SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW FOR THE NCLEX-RN®
EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
TEST BANK
1) Computer Adaptive Testing
Reference: Computer Adaptive Testing
Stem: A nursing graduate is reviewing how the NCLEX-RN is
scored. The graduate says, “I’m worried because the
computer may keep giving me harder questions after I
answer correctly.” Which response by the instructor is best?
The graduate is trying to understand how computer adaptive
testing works and why item difficulty may change during the
exam. The instructor wants to explain the scoring process
accurately and reduce anxiety.
,Options:
A. “The computer gives harder questions only to test your
memory under stress.”
B. “The next item is selected based on your previous
responses and estimated ability.”
C. “All candidates receive the same questions in the same
order.”
D. “Harder questions mean you are definitely failing the
exam.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Computer adaptive testing uses the candidate’s prior
responses to determine the next item. The exam adjusts item
difficulty to measure ability efficiently and accurately, which
is why the question level may change. This is a core NCLEX
testing principle.
Rationales — Incorrect Options:
A. The computer does not select harder items to induce
stress. Item selection is based on ability estimation, not
punishment.
C. NCLEX is not a fixed, identical test for all candidates. The
exam is individualized.
D. Harder questions do not mean failure; they may indicate
the system is measuring ability near the passing standard.
Teaching Point: CAT adapts each item to estimate ability, not
to “trap” the test taker.
,Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.). Chapter 1:
Computer Adaptive Testing.
2) Passing Standard
Reference: Pass-or-Fail Decisions
Stem: A graduate says, “If I miss too many questions early in
the NCLEX, I automatically fail.” Which response by the nurse
educator is best?
The graduate needs clarification about how pass-or-fail
decisions are made in a computer adaptive exam. The
educator wants to correct a common misconception.
Options:
A. “That is true because early questions count more than
later ones.”
B. “The exam evaluates whether your ability is above or
below the passing standard.”
C. “The computer only counts correct answers from the first
half of the exam.”
D. “Passing depends on answering a set percentage
correctly.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
NCLEX pass-or-fail decisions are based on whether the
candidate’s ability meets the passing standard. The test does
, not rely on a simple percentage score or only early items.
This reflects NCLEX’s adaptive design.
Rationales — Incorrect Options:
A. Early items do not automatically determine the final
result. Ability is assessed across the exam.
C. The exam is not scored only from the first half. Every
response contributes to the ability estimate.
D. NCLEX does not use a fixed percent-correct cutoff as the
sole basis for passing.
Teaching Point: NCLEX measures ability against a standard,
not a raw percentage.
Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.). Chapter 1: Pass-or-
Fail Decisions.
3) Development of the Test Plan
Reference: Development of the Test Plan
Stem: A student asks why the NCLEX covers some content
areas more heavily than others. The faculty member explains
that the exam is built from a blueprint. Which statement best
describes the purpose of the test plan?
The student is trying to understand how exam content is
organized and why certain nursing topics appear more often.
REVIEW FOR THE NCLEX-RN®
EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
TEST BANK
1) Computer Adaptive Testing
Reference: Computer Adaptive Testing
Stem: A nursing graduate is reviewing how the NCLEX-RN is
scored. The graduate says, “I’m worried because the
computer may keep giving me harder questions after I
answer correctly.” Which response by the instructor is best?
The graduate is trying to understand how computer adaptive
testing works and why item difficulty may change during the
exam. The instructor wants to explain the scoring process
accurately and reduce anxiety.
,Options:
A. “The computer gives harder questions only to test your
memory under stress.”
B. “The next item is selected based on your previous
responses and estimated ability.”
C. “All candidates receive the same questions in the same
order.”
D. “Harder questions mean you are definitely failing the
exam.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Computer adaptive testing uses the candidate’s prior
responses to determine the next item. The exam adjusts item
difficulty to measure ability efficiently and accurately, which
is why the question level may change. This is a core NCLEX
testing principle.
Rationales — Incorrect Options:
A. The computer does not select harder items to induce
stress. Item selection is based on ability estimation, not
punishment.
C. NCLEX is not a fixed, identical test for all candidates. The
exam is individualized.
D. Harder questions do not mean failure; they may indicate
the system is measuring ability near the passing standard.
Teaching Point: CAT adapts each item to estimate ability, not
to “trap” the test taker.
,Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.). Chapter 1:
Computer Adaptive Testing.
2) Passing Standard
Reference: Pass-or-Fail Decisions
Stem: A graduate says, “If I miss too many questions early in
the NCLEX, I automatically fail.” Which response by the nurse
educator is best?
The graduate needs clarification about how pass-or-fail
decisions are made in a computer adaptive exam. The
educator wants to correct a common misconception.
Options:
A. “That is true because early questions count more than
later ones.”
B. “The exam evaluates whether your ability is above or
below the passing standard.”
C. “The computer only counts correct answers from the first
half of the exam.”
D. “Passing depends on answering a set percentage
correctly.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
NCLEX pass-or-fail decisions are based on whether the
candidate’s ability meets the passing standard. The test does
, not rely on a simple percentage score or only early items.
This reflects NCLEX’s adaptive design.
Rationales — Incorrect Options:
A. Early items do not automatically determine the final
result. Ability is assessed across the exam.
C. The exam is not scored only from the first half. Every
response contributes to the ability estimate.
D. NCLEX does not use a fixed percent-correct cutoff as the
sole basis for passing.
Teaching Point: NCLEX measures ability against a standard,
not a raw percentage.
Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.). Chapter 1: Pass-or-
Fail Decisions.
3) Development of the Test Plan
Reference: Development of the Test Plan
Stem: A student asks why the NCLEX covers some content
areas more heavily than others. The faculty member explains
that the exam is built from a blueprint. Which statement best
describes the purpose of the test plan?
The student is trying to understand how exam content is
organized and why certain nursing topics appear more often.
