In previous posts we’ve addressed a common question: “Can you tell if you failed the NCLEX right away?” Today, we’ll address another question students often have: “Can I know whether I failed the NCLEX at 85 questions?”
To answer it, we need to understand how the exam is scored. So let’s begin with a quick review of the program the NCLEX uses!
Will you know if you failed the NCLEX in 85 questions?
All About Computer Adaptive Testing (also known as the CAT 🐈)
First, let’s discuss how the NCLEX determines whether you passed or not: computer adaptive testing (CAT).
What does that mean? As you answer questions, the test changes based on how you answer. For example, if you answer a question correctly, the next question is going to be a little bit harder.
When the program calculates there’s a 95% chance you’re answering above the passing standard, you pass! For some students, this may be at 85 questions, but for others, that may be at 150 questions (the maximum number of questions).
When it comes to failing the exam, the same rule applies. If the program calculates there’s a 95% chance you’re below the passing standard, you’ll fail and the exam will end.
Technically, this means the program can calculate that you failed the NCLEX at 85 questions. In other words, if after 85 questions there’s a 95% chance you’ll remain below the passing standard, you’ll fail the exam.
So yes, it’s possible to have failed the NCLEX at 85 questions. But it’s important to remember that if your exam does end after 85 questions, it doesn’t necessarily mean you failed! It could mean that you’re above the passing standard and passed the exam! So until you receive your official results, there’s no true way of knowing if you passed or failed.
Failing ≠ Failure
Odds are you won’t have to worry about whether you failed the NCLEX at 85 questions. You probably won’t fail at all!
But if you do fail it, it doesn’t mean the end of your nursing career. Despite sounding/looking similar, failing is not the same thing as failure. If failure is the end of the road, then failing is just the road block. So think of failing the NCLEX like it’s a road block. It’s going to take you longer to get where you’re going, but it doesn’t mean you won’t reach your destination!
So, I failed the NCLEX in 85 questions…what’s next?
1. Rest
If you do fail the NCLEX, the first thing I would do is something you enjoy. I know that’s probably not the answer you were expecting, but it’s a very important step! Pick up a forgotten hobby or catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Do whatever makes you happy. Take this time to clear your mind before starting your NCLEX prep journey again. Trust me, your brain 🧠 and heart 🫀 will thank you!
2. Reflect
After you’ve cleared your mind, it’s time to determine what went wrong and make a new game plan. Remember the assess, diagnose, plan, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE) rule from nursing school? It applies to NCLEX prep too! You want to make sure to assess, diagnose, and plan before implementation!
Take some time to reflect on your prior prep and the exam day. Ask yourself the following:
⭐ Did you have a good study plan?
⭐ Did you have test anxiety on exam day?
⭐ Were there categories or types of questions that you weren’t prepared to see?
⭐ Did the case studies stress you out, etc?
3. Prep
Once you can pinpoint an area (or areas) that need improvement, it’s time to prep. This is where Blueprint Nursing can help. Whether it’s your first time taking the NCLEX or not, we want to be part of your nursing journey!
💙 If you need help with time management or creating a study plan, we’ve got you covered! Included with our Crash Course is our fully customizable study planner that can help keep you on track! That way you’ll stay organized, be confident, and hopefully won’t wonder if you failed the NCLEX at 85 questions again.
💙 And speaking of the Crash Course, if you need more help with content, it’s a great option! It includes 183 short videos that are jam-packed with high-yield NCLEX topics. It also includes 17 case study videos where instructors (including myself) walk you through how to answer NCLEX questions and the rationales behind the correct answers. Find more information about our brand new Crash Course bundle (which is completely FREE for 60 days)!
💙 If you’d like someone to walk you through your prep, our NCLEX Live Study Group may be what you’re looking for! It’s a four-day live class via Zoom with two live instructors reviewing frequently tested NCLEX content and test-taking strategies. It also includes three practice exams and access to our 2,000+ Qbank to make sure you’re fully prepared to answer any NCLEX question!
Final Thoughts
To recap, while it technically is possible to have failed the NCLEX at 85 questions, don’t focus too much on this. Remember, if your exam ends after the 85th question, it could also be because the program has calculated there’s a 95% chance you passed at that point!
And if you’re worried about the NCLEX, we have some great options for you. Be sure to check out our Crash Course if you want to review some important content. Or, if you’d like a bit more guidance, the Live Study Group is a great option. Either way, we’re here for you and we can help! 💙
