2012 NCLEX ® Examination Candidate Bulletin The NCLEX ® candidate bulletin contains information for all registrations and scheduling of NCLEX appointments beginning January 1, 2012. Additional information is available at www.ncsbn.org Do not discard before receiving your exam results.
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2012 NCLEX® Examination Candidate Bulletin
The NCLEX® candidate bulletin contains information for all registrations and scheduling of NCLEX appointments beginning January 1, 2012.Additional information is available at www.ncsbn.orgDo not discard before receiving your exam results.
All other countries not listed above–Call(paynumber)1.952.905.7403,Monday–Friday,7amto7pm,CentralTime.
Candidates with hearing impairmentswhouseaTelecommunicationsDevicefortheDeaf(TDD)–CalltheU.S.A.RelayServiceat(toll-free)1.800.627.3529ortheCanada&InternationalInboundrelayserviceat(paynumber)605.224.1837.Theseservicesareavailable24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek.
Write: NCLEXExaminationProgramPearsonProfessionalTesting5601GreenValleyDriveBloomington,MN55437-1099DO NOT SEND 3rd Party Payments to the above address.
Contact the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) for questions regarding:• NCLEXdevelopment• GeneralNCLEXinformation• Generalquestions/inquiresrelatingtoexaminationadministration
Contact your board of nursing for questions regarding:• Licensure• Nameoraddresschanges• NamecorrectionsonyourATTletter• Endorsement
Write or call your board of nursing.LinkstoallboardsofnursingwebsitesandcontactinformationisavailableontheNCSBNwebsite:www.ncsbn.org;clickonthelinktitledBoards of Nursing.
Examination results are sent to you by your board of nursing.Waitaminimumoffourweeksfollowingyourexaminationforyourresultstoarriveinthemail.
Table of ContentsAbout NCLEX .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
ProgramOverview................................................................................................................................................................................................................1Registering for the Exam ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Scheduling Your Exam .................................................................................................................................................................... 5AuthorizationtoTest(ATT)...................................................................................................................................................................................................5YourExamAppointment.......................................................................................................................................................................................................5DomesticScheduling............................................................................................................................................................................................................5InternationalScheduling......................................................................................................................................................................................................6GroupScheduling..................................................................................................................................................................................................................6ChangingyourAppointment................................................................................................................................................................................................6
What to Bring to the Test Site ........................................................................................................................................................ 7PersonalIdentificationRequirements...............................................................................................................................................................................7IdentificationfromaU.S.Sanctioned(Embargoed)Country.........................................................................................................................................7
Test Site Rules and Regulations .................................................................................................................................................... 8GroundsforDismissalandCancellationofResults.........................................................................................................................................................9Confidentiality........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9TestSecurity...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................9InvalidResults......................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
The Day of the Exam .................................................................................................................................................................... 10Check-InProcess................................................................................................................................................................................................................10Breaks...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10Technicalissues..................................................................................................................................................................................................................11TestingEnvironment............................................................................................................................................................................................................11WhentheExamisFinished................................................................................................................................................................................................11ResultsReporting................................................................................................................................................................................................................11CandidatePerformanceReport........................................................................................................................................................................................11RetakePolicy........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11SubmittingCommentsandFurtherQuestions................................................................................................................................................................12
NCLEX Test Plans, Test Development and Content .................................................................................................................... 12NCLEXTestPlans................................................................................................................................................................................................................12ObtainingtheDetailedNCLEXTestPlan.........................................................................................................................................................................12ExamContent.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................12DevelopingtheNCLEX........................................................................................................................................................................................................12Definitions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................12ClientNeedsCategoriesCoveredontheNCLEXExaminations..................................................................................................................................13
PROGRAM OVERVIEWInApril1994,nurselicensurecandidatesbegantakingtheNationalCouncilLicensureExamination(NCLEX®)oncomputersattestcenterslocatedacrosstheUnitedStates(U.S.)andselectinternationalsites.Thechangetocomputerizedadaptivetesting(CAT)forthenurselicensureexaminationcameaboutasaresultofadecisionmadeinAugust1991bytheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing(NCSBN®).TheNCLEXisonlyprovidedintheCATformat.
TheNCLEXisgivenonacomputer.Youarenotexpectedtoknowhowtouseacomputerbeforeyoutaketheexamination.Therewillbeatutorialatthebeginningoftheexaminationthatwillinstructyouontheuseofthemouseandhowtorecordananswer.Anon-screencalculatorwillbeavailableduringtheexamination.ThemajorityofNCLEXitemsaremultiple-choicebutthereareotherformatsaswell.All item types are scored as either right or wrong. There is no “partial credit.”
Itisimportanttonotethatthetimeallottedfortheexaminationincludesthetutorial,thesampleitems,allbreaks(restroom,stretching,etc.)andtheexamination.Allbreaksareoptional.NCLEXresultsareanimportantcomponentusedbyboardsofnursingtomakedecisionsaboutlicensure.Only boards of nursing can release NCLEX results to candidates.
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REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM
REGISTRATION PROCESS OVERVIEW1. Submitanapplicationforlicensuretotheboardofnursingwhereyouwishtobelicensed.2. Meetalloftheboardofnursing’seligibilityrequirementstotaketheNCLEX.3. RegisterfortheNCLEXwithPearsonVUE.4. ReceiveAcknowledgementofReceiptofRegistrationfromPearsonVUE.5. TheboardofnursingmakesyoueligibletotaketheNCLEX.6. ReceiveAuthorizationtoTest(ATT)letterfromPearsonVUE.7. ScheduleyourexamwithPearsonVUE.
TEST FEES AND POLICIESFeeThefeefortakingtheNCLEXis$200.Youwillalsohavetopayotherlicensurefeesrequiredbytheboardofnursinginthejurisdictioninwhichyouareapplying(contactyourboardofnursingforinformationaboutlicensurefees).IfyouchoosetoscheduleyourNCLEXatatestcenteroutsideoftheU.S.*,youwillhavetopayanadditionalinternationalschedulingfeeof$150,andwhereapplicable,aValueAddedTax(VAT).Thesefeeswillbechargedwhenyouscheduleyourexaminationappointment.
After registering, candidates who want to change the board of nursing where licensure was requested or the type of examinationrequested(RN/PN)willberequiredtopaya$50changefee.Changes to the board of nursing or type of examination cannot be made after receiving eligibility from the board of nursing. *U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
No Refunds There will be no refund of registration fees (mail, telephone, or via the Internet) for any reason, including, but not limited to:
Do not submit another registration and fee before calling.Ifyoudecidetosubmitanadditionalregistration,firststoppaymentontheoriginalpayment,verifythestop-paymentwasprocessed,thencontactPearsonVUEatthenumberlistedontheinsidecoverofthisbulletin.
Registration Time LimitAllNCLEXregistrationswillremainopenfora365-daytimeperiodduringwhichaboardofnursingcandetermineacandidate’seligibility.Thistimeperiodbeginswhentheboardofnursingreceivesthecandidate’sregistrationfromthetestservice.Onceacandidateismadeeligible,heorshemusttestwithinthevaliditydatesprintedontheATTLetter.
Candidateswhoarenotmadeeligibleby theirboardofnursingwithin the365-day timeperiodwill forfeit their registration, including theregistrationfee.CandidateswhowishtotakeanNCLEXwillneedtoreregisterandrepaytheexaminationfee.Youmustwaituntilyourcurrentregistrationexpiresbeforereregistering.AcandidatemaynothavetwoNCLEXregistrations(ofthesameexamtype)openatthesametime.
2. Paying by certified check, cashier’s check or money order:•Uponcompletionofregistration,followdirectionstoprinttheconfirmationdocument.
•Mailtheconfirmationdocumentandacertifiedcheck,cashier’scheckormoneyorder(madepayabletotheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing)for$200inU.S.currencydrawnonabankintheU.S.to:NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul, MN 55164-0950.Personalchecks,cash,foreigncurrency,stamps,receiptsorproofsofpaymentwillnotbeaccepted.
U.S. MAIL REGISTRATIONObtainaregistrationscanformbycontactingyourboardofnursing(nophotocopiesareaccepted).
Youmustencloseacertifiedcheck,cashier’scheckormoneyorder (made payable to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing) for$200inU.S.currencydrawnonabankintheU.S.withyourregistration.Usetheenclosedenvelopetoreturnyourregistrationformandpayment.
Mail to: NCLEX Operations, PO Box 64950, St. Paul, MN 55164-0950.•Personalchecks,cash,foreigncurrency,stamps,receiptsorproofsofpaymentwillnotbeaccepted.•WeareonlyabletoacceptP.O.Boxdeliveries;signatureconfirmationofdeliveryisnotavailable.•Donotsendthird-partypaymentsfromyourschool,agencyoremployertothisaddress.
Please follow the instructions below:1.Visit the www.pearsonvue.com/nclex and complete a registration using the ‘online certified check/cashiers check/money order
paymentregistrationoption.’At the end of the registration, make sure to print the confirmation document.2.Write‘WorkforceException’inthememolineofthecheck(madepayabletoNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing)andmailboth
Ifyouareunabletoregisterusingthe‘onlinecertifiedcheck/cashierscheck/moneyorderpaymentregistration’option,youmayrequestahardcopyoftheregistrationformfromyourboardofnursingandmailthecompletedforminwiththethird-partypaymenttothemailingaddressabove.Do not use the envelope provided with the registration form when sending this type of payment.
NOTE: NCSBN and Pearson VUE have established specific guidelines for this provision (Workforce Exception). Failure to follow theguidelineswillresultintherejectionand/orasignificantdelayofyourregistration.
Candidates approved for testing with accommodations must schedule their testing appointment through the NCLEX AccommodationsCoordinatorbycallingPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesatthetelephonenumberlistedontheirATTletterandaskingfortheNCLEXAccommodationsCoordinator.Candidateswithaccommodationsmaynottestaswalk-insandcannotcanceltheiraccommodationsatthetimeoftheirappointment.
•AConfirmation of AppointmentwillbesenttoyoufromPearsonVUEwhichwillcontainthedate,timeandlocationofyourappointmentalongwithdirectionstothePPC.Verifythatalltheinformationiscorrect.Callorgoonlinetocheckthatyourappointmenthasbeenscheduledorrescheduledifyoudonotreceiveaconfirmation.ContactPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesimmediatelytocorrectanyerrorstoyourappointment.
Please be aware that once you have an appointment at a test center outside of the U.S.*, if you decide to reschedule to a test center in the U.S., you will not receive a refund for the $150 scheduling fee.
You can only schedule an appointment for test centers outside of the U.S.* by telephone through the Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services. Walk-ins will not be accepted at test centers outside of the U.S.
Ifyouneedtochangeyourappointmentdate,timeorlocation,youmaygototheNCLEXCandidatewebsite(www.pearsonvue.com/nclex)orcallPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServicesone full business day (24 hours) before the scheduled exam date and timeasdescribedbelow:
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS• Your ATT Letter• Acceptable Identification
Only the identifications listed below will be accepted. Becauseof the importanceof theNCLEX,severalsecuritymeasureswillbeenforcedduringtheadministrationoftheexamination.Strictcandidateidentificationrequirementshavebeenestablished.
Your NameThefirstandlastnameprintedonyouridentificationmustmatchexactlythefirstandlastnameprintedonyourATTletter.Ifthenamewithwhichyouhaveregisteredisdifferentfromthenameonyouridentification,youmustbringlegalnamechangedocumentationwithyoutothetestcenteronthedayofyourtest.Theonlyacceptableformsoflegaldocumentationare:amarriagelicense,divorcedecreeand/oracourtactionlegalnamechangedocument.AlldocumentsmustbeinEnglishandmustbetheoriginaldocuments.Candidateswishingtomakeanamechange,addresschangeoremailaddresschangemustcontacttheirboardofnursing.Thiscannotbedoneatthetestcenter.*U.S.includesAmericanSamoa,Guam,NorthernMarianaIslands,andtheU.S.VirginIslands.
TEST SITE RULES AND REGULATIONSToensurethatallcandidates’NCLEXresultsareearnedundercomparableconditionsandrepresentfairandaccuratemeasurement,itisnecessarytomaintainastandardizedtestingenvironment.Thefollowingregulationsaredesignedtohelpensuresuchanenvironment.
“braindumping”andwillresultinanincidentreport,andresultsbeingplacedonhold.•Acleannoteboardcanberequestedduringyourexaminationbyraising your hand.Theerasablenoteboardandmarkermay
•Torequestabreak,ortoexitthetestingroomforanyotherreason,raise your handfortheTAandwaittobeescortedoutofthetestingroom.Apalmveinscanwillbetakenwhenyouleave,andagainwhenyoure-enterthetestingroom.TheTAwillresumetheexamforyouuponyourreturn.Theexamclockwillnotstopwhileyouareonabreak.
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•Ifyouexperiencehardwareorsoftwareproblemsduringtheexamination,notifytheTAimmediatelybyraising your hand.•EarplugsareavailablefromtheTAuponrequest;itisnotacceptabletobringyourownearplugs.•Examdataisencryptedandtransferredelectronicallytoyourlicensingboard.PleaserefrainfromaskingtheTAaboutexam
Acandidatewhoviolatesthetestcenterregulationsorrules,orengagesinirregularbehavior,misconductand/ordoesnotfollowtheTA’s warning to discontinue inappropriate behavior may be dismissed from the test center and their exam fee will not be refunded.Additionally,yourexamresultmaybewithheldorcancelledandyourlicensingboardmaytakeotherdisciplinaryactionsuchasdenialofalicenseand/ordisqualifyingyoufromfutureregistrationsforlicensure.Behaviorsthatareconsideredtoconstituteirregularbehaviorormisconductincludebutarenotlimitedto:
Candidates should be aware and understand that the disclosure of examination items before, during, or after the examination is aviolationoflaw.Violationsofconfidentialityand/orcandidates’rulescanresultincriminalprosecutionorcivilliabilityand/ordisciplinaryactionsbythelicensingagencyincludingthedenialoflicensure.Ifyouareawareof,orhaveobservedanattempttocompromisetheNCLEXprocess,pleasereportittotheNCLEXTestSecuritygroup.Candidatesmayreportanysuspiciousbehaviorinthefollowingways:
NCSBNstrives to report results thataccurately reflect theabilityofeach test taker.Accordingly,ourstandardsandprocedures foradministeringexamshavetworelatedgoals:givingtest-takerscomparableopportunitiestodemonstratetheirabilitiesandpreventingany test-takers from gaining an unfair advantage over others. To promote these objectives, NCSBN reserves the right to cancel orwithholdanytestresultswhen,initsjudgment,atestingirregularityoccurs;thereisanapparentdiscrepancyin,orfalsificationof,atest-taker’sidentification;atest-takerengagesinmisconduct,irregularbehavior,violatesthecandidaterulesorotherwisebreacheshis/herConfidentialityAgreement;ortheresultsarebelievedtobeinvalidforanyotherreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidate’spersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.
NCSBNmaycancelorwithholdacandidate’sresultsif,inNCSBN’sjudgment,thereisabasistoquestionthevalidityoftheresultsforanyreason,notwithstandingtheabsenceofanyevidenceofacandidate’spersonalinvolvementinirregularactivities.Evidenceofinvalidresultsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedtounusualanswerpatternsorunusualscoreincreasesfromoneexamtoanother.Ifacandidate’sresult is cancelled or invalidated without a finding that the candidate engaged in irregular behavior, the candidate may appeal thedecisionand/orwillbeofferedafreeretest.Anappealisthecandidate’sexclusivemeansofredresswithregardtoNCSBN’sdecisiontotakethisaction.
THE DAY OF THE EXAMThe staff members at each PPC follow designated procedures to ensure that the operation of the test center meets NCSBN criteria forstandardizedtesting.ThefollowingareproceduresthatwillbeadheredtowhenyouarriveatthePPCforyourNCLEXappointment.
CHECK-IN PROCESSPlantoarriveatthePPCatleast30minutesbeforeyourscheduledtestingtime.Ifyouarrivemorethan30minutesafteryourscheduledappointment, you may be required to forfeit your NCLEX appointment. Your failure to take the examination will be reflected in yourregistrationasanincidentreportwhichwillbeviewablebyyourboardofnursing.
Afteryourexaminationisfinished,youwillbeaskedtocompleteabriefcomputer-deliveredquestionnaireaboutyourtestingexperience.Whenyouhavefinishedthequestionnaire,raise your hand to summon the TA.TheTAwillcollectandinventoryallnoteboards.TheTAwilldismissyouwhenallrequirementsarefulfilled.
Examinationresultsareavailableonlyfromtheboardsofnursingandwillbemailedtocandidatesapproximatelyonemonthaftertakingtheexamination.Do not callPearsonVUENCLEXCandidateServices,thePPCsorNCSBNforexaminationresults.Ifmorethan4weekshaspassedandyouhavenotreceivedyourresults,contactyourboardofnursing.
Youcanalsogetyour“unofficial”resultsafter48businesshoursthroughthequickresultsserviceavailableontheNCLEXCandidatewebsiteatwww.pearsonvue.com/nclex orbycalling1-900-776-2539.Note: Quick results are not available in all states and there is a minimal fee for this service.
NCLEX Test PlansTheNCLEX-RNandtheNCLEX-PNTestPlansaredocumentsthatdescribethescopeandcontentoftheexaminations.TheNCLEXTestPlanscanbedownloadedatnocostontheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.
Obtaining the Detailed NCLEX Test PlanAcandidateversionoftheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNDetailedTestPlanscanalsobedownloadedatnocostbyaccessingtheNCSBNwebsiteat:www.ncsbn.org/1287.htm.
1Bloom,B.S.(ed).(1956).Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification ofEducational Goals, Handbook 1. Cognitive Domain. NewYork:DavidMcKayCo,Inc.2Anderson,L.W.,Krathwohl,D.R.(eds).(2001).A taxonomy for learning, teaching and assessing. A revision of Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. NewYork:AddisonWesleyLongman,Inc.
Developing the NCLEXTheNCLEXisdevelopedusingthefollowingsteps:
Client Needs Categories Covered on the NCLEXFourmajor“ClientNeeds”categoriesorganizethecontentofthe2010 NCLEX-RN® Test Plansandthe2011 NCLEX-PN® Test Plans.
Inthe2010 NCLEX-RNandthe2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plans,twoofthecategoriesaredividedintoatotalofsixsubcategories.“HealthPromotionandMaintenance”and“PsychosocialIntegrity”donothavesubcategories.Thefollowingprocessesareintegratedintoall“ClientNeeds”categoriesoftheRN and PN Test Plans: NursingProcess,Caring,CommunicationandDocumentation,andTeachingandLearning.
For the 2010 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
NCLEX-RN Client Needs
Percentage of Items from each Category/Subcategory
Safe and Effective Care Environment•Management of Care•Safety and Infection Control
16-22%8-14%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%
Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
Physiological Integrity•Basic Care and Comfort•Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies•Reduction of Risk Potential•Physiological Adaptation
6-12%13-19%
10-16%11-17%
For the 2011 NCLEX-PN Test Plan
NCLEX-PN Client Needs
Percentage of Items from each Category/Subcategory
Safe and Effective Care Environment•Coordinated Care•Safety and Infection Control
13-19%11-17%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 7-13%
Psychosocial Integrity 7-13%
Physiological Integrity•Basic Care and Comfort•Pharmacological Therapies•Reduction of Risk Potential•Physiological Adaptation
9-15%11-17%
9-15%9-15%
NCLEX PSYCHOMETRICS
Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)TheNCLEXisdifferentthanatraditionalpencil-and-paperexamination.Typically,pencil-and-paperexaminationsadministerthesameitemstoeverycandidate,thusensuringthatthedifficultyoftheexaminationisthesameacrosstheboard.Becausethedifficultyoftheexaminationisconstant,thepercentagecorrectistheindicatorofthecandidate’sability.Onedisadvantageofthisapproachisthatitisinefficient.Itrequiresthehighabilitycandidatestoansweralltheeasyitemsontheexamination,whichprovidesverylittleinformationabouttheirability.Anotherdisadvantageisthatguessingcanartificiallyinflatethescoresoflowabilitycandidates,becausetheycananswer these items correctly 25 percent of the time for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability. Instead, the NCLEX usesComputerizedAdaptiveTesting (CAT) toadminister the items.CAT isable toproduceexamresults thataremorestableusing feweritemsbytargetingitemstothecandidate’sability.Thecomputer’sgoalduringtheNCLEXistodeterminetheabilityofthecandidateinrelationtothepassingstandard.Everytimethecandidateanswersanitem,thecomputerre-estimatesthecandidate’sability.Witheachadditionalanswereditem,theabilityestimatebecomesmoreprecise.
The Passing StandardTheNCLEX-RNandNCLEX-PNareseparateexaminationsthatreflectdifferentscopesofpractice.Accordingly,theseexaminationsarescoredonseparatescalesandhaveseparatepassingstandards.TheNCSBNBoardofDirectorsreevaluatesthesestandardsonceeverythreeyears.ThecriterionthattheBoardofDirectorsusestosetthestandardistheminimumlevelofabilityrequiredforsafeandeffectiveentry-levelnursingpractice.
Similar ItemsOccasionally,acandidatemayreceiveanitemthatseemstobeverysimilartoanitemtheyreceivedearlierintheexamination.Thiscouldhappenforavarietyofreasons.Forexample,severalitemscouldbeaboutsimilarsymptoms,diseases,ordisorders,yetaddressdifferentphasesofthenursingprocess.Alternatively,apretest(unscored)itemcouldbeaboutcontentsimilartoanoperational(scored)item.Itisincorrecttoassumethataseconditem,whichissimilarincontenttoapreviouslyadministereditem,isadministeredbecauseyouansweredthefirstitemincorrectly.Alwaysselecttheansweryoubelievetobecorrectforeachitemadministered.Allexaminationsconformtotheirrespectivetestplan(NCLEX-RNorNCLEX-PN).
GuessingRapid guessing can drastically lower your score. Some test preparation companies have realized that on certain paper-and-penciltests,unanswereditemsaremarkedaswrong.Toimprovethecandidate’sscorewhentheyarerunningoutoftime,thesecompaniessometimesadvocaterapidguessing(perhapswithoutevenreadingtheitem)inthehopethatthecandidatewillgetatleastafewitemscorrect.Onanyadaptivetest,thiscanbedisastrous.Ithastheeffectofgivingthecandidateeasieritems,whichtheyalsogetwrong.Thebestadviceisto:(1)maintainareasonablepace(spendingnomorethanonetotwominutesoneachitem),and(2)carefullyreadandconsidereachitembeforeanswering.
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111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900,Chicago, IL 60601-4277
Examinations Department Toll-Free: 866.293.9600Examinations Department: 312.525.3750Fax: 312.279.1036Website: www.ncsbn.orgEmail: [email protected]