’sabilityandselectsanitemthatthecandidateshouldhavea50%chanceofansweringcorrectly.Thisway,thenextitemshouldnotbetooeasyortoohardandtheexaminationcangetmaximuminformationaboutthecandidate’sabilityfromtheitem.

3.Excludesanyitemthatarepeatcandidatehasseeninthelastyear.

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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 RuleThisscenarioisthemostcommonforNCLEXexaminationcandidates.Thecomputerwillstopadministeringitemswhenitis95%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,theexamineefails.

Thisdoesnotmeanthatthecandidatemustanswerthelast60itemscorrectly.Eachabilityestimateisbaseduponallpreviousitemsanswered.

Alternate Item FormatsCandidatesmaybeadministeredmultiplechoiceitemsaswellasitemswritteninalternateformats.Theseformatsmayincludebutarenotlimitedtomultipleresponse,fill-in-the-blankcalculation,orderedresponse,and/orhotspots.Allitemtypesmayincludemultimediasuchascharts,tables,graphics,soundandvideo.

Theshorttutorialatthebeginningoftheexaminationwillexplainhowtoanswereachofthealternatetypesofitems.

The Passing StandardTheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNareseparateexaminationsthatreflectdifferentscopesofpractice.Accordingly,theseexaminationsarescoredonseparatescalesandhaveseparatepassingstandards.TheNCSBNBoardofDirectorsreevaluatesthesestandardsonceeverythreeyears.ThecriterionthattheBoardofDirectorsusestosetthestandardistheminimumlevelofabilityrequiredforsafeandeffectiveentry-levelnursingpractice.

ToassisttheBoardofDirectorsinmakingthisdecision,theBoardisprovidedwithinformationon:(1)theresultsofastandardsettingexerciseperformedbyapanelofexpertswiththeassistanceofprofessionalpsychometricians;(2)thehistoricalrecordofthepassingstandardwithsummariesofthecandidateperformanceassociatedwiththosestandards;(3)theresultsofastandardsettingsurveysenttoeducatorsandemployers;and(4)informationdescribingtheeducationalreadinessofhighschoolgraduateswhoexpressaninterestinnursing.

Oncethepassingstandardisset,itisimposeduniformlyoneverytestrecordaccordingtotheprocedureslaidabove.TopassanNCLEXexamination,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.orgE-mail: nclexinfo@ncsbn.org

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