NCLEX SATA questions, also known as select-all-that-apply questions, can be tricky for prospective nurses. When there may be more than one right answer, how can you be sure you’re making the best choice?
Before we dive in, some background: The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is an adaptive exam that includes between 85 and 150 questions, and any number of these may be SATA. We’ll discuss how to approach these questions to give yourself the best chances of passing the NCLEX for nurses.
These are the types of questions included on the NCLEX:
- Select all that apply: Choose one or more options from a selection of potential answers.
- Multiple choice: Choose one option from a selection of potential answers. This type of question makes up a majority of the exam.
- Case studies: An example scenario has a cluster of questions pertaining to it. Case studies can include nurses’ notes, vital signs, and diagnostic results.
- Multiple response: Choose a specified number of options from a selection of potential answers.
- Bow tie: Drag and drop responses to the correct target item.
- Matrix multiple response: Select at least one option from the column of potential answers.
- Matrix multiple choice: Select at least one option from the rows of potential answers.
- Drop-down cloze: Complete a phrase by choosing from options in a drop-down menu.
- Multiple response grouping: Select at least one option per category from rows containing listed answers.
- Drop-down table: Choose one item from a drop-down menu for several categories.
- Highlight text: A paragraph will have several options of text that can be highlighted. Choose one or more phrases from the paragraph to highlight as the answer.
What Are SATA Questions on NCLEX?
NCLEX select-all-that-apply questions allow the test-taker to select more than one answer from a selection of options. Since there can be multiple correct answers, it’s more difficult to use rule-out strategies for these questions.
Grading SATA NCLEX: New Rules
How are SATA questions graded on NCLEX exams? Rather than simply being correct or incorrect, SATA questions are scored using a +/- points system.
So, are SATA questions on NCLEX partial credit? They can be, because the NCSBN has changed the way they grade, so you’ll gain points for choosing the correct options and lose points for choosing incorrect ones. Your total score on a question is the sum of correct answers minus the sum of wrong answers. Negative scores round up to zero.
Sample SATA NCLEX Questions
Here’s an example of two NCLEX SATA questions and answers, and a scoring breakdown for each.
- In the plan of care for a patient with newly diagnosed type II diabetes, the nurse evaluates that the patient correctly understands the plan of care when they state which of the following?
- “As long as I have my insulin with me, I can eat whatever I want.”
- “When I’m sick, I still need to check my blood sugar.”
- “I’ll carry a snack with me when I exercise.”
- “I should inject my insulin in the same place so I remember.”
- “I can still use my open-toed sandals, but I’ll check my feet each time I wear them.”
- A triage nurse is taking initial vitals on a patient with chest pain and finds that their blood pressure is 200/160. Their heart rate is 124 at rest. When initiating a care plan for acute hypertension, the nurse implements the following priority interventions:
- Communicate findings with the provider.
- Establish IV access.
- Initiate standing orders for labs.
- Instruct the patient to breathe quickly to promote oxygenation.
- Inquire about the patient’s recent medication and caffeine consumption.
Answers and scoring:
- Correct answers are B and C. Let’s say you chose these answers, and E as well. This would lead your score for this question to be +2/-1 — a net score of +1 for the question.
- Correct answers are A, B, C, and E. Let’s say you selected A, B, and E, but not C. This would lead your score for this question to be +3/0 — you’d score +3 points for this question.
How to Answer SATA Questions on NCLEX-RN: 3 Steps
There are no shortcuts to answering NCLEX SATA questions correctly — unless you’re a test-taking genius, you need to study to give yourself the best chance of success. NCLEX questions are designed to evaluate your confidence and competence, and you can’t fake nursing knowledge. But when you come across a SATA question, here’s a general process for answering them:
Step 1: Thoroughly Read the Question
You don’t want to get a question wrong simply because you misunderstood what was being asked. One way to be sure you know what the question is asking is to highlight important elements of the question, as well as any modifiers.
We’ve underlined important text in the sample test sentences below.
- “To apply seizure precautions, the nurse would not do the following:”
- “The nurse tells the patient that contact precautions include which of the following:”
- “To determine whether the family understands the plan of care, the nurse would use which of the following teaching techniques:”
Step 2: Rule Out Wrong Answers
Now it’s time to narrow down your answers. To make this easier, approach NCLEX SATA questions with a true or false lens. Evaluate each answer individually, asking yourself, Does this apply to the question? If it doesn’t, eliminate it from your potential answers.
Here are a few tips to guide you as you evaluate SATA questions:
- Every SATA question has at least 2 correct answers from the 4 or more options provided. It is very rare for every option to be correct.
- Remember your ABCs when prioritizing care — airway, breathing, and circulation always come first.
- Try not to overthink your answers, and don’t spend more than one minute on any single question.
- Absolute answers are rarely correct, so look out for words like “always” or “never” and consider eliminating them.
Step 3: Select All That Apply
Once you’ve ruled out wrong answers, it’s time to click the right ones. Again, it’s best not to spend too much time on each question. Test-creators are generally not trying to trip you up. And it’s also generally not a good idea to go back and change your answer on a question, unless you have a solid reason behind the switch.
NCLEX SATA FAQ
How many SATA questions are on the NCLEX?
The NCLEX is different for everyone who takes it and changes each time the test is administered, so there’s no set number of SATA questions you’ll receive. The difficulty of the questions changes depending on how you perform.
Is 70% enough to pass the NCLEX?
The NCLEX isn’t graded on a percentage scale, but rather on a minimum ability score. To pass, you’ll need to prove to the computerized testing system with 95% confidence that you have the minimum knowledge required.
If you’re concerned about passing, learn more about how to study for the NCLEX and how many times you can take it.
What are the four levels of NCLEX questions?
The levels of NCLEX questions are categorized using Bloom’s taxonomy. Most of the exam questions are at level three and above:
- Remembering
- Understanding
- Applying
- Analyzing
What is the hardest NCLEX question?
That depends on you. If there’s a content area you’re worried about — whether it’s obstetrics, cardiac, pediatrics, or something else — it’s a good idea to focus your studying attention on that subject before the exam. Select-all-that-apply questions can certainly be challenging, but with a well-rounded study plan, you can answer these questions with confidence and pass the NCLEX.
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