Now Available - Kaplan’s Next Generation NCLEX: What You Need to Know, Spring 2021 Edition e-Book
by Susan Sanders, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President of Kaplan Nursing | March 5, 2021
We’re excited to announce that the Kaplan's Next Generation NCLEX: What You Need to Know, Spring 2021 Edition e-Book (ISBN: 9781506280486) has been updated to include the most current information that was ascertained from a meeting with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in December 2020.
What’s New with the NCLEX?
The first edition of our NGN e-Book was released in Spring 2020, and our new 2021 edition has been edited by our team of experts to include all the new substantial and interesting updates from NCSBN to ensure that you have all the information and resources you need to help your students succeed on the Next Generation NCLEX and beyond.
The primary changes in the NCLEX at this time are:
- Adjustment to the length of the exam based on COVID-19 changes will continue until April 2023 (at the earliest).
- Given the changes to the maximum exam length and the testing time, the current Run Out of Time (R.O.O.T) scoring rule is no longer applicable; therefore, an alternate rule has been implemented:
A. If the candidate has not answered the minimum number of items (i.e., 75), the result will be a failing exam.
B. 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. (Previously, the computer analyzed the last 60 items, and every question had to be a higher-level question [application or analysis] in order for the candidate to pass.)
→ If the final ability estimate is above the passing standard, the exam is a pass.
→If the final ability estimate is at or below the passing standard, the exam is a fail.
- The overall difficulty level of an NGN “set” is based on the average difficulty level of all items within the “set.” The Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) will deliver the “set” after determining the student’s performance on each “set” and/or individual items.
- Select All That Apply (SATA) items will move to partial credit when NGN is implemented. This will apply to all SATA items in cases and current stand-alone questions. NGN SATA items can be up to 10 options, with one to all being correct.
- Two new item types were introduced: the bowtie and trend. These are “standalone cases” that may require some or all of the Clinical Judgment Tasks within one question type. Pages 45-47 in Kaplan’s NGN eBook provides more information about these item types.
- Laboratory Reference Ranges will be included in the cases. (Generic medication names will continue.)
Of special note:
The Next Generation NCLEX: What You Need to Know, Second Edition e-Book is written focused on the student; therefore, as faculty you would be able to share the information with your students―or better yet, you can share a copy of the book with your students.
What’s New with the Kaplan e-Book?
The first chapter of this book contains an overview of the current NCLEX-RN & PN Exams. There are practical details about registering, scheduling and taking the exam. We also include strategies for students to become better test takers.
Chapter two discusses the purpose, performance and importance of a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) since most students don’t have much experience with this type of assessment (unless they practice with the Kaplan CAT in their nursing program). In the past we have been told that the first item on the NCLEX is a “passing level” question; however, during recent conversations with NCSBN we heard that the first question will be considered an “easy” one―that is below the level of minimum competency. If the first question is answered incorrectly, the computer selects a slightly easier question. By continuing this pattern of item selection, the computer is able to calculate the level of competence.
The Kaplan Nursing Decision Tree mirrors the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (N-CJMM) that has been developed over the past several years. Students enrolled in the Kaplan Review Course will learn how to use the Decision Tree to recognize cues, analyze cues, prioritize hypotheses, take actions, and evaluate outcomes just as the N-CJMM recommends. The book’s final chapter is full of information and samples of the new types of NCLEX questions plus it includes a great discussion of the scoring methods that are being proposed.
To receive your complimentary copy of Kaplan's Next Generation NCLEX: What You Need to Know, Spring 2021 Edition e-Book, CLICK HERE.
NCLEX® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. Test names are the property of the respective trademark holders, none of whom endorse or are affiliated with Kaplan.
As Vice President of Kaplan Nursing, Dr. Sanders, oversees the vision and strategy surrounding product development, research and consulting for the company’s full suite of nursing products. The nursing team has expanded Kaplan’s NCLEX prep business into benchmark testing and remediation with the addition of service and consulting. She has focused on student, faculty, staff and program development through an emphasis on outcomes. She is experienced in delivering presentations to regional and national audiences. She has gained additional leadership expertise as president of the state nurses association, through professional memberships, and through board certification as an Advanced Nurse Executive (NEA-BC).
See more posts by Susan Sanders, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President of Kaplan Nursing