NCLEX Exam for nurses

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) holds the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to test the competency of nursing school graduates for the licensing of nurses in the United States, Canada and Australia.

What is NCLEX?

• NCLEX is a test to determine if the candidate possesses the minimum level of knowledge necessary to perform safe and effective entry-level nursing care.
• The NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) and the NCLEX-PN (for practical/vocational nurses) are examinations prepared by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) whose mandate is to protect the public from unsafe nursing care. 

Process for NCLEX exam

• Application to the Nursing Regulatory Board (NRB).
• Registration with Pearson VUE.
• Authorization to Test.
• Schedule your Exam Appointment.
• Exam .
• Processing Results

Application to the Nursing Regulatory Board (NRB)

• The initial step in the registration process is to get the Authorization to Test (ATT). To get this, you’ll need to apply to the nursing regulatory body (NRB)  in the state in which you intend to obtain licensure.
• Inquire with the board of nursing regarding the specific registration process as requirements may vary from state to state.
• Authorization to Test
  • If you were made eligible by the licensure board, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) form from Pearson VUE.
  • You must test within the validity dates (an average of 90 days) on the ATT. There are no extensions or you’ll have to register and pay the fee again.
  • Your ATT contains critical information like your test authorization number, validity date, and candidate identification number.

Registration with Pearson VUE

• Once you have received the confirmation from the board of nursing that you have met all of their state requirements, register and pay the fee to take the NCLEX with Pearson VUE
• Follow the registration instructions and complete the forms precisely and accurately.

Schedule your Exam Appointment

• The next step is to schedule a testing date, time, and location at Pearson VUE.
• The NCLEX will take place at a testing center, you can make an exam appointment online or by telephone.
• You will receive a confirmation via email of your appointment with the date and time you choose including the directions to the testing center. 

Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)

• NCLEX uses CAT to administer NCLEX. CAT merges computer technology with modern measurement theory to increase the efficiency of the exam process.
• The selection of questions is based on the NCLEX-RN test plan and by the level of item difficulty.
• Your first question is relatively easy, if you selected a correct answer, the computer supplies you with a more difficult question from its question bank.
• If you have selected an incorrect answer, the computer gives you an easier question.
• This process continues throughout the examination until the test plan requirements are met and the computer is able to determine your level of competence. 
• There is no option to skip a question, you must answer it or the test will not move on. You cannot go back and review previous questions and change answers 

NCLEX-RN Test Plan

The content of the NCLEX-RN is organized into four major Client Needs categories which include: 

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Integrity. 

Some of these categories are divided further into subcategories. For more details visit https://www.ncsbn.org/testplans.htm 

Exam 

• Arrive at the testing center on your exam appointment date at least 30 minutes before the schedule.
• You must have your ATT and acceptable identification (driver’s license, passport, etc) that is valid, not expired, and contains your photo and signature. 

Processing Results

       You will receive your official results from the board of nursing after six weeks.

Source : NCSBN