2009 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin

Transcription

1 This bulletin contains information for all registrations and scheduling of examination appointments beginning January 1, Do not discard before receiving your test results. Additional information is available at NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin

2 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE NCLEX EXAMINATIONS Questions About... Registering to take the NCLEX examination Authorization to Test (ATT) Lost Authorization to Test Acceptable forms of identification Comments about the test center Answers Visit: NCLEX Candidate Web Site, Call: NCLEX Candidate Services (Pearson VUE) United States Call at (toll-free) NCLEX ( ), Monday - Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, U.S. Central Time. Asia Pacific Region Call NCLEX Candidate Services in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at (pay number) , M o n d ay - Friday, 8:30 am to 6 pm, Universal Ti m e. Europe, Middle East, Africa Call NCLEX Candidate Services, at (pay number) , Monday - Friday 8 am - 6 pm, Central European Time. India Call NCLEX Candidate Services at (pay number) , Monday-Friday 9 am - 6 pm, IT. All other countries not listed above Call (pay number) , Monday - Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, Central Time. Candidates with hearing impairments who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) Call the U.S.A. Relay Service at (toll-free) or the Canada & International Inbound relay service at (pay number) These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Write: NCLEX Examination Program Pearson Professional Testing 5601 Green Valley Drive Bloomington, MN pvamericascustomerservice@pearson.com. NCLEX examination development General NCLEX examination information Unresolved concerns related to examination administration Name or address changes Name corrections on your Authorization to Test (ATT) Licensure Endorsement Interpretation of results Candidate Performance Report Scheduling an appointment to test Rescheduling or unscheduling your testing appointment Visit: NCSBN Web site, Write: National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. NCLEX Examinations Department 111 E. Wacker, Suite 2900 Chicago, Illinois Call NCLEX Examinations Department: Fax NCLEX Examinations Department: nclexinfo@ncsbn.org Write or call your board of nursing. Links to all boards of nursing Web sites and contact information is available on the NCSBN Web site: click on the link titled Boards of Nursing. Wait until you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT). Follow directions on pages 7-9 of this bulletin. Examination results Examination results are sent to you by your board of nursing. Wait a minimum of four weeks following your examination for your results to arrive in the mail.

3 JANUARY 2009 Table of Contents What is the NCLEX Examination? Registration Process Overview Examination Fee and Registration Information Fee Registration Time Limit How to Register for the NCLEX Examination Registering on the Internet Registering by Mail Registering by Telephone No Refunds Failure to Pay Workforce Exception Program Procedures for Requesting Special Accommodations Directions for Completing the NCLEX Examination Registration Form Sample Name Entry on an NCLEX Registration Form Sample Address Entry on an NCLEX Registration Form How to Schedule Your NCLEX Examination Appointment Authorization to Test (ATT) Scheduling Your NCLEX Examination Appointment Group Scheduling Scheduling Procedure Candidates Seeking Examinations Accommodations Procedure for Changing Your NCLEX Examination Appointment Personal Identification Acceptable Identification Additional Precautions Examination Security Test Center Regulations Grounds for Dismissal or Cancellation of Results Confidentiality The Day of the Examination Additional Information about the NCLEX Examination NCLEX Test Plans Client Needs Categories Covered on the NCLEX Examination Scoring the NCLEX Examination Examination Items Abbreviations for States, Territories, and Canadian Provinces International Country Codes Education Program Codes U.S. and Territories International The policies and procedures contained within this Candidate Bulletin are subject to change at any time with or without notice. If you have any questions regarding these changes contact NCSBN at Candidate results are not reported during any period of time in which the board of nursing to which a candidate has applied for licensure is not a member in good standing of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). Copyright 2009 National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). All rights reserved. NCLEX, NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are registered trademarks of NCSBN and may not be used or reproduced without written permission from NCSBN. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise now known or to be invented) without written permission from NCSBN. Address inquiries in writing to NCSBN Permissions, 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL

4 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN What is the NCLEX Examination? In April 1994 nurse licensure candidates began taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX ) on a computer at test centers located across the United States and select international sites. The change to computerized adaptive testing (CAT) for the nurse licensure examination came about as a result of a decision made in August 1991 by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX examinations are only provided in a computerized adaptive testing format. The NCLEX examination is designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. NCLEX examination results are an important component used by boards of nursing to make decisions about licensure. Only boards of nursing can release NCLEX examination results to candidates. The NCLEX examination is given on a computer. You are not expected to know how to use a computer before you take the examination. A tutorial will be included as part of the examination. The tutorial will instruct you on the use of the mouse and how to record an answer. Even after the examination starts, you will be able to request assistance at any time regarding the operation of the computer. In addition to the traditional four option multiple-choice items, the tutorial will include information on how to respond to different types of item formats called alternate items. Another computer function is the on-screen optional calculator. Again, the application of this calculator will be reviewed in the tutorial prior to the beginning of the examination. The tutorial can be reviewed any time prior to the examination at Pearson Professional Testing provides test development and test administration services for the NCLEX examination. Registration Process Overview 1. Submit an application for licensure to the board of nursing where you wish to be licensed. 2. Meet all of the board of nursing s eligibility requirements to take the NCLEX examination. 3. Register for the NCLEX Examination with Pearson VUE. 4. Receive Confirmation of Registration from Pearson VUE. 5. The board of nursing makes the candidate eligible to take the NCLEX. 6. Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. If you choose to provide an address at the time you register for the NCLEX examination (whether by mail, telephone, or via the internet), please note that all of your correspondence from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY by . If you do not provide an address when you register, your correspondence from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY through U.S. mail. If more than two weeks have passed after you have submitted a registration for an NCLEX examination and received confirmation from Pearson VUE, and you have not received an ATT, please call Pearson VUE at the appropriate number listed on the inside front cover. Examination Fee and Registration Information Fee The fee for taking the NCLEX examination is $200. You may also have to pay other fees for licensure required by the board of nursing in the jurisdiction in which you are applying. You must check with your board of nursing to find out about these fees. If you choose to schedule your NCLEX examination at a test center outside of the United States *, you will have to pay an international scheduling fee of $150, and where applicable, a Value Added Tax (VAT). These fees will be charged when you schedule your examination appointment. Registration Time Limit All NCLEX examination registrations will remain open for a 365-day time period during which a board of nursing may determine the candidate s eligibility. The time period begins when the board of nursing receives the candidate s registration from the test service. Once a candidate is made eligible, he or she must test within the validity dates printed on the Authorization to Test (ATT). 2 * United States includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands.

5 JANUARY 2009 If the board of nursing is unable to make you eligible within the 365-day time period, you must wait until your current registration expires before re-registering. A candidate may not have two NCLEX examination registrations (of the same exam type) open at the same time. If you re-register before your current registration expires, your second registration will be processed and denied, and the fee collected is non-refundable. Candidates who are not made eligible by their board of nursing within the 365-day time period will forfeit their registrations, including the registration fee. Candidates who wish to take an NCLEX examination will need to re-register and re-pay the examination fee. How to Register for the NCLEX Examination 1. 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. If you provide an address when registering for the NCLEX examination, all subsequent correspondence from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY BY . If you do not provide an address, all your correspondence will arrive ONLY through the U.S. mail. Registering on the Internet Go to the NCLEX Candidate Web site ( and select one of the following registration options: 1. Paying by credit card: Answer each question as directed. Use pages 4-7 of this bulletin as a guide in answering the questions. You must pay for your registration by credit or debit card, using one of the following: VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Have your credit card ready when you begin your registration. 2. Paying by money order, cashier s check or certified check: Answer each question as directed. Use pages 4-7 of this bulletin as a guide in answering the questions. Upon completion follow directions to print confirmation document. Mail the confirmation document and a certified check, cashier s check or money order (made payable to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing) for $200 in U.S. currency drawn on a bank in the United States. Mail to: NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul, MN Personal checks, cash, foreign currency, stamps, receipts or proofs of payment will not be accepted. Registering by Mail You must enclose a certified check, cashier s check, or money order (made payable to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing) for $200 in U.S. currency drawn on a bank in the United States with your registration. Use the enclosed envelope to return your registration form and payment. Mail to: NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul, MN Personal checks, cash, foreign currency, stamps, receipts or proofs of payment will not be accepted. Credit cards cannot be used when registering by mail. NOTE: Registrations that are not properly completed and/or are not accompanied by the proper payment will be returned to you and will delay your testing. Registering by Telephone Call NCLEX Candidate Services at one of the numbers listed on the inside front cover of this candidate bulletin. Before you call, complete the registration form; the customer service representative will ask you to provide the information collected on the registration form. You must pay by using a valid VISA, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card. Have your credit card ready when you make your telephone call. You must supply the name shown on the credit card, the credit card number, and the expiration date. Credit cards will be verified before registrations are processed. Delays may be encountered if credit cards cannot be verified. No Refunds There will be no refund of registration fees (mail, telephone, or via the internet) for any reason. If you have not received a confirmation of your registration within one week of submitting your registration form, call NCLEX Candidate Services at one of the telephone numbers listed on the inside front cover of this candidate bulletin to check the status of your registration. Do not submit another registration and fee before calling. If you decide to submit an additional registration, first stop payment on the original payment submitted. If you register twice for either the NCLEX-RN or the NCLEX-PN examination, both registrations will be processed and both fees collected. However, you will not be allowed to have more than one active registration for the same examination. No registration fees will be refunded, not even fees received from duplicate registrations. There will be no refund of the $150 international scheduling fee or VAT for any reason. 3

6 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN Failure to Pay A candidate may not take the NCLEX examination if the registration fee has been stopped, cancelled, or otherwise revoked, either by the candidate or a financial institution. If payment is stopped after the candidate takes the examination, NCSBN and the boards of nursing reserve the right to hold and/or revoke the candidate s result. Workforce Exception Program Nursing schools, agencies or employers may register and administratively pay for the NCLEX examination on behalf of the candidate. This is considered a Workforce Exception. If your registration is accompanied by such a payment, you will not use the enclosed envelope to return your registration and payment. Please follow the instructions below: Write Workforce Exception on a post-it note (or any note), place it on the $200 check (made payable to NCSBN), and mail both the NCLEX registration form and check to: NCLEX Workforce Program Pearson VUE 5601 Green Valley Drive, Room 220 Bloomington, MN NOTE: NCSBN and Pearson VUE have established specific guidelines for this provision (Workforce Exception). Failure to adhere to the guidelines will result in the rejection and a significant delay of the registration. Procedures for Requesting Special Accommodations Testing accommodations for otherwise qualified candidates can be provided only with the authorization of your board of nursing. Request information from your board of nursing concerning its requirements for requesting testing accommodations. This should be done before submitting your NCLEX examination registration. Make a request for accommodations to your board of nursing. Your request must comply with requirements established by your board of nursing for candidates requesting testing accommodations. Send your request to your board of nursing as early as possible so that, if approved by the board of nursing, the special accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Directions for Completing the NCLEX Examination Registration Form The registration scan form that is in the envelope enclosed with this candidate bulletin includes all of the questions that you must answer if you register via the internet, by mail or by telephone. If you submit your registration form by mail, your registration form will be read by a computer and must be completed accurately to ensure timely and efficient processing. You will be sent a confirmation indicating that your registration was received. Incomplete forms and forms received without the correct fee will be returned. Page 1 of the Registration Form For any of the three registration methods (internet, mail or telephone) you will be asked to supply the following information: Examination Fee Please enter the number of your check or money order in the boxes provided. 1. Examination for Which You Are Registering Fill in the circle next to the NCLEX examination for which you are registering, either Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN e x a m i- nation) or Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN e x a m i n a t i o n ). Once the registration has been submitted, candidates who want to change the type of examination requested or the board of nursing where licensure was requested must contact NCLEX Candidate Services and will be required to pay a $50 change fee. Once a board of nursing declares you eligible to test, neither the board of nursing where licensure was requested nor the type of examination can be changed. Your Name 2. Name Enter your name exactly as it is printed on the picture identification that you will present at the test center. Do not change the spelling and do not change the order of your names. Print your last (family) name, first name, and your middle name in the spaces provided and completely fill in the corresponding circles. Print one letter clearly in each box. Leave blank spaces between each part of your name. If any of your names are too long to fit in the boxes provided, print as much as will fit. If you have had a name change, and have been made eligible by your board of nursing, you must submit the name change to your board of nursing and request a new ATT 4

7 JANUARY 2009 from the NCLEX Call Center. Do not call or write NCLEX Candidate Services with this information. NOTE: The name on the ATT must match the name on the identification you will present at the test center. See page 5 for a sample name entry on an NCLEX registration form. Page 2 of the Registration Form 3. Mother s Maiden Name Print your mother s maiden name and fill in the corresponding circles. Maiden name is the last (family) name your mother used at birth before marriage. Only the last name is needed, not the full name. Your registration will not be processed without this information. If you have questions please contact NCLEX Candidate Services at one of the numbers located on the inside front cover of this bulletin. 4. Your Date of Birth Fill in the circle next to the month in which you were born. Print the day and year in which you were born and completely fill in the corresponding circles. For birth dates that are less than 10, enter zero in the first day box (for example, if you were born on April 2, 1966, you would fill in the circle next to April and then enter 02 for the day and 1966 for the year). Incomplete birth dates will delay processing. 5. U.S. Social Security Number Print your United States Social Security number, if you have one, and fill in the corresponding circles. This information is optional but may be used by the board of nursing to link your NCLEX examination results to your application for licensure. 6. Ethnic Information Indicate the appropriate ethnic information by filling in the corresponding circle. This information is used for statistical purposes only. Your compliance to this question is voluntary. 7. Sex Indicate your sex by filling in the corresponding circle. This information is used for statistical purposes only. Your compliance to this question is voluntary. 8. Telephone Number (Home/Mobile) Print your home/mobile telephone number and fill in the corresponding circles. This number will be used if it is necessary to contact you about your registration. 9. Telephone Number (Work) Print your work telephone number and fill in the corresponding circles. This number will be used if it is necessary to contact you about your registration Address If you have an address, print it in this space if you wish to receive all of your subsequent correspondence (confirmation of registration, ATT and confirmation of examination appointment) from Pearson VUE by ONLY. If you do not provide an address, your correspondence from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY through U.S. mail. Page 3 of the Registration Form 11. Your Maiden Name Print your maiden name and fill in the corresponding circles. Maiden name is the family name given to you at birth before marriage. Sample Name Entry on an NCLEX Registration Form 5

8 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN Sample Address Entry on an NCLEX Registration Form 12. Another Last Name You Have Used Print any other last name you have used when registering for the NCLEX examination or applying for licensure to a board of nursing. Fill in the corresponding circles. The name you enter must be the name you used immediately prior to the name you currently use. 13. Last Date Other Name Was Used Fill in the circle next to the month. Print and completely fill in the corresponding circles of the year for the last date that you used the name entered in number Primary Language Fill in the circle next to the option that best describes your language proficiency. This information is used for statistical purposes only. 15. Education Program Code Using the list of Education Program Codes beginning on page 18, enter the five-digit code of the program from which you received your nursing education and fill in the corresponding circles. If educated outside the U.S.*, use the international education codes on page 40. This information is required and must be filled in. If the name of your program is not on the list or if you are taking the licensure examination as a result of equivalency, please contact your board of nursing to find the correct code to use. 16. Graduation Date Fill in the circle next to the month of your graduation from your nursing program. Print the year of your graduation and fill in the corresponding circles. (For example, if you graduated in June 1997, you would fill in the circle next to June and then enter 1997 for the year.) 17. Do You Have CGFNS Certification? Indicate whether or not you have received certification from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). A current CGFNS certificate indicates that you have passed the pre-licensure examination that tests nursing knowledge and English skills for graduates of foreign nursing schools. 18. CGFNS Certification Number If you have CGFNS certification, print your certification number in the spaces provided and fill in the corresponding circles. Otherwise leave this section blank and go on to question 19. * United States includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 6

9 JANUARY 2009 Page 4 of the Registration Form 19. Board of Nursing From Which You Are Seeking Licensure Fill in the circle next to the name of the board of nursing where you applied for licensure. This information is required and must be filled in. If a board of nursing is not selected, this form will be returned to you. Once the registration form has been submitted, candidates who want to change the board of nursing where licensure was requested or the type of examination requested must contact NCLEX Candidate Services and will be required to pay a $50 change fee. The board of nursing where licensure was requested or the type of examination requested cannot be changed once that board of nursing declares you eligible to test. 20. Your Current Mailing Address Print the street address, city, state, territory or Canadian province where you want your registration and scheduling information to be mailed. (If you choose to provide an address, please note that all of your correspondence from Pearson VUE will arrive O N LY by . If you do not provide an address your correspondence will arrive only through U.S. mail.) Fill in the corresponding circles. To indicate a space in your address, leave a blank box and fill in the corresponding circle. The state, territory and Canadian province abbreviations are located on page 17. If you live outside of the United States, its territories or Canada, leave the section marked State, Te r r i t o r y, or Province blank. 20a. U.S. Zip Code If you live in the United States or its territories, print your U.S. zip code and completely fill in the corresponding circles. 20b. Country Code Only if your mailing address is outside the United States and its territories, use the International Country Code list on page 17 to complete this item. Print the three-digit country c ode and completely fill in the corresponding circles. There is no country code for U.S. addresses. 20c. Foreign Postal Code If you live outside the U.S., please print your international postal code in this space. All testing at Pearson Professional Centers is subject to U.S. government trade regulations and restrictions regarding embargoed countries, some of which are applicable to the provision of testing services in the U.S. and its territories. You must supply an international postal cod e when providing your address and make sure that such reference is consistent with the address on your identification that you present at the testing center. Signature Sign (do not print) in pencil or ink your full name and fill in the date. Before you mail your registration form and examination fee in the enclosed envelope, make sure that you have signed your form and checked it for accuracy. Be sure that the proper circles are filled in, that there are no stray marks and that your form is complete and accurate. How to Schedule Your NCLEX Examination Appointment Authorization to Test (ATT) After your board of nursing declares you eligible, you will receive your ATT. You must have your ATT to schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX examination and you must present your ATT at the test center on the day of your examination to be admitted to the examination. You will not be admitted to the examination without your ATT and will be required to re-register and re-pay to take the examination. Call NCLEX Candidate Services at one of the telephone numbers listed on the inside front cover of the Candidate Bulletin to report a lost ATT or if it has been two weeks since you registered and have not received your ATT. The ATT contains your test authorization number, candidate identification number, and an expiration date. Each ATT is valid for a period of time specified by the state board of nursing (varies from 60 days to 365 days; however, the average is 90 days). Once the board of nursing declares you eligible to test and your ATT is issued, you must test within the validity dates of your ATT. These validity dates cannot be extended for any reason. If you do not test within these dates you will have to re-register and pay again. Scheduling Your NCLEX Examination Appointment When scheduling your examination appointment, you should plan for a testing session that may last a maximum of six hours if you are taking the NCLEX-RN examination, or five hours for the NCLEX-PN examination. Candidates should make appointments to test as soon as possible after receiving their ATTs even if they do not want to test immediately. WARNING: Test centers may fill up quickly because of high volumes and previously scheduled special events. Waiting to call to schedule your testing appointment may significantly limit the dates the center can seat you. Additionally, if you wait until your ATT is close to expiring, Pearson Professional Centers may not be able to seat you prior to its expiration. If this occurs, you will be required to re-register and re-pay to take the examination. You must test within the validity dates of your ATT. As stated previously, these validity dates cannot be extended for any reason. First-time test takers must be offered an appointment within 30 days of the call to schedule an appointment, and repeat candidates must be offered an appointment within 45 days. If you wish, you may decline the appointment offered and schedule later than the 30 or 45 days. 7

10 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN Group Scheduling Group scheduling (5 or more candidates) must be done through the Pearson VUE group scheduling coordinator. For further information please send a fax to the attention of Group Scheduling Coordinator at Scheduling Procedure Follow these procedures to schedule your NCLEX examination a p p o i n t m e n t. 1. You may take the examination at any approved Pearson Professional Center (PPC). You can find Pearson Professional Center locations and addresses on the NCLEX Candidate Web site ( You may schedule an appointment to take your NCLEX examination at any center. You do not have to take the examination in the same jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure. 2. If you choose to schedule your examination at a test center outside of the United States*, you will be charged an additional non-refundable scheduling fee of $150. If applicable, a Value Added Tax (VAT) may be charged for this examination. Please be aware that once you have an appointment at a test center outside of the United States*, and you decide to re-schedule to a test center in the U.S., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands or the US Virgin Islands, you will not receive a refund for the $150 scheduling fee. Please also be aware that the list of available test centers outside of the United States is subject to change without prior notice. You will be notified in the event that the test center at which you are scheduled to take your examination becomes unavailable. You may reschedule the examination at another available test center. If, under these circumstances, you choose to reschedule the examination at a test center in the United States, your $150 scheduling fee will be refunded. 3. Examination appointments at test centers in the U.S., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands can be scheduled through the NCLEX Candidate Web site or by calling NCLEX Candidate Services at one of the telephone numbers listed on the inside front cover of this Candidate Bulletin. You can only schedule an appointment for test centers outside of the United States * by telephone through the NCLEX Candidate Services. Walk-ins will not be accepted at test centers outside of the United States. * You cannot schedule your examination appointment until you receive the ATT. Have your ATT available when you schedule. 4. If you are using the NCLEX Candidate Web site to schedule, you will be asked to supply your user ID and password, which you will receive with your Acknowledgement of Receipt of NCLEX Examination Registration. You also will be asked your preference for date and time of testing at the Pearson Professional Center of your choice. 5. If you schedule via the telephone, you will be asked to supply your name and your ATT number, along with other information to verify your identity. You also will be asked your preference for date and time of testing at the Pearson Professional Center of your choice. 6. If your first-choice date or time is unavailable, you will be offered an alternative as close to your first choice as possible. 7. On the bottom of your ATT, make a note of when and at which Pearson Professional Center you have been scheduled for the examination. Be sure to ask for directions if you need them. 8. A confirmation of your appointment will be sent to you from Pearson VUE. Verify that all the information is correct. Call or go online to check that your appointment has been scheduled or re-scheduled if you do not receive a confirmation. Contact NCLEX Candidate Services immediately to correct any errors to your appointment. Candidates Seeking Examination Accommodations Testing accommodations for otherwise qualified candidates will only be provided with the authorization from your board of nursing. Do not schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX examination until you have received written confirmation of your accommodations and your ATT indicating Accommodations Granted. Candidates approved for testing with special accommodations must schedule their testing appointment through the N C L E X Accommodations Coordinator by calling N C L E X Candidate Services at one of the telephone numbers listed on the inside front cover of this Candidate Bulletin and asking for the N C L E X Accommodations Coordinator. Candidates with accommodations may not test as walk-ins. Please note: Candidates who seek to test with accommodations cannot schedule their appointments through the NCLEX Candidate Web site. * United States includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 8

11 JANUARY 2009 Procedure for Changing Your NCLEX Examination Appointment If you need to change your appointment date, time or location, you may go to the NCLEX Candidate Web site ( or call NCLEX Candidate Services one full business day (24 hours) as described below: For examinations scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday call at least 24 hours prior to the day and time of your appointment. For examinations scheduled on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, call no later than Friday at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment time. Candidates with appointments at test centers outside of the United States * must call NCLEX Candidate Services to change their appointment. Candidates who have appointments at a test center outside the U.S. may re-schedule to another test center outside the U.S. without forfeiting their $150 scheduling fee. If you choose to re-schedule your examination to a test center within the United States *, you will forfeit your $150 fee. If you have an appointment at one of the test centers in the United States * and choose to re-schedule to a test center outside the U.S., you will be charged a non-refundable $150 scheduling fee and any applicable Value Added Tax (VAT). If you are a candidate receiving special accommodations, ask for the NCLEX Accommodations Coordinator in order to change your appointment. Personal Identification 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. Your Name The printed name on your identification must match exactly the printed name on your AT T. If your name with which you have registered is different from the name on your identification, you must bring legal name change documentation with you to the test center on the day of your test. The only acceptable forms of legal documentation are: marriage licenses, divorce decrees and/or court action legal name change documents. All documents must be in English and must be original documents. Candidates wishing to make a legal name change, address change or address change must contact their board of nursing. This cannot be done at the test center. Identification Requirements When you arrive at the test center, you will be required to present one form of acceptable identification from the list below. You will also be required to present your valid ATT. You will not be admitted to the examination without acceptable identification and your ATT; if either of these requirements is not met, you will be turned away; if you arrive without these materials, you will be required to reregister and re-pay the examination fee of $200. If you paid the scheduling fee of $150, that will be forfeited as well. If you fail to arrive for your examination appointment or fail to re-schedule/unschedule without giving the appropriate notice (as outlined on this page), you will forfeit your examination fee (and scheduling fee if applicable) and your AT T will be invalidated. You will be required to re-register and repay the examination fee of $200. Your failure to take the examination will be reported to the board of nursing where you have applied for licensure. NOTE: Leaving a message on an answering machine does not constitute giving the required notice for re-scheduling or unscheduling your testing appointment. You must either reschedule or unschedule your appointment on the NCLEX Candidate Web site or by speaking with an agent at NCLEX Candidate Services. No Refunds There will be no refund of the $200 examination fee for any reason. This policy also applies to the scheduling fee of $150 and VAT (if applicable). See page 3 for details. * United States includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Acceptable Identification The only acceptable forms of identification in test centers in the United States * are: U.S. driver s license (if expired, a renewal slip must be presented in order to be admitted) (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued) U.S. state identification (Department of Motor Vehicle-issued) passport U.S. Military Identification The only identification acceptable in test centers outside of the United States * is: passport Candidates with identification from a country on the U.S. government s embargoed countries list will not be admitted to test. All identification must be valid and not expired with signature and photograph. All identification must be in English and signed in English. Driver s or learner s permits are not acceptable as identification for admittance to the NCLEX examination. Only the identifications listed above will be accepted. 9

12 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN Additional Precautions Additional security measures that will be taken at the test centers include: A digital fingerprint, signature and photograph will be taken at the test center and will accompany your examination result. Your fingerprint, signature and photograph may be used to confirm your identity by the board of nursing to which you have applied for licensure. You cannot be tested without having your fingerprint, signature and photograph taken. You will be observed at all times while taking the examination. This process will include direct observation by test center staff as well as video and audio recording of your examination session. Examination Security and Candidate Rules Test Center Regulations To ensure that all candidates NCLEX examination results are earned under comparable conditions and represent fair and accurate measurement, it is necessary to maintain a standardized testing environment. The following regulations are designed to help ensure such an environment. All candidates must adhere to these regulations: No study aids (textbooks, notebooks, classroom notes, etc.) are allowed anywhere in Pearson Professional Centers. No papers, books, food, pens, purses, wallets, watches, beepers, cell/mobile phones or any other electronic devices are allowed in the testing room. No cameras, photographic equipment or devices, or weapons (i.e. guns, knives, swords, daggers, etc.) are allowed in the test center. No hats, scarves or coats may be worn in the testing room. Religious apparel worn as part of the doctrinal or traditional observance of the religious faith practiced by the candidate may be allowed in the testing room. Eating, drinking or use of tobacco is not allowed in the testing center. Scratch paper may not be brought into the testing room. Note boards and markers will be provided by the test center staff. Note boards may not be removed from the test center. Candidates may not leave the testing room without the test administrator s permission. Candidates must provide a fingerprint each time they enter and exit the testing room. Candidates may not leave the Pearson Professional Center building during break times. Candidates may not access any study aids or seek assistance of any third party in answering items (in person, by phone or ) after the start of the exam. 10 Grounds for Dismissal or Cancellation of Results An examinee who violates the test center regulations or rules, or engages in irregular behavior, misconduct and/or does not follow the administrator s warning to discontinue inappropriate behavior may be dismissed from the test center and your exam fee will not be refunded. Additionally, your exam result may be withheld or cancelled and your licensing board may take other disciplinary action such as denial of a license and/or disqualifying you from future registrations for licensure. Behaviors that are considered to constitute irregular behavior or misconduct include but are not limited to: Giving or receiving assistance of any kind. Using any prohibited aids. Prohibited aids are any devices or materials that will be helpful in taking the NCLEX examination. Examples of aids that are prohibited are electronic devices (i.e. cell/mobile phones, PDAs, hand held computers, etc.), handheld calculators, conversion tables, dictionaries, etc. Attempting to take the examination for someone else. Bringing any NCLEX examination study aids (textbooks, notebooks, classroom notes, etc.) to the testing center or accessing or attempting to access such study materials at any time after the start of the examination administration, including, but not limited to, break times. Failing to follow testing regulations or the instructions of the test administrator. Creating a disturbance of any kind. Copying, reconstructing or removing examination items and/or responses (in any format) or notes about the examination from the testing room or attempting to do the same. Tampering with the operation of the computer or attempting to use it for any function other than taking the examination. Confidentiality Candidates should be aware and understand that the disclosure of any examination materials including the nature or content of examination items, before, during, or after the examination is a violation of law. Violations of confidentiality and/or candidates rules can result in criminal prosecution or civil liability and/or disciplinary actions by the licensing agency including the denial of licensure. If you are aware of, or have observed an attempt to compromise the NCLEX examination process, please report it to the NCLEX Test Security group. Candidates may report any suspicious behavior in the following ways: Call Pearson VUE at Pearson VUE at pvtestsecurity@pearsonvue.com or go to and complete the form.

13 JANUARY 2009 The Day of the Examination The staff members at each Pearson Professional Center follow designated procedures to ensure that the operation of the test center meets NCSBN criteria for standardized testing. The following are procedures that will be followed when you arrive at the Pearson Professional Center for your NCLEX examination appointment. 1. Plan to arrive at the Pearson Professional Center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled testing time. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment, you may be required to forfeit your NCLEX examination appointment. If you forfeit your examination appointment you will be required to re-register and re-pay the examination fee. Your failure to take the examination will be reported to the board of nursing where you have applied for licensure. 2. Friends, relatives or children who accompany you to the test center will not be permitted to wait in the test center or contact you while you are taking the examination. 3. You will be required to present your ATT and a valid acceptable ID with your photo and signature in English. 4. You will be asked to provide your signature, and you will have your fingerprint and photograph taken. Hats, scarves and coats may not be worn in the testing room or while your photograph is being taken. 5. You will be required to leave your personal belongings outside the testing room. Secure storage will be provided. Storage space is small, so candidates should plan appropriately. Pearson Professional Centers assume no responsibility for candidates personal belongings. Do not take textbooks or notebooks containing NCLEX examination study materials to the test center as such items are considered prohibited testing aids; doing so may result in dismissal or cancellation of your testing results. 6. The test administrator (TA) will provide you with an erasable note board that may be replaced as needed during testing. Yo u may not take your own note boards, scratch paper or writing instruments to the examination, nor may you remove the note board from the testing room at any time. Turn in your note board to the TA after you complete testing. 7. You will have up to six hours to complete the NCLEX- RN Examination, and five hours to complete the NCLEX-PN Examination; total examination time includes a short tutorial, two preprogrammed optional breaks and any unscheduled breaks you may take. The first optional break is offered after two hours of testing. The second optional break is offered after three and onehalf hours of testing. The computer will automatically tell you when these scheduled breaks begin. All breaks count against testing time. When you take a break, you must leave the testing room, and you will be required to provide a fingerprint before and after your break. 8. The TA will give you a short orientation and then will escort you to a computer terminal. You must remain in your seat during the examination, except when authorized to leave by test center staff. You may not change your computer terminal unless a TA directs you to do so. NOTE: On rare occasions, technical problems may require re-scheduling of a candidate s examination. If circumstances arise causing you to wait more than 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, or a restart delay lasts longer than 30 minutes, you will be given the choice of continuing to wait or re-scheduling your appointment without an additional fee. If you choose to wait, you may later change your mind at any time prior to beginning or restarting the examination. If you choose not to re-schedule, but rather test after a delay, you will have no further recourse and your testing results will be considered valid. If you choose to re-schedule your appointment or the problem causing the delay cannot be resolved, you will be allowed to test at a later date, at no additional charge. Every attempt will be made to contact candidates if technical problems are identified prior to a scheduled appointment. 9. Raise your hand to notify the TA if you: Believe you have a problem with your computer. Need to change note boards. Need to take a break. Need the administrator for any reason. 10. After your examination is finished, you will be asked to complete a brief computer-delivered questionnaire about your testing experience. 11. When you have finished the questionnaire, raise your hand to summon the TA. The TA will collect and inventory all note boards. The TA will dismiss you when all requirements are fulfilled. 12. If you believe there was an irregularity in the administration of your test or the associated test conditions that you believe adversely affected the outcome of your examination, you should notify the proctor or TA before you leave the test center You may ask the TA for a Confidential Comment Sheet for any narrative information about your testing session you want to provide to NCSBN, the Pearson Professional Centers or NCLEX Candidate Services. NOTE: Pearson Professional Centers administer many types of examinations including some that require essay-type responses. Pearson Professional Centers have no control over noises made by candidates typing during another examination. Typing noise is considered a normal part of the computerized testing environment, just as the noise of turning pages is a normal part of the paper-and-pencil testing environment. Earplugs are available upon request. 11

14 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN Questions About Your Testing Session If you have questions about your testing session, please contact NCSBN within two weeks of your testing appointment. Test Security Issues NCSBN strives to report results that accurately reflect the ability of each test taker. Accordingly, our standards and procedures for administering tests have two related goals: giving testtakers comparable opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and preventing any test-takers from gaining an unfair advantage over others. To promote these objectives, NCSBN reserves the right to cancel or withhold any test results when, in its judgment, a testing irregularity occurs; there is an apparent discrepancy in, or falsification of, a test-taker s identification; a test-taker engages in misconduct, irregular behavior, violates the candidate rules or otherwise breaches his/her Confidentiality Agreement; or the results are believed to be invalid for any other reason, notwithstanding the absence of any evidence of a c a n d i d a te s personal involvement in irregular activities. Invalid Results NCSBN may cancel or withhold a candidate s results if, in NCSBN's judgment, there is a good faith basis to question the validity of the results for any reason, notwithstanding the absence of any evidence of a candidate s personal involvement in irregular activities. Evidence of invalid results may include, but are not limited to unusual answer patterns or unusual score increases from one exam to another. If a candidate's result is cancelled, revoked or invalidated without a finding that the candidate engaged in irregular behavior, the candidate may appeal the decision and/or will be offered a free retest. An appeal is the candidate's exclusive means of redress with regard to NCSBN's decision to take this action. Results Reporting For quality control purposes, every computerized NCLEX examination is scored twice; once by the computer at the test center and then the result is verified after the examination record has been transmitted to Pearson VUE. Although the examination is scored as the candidate completes each item, NO RESULTS are released at the test center. In fact, test center staff do not have access to the examination results. Examination results are available ONLY from the boards of nursing and will be mailed to candidates approximately one month after taking the examination. DO NOT CALL your board of nursing, NCLEX Candidate Services, the Pearson Professional Centers or NCSBN for examination results. You can also get your unofficial results within two business days through our quick results service available on the NCLEX Candidate Web site or by calling Note: Quick results are not available in all states and there is a fee for this service. Candidate Performance Report When a candidate fails, the board of nursing sends the candidate a Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This report identifies the performance as failing, provides the number of items administered to the candidate, and a summary of the c a n d i d a t e s relative strengths and weaknesses based on the test plan. It is hoped that failing candidates can use this information to help guide their study before retaking the examination. Retake Policy Candidates must wait a minimum of 45 or 90 days between each examination. The policy of determining the minimum frequency within which a candidate may retake the examination is established by each individual board of nursing and NCSBN. Additional Information About the NCLEX Examination Examination Length Both the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN are variable length adaptive tests. The NCLEX examinations are not offered in paper-and-pencil or oral examination formats. An NCLEX-RN examination can be anywhere from 75 to 265 items. Of these items, 15 are pretest items that are not scored. Regardless of the number of items administered, the time limit for this examination is six hours. An NCLEX-PN examination can be anywhere from 85 to 205 items. Of these items, 25 are pretest items that are not scored. The time limit for this examination is five hours. It is important to note that the time allotted for the examination includes the tutorial, the sample items, all breaks (restroom, stretching, etc.) and the examination. All breaks are optional. The length of your examination is determined by your responses to the items. Once the minimum number of items has been answered, testing will stop when the candidate s ability is determined to be either above or below the passing standard with 95 percent certainty. Depending upon the particular pattern of correct and incorrect responses, different candidates will take different numbers of items and therefore use varying amounts of time. The examination will stop when the maximum number of items has been taken or when the time limit has been reached. R e m e m b e r, it is in the candidate s best interest to maintain a reasonable pace of spending only one or two minutes on each item. The candidates should select a pace that will permit them to complete the examination within the allotted time should the maximum number of items be administered. It is important to understand that the length of your examination is not an indication of a pass or fail result. A candidate with a relatively short examination may pass or fail just as a candidate with a long examination may pass or fail. Regardless of the length of the examination, each 12

15 JANUARY 2009 candidate is given an examination that conforms to the respective NCLEX test plan (RN or PN) and has ample opportunity to demonstrate his or her ability. The Passing Standard The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN are separate examinations that reflect different scopes of practice. Accordingly, these examinations are scored on separate scales and have separate passing standards. The NCSBN Board of Directors reevaluates these standards once every three years. The criterion that the Board uses to set the standard is the minimum level of ability required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. To assist the Board of Directors in making this decision, the Board is provided with information on: (1) the results of a standard setting exercise performed by a panel of experts with the assistance of professional psychometricians; (2) the historical record of the passing standard with summaries of the candidate performance associated with those standards; (3) the results of a standard setting survey sent to educators and employers; and (4) information describing the educational readiness of high school graduates who express an interest in nursing. Once the passing standard is set, it is imposed uniformly on every test record according to the procedures laid out in the Scoring the NCLEX Examination section on page 15. To pass an NCLEX examination, a candidate must perform above the passing standard. There is no fixed percentage of candidates that pass or fail each examination. Similar Items O c c a s i o n a l l y, a candidate may receive an item that seems to be very similar to an item they received earlier in the examination. This could happen for a variety of reasons. For example, several items could be about similar symptoms, diseases, or disorders, yet address different phases of the nursing process. Alternatively, a pretest (unscored) item could be about content similar to an operational (scored) item. It is i n c o r r e c t to assume that a second item, which is similar in content to a previously administered item, is administered because you answered the first item i n c o r r e c t l y. Always select the answer you believe to be correct for each item administered. All examinations conform to their respective test plan (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN). Reviewing Answers and Guessing The items are presented to you one at a time on a computer screen. You can view each item as long as you like, but you cannot go back to a previous item once you have selected your answer and confirmed it by pressing the < N E X T > button. Yo u must answer every item even if you are not sure of the right a n s w e r. The computer will not allow you to go on to the next item without answering the one on the screen. If you are unsure of the correct answer, make your best guess and move on to the next item. After you select an answer to an item, you do have a chance to think about your answer and change it as many times as you like. However, once you confirm your answer and go on to the next item, you will not be allowed to go back to any previous item in the examination. Answering Alternate Item Types To answer some alternate item types, you may need to perform additional tasks in order to complete an item. In multiple response items you may need to select one or more responses, but if you change your mind, you can change your selection by clicking on the answer you gave (so it will disappear) and selecting another before you move on to the next item. For e x h i b i t items, additional information is provided by selecting the exhibit item button shown on the screen. You should click on this button to get the additional information to answer the item, but you will not be prevented from answering an item without opening an exhibit. For fill-in-the-blank calculation items you will need to perform a mathematical calculation to answer the item. An on-screen calculator is provided if you click on the Calculator button. Once you have calculated your answer, type it into the box provided. The item tells you how many decimal places should be in your answer. Do not type the unit of measure in the box it will always be provided. Drag and drop items require that you move statements from one column to another, placing them in the correct order according to the item. Again, as long as you do not move to the next screen you can reorder your responses as much as you like. Finally, on hot spot items you will click to mark an area that you want to represent your answer, but if you click on another area, the first response will disappear and your new response will be marked. When you are satisfied with your a n s w e r, you can confirm it by pressing the <NEXT> button. N O T E : Rapid guessing can drastically lower your score. Some test preparation companies have realized that on certain pencil and paper tests, unanswered items are marked as wrong. To improve the candidate s score when they are running out of time, these companies sometimes advocate rapid guessing (perhaps without even reading the item) in the hope that the candidate will get at least a few items correct. On any adaptive test, this can be disastrous. It has the effect of giving the candidate easier items, which they also get wrong. The best advice is to: (1) maintain a reasonable pace, and (2) carefully read and consider each item before answering. NCLEX Test Plans The 2007 NCLEX-RN and the 2008 NCLEX-PN Test Plans are documents that describe the scope and content of the examinations. Obtaining the Detailed NCLEX Test Plan A candidate version of the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN Detailed Test Plans can be downloaded at no cost by accessing the NCSBN Web site at: w w w. n c s b n. o r g. 13

16 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN Test Content The practice of nursing requires knowledge of the health needs of clients as well as an understanding of integrated processes fundamental to nursing practice. Client Needs are used as the framework for both RN and PN test plans. NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations may include items written at various cognitive levels. 1,2 The majority of items are written at the application or higher levels of cognitive ability. In general, if the age or age category of the client is not stated in an item, it can be understood that the client is an adult. The percentages of items relating to the various aspects of the test plan are presented in the tables below. Developing the Examination Steps in the development of the NCLEX examination are outlined below. 1. To determine the basis for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice, NCSBN conducts a practice analysis of entry level nurses every three years. The legal scope of nursing practice and results of the practice analysis are used to develop an NCLEX test plan. Test plans, which outline the content categories and percentage of test items allocated to the categories, reflect the job-related knowledge, skills and abilities required for safe and effective entry-level job performance. 1 Bloom, B.S. (ed). (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals, Handbook 1. Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay Co, Inc. 2 Anderson, L.W., Krathwohl, D.R. (eds).(2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing. A revision of Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. 2. Item writers are practicing nurses who write items that test entry-level nursing practice for the RN or PN examination. 3. A second expert panel of practicing nurses then reviews the newly-written items. The second review is to ensure that each item reflects current entry-level nursing practice as well as the correct answer (one for multiple choice items, but may be more than one in multiple response items). 4. All items used in an examination have been pretested and are shown to have met NCSBN statistical criteria before being used as operational (scored) items. Definitions For NCLEX-RN, Client = individual, family or group. For NCLEX-PN, Client = individual, family or significant other. Nursing Diagnosis = A classification of client needs and/or problems according to presumed natural relationships; e.g., use of North American Nursing Diagnoses Association (NANDA) Definitions and Classifications. Prescription = Orders, interventions, remedies or treatments ordered or directed by an authorized health care provider. E x h i b i t = Denotes a client chart or medical record type of item. The item stem and response options are the standard multiple choice. Additional information available behind tabs listed on the screen. Click on a tab to review the additional information. Client Needs Categories Covered on the NCLEX Examinations Four major Client Needs categories organize the content of the 2007 NCLEX-RN and the 2008 NCLEX-PN Test Plans. In the 2007 NCLEX-RN and the 2008 NCLEX-PN Test Plans, two of the categories are divided into a total of six subcategories. Health Promotion and Maintenance and Psychosocial Integrity do not have subcategories. The following processes are integrated into all Client Needs categories of the 2007 NCLEX-RN Test Plan: Caring, Communication and Documentation, Nursing Process, and Teaching and Learning. For the 2008 NCLEX-PN Test Plan, the integrated processes are: Clinical Problem Solving Process (Nursing Process), Caring, Communication and Documentation, and Teaching and Learning. For the 2007 NCLEX-RN Test Plan For the 2008 NCLEX-PN Test Plan NCLEX-RN Client Needs Percentage of Items From Each Category/ Subcategory Safe Effective Care Environment Management of Care 13-19% Safety and Infection Control 8-14% Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12% Psychosocial Integrity 6-12% Physiological Integrity Basic Care and Comfort 6-12% Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 13-19% Reduction of Risk Potential 13-19% Physiological Adaptation 11-17% NCLEX-PN Client Needs Percentage of Items From Each Category/ Subcategory Safe and Effective Care Environment Coordinated Care 12-18% Safety and Infection Control 8-14% Health Promotion and Maintenance 7-13% Psychosocial Integrity 8-14% Physiological Integrity Basic Care and Comfort 11-17% Pharmacological Therapies 9-15% Reduction of Risk Potential 10-16% Physiological Adaptation 11-17% 14

17 JANUARY 2009 Scoring the NCLEX Examination Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) The NCLEX examination is different than a traditional pencil-and-paper examination. Ty p i c a l l y, pencil-and-paper examinations administer the same items to every candidate, thus ensuring that the difficulty of the examination is the same across the board. Because the difficulty of the examination is constant, the percentage correct is the indicator of the c a n d i d a t e s ability. One disadvantage of this approach is that it is inefficient. It requires the high ability candidates to answer all the easy items on the examination. Obviously, asking high ability candidates easy items provides very little information about their ability. Another disadvantage is that guessing can artificially inflate the scores of low ability candidates. This happens because low ability candidates will be given some difficult items. In the case of multiple-choice items, candidates can answer these items correctly 25 percent of the time for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability (there are only four choices). Instead, the NCLEX examination uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to administer the items. CAT is able to produce test results that are more stable using fewer items by targeting items to the candidate s ability. Although everyone s first item is relatively easy, subsequent items are better targeted. This is accomplished by re-estimating the candidate s ability every time an item is answered. Using the candidate s most current ability estimate, the computer searches the item bank for an item that has a degree of difficulty that is approximately equal to that ability estimate. As a result, the candidate should have a chance of answering this item correctly. After the candidate answers this item, the computer re-estimates the candidate s ability and selects the next item using the same procedures. This process continues until it is clear (with 95 percent certainty) that the candidate s ability is above or below the passing standard. Be aware that both passers and failers tend to answer approximately 50 percent of the items correctly. This is because the computer presents all candidates with items that are matched to their ability. The candidate s ability estimate is based upon both the percentage of items answered correctly (approximately 50 percent in most cases) and the difficulty of the items that were administered. Imagine the items lined up, from easiest to most difficult. If we asked candidates the easiest items, they would answer most of them correctly. If we asked them the most difficult items, they would probably answer most of them incorrectly. Somewhere between those two extremes is a point at which the candidate goes from getting more answers right than wrong. This is the point at which each candidate answers 50 percent correctly. Items harder than that would probably be answered incorrectly; items easier than that would probably be answered correctly. CAT procedures permit that point to be found for each candidate without having to ask all the items in the extremes. Pretest Items Of course for CAT to work, the difficulty of each item must be known in advance. The degree of difficulty is determined by administering the items as pretest items to a large sample of NCLEX candidates. Because the difficulty of these pretest items is not known in advance, these items are not included when estimating the candidate s ability or making pass-fail decisions. When enough responses are collected, the pretest items are statistically analyzed and calibrated. If the pretest items meet the NCLEX statistical standards, they can be administered in future examinations as scored items. There are 15 pretest items on every NCLEX-RN examination and 25 on every NCLEX-PN examination. It is impossible to distinguish operational items from pretest items, so do your best on every item. Additional Constraints In addition to targeting items to the candidate s ability, the computer implements two additional constraints. First, it prevents a candidate from receiving for a second time any item that they have seen within the last year (on a previous attempt). Second, it ensures that the items administered to the candidate meet the test plan specifications with regard to the proportion of items that must be from the different test plan categories. Every test must meet the test plan specifications. Passing and Failing As mentioned earlier, to pass the NCLEX examination, the c a n d i d a t e s performance on the examination must be above the passing standard. Ideally, NCSBN wants to be at least 95 percent certain of pass-fail decisions. Therefore, after the minimum number of items has been answered, the computer will stop when it is 95 percent certain that the candidate s ability is above or below the passing standard. If they are above the standard, they pass; if they are below the standard, they fail. Candidates with very high or very low abilities tend to receive minimum length tests. However, some candidates will have a true ability that is so close to the passing standard that even 1,000 items would not be enough to arrive at a decision with 95 percent confidence. It would also be impractical to administer 1,000 items. Therefore, a maximum number of items has been established (see Examination Length) for each type of examination. When candidates answer the maximum number of items, their ability estimates are rather precise, but not precise enough to make a decision with 95 percent certainty. Because the precision is quite good in these cases the 95 percent certainty requirement is waived. If their ability estimate is above the passing standard, they pass; if it is at or below the passing standard, they fail. If the examination ends because time runs out, it means that the candidate has not demonstrated with 95 percent certainty that they are clearly above or below the passing standard, nor 15

18 NCLEX EXAMINATION CANDIDATE BULLETIN has the candidate answered the maximum number of items. Because the primary mission of boards of nursing is to protect the public, it can be argued that candidates should not pass when they have not demonstrated that they are competent. However, the response patterns for some of these people have indicated that there are candidates that appeared to have a true ability that is above passing and who have been performing consistently above the passing standard. A mechanism is provided for these candidates to pass. The key word here is consistently. If a candidate s performance has been consistently above the passing standard, then he or she will pass, despite having run out of time. Scoring Items The majority of NCLEX examination items are multiplechoice, but there are other formats as well. All item types are scored as either right or wrong. There is no partial credit. Examination Items During the administration of the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations, candidates will be required to respond to items in a variety of formats. The majority of the items are multiple-choice, but there are other formats. All item formats may include charts, tables, or graphic images. For more information, please access: 1) the NCSBN Web site at to review the Information about Alternate Item Formats and 2) the Pearson VUE Web site at to review the Candidate Tutorial. 16

19 JANUARY 2009 Abbreviations for States, Territories and Canadian Provinces AL ALABAMA AK ALASKA AS AMERICAN SAMOA AZ ARIZONA AR ARKANSAS CA CALIFORNIA CO COLORADO CT CONNECTICUT DE DELAWARE DC DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FL FLORIDA GA GEORGIA GU GUAM HI HAWAII ID IDAHO IL ILLINOIS IN INDIANA IA IOWA KS KANSAS KY KENTUCKY LA LOUISIANA ME MAINE MD MARYLAND MA MASSACHUSETTS MI MICHIGAN MN MINNESOTA MS MISSISSIPPI MO MISSOURI MT MONTANA NE NEBRASKA NV NEVADA NH NEW HAMPSHIRE NJ NEW JERSEY NM NEW MEXICO NY NEW YORK NC NORTH CAROLINA ND NORTH DAKOTA MP NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS OH OHIO OK OKLAHOMA OR OREGON PA PENNSYLVANIA PR PUERTO RICO RI RHODE ISLAND SC SOUTH CAROLINA SD SOUTH DAKOTA TN TENNESSEE TX TEXAS UT UTAH VT VERMONT VI US VIRGIN ISLANDS VA VIRGINIA WA WASHINGTON WV WEST VIRGINIA WI WISCONSIN WY WYOMING Canada AB ALBERTA BC BRITISH COLUMBIA MB MANITOBA NB NEW BRUNSWICK NF NEWFOUNDLAND NT NORTHWEST TERRITORY NS NOVA SCOTIA ON ONTARIO PE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND PQ QUEBEC SK SASKATCHEWAN YT YUKON TERRITORY International Country Codes AFGHANISTAN ALBANIA ALGERIA ANDORRA ANGOLA ANGUILLA ANTARCTICA ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ARGENTINA ARMENIA ARUBA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN BAHAMAS BAHRAIN BANGLADESH BARBADOS BELARUS BELGIUM BELIZE BENIN BERMUDA BHUTAN BOLIVIA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA BOTSWANA BOUVET ISLAND BRAZIL BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BULGARIA BURKINA FASO BURUNDI CAMBODIA CAMEROON CANADA CAPE VERDE CAYMAN ISLANDS CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CHAD CHILE CHINA CHRISTMAS ISLAND COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS. 715 COLOMBIA COMOROS CONGO CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC COOK ISLANDS COSTA RICA CROATIA CUBA CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK DJIBOUTI DOMINICA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EAST TIMOR (TIMOR-LESTE) ECUADOR EGYPT EL SALVADOR EQUATORIAL GUINEA ERITREA ESTONIA ETHIOPIA FALKLAND ISLANDS (MALVINAS) FAROE ISLANDS FIJI FINLAND FRANCE FRENCH GUIANA FRENCH POLYNESIA FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES GABON GAMBIA GEORGIA GERMANY GHANA GIBRALTAR GREECE GREENLAND GRENADA GUADELOUPE GUATEMALA GUINEA GUINEA-BISSAU GUYANA HAITI HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS HONDURAS HONG KONG HUNGARY ICELAND INDIA INDONESIA IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAQ IRELAND ISRAEL ITALY IVORY COAST (COTE D IVOIRE) JAMAICA JAPAN JORDAN KAZAKHSTAN KENYA KIRIBATI KOREA, NORTH KOREA, SOUTH KUWAIT KYRGYZSTAN LAO PEOPLE S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC LATVIA LEBANON LESOTHO LIBERIA LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA. 340 LIECHTENSTEIN LITHUANIA LUXEMBOURG MACAO MACEDONIA, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF. 348 MADAGASCAR MALAWI MALAYSIA MALDIVES MALI MALTA MARSHALL ISLANDS MARTINIQUE MAURITANIA MAURITIUS MAYOTTE MEXICO MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF MOLDOVA, REPUBLIC OF MONACO MONGOLIA MONTSERRAT MOROCCO MOZAMBIQUE MYANMAR NAMIBIA NAURU NEPAL NETHERLANDS NETHERLANDS ANTILLES NEW CALEDONIA NEW ZEALAND NICARAGUA NIGER NIGERIA NIUE NORFOLK ISLAND NORWAY OMAN PAKISTAN PALAU PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, OCCUPIED PANAMA PAPUA NEW GUINEA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES PITCAIRN POLAND PORTUGAL QATAR REUNION ROMANIA RUSSIAN FEDERATION RWANDA SAINT HELENA SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS SAINT LUCIA SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES SAMOA SAN MARINO SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE SAUDI ARABIA SENEGAL SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO 626 SEYCHELLES SIERRA LEONE SINGAPORE SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA SOLOMON ISLANDS SOMALIA SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS SPAIN SRI LANKA SUDAN SURINAME SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN SWAZILAND SWEDEN SWITZERLAND SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC TAIWAN TAJIKISTAN TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF THAILAND TOGO TOKELAU TONGA TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TUNISIA TURKEY TURKMENISTAN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TUVALU UGANDA UKRAINE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES Blank UNITED STATES MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS URUGUAY UZBEKISTAN VANUATU VATICAN CITY STATE (HOLY SEE) VENEZUELA VIET NAM VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH WALLIS AND FUTUNA WESTERN SAHARA YEMEN ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE

20 NCLEX EXAMINATION PROGRAM CODES EDUCATION PROGRAM CODES Your education program code indicates the nursing program from which you graduated. If you graduated from a non-u.s. nursing program, refer to the International Education Codes at the end of this list. If you qualify as an equivalency candidate, or if your program is not listed, contact your board of nursing for the correct education program code. ALABAMA AUBURN AUBURN UNIVERSITY - BS BAY MINETTE FAULKNER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BAY MINETTE FAULKNER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN BESSEMER LAWSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - BESSEMER CAMPUS BIRMINGHAM HERZING COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM HERZING COLLEGE - ADN BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN BIRMINGHAM SAMFORD UNIVERSITY - BS BIRMINGHAM T A LAWSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - BIRMINGHAM - BS BIRMINGHAM US ARMY RESERVE 91WM BOAZ SNEAD STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOAZ SNEAD STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN BREWTON JEFFERSON DAVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN CHILDERSBURG CENTRAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHILDERSBURG CENTRAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN DECATUR JOHN C CALHOUN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DECATUR JOHN C CALHOUN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN DOTHAN G C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - DOTHAN DOTHAN G C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - DOTHAN - ADN EVERGREEN ED E REID STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FLORENCE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA - BS GADSDEN GADSDEN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GADSDEN GADSDEN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN HANCEVILLE G C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - HANCEVILLE HANCEVILLE G C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - HANCEVILLE - ADN HUNTSVILLE J F DRAKE STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE HUNTSVILLE OAKWOOD COLLEGE - BS HUNTSVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - HUNTSVILLE - BS JACKSONVILLE JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY - BS LIVINGSTON UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA - ADN MOBILE BISHOP STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MOBILE BISHOP STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN MOBILE SPRING HILL COLLEGE - BS MOBILE UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE - ADN MOBILE UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE - BS MOBILE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA - BS MONROEVILLE ALABAMA SOUTHERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN MONTGOMERY AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY - BS MONTGOMERY COUNCIL TRENHOLM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE MONTGOMERY TROY UNIVERSITY - ADN MUSCLE SHOALS NORTHWEST-SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPELIKA SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPELIKA SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN OPP LURLEEN B WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - MACARTHUR CAMPUS OPP LURLEEN B WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - MACARTHUR CAMPUS - ADN PHENIX CITY CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PHENIX CITY CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN PHIL CAMPBELL NORTHWEST-SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN RAINSVILLE NORTHEAST ALABAMA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE RAINSVILLE NORTHEAST ALABAMA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN SELMA G C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - SELMA SELMA G C WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - SELMA - ADN SUMITON BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SUMITON BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN THOMASVILLE ALABAMA SOUTHERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE TROY TROY UNIVERSITY - BS TUSCALOOSA SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUSCALOOSA SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN TUSCALOOSA STILLMAN COLLEGE - BS TUSCALOOSA UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - CAPSTONE - BS TUSKEGEE SOUTHERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUSKEGEE TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY - BS ALASKA ANCHORAGE ALASKA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER ANCHORAGE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA - ADN ANCHORAGE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA - BS AMERICAN SAMOA PAGO PAGO AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PAGO PAGO AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE- ADN ARIZONA AVONDALE SOUTHWEST SKILL CENTER COOLIDGE CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE COOLIDGE CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE - ADN DOUGLAS COCHISE COLLEGE DOUGLAS COCHISE COLLEGE - ADN FLAGSTAFF COCONINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE FLAGSTAFF COCONINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN FLAGSTAFF NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY - BS LAKE HAVASU CITY MOHAVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LAKE HAVASU CITY MOHAVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN MESA EAST VALLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MESA PIMA MEDICAL INSTITUTE MESA PIMA MEDICAL INSTITUTE - ADN PHOENIX APOLLO COLLEGE PHOENIX APOLLO COLLEGE - ADN PHEONIX ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - BS PHOENIX BAPTIST HEALTH SYSTEM - DPL PHOENIX EVEREST COLLEGE - ADN PHOENIX GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - FAST TRACK PN PHOENIX GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY - BS PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAS PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAS - ADN PHOENIX MARICOPA SKILL CENTER PHOENIX UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX - BS PRESCOTT YAVAPAI COLLEGE PRESCOTT YAVAPAI COLLEGE - ADN SHOW LOW NORTHLAND PIONEER COLLEGE SHOW LOW NORTHLAND PIONEER COLLEGE - ADN TEMPE MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES TEMPE MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES - ADN THATCHER EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE THATCHER EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE - ADN TUCSON PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE - SKILL CENTER TUCSON PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE - WEST CAMPUS TUCSON PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE - WEST CAMPUS - ADN TUCSON UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA - BS YUMA ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE YUMA ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE - ADN ARKANSAS ARKADELPHIA HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY - BS BATESVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE - BATESVILLE BATESVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE - BATESVILLE - ADN BENTONVILLE NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN BLYTHEVILLE ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE - BLYTHEVILLE - ADN BURDETTE ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE - BURDETTE CONWAY UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS - BS CROSSETT UAMCT - CROSSETT DEQUEEN COSSATOT TECHNICAL COLLEGE DERMOTT UAMCT - MCGEHEE DEWITT PCC - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DEWITT EAST CAMDEN SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY - TECHNICAL EL DORADO SOUTHARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE FAYETTEVILLE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE - BS FISHER U.S. ARMY RESERVE FORREST CITY CROWLEYS RIDGE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FORREST CITY EAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN FT SMITH UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FT SMITH FT SMITH UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FT SMITH - ADN FT SMITH UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FT SMITH - BS HARRISON NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE HARRISON NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE - ADN HELENA PCC - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - HELENA - ADN HOPE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ADN JONESBORO ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL CENTER LITTLE ROCK BAPTIST HEALTH SCHOOL OF NURSING - DPL LITTLE ROCK BAPTIST HEALTH SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL NURSING LITTLE ROCK ST VINCENT HEALTH SYSTEM LITTLE ROCK UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - LITTLE ROCK - ADN LITTLE ROCK UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MEDICAL SCIENCES - BS MAGNOLIA SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY - ADN MALVERN OUACHITA TECHNICAL COLLEGE MALVERN OUACHITA TECHNICAL COLLEGE - ADN MELBOURNE OZARKA TECHNICAL COLLEGE MENA RICH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE MONTICELLO UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - MONTICELLO - ADN MONTICELLO UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - MONTICELLO - BS