NCLEX - RN

Exam pattern: The NCLEX-RN is administered to candidates by computerized adaptive testing (CAT). CAT is a method of delivering examinations that uses computer technology and measurement theory. With CAT, each candidate’s examination is unique because it is assembled interactively as the examination proceeds. Computer technology selects items that match the candidate’s ability. All registered nurse (RN) candidates must answer a minimum of 85 items. The maximum number of items that an RN candidate may answer is 150 during the allotted five-hour period. Of the minimum-length examination, 52 of the items will come from the eight content areas listed above in the stated percentages. Eighteen of the items will comprise three clinical judgment case studies. Case studies are item sets composed of six items that measure each of the six domains of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) mentioned earlier: recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action and evaluating outcomes. Since clinical judgment is an integrated process, the case studies will span any number of content areas and are therefore counted independently of the content-area-specific items. The remaining 15 items will be unscored pretest items. The five-hour limit to complete the examination includes all breaks.