what is the nclex exam

The NCLEX exam, which stands for the National Council Licensure Examination, is a standardized test that nurses in the United States and Canada must pass in order to obtain their nursing license. There are two types of NCLEX exams: the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. The NCLEX-RN is for those seeking to become a Registered Nurse, while the NCLEX-PN is for those aiming to become a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse. The exam is a computer adaptive test that evaluates a candidates nursing knowledge and competency. It is designed to determine if it is safe for an individual to begin practice as an entry-level nurse. The exam is organized according to the framework "Meeting Client Needs," which includes four major categories and eight subcategories. The NCLEX-RN exam consists of 74-145 questions, including 15 pre-test questions that do not count toward the test takers score. The exam is administered using a testing method known as computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which means that the computer adapts the questions based on the test takers performance. The types of questions on the NCLEX exam can include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, hot-spot items, multiple response items, and ordered response items. The exam is designed to test the candidates complex thought processing and critical thinking skills. Failing the NCLEX exam does not mean the end of the road, as many students do not pass on their first attempt. The exam is continuously updated, and as of April 1, 2023, it includes next-generation features using real-world case studies to measure a nurses ability to think critically and make the right decisions.