If you are a nurse or planning to be a nurse, there is no doubt that you will have to take the Nclex exam. The Nclex exam will also probably be one of the most important tests that you take in your career. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little piece of mind in knowing what you can expect when you take your Nclex exam? Of course, I don’t mean telling you what Nclex exam questions you will get because that just can’t be done. What I can tell you about the Nclex exam is what to expect when you get to your testing site and as you take the test. This information comes from the best place, my own personal experience and the testing site itself!
Arriving to Take Your Nclex Exam
As with any test or any important engagement, arrive about 30 minutes prior to your Nclex exam time. If you are late for your test (more than 30 minutes), the testing center can cancel your appointment which means your Nclex exam is forfeited. If you forfeit your exam, it is reported to the board of nursing, you have to re-register, and you would have to pay for another Nclex exam. If you have to bring someone with you, they need to wait outside as most Nclex exam centers do not allow guests to wait inside.
Once you arrive to take your Nclex exam, you will sign in, have your fingerprints taken, your Drivers License or official state ID card will be checked, and you will have your photograph taken. Only bring minimal personal belongings as there is only a small space to leave your things. Although Nclex exam centers offer a secure place to leave your belongings (usually a locker), the spaces are small, and the test center assumes no responsibility for your belongings. Nclex books, study guides, and notebooks are all prohibited and may result in forfeiture of your test so leave those items in the car or at home.
It’s Time to Take Your Nclex Exam
Once you are all checked in and ready to go, you will be assigned a computer, given a dry erase board and marker (for any problems that you need to work out), receive a brief orientation from the test administrator, and be escorted to the computer at which you will take your Nclex exam. Clear instructions will be given and you may begin your Nclex exam. During your Nclex exam, you are allowed to take short breaks but they do count against your testing time. Nclex RN takers are allowed 6 hours to take their Nclex exam and PN takers are given 5 hours. If you need a break while taking your Nclex exam, raise your hand and the test administrator will assist you.
During Your Nclex Exam
While you are taking your Nclex exam, you are not allowed to talk or look around the room at what other test takers may be doing. Be sure to raise your hand if any issues arise but, be sure to understand that the test administrator can not help you with any Nclex exam related questions, they can only help you with technical issues. During your Nclex exam, once you answer each question, you are not given the opportunity to go back so make sure you have selected the correct answer before you go to the next question.
The Nclex exam can vary from 75 questions to 265, depending on the test and your answers. Once the minimum number of questions is reached, the computer will determine if you have passed or failed with 95% certainty. If your pass or fail can not be determined, you will continue to receive questions. Your computer may continue to give you Nclex exam questions until pass or fail can be determined, you answer the maximum number of questions, or you used up your allotted time.
Finishing Your Nclex Exam
Once you are finished with your Nclex exam, you will be given a computer generated questionnaire about your testing experience. After the questionnaire is complete, raise your hand and your test administrator will ensure all documentation is complete and then you will be allowed to leave. If you had any issues during the test that you believe may have affected your Nclex exam results, you must tell the testing administrator before you leave (this does not mean any action will be taken but you need to tell them ASAP).
Getting Your Nclex Exam Results
The number of questions that you are given on your Nclex exam does not indicate if you pass or fail. I had the minimum number of questions and passed. I have several friends who took the Nclex exam and had anywhere from 85 questions to 265 and they all passed. I have heard of many people who have failed but I only personally know two.
The Nclex exam sites do not get the results of your Nclex exam so do not even bother to ask. The only place you can receive your Nclex exam results is from your State Board of Nursing. Your Nclex exam results will be mailed to you within one month of completing your exam. You can get your ‘unofficial’ (yet usually accurate) results by calling the Nclex candidate number or visiting their website, you can get this information at your testing center and there is a fee for this service.
You can also check your state board of nursing website and search for a valid license in your name (this service is free in my state, Kentucky). I started searching 24 hours after my test and after 48 hours, it gave me my LPN license number which meant that I passed my Nclex exam!
http://www.vue.com/nclex/admin_09.pdf
