The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

The NCLEX is changing!

The NCLEX, developed by the National Council of State Boards (NCSBN), tests new
graduate nurse competency for licensure.
Next Generation NCLEX will feature alternative question formats that measure the
application of clinical judgment and decision-making. The new question types will still
focus on content required for entry-level practice as a Registered Nurse.
  • What is Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)?

  • The Next Generation NCLEX, or NGN, was developed from NCSBN’s 2013/2014 Strategic Practice Analysis, which identified a need to better measure a new graduate’s clinical judgment. In conjunction with changing technology and a more complex healthcare environment, NCSBN is introducing NGN question types to better measure test takers critical clinical decision-making skills. The update will feature Case Studies that have six NGN item questions and Stand-Alone items.
    The Case Study NGN items will focus on a clinical situation for one or more clients that unfolds over six questions. Candidates will review medical record data to recognize and analyze data and prioritize, plan, and implement nursing care. The NGN item types that are included in the Case Study format include:
  • • Cloze: Test takers will drag or drop-down options to fill in a blank

  • • Extended Multiple Response: Test takers will select one or more options

  • • Extended Drag and Drop: Case/Passage based multiple response questions

  • • Enhanced Hot Spot: Test takers will highlight words or phrases from a portion of the medical record

  • • Matrix Grid: Test takers will choose options from rows or columns of information

The Stand-Alone NGN Items focus on clinical information of one client where the candidate will make specific clinical decision.
 
  • • Bowtie: Test takers will drag and drag options to make clinical decisions

  • • Trend: Test takers will select the appropriate action based on client data

  • How much of the exam will this affect?

  • It is estimated that 10% of the NCLEX-RN will be NGN items, including Case Studies and Stand-Alone types. Candidates can expect to see approximately 7 to 15 NGN items.
    With the introduction of Next Generation items to the exam, the minimum length of the exam will be 85 questions (70 scored and 15 unscored) and the maximum 150 questions (135 scored and 15 unscored).
  • When does this go into effect?

  • The NGN questions will be included in scores on exams beginning April 1st, 2023. Currently, candidates have the option to take unscored NGN items.
  • How is The Princeton Review addressing these changes?

  • The Princeton Review is hard at work addressing these new changes to the NCLEX-RN exam. Our content development team, comprised of expert writers with years of content development experience, have all participated in NCSBN’s Next Generation NCLEX® (NGN) conference to grasp updates along with helpful tips and techniques for applying the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) to NGN content development.
    We have been spending the last year researching best practice and application of item writing for our Next Generation question development skills. The content development team is also working on integrating NGN into the LiveOnline and Self-Paced courses.
    We are pleased to announce we’ll have over 200+ NGN items in all our NCLEX-RN products by early 2023 - right in time for the first NGN exam in April.
  • How will the NGN items be administered?

  • The NCLEX will be administered the same way, through the computer-adaptive format proctored by Pearson Vue. There will be no changes in format or process to take the NCLEX-RN.
 

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