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IS CAT AND NCLEX RN EXAM STILL A GREY AREA FOR YOU?The computerized adaptive testing system i.e CAT and NCLEX RN is a special testing system that is usually identified with NCLEX RN examination. It is considered to be the best method of testing individual RN’s abilities to safely practice nursing. The CAT and NCLEX RN testing system perse does not make you fail the licensure exam ; neither does it make this exam more difficult. All that you need is an idea about how is works, the style of questions, and number of items one can answer. NCLEX-RN exam is all about NCSBN (national council of state board of nursing) asking you to convince it that you have the basic skills and knowledge to safely take care of the sick. And in caring for your patients, you respect the regulations and concerns of this part of the world. First of all, you must meet the minimum acceptable educational standard. Be it RN associate degree, first degree or masters’ degree , that got to meet requirements of NCSBN and the state board of nursing under which you intend to practice. Your chosen state board of nursing, or your agency, can tell from your training transcripts if your training meets the minimum educational requirement. Every nursing examination authority has its components of the RN licensure exam. It is so not only because of the differences in technologies but also takes into consideration the circumstances and prevailing conditions. And the test plan by NCSBN tells details of the nclex-rn composition. Unlike the systems that pertain in many nations, the CAT is a very intriguing system of examination. Not only is it a computer based exam, though you don’t need to be computer literate to take this exam,but there is more to it. Questions in this exam are mostly at the cognitive levels of analysis and application. And sometimes, the items are based on knowledge and comprehension cognitive ability levels. Thus, you can be in the same exam room with somebody but do not have to answer the same questions with that person. Each individual answers almost different questions based on his/her level of abilities. And same applies to the number of questions you may answer. You may answer a minimum of 75 questions or up to a maximum of 265 items, and still pass or fail NCLEX-RN. You have up to five (5) hours for the test, with 2 breaks that are optional. The questions are mostly in the multiple choice/objectives format, although there are few other styles/formats. You will have one question on the screen at a time. And you must answer it (whether you know the answer or not)in order to proceed. Unlike the practice in many developing countries where the RN exam is only written once or twice in a year, NCLEX-RN can be written almost every day. All that you got to do is to choose a suitable date and test center nearest you. There are test centers all over the world, but none in Africa yet.
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