{"id":18965,"date":"2018-04-11T08:12:25","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T13:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=18965"},"modified":"2020-09-11T20:42:06","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T20:42:06","slug":"how-to-ace-alternate-style-questions-on-the-nclex-rn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/nclex\/how-to-ace-alternate-style-questions-on-the-nclex-rn\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Ace Alternate-Style Questions on the NCLEX-RN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that you\u2019ve\u00a0done all the hard work at nursing school, it\u2019s time to prove you\u2019re\u00a0really\u00a0<\/i>ready to become a nurse. To do that, you\u2019ll have to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX<\/a>). Are you ready?
\nYou\u2019ll take the NCLEX-RN on a computer at a Pearson VUE test center, answering questions that show you can apply your knowledge of nursing practice to the duties of a registered nurse.
\nFor the most part, you\u2019ll be choosing one correct answer from among four multiple-choice options for each question. But not always. You\u2019ll also need to be prepared for \u201calternate item format questions<\/a>.\u201d
\nExamples of alternate-style items include questions with two or more correct answers (\u201cselect all that apply<\/a>\u201d), questions that require putting the answer options in order<\/a>, and questions that require you to identify a specific area<\/a> on a picture or graphic. You might also have to read info in a chart to answer the problem, listen to an audio clip, or choose among several graphics instead of written answer options.<\/a>
\nThe National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers all kinds of useful information about alternate item format questions.
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Why not just multiple choice?<\/h3>
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\nThese alternate-style questions are fairly new in NCLEX history. Advances in computer technology have allowed the test developers more options than the simpler four-answer multiple-choice format.
\nAlternate-style questions offer a more effective way to assess\u00a0entry-level nursing competence<\/a>. For example, calculation questions require you to do the math and fill in the blank with no answer options to choose from, just like real life.
\nIn the professional licensing world, alternate-style questions are not at all unusual. If you were to take a licensure exam to become a doctor, architect, or accountant, you\u2019d also encounter non-multiple-choice questions being use to determine competence.
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What can I expect?<\/h3>
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\nAccording to the NCSBN, there is no set number or percentage of alternate-style questions on any given NCLEX-RN. But you can expect between 10 to 20 percent alternate-style questions.
\nThe test is computer adaptive<\/a>. That is, the computer takes into account your answers and adjusts the questions in difficulty accordingly. No matter what difficulty level, you will encounter alternate-style questions.
\nAlternate-style questions are scored the same way as multiple-choice questions: right or wrong. There is no partial credit for calculations or getting some of the \u201cselect all that apply\u201d answers correct.
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\nLearn to master alternative question types with Kaplan’s NCLEX-RN Computer Adaptive Test and Qbank.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Prep Packs<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>
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Tips for Success<\/h3>
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\nMany students find alternate-style questions more challenging than the regular multiple-choice format. The best way to prepare for these questions is to practice them in advance.
\nHere are some ways to find practice questions:<\/p>\n