COMPUTERIZED ADAPTIVE TESTING (CAT)

A Look into the NCLEX Scoring Method

The NCLEX Uses CAT to Administer the Exam

CAT merges computer technology with modern measurement theory to increase the efficiency of the exam process.

Every time a candidate answers an item, the computer re-estimates their ability based on all the previous answers and the difficulty of those items. The computer then selects the next item that the candidate should have a 50% chance of answering correctly. This way, the next item should not be too easy or too hard. The computer's goal is to get as much information as possible about the candidate’s true ability level. Candidates should find each item challenging as each item is targeted to their ability. With each item answered, the computer's estimate of their ability becomes more precise.

Why CAT?

  • Reduces the number of "easy" items that high-ability candidates receive; "easy" items tell little about a high performing candidate's ability,
  • Reduces the number of "difficult" items low-ability candidates receive; candidates tend to guess on items that are too difficult which can skew results,
  • Reduces item exposure and subsequent security risks,
  • Improves precision of measurement of the NCLEX candidate's ability related to nursing and
  • Provides a valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence.

Pass/Fail Rules

The computer decides whether you passed or failed the NCLEX using one of three rules:

  • 95% Confidence Interval Rule: This rule is the most common for NCLEX candidates. The computer will stop giving items when it is 95% certain that the candidate's ability is clearly above or clearly below the passing standard.
  • Maximum-Length Exam Rule: When your ability is very close to the passing standard, the computer continues to give you items until the maximum number of items is reached. At this point, the computer disregards the 95% confidence rule and decides whether you pass or fail by your final ability estimate.
    • If your final ability estimate is above the passing standard, you pass.
    • If your final ability is at or below the passing standard, you fail.
  • Run-out-of-time (R.O.O.T.): Rule If the candidate runs out of time before reaching the maximum number of items, the computer has not been able to decide whether the candidate passed or failed with 95% certainty. Therefore, an alternate rule must be used:
    • If the candidate has not answered the minimum number of items, the result will be a failing exam.
    • If the candidate has answered the minimum number of items, then the exam is scored by using the final ability estimate computed from responses to all completed items.
    • If the final ability estimate is above the passing standard, the candidate passes.
    • If the final ability estimate is at or below the passing standard, the candidate fails.

CAT Definitions

  • Candidate ability: The level of entry-level nursing knowledge, skills and abilities that the candidate has.
  • Ability estimate: The level of entry-level nursing knowledge, skills and abilities that the computer has determined that the candidate has.
  • Passing standard: A cut point along an ability range that marks the minimum ability level requirement. For the NCLEX, it is the minimum ability required to safely and effectively practice nursing at the entry-level.
  • Logit: A unit of measurement to report relative differences between candidate ability estimates and item difficulties.
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