Analyzing NGN NCLEX Exam Results: Key Insights for Educators
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing hosts an annual meeting to provide nurse educators with information regarding the results of NCLEX-RN and PN examinations. On September 12th, I joined the virtual audience to hear the most recent updates about the implementation of the NGN NCLEX. For those unable to attend the conference, I’m providing a brief update about this meeting as a guide to help you stay ahead in preparing students for future NCLEX Exams.
To examine the impact of the NGN NCLEX, look at the chart below, which outlines the national NCLEX scores for both RNs and PNs from 2021 to the first two testing periods in 2023.
NGN NCLEX EXAM RESULTS
| CATEGORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 (APRIL = LAUNCH OF THE NGN NCLEX) | 2024 YTD (JAN-AUGUST) |
| RN | ||||
| 1st time US Candidates | 82.48% | 79.90% | 88.56% | 93.35% |
| 1st time International Candidates | 46.68% | 43.18% | 52.6% | 56.35% |
| Repeat US Candidates | 45.52% | 43.74% | 51.15% | 47.84% |
| Repeat International Candidates | 27.75% | 27.75 | 42.37% | 40.60% |
| PN | ||||
| 1st time US Candidates | 79.6% | 79.93% | 86.67% | 89.82% |
| 1st time International Candidates | 57.49% | 50.49% | 54.03% | 51.37% |
| Repeat US Candidates | 35.24% | 35.66% | 42.84% | 44.04% |
| Repeat International Candidates | 18.18% | 22.78% | 29.13% | 24.12% |
https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-pass-rates.page
Examining the Impact
As you can see, the pass rates for all categories of test-takers began to recover in 2023, the same year that the NGN test design was introduced. The presenters at the NCSBN Virtual Conference attributed the increases, not only to the return of more traditional educational processes, but also to the impact of using the Clinical Judgment Measurement model and case studies that simulate “real world of practice”. They emphasized how faculty nationwide immersed themselves in the new approaches to teaching and test-taking, which played a key role in students’ improved abilities to appropriately apply clinical judgement to content. Test-takers in general, scored higher on questions where the application of clinical judgement was necessary to correctly answer questions. In addition, when new graduates were polled regarding the experience of taking the NCLEX-RN or PN, many felt as if they knew what they were supposed to do and they felt they could do it. (NCSBN, 2023)
Additionally, during the time nursing education was dealing with the impact of COVID 19, the NCSBN board and staff, initiated an extensive research initiative to determine the impact of the pandemic on Nursing Education: A National Study of Prelicensure RN programs (Martin, et.al, 2023). I would highly recommend that you take a look at these findings. You will find that these results will be important in your own educational practice.
What now?
The success of the new NGN NCLEX is great news, requiring kudos to the NCSBN staff and research team, nurses who participated in the development of the new licensing examination, and the students who adjusted to the new approach to testing. Yet, nurse educators cannot go back to “business as usual.” From my perspective, here are some areas we should continue to emphasize.
- Seasoned faculty should continue to improve your test item writing skills by using your test statistics and the feedback of colleagues as you make changes to test items.
- Provide junior faculty, particularly those with little teaching experience, with the same educational support that was part of the preparation for the introduction of the NGN NCLEX.
- Continue to monitor student results on standardized tests and provide immediate remediation to all who score below benchmark.
- Continue to build various clinical scenarios in class, skills lab, simulation experiences and other teaching-learning opportunities.
- Integrate the concepts within the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model in student/faculty clinical discussions and other clinical assignments.
The nursing education community has done well in recovering from the pandemic and embracing the new type of NCLEX-testing. Let’s persist with these strategies to ensure that the NCLEX-RN and PN scores continue to rise.
Continue the good work!
Susy
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References
Martin, B., Kaminski-Ozturk, N., Smiley, R., Spector, N., Silvestre, J., Bowles, W., Alexander, M. (2023) Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nursing Education: A national study of prelicensure RN programs. Journal of Nursing Regulation. 14: April. Supplemental. https://www.ncsbn.org/research-item/assessing-the-impact-of-the-covid19-pandemic-on-nursing-education-a-national-study-of-prelicensure-rn-programs. Accessed, 2024.
NCSBN (2023) Next generation NCLEX pass rates: Regulation perspective. Leader to Leader. Fall. https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/LTL_Fall2023.pdf. Accessed, 2024.
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