All new nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to obtain a state nursing license. This test determines if a nursing graduate has the skills and knowledge to practice nursing. Ongoing assessments of the test keep pace with rapidly changing health care. These assessments have led to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), effective April 1 2023.
Will there be changes to the examination? Yes, there will be changes. However, it does not mean that it is a different exam. The NGN combines traditional NCLEX items and new NGN questions on the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN examinations.
The New Exam
The new exam intends to better measure nursing candidates’ clinical judgment and decision-making abilities through innovative item types. The information gathered during the 2013-2014 strategic practice analysis demonstrated the need for nurses to make complex decisions while caring for patients.
All students will receive three Next Gen case studies, each containing six items. The other items consist of the familiar NCLEX format with multiple choice, alternate format items and select-all-that-apply
(SATA) items. Specifically, the exam includes:
- Extended multiple responses
- Extended drag and drop
- Click/drag answer options to fill in the blank
- Highlight text
- Matrix/grid
- Bowtie
- Trend
The new exam will introduce unfolding case studies and stand-alone clinical judgment items. Case studies include a clinical scenario, accompanying information, and six questions that require candidates to make numerous decisions. The sequential test items allow the candidate to progress through the six steps.
Regardless of the exam length, each will consist of approximately 20-25% new, NGN-style items. Because of these new items on the exam, students must prepare for the NGN by using practice questions that mimic the new item types to succeed.
Be Prepared
The best time to prepare for the Next Generation NCLEX exam is now! Be prepared for these challenging examinations quickly. Begin early, reduce stress, build your confidence, and increase the likelihood of passing your exam on your first try.
Understand the NGN format. The NGN will feature new question types, so you must familiarize yoursehttp://tips-to-prepare-for-standardized-testing/lf and practice answering them. Go over the content areas covered on the exam. Although the NGN will still cover the same content areas as the NCLEX, the emphasis may shift slightly. So review your nursing school textbooks and notes and any additional study materials you have. Consider taking an NGN prep course or using an online study platform. Try to stay on top of current health care trends and issues.
The new exam is more interactive and might take longer to complete. It also might require you to spend more time on each question. To prepare, practice managing your time effectively. Take practice exams and time yourself to see how long it takes to answer questions. It will help you determine how much time you must allocate for each question.
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