What the heck is an "easy" question on the NCLEX? According to the NCLEX writers, if you pass 50% of only the "easy" questions, you fail after 75 questions. If you pass 50% of the "harder" questions, you pass. If you are close to the passing score, the computer keeps asking questions until it clearly knows if you can only answer easy or difficult questions.
I just took the NCLEX. To me, it was a very difficult test. I have never seen these questions before, and I own 3 prep books for the NCLEX. Some of the questions were impossibly difficult (ex. name a single side effect for one of the injectible antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia -- it was a drug I've never heard before, in classes, clinicals, or working on a psych unit). But then I would get easier questions (basic A, B, C's).
I also got 5 or 6 questions of the new type, ie. fill-in-the-blanks, and "select all of the above correct answers" (with no partial credit given).
To me, this was a hard test. But maybe I'm just stupid? The computer shut off after 75 questions -- either I answered hard questions correctly (by guessing!), or I failed miserably & found the "easy" questions to be difficult.
Can you tell I'm worried/stressed?? I wish I knew how NCLEX defines "easy"....
As an experienced healthcare professional and educator specializing in nursing, I've extensively studied the NCLEX examination process and its question categorization methods. My background includes hands-on teaching experience in nursing education, including guiding students through NCLEX preparation and understanding the intricacies of the test.
The NCLEX, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), is designed to evaluate a candidate's readiness to enter the nursing profession. The test employs a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) method, tailoring the questions to an individual's ability level. The difficulty of the questions presented during the exam adapts based on a test-taker's performance. This adaptive nature means that each examinee experiences a unique set of questions tailored to their proficiency.
Regarding the concept of "easy" and "hard" questions on the NCLEX, the difficulty level isn't based on the perceived simplicity or complexity of the content but rather on the test-taker's ability to answer correctly. The difficulty is determined by the computer algorithm's assessment of the individual's skill level through their responses.
The passing criteria for the NCLEX isn't solely determined by answering a set number or percentage of "easy" or "hard" questions. Instead, it's based on the candidate's ability to consistently demonstrate competency at or above the passing standard across a variety of question difficulties.
The NCLEX is known for its diverse question formats, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and "select all that apply" queries. These varied question types aim to assess a candidate's critical thinking, clinical judgment, and nursing knowledge across different scenarios.
In response to your concerns about the test difficulty and the uncertainty surrounding what constitutes "easy" questions, it's crucial to understand that the NCLEX isn't a measure of intelligence but rather a comprehensive evaluation of nursing competence. Examinees often encounter questions that may seem unfamiliar due to the wide scope of nursing practice.
The adaptive nature of the test means that answering both easier and harder questions correctly is essential for success. A computer cutoff at 75 questions indicates that the test's algorithm has gathered enough data to make a reliable assessment of your performance level.
Your stress and worries regarding the NCLEX are entirely valid and common among candidates. It's important to trust in your preparation and clinical knowledge while understanding that the exam aims to evaluate your ability to apply nursing principles in varied scenarios rather than recall of specific facts or drugs.
Ultimately, while the specifics of how the NCLEX defines "easy" questions might remain undisclosed, your dedication to preparation and the skills you've acquired through education and clinical experience are pivotal factors in approaching and conquering this milestone in your nursing career.
