Students

Exam Expectations

• Q What are some examples of improper exam-related behaviors? expand / collapse

  • Attempting to have someone other than yourself take the exam under your name, or taking the exam for someone else under their name. Hiring a “ringer” (more knowledgeable person) or a “proxy” to sit for the examination in one’s place.
  • Retention or possession of exam materials:
    • Having an electronic device in the test center that can take pictures, video, audio, or record or transmit typed text or copy files
      • Forgetting to take off your smartwatch
      • Having a USB drive in your pocket
    • Having printed copies, pictures, handwritten notes, files, or other representations of exam content, inside or outside the test center
    • Memorizing content that is on an exam to later record or share it
  • Sharing exam materials:
    • Talking to examinees, faculty, students, or test prep/review course personnel about what is or is not on the exam or what is more or less important to study based on exam experience
      

      - "There was much more about ____ on the test than I expected."

      - "There was this question about ____ that really confused me. How would/did you answer?"

      - "You should review the diagram of ____. One question was just like that."

      - "Why do we spend so much time studying ____ when it's not on the exam?"

      - "I teach this aspect of the curriculum in my course, but it's not really covered on the boards."

       

      • Posting social media, email, or discussion board messages about experience of question materials on the exam

       

      - "I was really glad I took ____ test prep course because the questions were almost identical to the real thing."

      - "Does anybody want to get together to make an exam study guide? I can remember a few questions, and if we put our heads together..."

      - "This was a terrible test. For instance, this question about ____ didn't make any sense..."

      • Contributing actual test materials to a prep course with or without compensation
      • Attempting to obtain actual exam materials or inside information:
      • Attending a course or purchasing materials that claim to include actual test content
      • Asking someone who has taken an exam for information about it

      - "I feel like I'm a little weak on ____. Were there many questions about that?"

      • Answering test questions on the basis of anything other than one's own knowledge and judgement
      • Using notes brought into the test center
      • Looking at another person's exam
      • Asking a proctor or another examinee for answer information
      • Any prohibited communication while taking the exam

• Q What are examples of permitted exam-related behaviors? expand / collapse

  • Exchanging general information about the test center environment or rules

     

    - "Are you allowed to take a break during the test?"

    - "There was a little bit of a delay to get seated at the center."

    - "My ID said Christopher and my registration said Chris, so I couldn't test."

     

  • Sharing basic, public information about question types on the exam

     

    - "There are 150 multiple-choice questions: there aren't any alternative format questions like hotspots on the test."

     

  • Discussing information published by the NBCRNA already

     

    - "The content outline says that 30% of the test is devoted to basic science."

     

  • Making general comments about your exam performance

   

  - "I thought the exam was very challenging, but I think I passed. I had plenty of time."

• Q What are penalties for improper exam-related behavior? expand / collapse

  • Penalties include but are not limited to:
  • loss of eligibility to take any NBCRNA exam, including SEE, NCE, and NSPM, now or in the future
  • invalidation of exam results
  • revocation of certification
  • assessment of monetary damages
  • legal liability

• Q What should I do if I witness behavior I think may be improper? expand / collapse

  If you see any behavior related to NBCRNA exams that you think may be improper, you are obligated to report it. The NBCRNA uses a third-party reporting service known as The Network. You can remain anonymous if you choose, and no direct contact with NBCRNA staff is required.

   

  Online Reporting: https://nbcrna.tnwreports.com

   

  Phone reporting: 844-703-1790