NCLEX-RN or The National Council Licensure Examination is a test for nurses who are pursuing an interest in working in the U.S. or Canada. Most of NCLEX questions are multiple-choice, but there are other formats as well. The idea behind NCLEX is to test knowledge, skills and abilities paramount to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry-level. VIVACRISTO International Study Abroad caters to comprehensive training with a proven track of classroom lessons and computer-based exam practice sessions.
Questions
People generally answer a minimum of 75 questions to a maximum of 265 questions. Regardless of the number of answers, the candidate will be given 15 experimental questions, which do not count for or against the candidate. The idea behind this is for the exam administrators use them to test for future questions during the exam.
Time
The time frame for this exam is six hours and the time that needs to be spent on each question depends upon the candidate. The exam includes a tutorial in the beginning. There are no mandatory breaks. However, there's an optional break after 2.5 hours of testing, and another optional break after 3.5 hours of testing.
Examination
The examination ends when one of the following occurs:
a) The candidate has demonstrated minimum competency and answered the minimum number of questions(75).
b) The candidate has shown a lack of minimum competency and answered the minimum number of questions (75).
c) The candidate has responded to the maximum number of questions (265).
d) The candidate has used the full time allowed (6 hours).
Result
The NCLEX-RN® exam is pass/fail—there is no numerical score. A decision will be made at the conclusion of the exam as to whether the candidate has passed or failed. However, the results will not be made available at the exam site. The candidate will be notified by the State Board of Nursing approximately 2-4 weeks after the test date.
Failing the exam means that the candidate did not successfully answer questions at or above the level of difficulty needed to pass. On this particular exam, the candidate was unable to demonstrate the ability to provide safe and effective care. If the candidate fails, he or she will receive a diagnostic profile that evaluates the test performance. Please read it carefully. It will clearly show how many questions were answered on the exam. The more questions answered, the closer the candidate is to passing the examination.
The only way you continue to get questions after the first 75 is if the candidate answers questions close to the level of difficulty need to pass. Use the diagnostic profile to determine the problem areas. It can then focus on the candidate's preparation accordingly.
Re-test
Re-test for the NCLEX-RN exam is permitted 45 days after the initial administration (unless the candidate is in Georgia or Guam—contact SBON for details). If the candidate has prepared on his/her own for the first time, they might want to consider a formal preparation option to help focus their study time more effectively.
Regardless of the method, one chooses; don't forget to use the diagnostic profile to guide the preparation.
Application Procedure for the Examination
The candidate's first step is to apply to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). There will be some requirements to follow the procedures established by the individual State Boards of Nursing. Certain states have combined registration for the NCLEX-RN exam with the application for licensure. In all other states, the candidates must apply for licensure with the State Board of Nursing in the country in which he/ she wishes to become licensed. Once the application is made, the candidate will receive a Candidate Bulletin to register for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Examination Fee
$200 is the cost to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Additional licensure fees are determined by the individual State Boards of Nursing. The candidates must send their completed test application and payment to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It can also be registered by phone by calling: 1-866-496-2539 in the USA (1-952-681-3815 for outside the USA) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Eastern), Monday through Friday. Phone registrants are required to pay by VISA or Master Card. There is a $9.50 service fee for the phone registration. If the candidate prefers, he/she may send a personal check, cashier's check or money order to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The candidate will then receive a postcard acknowledging receipt of registration. That will help the candidate to schedule an appointment to take the exam until the State Board of Nursing declares the candidate eligible and he or she will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) in the mail.