Unscored Pretest Items
Items on the NCLEX being tested but not counted toward score
Definition
Unscored Pretest Items are 15 experimental items embedded in the NCLEX that do NOT count toward the candidate's pass/fail decision. They are being evaluated by the NCSBN for difficulty, fairness, and validity before being considered for future scored use.
Purpose
- Validate item difficulty against a population of test-takers.
- Identify ambiguous or biased items before they count.
- Gather data needed to maintain NCLEX psychometric standards.
Key Facts
- Pretest items are indistinguishable from scored items.
- They can be any format, including all NGN types.
- They do not affect the exam's pass/fail outcome or length calculations.
- Every candidate receives them.
Strategy
- Do not attempt to identify which items are pretest. It is impossible.
- Answer every item with full effort and attention.
- Time management should account for all items equally.
NCLEX Relevance
Understanding pretest items helps reduce test-day anxiety. Focus on consistent performance rather than trying to game the algorithm.