- Do questions have more than one correct answer?
A multiple-choice question is constructed so that only someone who has mastered the subject matter will select the correct answer; to that person, only one option will appear to be the correct answer. To someone who lacks a firm grasp of the subject matter, all options may look plausible.
- How is the correct answer determined?
RPN Subject Matter Experts from across Canada create and evaluate the exam questions with assistance from ASI test consultants. They ensure that the RPNCE meets the Blueprint guidelines, and is valid and reliable.
The correct answer to each question on the exam is supported by references from two expert sources in the field. Every attempt has been made to use references that are up-to-date, accessible and accepted within the psychiatric nursing community.
- Does each question have equal weight on the exam?
Each exam question has the same value: one mark. Your score on the exam is calculated as the number of questions that you answered correctly.
- Are there any questions that you must answer correctly to pass the exam?
There are no critical questions that a candidate must answer correctly to receive a passing score on the RPNCE. Each exam question has the same value: one mark.
- How is the pass mark for the exam set?
The pass mark is determined by the content and the difficulty of the test questions included in each exam. The pass mark is set at a level that represents the performance expected of a competent entry-level psychiatric nurse. It is set by a panel of Subject Matter Experts from across Canada who work closely with entry-level Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and include educators, experienced practitioners and administrators. The pass mark is not set using a norm-referenced approach such as “bell curving.” For each form of the RPNCE, the pass mark is the same across writing centres and across the four western provinces.
- Is there a prep or study guide available?
The Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulators of Canada (RPNRC) has released tools to help candidates prepare for the RPNCE: Study Guide (PDF) and Practice Test.
Important: with the exception of the official Study Guide and Practice Test linked above, RPNRC has not sanctioned any other prep guide or practice test. We are aware that a fraudulent prep guide is being sold online at http://www.rpncestudyguide.com/ for $299.99 (or $199.99 on sale) with “all of the answers to the RPNCE” and “questions and answers sourced from actual previous RPNCE exams.”
Please use extreme caution in purchasing any prep guide or practice test that promises to prepare you for the RPNCE, other than the official RPNRC tools linked above. Please contact the College if you need more information.