Timing Is Everything...

Ever worry about running out of time during the NCLEX? This is generally the least of your worries but once in a blue moon, there are nursing students who run out of time to complete the test. Here are the new rules in regards to running out of time:

When you run out of time before reaching the maximum amount of items, the computer has not been able to decide whether you passed or failed with 95% certainty and has to use an alternate rule.

• If you have not answered the minimum amount of items, you fail.
• If you have at least answered the minimum amount of items, the computer reviews your last 60 test items
• If your last 60 test items were above the passing standard, you pass.
  • If your test items dropped below the passing standard, even once, during your last 60 items, you fail.
• This does not mean you must answer the last 60 items correctly. Each ability estimate is based on all the previous items that you have answered.
  
  So – it is in your best interest to not run out of time! However we have learned that not spending enough time per question can be even more detrimental for your results. Experts recommend taking 1 -2 minutes/question. I recommend taking about 1 min/question. Do the math. RN candidates get 6 hours to complete the NCLEX while LPN/LVN candidates get 5 hours to complete their exam. The minimum number of questions is 85 while the maximum is 205. If you spent 2 min/question, you could potentially run out of time. If you spend 1 min/question, you should never run out of time and should have plenty of time for those extremely difficult questions where you may need to devote 5 minutes.
  
  When candidates rush through their questions, they tend to have no clue what they are reading and can easily make mistakes. I have seen people go from failing to passing simply by dedicating a whole minute of time to each question. Now it’s not just a matter of dedicating a certain amount of time but what you do with that time. In our test taking strategies workshop,, we teach a 5-step process for analyzing each question and advocate spending one whole minute per each question. We have typically seen students go from getting 5 out of 10 questions correct to getting 8 or 9 out of 10 questions correct when they utilize this 5 step process. Start working on your timing and give us a call to help you learn how to break the question down using our 5 -step test taking strategy process. Visit our website at: http://www.ITSNCLEXREVIEW.com or call us at: 405-503-4491.
  And sloooow doooownnn!!!
• Yours for Happier Nurses
  
  ​Dianne