1003 - NGN Item Type Scoring in Course Testing: What is a Faculty to Do?

There are currently a limited number of resources to guide faculty in incorporating NGN test items into course examinations. This study investigated scoring of tests with NGN questions in an ADN program. Analysis showed that there were significant variations in test and course grades based on the scoring model applied. The results can be used to develop and deliver fair nursing examinations whose results accurately capture student knowledge.

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) added variations of 5 new item types in April 2023. A dilemma nursing faculty face in incorporating these new item types is how to approach testing to ensure that a test is fair and valid. Faculty developing tests will need to determine the number of item types and how to score each test item. Since there are currently a limited number of resources to guide faculty in incorporating NGN test items into testing, this study investigated the scoring of course tests with NGN questions and determined scoring model recommendations.

Data was collected using a retrospective design from the computerized testing records of all 44 students in the third medical-surgical nursing course in an ADN program. Study variables evaluated included course grades and for each course examination the number of questions, number of points, breakdown of item types, scoring of item types, individual student grades, and psychometrics. After thoroughly analyzing the original tests, each test was then regraded and analyzed using different scoring rules. These alternate rules were based on how the new NGN item types were being scored and what faculty perceived were practices other institutions were following based on NCSBN information, expert recommendations, and faculty discussion on social media.