2023 NCLEX-RN Test Plan

2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan Overview josephine_barba Created 04/03/25 Save Share Introduction to NCLEX-RN® Test Plan Mission Statement Purpose and Functions of NCSBN Structure of the NCLEX-RN® Test Plan The NCSBN's mission is to empower and support nursing regulators to protect public health and safety.• Focuses on the importance of regulatory bodies in maintaining standards in nursing practice.• Highlights the role of NCSBN in developing licensing examinations for nurses.• NCSBN serves as a collaborative organization for nursing regulatory bodies to address common interests.• Major functions include developing NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® examinations and performing policy analysis.• Promotes uniformity in nursing practice regulation and disseminates relevant data for public health.• Outline Quick reference Want to see your own notes transformed? Give it a go

Background and Overview Classification of Cognitive Levels Content Distribution in the NCLEX-RN® Client Needs and Integrated Processes Categories of Content Areas Administration and Scoring of the NCLEX-RN® Examination Length and Structure The test plan is updated periodically to reflect current nursing practices and standards.• The 2023 version includes significant changes to content distribution and cognitive levels.• Provides a framework for the examination, ensuring it meets the needs of the public and the profession.• Cognitive levels are categorized to assess the complexity of nursing tasks.• Levels include Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, and Creating.• Each level corresponds to specific nursing competencies and skills required for safe practice.• The test plan emphasizes client needs as a central focus of nursing care.• Integrated processes include critical thinking, communication, and collaboration in nursing practice.• Understanding client needs is essential for effective nursing interventions.• The NCLEX-RN® test plan is divided into several key content areas, each representing essential nursing competencies.

Safe and Effective Care Environment: Focuses on management of care and safety

protocols.•

Health Promotion and Maintenance: Emphasizes preventive care and health

education.• Want to see your own notes transformed?

Scoring and Passing Standards Overview of the NCLEX-RN® Test Plan Background and Purpose Structure of the Test Plan The NCLEX-RN® is a computerized adaptive test, adjusting difficulty based on the test-taker's performance.• The length of the exam varies, with a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 145 questions.• Test-takers must demonstrate competency across various nursing domains to pass.• The passing standard is determined by a panel of nursing experts and reflects the minimum competency required.• Scoring is based on a combination of correct answers and the difficulty of questions answered correctly.• Test-takers receive a detailed report of their performance, including strengths and weaknesses.• The NCLEX-RN® Test Plan is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to provide detailed information about the content areas tested in the NCLEX-RN Examination.• The document includes the test plan, testing requirements, sample examination questions, item writing tips, and references for further study.• It is reviewed and approved every three years by the NCLEX Examination Committee (NEC) to ensure relevance and accuracy based on current nursing practices.• The test plan serves multiple purposes: guiding candidates, directing item writers, and classifying examination items effectively.• It is based on a practice analysis that collects data from newly licensed RNs regarding the frequency and importance of nursing activities.• The test plan is essential for ensuring public protection by assessing the competencies needed for safe nursing practice.• The test plan is organized into various content areas, each representing critical aspects of nursing practice.• Each content area is further divided into categories and subcategories that outline specific client needs and nursing processes.• Want to see your own notes transformed?

Introduction to the NCLEX-RN® Test Plan Client Needs Categories and Percentages Adaptive Examination Format Key Components of the NCLEX-RN® Examination Types of Items on the NCLEX-RN® Sample items are provided at the end of each category to illustrate the types of questions candidates may encounter during the examination.• The test plan emphasizes the importance of clinical judgment in nursing practice, particularly for entry-level nurses.• It includes guidelines for item writing to assist nurse educators in creating effective test items.• The document is a living resource, updated regularly to reflect changes in nursing practice and education.• The NCLEX-RN® Test Plan is developed based on the 2021 RN Practice Analysis, which links the examination to real-world nursing practice.• The test plan is informed by expert judgment from the NCLEX Examination Committee (NEC) and is updated every three years, with the last analysis conducted in 2021 due to COVID-19 delays.• The test plan includes a distribution of content across various Client Needs categories, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of nursing competencies.• The test plan categorizes questions into Client Needs, with specific percentages assigned to each category based on the 2021 RN Practice Analysis findings.• Categories include Safe and Effective Care Environment (15-21%), Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12%), Psychosocial Integrity (6-12%), and Physiological Integrity

(6-12%).

• Each category is further divided into subcategories, such as Management of Care and Safety and Infection Control, which have their own percentage ranges.• The NCLEX-RN examinations are administered in an adaptive format, allowing for variable-length tests tailored to the candidate's ability.• Content area distributions may vary by ±3% in each category to accommodate different examination lengths, ensuring a fair assessment for all candidates.• Want to see your own notes transformed?