WEBVTT

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- [narrator] Compared to the dated
pencil and paper test

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we all experienced in the past.

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Computerized Adaptive Testing or
CAT uses today's technology

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to tailor test questions to your
ability level and achieve faster,

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more accurate and fairer test results.

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At the forefront of using CAT technology
for high stakes examinations,

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NCSBN has been using CAT for NCLEX
since 1994.

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Let's take a brief look at how NCLEX
using CAT works.

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The goal of CAT is to identify each
candidate’s competence by determining

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the difficulty level of questions a
candidate can consistently

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answer correctly.

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We've invited these candidates to a
fitness center because we think

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their workout can quickly help you
understand the principles behind CAT.

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Let's say each free weight represents a
question and we want to determine

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how heavy a weight you can lift,
in other words, how difficult a question

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you can answer correctly.

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In this example, the trainer has
established that this size weight

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represents the passing standard,
and this correlates to the minimum

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competence needed to practice
entry level nursing.

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The examination is designed to determine
if you can consistently answer questions

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that are more difficult than the minimum
competence standard, which in our example

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is this size weight.

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Lighter weights are easier to lift
and represent questions that are

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less difficult than the passing standard.

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Heavier weights are more difficult to lift
and represent questions that are more

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difficult than the passing standard.

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Each question, like each free weight,
reveals more about the true competence

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level of the candidate.

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With each answer, CAT's calculation of
your entry level competence

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becomes more precise.

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When you answer a question correctly,
you provided evidence that you could

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probably answer easier
questions correctly.

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For that reason, the next question
selected will be slightly more difficult.

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Increasingly more difficult questions
will be asked until you incorrectly

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answer a question, at that point
the next question asked will be

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slightly less difficult.

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If that question is answered correctly,
then a slightly more difficult question

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will be asked next and so on throughout
the remainder of your NCLEX exam.

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Everyone will miss some questions, because
questions are programed to be increasingly

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difficult until a question is answered
incorrectly.

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How Computerized Adaptive Testing works
is illustrated by this map,

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which represents a candidate’s progress
through the NCLEX.

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The NCLEX passing standard is illustrated
by the blue line.

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Questions below the line are questions
that are less difficult

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than the passing standard.

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Questions above the line are more
difficult than the passing standard.

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The map represents both the difficulty
of questions asked and the competence

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estimate of the candidates performance.

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In this example, the candidate
successfully answers a series of

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increasingly difficult questions,
then the candidate begins to answer

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some questions incorrectly,
after answering the minimum number

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of questions required, the candidate
reaches a competence level that is

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significantly above the passing standard.

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When competency is determined,
the examination is completed and

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the candidate passes.

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Conversely, when it is determined that the
candidate is not competent,

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the examination ends and the candidate
does not pass.

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The number and difficulty of the questions
will vary for each candidate.

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This is true for candidates above and
below the passing standard.

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Some candidates will be asked fewer
question because a competent

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pass or fail determination was made
quickly

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for consistently answered questions
either significantly above or below

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the passing standard.

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Other candidates however who have
competence levels near the passing

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standard either a little above or below
will be ask more questions in order

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to determine their pass or fail results.

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To ensure complete content coverage,
all RN candidates will answer a minimum

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of 75 and a maximum of 265 test questions.

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PN candidates will answer a minimum
of 85 and a maximum of 205 questions.

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Though most candidates finish in about
two hours, you'll be given up to six hours

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to complete the RN exam or five hours
for the PN exam.

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This includes a tutorial and all break
times.

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A candidate will pass the NCLEX if he
or she answers at least the minimum

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number of questions and achieves a
competence level significantly above

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the passing standard, answers the maximum
number of questions and achieves

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a competence level above the passing
standard, even if not significantly above.

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Or answers at least the minimum number of
questions but runs out of time and has a

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competence level that has stayed above
the passing standard consistently for all

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of the last 60 questions answered.

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A candidate will not pass the NCLEX
if he or she achieves a competence level

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significantly below the passing standard.

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Answers the maximum number of questions
and has a competence level below the

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passing standard, runs out of time,
and has a competence level that falls

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below the passing standard at any point
during the last 60 questions answered

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or answers fewer than the minimum number
of questions during the time allowed.

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Taking the NCLEX is the culmination
of your studies.

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A thorough examination of your entry level
nursing knowledge, skills and abilities.

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Passing the NCLEX demonstrates your
competence and readiness to begin your

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career as a newly licensed
entry level nurse.

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Just like a well-designed fitness program
can help prepare you for a healthy life.

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Understanding how CAT works will better
prepare you for the testing experience.

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At nclex.com, you can review other
materials to learn more about the exam.

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Good luck!