Q: Why did I get all 145 questions on NCLEX?
A: Receiving 145 questions on the NCLEX means the exam's computerized adaptive testing (CAT) algorithm needed nearly the maximum number of items to reach 95% statistical certainty in determining whether your ability was above or below the passing standard. Your performance consistently placed your ability estimate very close to the passing standard throughout the test, requiring more questions for the computer to make a confident final decision.
Q: Does getting 145 questions mean I passed or failed?
A: It means the result could go either way. The exam length does not determine your result; your final ability estimate does. Many candidates who test to 145 questions pass, and many fail. You cannot infer your result from the number alone.
Q: What kind of performance leads to a longer test like 145 questions?
A: The CAT system is designed to pinpoint your exact ability level. A test extending to 145+ questions typically indicates a borderline performance, where you correctly answered enough difficult questions to stay near the passing standard but may have missed some easier ones, or vice-versa. Your ability estimate oscillated near the passing line without clearly moving above or below it until the very end.
Q: Is there a problem with the exam or my preparation if I went to 145?
A: Not necessarily. It often reflects a solid but not dominant grasp of the material, where your competency hovered near the threshold. It may also indicate inconsistencies in your knowledge—excelling in some areas but having gaps in others that kept you from pulling decisively ahead.
Q: What should I do now while waiting for my results?
A:
- Avoid the "Quick Results" Trap: Do not obsess over unofficial early results or try to re-take questions in your head.
- Trust the Process: The CAT system is statistically rigorous. Your result will be accurate.
- Plan for Either Outcome: Use the waiting period to rest, but also consider starting a light, structured review plan in case a retake is necessary.
Q: How can I prepare differently to avoid a borderline result in the future?
A: To achieve a clearer, earlier pass (or to ensure success on a retake), focus on:
- Closing Knowledge Gaps: Use your test experience to identify shaky areas. Was it pharmacology? Prioritization? Focus your review there.
- Mastering Clinical Judgment: The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) heavily tests this. Practice with case studies and the new item types until you're confident.
- Building Test Endurance: Simulate full-length exams (up to 150 questions) regularly to build the mental stamina required.
- Analyzing Practice Test Rationales: Don't just note if you got a question right/wrong. Understand why every single option was correct or incorrect.
For an authoritative explanation of the CAT algorithm and scoring, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) at www.ncsbn.org.