The School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University uses the Kaplan Testing Program as a comprehensive tool for testing, remediation, and program evaluation. Use of the testing program begins in the Junior I semester, with course specific tests and resources integrated throughout each semester of the nursing program. As a comprehensive program, the resources offered can help students prepare more efficiently for NCLEX as well as course exams. All students enrolled in the BSN and ELMSN program tracks have access to Kaplan resources throughout the curriculum and for 90 days post-graduation.

The Kaplan Integrated Testing Program is comprised of a series of secure proctored online tests designed to evaluate the knowledge of students in a pre-licensure nursing curriculum leading to RN licensure. The tests are timed according to the same requirements allowed on the NCLEX-RN® exam, which is 83 seconds per question. Student performance on the exams assists in the identification of knowledge/ concept deficits in specific content areas, so that early remediation can be implemented.

Students should be aware that their ability to pass the NCLEX-RN® is strengthened by their ability to pass each series of tests at the suggested number of correct answers and at the required percentile ranking. Students should prepare for each Kaplan “Integrated Test” by reviewing related content outlined in The Basic Book (Kaplan Review Book), complete “Focused un-proctored tests” as assigned for each course, and review content presented in the theory courses.

Students will be scheduled for a three-day Kaplan Review Course upon graduation. The SoN office will arrange for the specific dates and will register students for this course during their Senior II semester. Once the dates are set and the students are registered, students may coordinate with Kaplan if different course dates are required. Students are expected to prioritize attendance to the scheduled review course if at all possible.

Kaplan Integrated Tests will be given in the semesters as outlined below. Students are required to complete all Integrated Tests assigned, including students who are repeating a course.

Scoring

Kaplan Integrated Tests are scored using the statistical Roush probabilistic model which expresses both item difficulty and test-taker ability on the same scale.

Students receive both a total percent correct score (total percent score is strictly the number of questions answered correctly out of the total questions) and a percentile rank (the percentile score is the percentage of individuals in the total norm group who achieve scores at or below the individual’s score). An individual’s percentile rank describes the student’s exact position as compared with the norm group. The higher the percentile rank, the better the student has performed on the test. Percentile Rank is a more accurate indicator of performance than the raw percentage to determine students’ success on individual tests, because it takes into account the difficulty level of that test.

Course Grade

Integrated tests are graded and count toward the course grade. The following grading scale will be used for all of the integrated tests to contribute toward course grade, based on the percentile ranking the student achieves on the exam. Students who score below the 50th percentile on Integrated Proctored Tests will be required to take the Integrated Repeat Test assigned to the course. The average of the two scores will be used in calculating the final course grade.

Integrated Exams Percentile Ranking and Course Grade Points Scale

Analysis and Remediation of Integrated and Predictor Assessments

Students will receive a detailed test summary report after completing the Integrated Test. This report includes important information for analysis of your performance. The percentile rank (on Integrated Tests) is positioned above the overall or raw percent correct on the screen. The number correct, the number incorrect, and the number of test items not completed. If there are questions students did not reach, it is because the student ran out of time or quit the test before completing it. Answer-changing behavior is detailed on the right mid-screen.

On the detailed test summary report, students will not see test questions. Students will be shown information about specific content the question focused on and level of difficulty. A student’s performance according to level of difficulty, nursing process, clinical concept, demographic, and client need category is provided in bar graphs. Checkmarks indicate the number of questions that were answered correctly. Blue lines indicate the number of questions omitted. “N” indicates the total number of questions for each category.

Students not passing the Integrated exam must review the test analysis and meet with their advisor to discuss their remediation plan. Remediation will include retaking focused exams and completing content remediation sections for all incorrect and unanswered question content. Use the “Analyzing & Remediating your Kaplan Integrated Tests” document on your course website to assist in reviewing your test analysis and preparing your remediation plan.
The dates for retaking the Integrated Exams will be scheduled by the School of Nursing dependent upon proctor availability and occur prior to the start of the subsequent semester. Students must submit proof of remediation prior to the retake.

The Predictor Assessment Examination will be utilized by students to identify areas where they should focus their attention prior to sitting for the NCLEX-RN.

Overall Faculty Responsibilities for Creating a Climate of Success

• • • Course leads are encouraged to take the Integrated Proctored Test assigned to their course and review remediation tools associated with the test.
    • Course leads and new faculty are encouraged to attend a training session with a Kaplan Nurse Educator.
    • Course leads are encouraged to attend an annual update of “Kaplan Live” session when organized by and held at the School of Nursing. The review session will be led by a Kaplan Nurse Educator. Course leads may also set up a personal online review session with a Kaplan Nurse Educator in lieu of attending the live course.
    • Documentation of completion of the review session should be provided by the faculty member and included with their annual review.

New Nursing Student Orientation

• • • Provide incoming nursing students with an introduction to Kaplan with a presentation by Kaplan Nurse Educator. This will occur in N306 during the Junior I semester.
    • Provide students with SON policy for Standardized Testing and Interactive Learning System as found in the student handbook.
    • Brief intro to NCLEX. Emphasize it is an individual exam, computerized, multiple question formats, and  math calculations using an online screen, that tests content knowledge and critical thinking.
    • Stress and anxiety management need to be practiced throughout the Nursing program, not just in relation to NCLEX preparation/testing.
    • Provide students with username/password and brief overview of website.

Faculty/Academic Advisor Responsibilities:

• • • Review Kaplan website each academic year to stay current with changes and new resources available for faculty and students. Resources include Mid-Fidelity and Essential Nursing Skills Simulation Videos, as well as NCLEX Prep Resources.
    • Attend or schedule online yearly Kaplan Review
    • Encourage use of Kaplan tools and resources
    • Encourage commitment to Focus Tests assigned by semester
    • Encourage commitment to test remediation after Focus and Integrated Tests. Discuss methods to remediation in courses (written analysis, tracking weak content areas, focused/quality time spent remediating)
    • Be available to meet with advisees to discuss Kaplan scores, study plans, and available resources
    • Discuss NCLEX test preparation in advising sessions
    • Integrate teaching/learning strategies in course and clinical that promote critical thinking and content application
    • Build NCLEX practice questions into evaluation methods (i.e. exams, lectures)

 Student Responsibilities

• • Develop a specific study plan for test preparation and adhere to it.
  • Commit to completing Focused Review Tests in preparation for Integrated Proctored Tests at the end of semester.
  • Meetings with advisors should occur during Sophomore II and Junior II semesters. Additional meetings should be scheduled based on individual need.
  • Commit to completing a test remediation plan that best suits individual learning and understanding.
  • Utilize Kaplan resources to reinforce learning (Mid-Fidelity and Essential Nursing Skills Simulation Videos).
  • Seek assistance through Office of Accessibility and Accommodation (OAA) for study and test-taking support if needed.
  • Students must request Alternative Testing Accommodations through OAA at the beginning of each semester.
  • Students should meet with professors at the beginning of the semester to discuss accommodations and the test schedule for each course.
  • Maintain a positive attitude and a vision of the goal (program completion and first-time success on the NCLEX).
  • Maintain personal wellness through healthy eating, adequate sleep, physical activity, healthy and responsible social activities.
  • Engage in anxiety control and stress reduction/management strategies as necessary before and during tests (centering, guided imagery, breathing, meditation, visualization, exercise, faith-based or cultural approaches, other relaxation techniques).
  • Self-identify to your academic advisor or course faculty if concerned about Kaplan/NCLEX success.
  • Accept personal responsibility for program success.