NCLEX Shut Off At 85 Questions: What You Need to Know

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has announced that it will be implementing a new scoring system for the NCLEX-RN exam starting in 2023. The new system will shut off the exam after 85 questions, regardless of the candidate's performance. This change has sparked widespread debate among nursing students, educators, and practitioners. It's essential to understand the reasoning behind this decision and how it will impact test-takers.

The NCLEX-RN exam is a critical assessment tool used by the NCSBN to determine whether a candidate is prepared to provide safe and effective care to patients. The exam continues to evolve to meet the needs of the nursing profession, and the new scoring system is intended to help reduce test anxiety and improve the testing experience for candidates. However, some have raised concerns about the potential impact on test-takers who may not be adequately prepared for the exam.

History of the NCLEX-RN Exam Scoring System

The NCLEX-RN exam has been administered in various formats over the years, including paper-and-pencil and computer-adaptive testing (CAT). The CAT format, introduced in the late 1990s, adjusts the level of difficulty based on a candidate's responses to previous questions. In 2013, the NCSBN implemented a statistical-leveling procedure to ensure that the exam was equally difficult for all test-takers.

The current scoring system allows the exam to continue indefinitely until a candidate reaches a passing score or a predetermined time limit. However, this can lead to test-takers feeling overwhelmed and anxious, particularly those who struggle with time management or test anxiety.

Background on the New Scoring System

The driving force behind the new scoring system is the NCSBN's goal of providing a more streamlined and efficient testing experience. The organization's initial research, demonstrated that the current system was causing undue stress and anxiety among test-takers, and the new system promises to improve the overall candidate experience.

According to Dr. Maureen Murray, NCLEX-RN exam director, "The goal is to make the exam more user-friendly and reduce the anxiety levels among test-takers. We want candidates to focus on their knowledge and skills, not on the pressure of reaching a specific score or timeframe."

The research involved a comprehensive review of candidate feedback, results data, and user experience surveys. The analysis indicated that the majority of test-takers were facing significant anxiety and stress while taking the exam, particularly when the test continued beyond 100 questions.