The exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions, and you have exactly 180 minutes to finish. Out of these, 125 questions count toward your final score, while 25 are unscored pretest items.
- How many questions are on the exam?
- You will face 150 total multiple-choice questions. Only 125 of these are scored. The remaining 25 are unscored pretest items used to evaluate questions for future tests.
- How much time do I have to complete the test?
- You have 180 minutes to finish the exam. This gives you just over one minute per question, so pacing is critical.
- What types of questions are on the test?
- All items are multiple-choice with a single best answer. You will also see case studies that require you to apply clinical knowledge to specific patient scenarios.
- How is the test delivered?
- You take the exam through Pearson VUE. You can choose to test in person at a physical test center or use their OnVUE remote proctoring system from your home.
- How are the scored questions divided by topic?
- The 125 scored items are split across five domains. Patient/Care Management is the largest section with 40 items, making up 32% of your score.
- What are the other domain question counts?
- Nursing Teamwork and Collaboration has 26 items (21%). Elements of Interprofessional Care includes 21 items (17%). Holistic Patient Care and Professional Concepts each have 19 items (15%).
- How many questions do I need to get right to pass?
- You must achieve a standard scaled score of 95 to pass. This translates to answering approximately 71% of the scored questions correctly.
- Can I tell which questions are the unscored pretest items?
- No, the 25 unscored items are mixed randomly throughout the test. You must treat every question as if it counts toward your final score.
- Where can I find more details on the specific case study formats?
- Review the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) official handbook for exact details on how clinical scenarios are presented on test day.
- Are there any fill-in-the-blank or alternate format questions?
- The verified format relies entirely on single-best-answer multiple-choice items and case studies. If you need updates on alternate item types, check the MSNCB candidate guide.
