Chapter 3

Computer Adaptive Test Strategies

The NCLEX-PN^® exam is composed primarily of multiple-choice, four-option, text-based questions written at the application/analysis level of difficulty. These questions may include charts, tables, or graphic images.

Your NCLEX-PN^® exam may also contain questions in a format other than traditional four-option, text-based, multiple-choice questions. These other types of questions, called alternate questions, are part of the test pool of questions for the NCLEX-PN^® exam. These alternate format question types include:

• Multiple-response questions that require you to select all answer choices that apply from among five or six answer options
• “Hot spot” questions that require you to identify a “hot spot” or specific area on a graphic image by clicking on the correct area with the mouse
• Fill-in-the-blank questions that require you to type in a number that you calculate into a blank space provided after the question
• Drag-and-drop/ordered response questions that ask you to place answers in a specific order

There are also three types of alternate format questions that are variations on the traditional four-option, multiple-choice question. These include:

• Chart/exhibit questions that require you to click an Exhibit button to display charts and/or exhibits that provide information needed to answer the question. Once you have done so, you then select the correct choice from four multiple-choice answer options.
• Audio questions that present you with an audio clip that you listen to on headphones. After listening to the clip, you then select the correct choice from among four multiple-choice answer options.
• Graphics questions that present you with graphics instead of text as the four multiple-choice answer options.

Questions either are counted toward your NCLEX-PN^® exam results or they are experimental questions for future exams that are not counted.

This book contains strategies that help you correctly answer both alternate format questions and traditional four-option, text-based, multiple-choice questions.