Re-Evaluating the NCLEX-RN® Passing Standard

Abstract

Setting passing standards is a critical component of the NCLEX® examination process. This research was conducted to provide sufficient information to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s (NCSBN) Board of Directors to make a decision regarding the passing standard of the NCLEX-RN. This article illustrates the standard setting process that NCSBN uses. Surveys of educators and employers, a modified Angoff procedure, the Beuk compromise, and global assessments by content experts were methods used. The Rasch model and a presumed ability distribution were used as the framework to integrate these diverse perspectives regarding minimal competence. The revised passing standard was -0.28 logits. For many of the minimal competence estimates, the author did not have authorization to release the information. In those instances, estimates and results were fabricated to be similar to the actual results, yet different enough as to not disclose confidential information. The fabricated results are clearly marked. In conclusion, a variety of approaches, sources, and perspectives are necessary for the establishment of fair and appropriate standards on the NCLEX-RN.