DOI: 10.1097/nne.0000000000002286 ISSN: 0363-3624

Impact of Disabling Backwards Navigation on Exam Scores in an Undergraduate Nursing Program

Macy Mosher, Seongkum Heo

Background:

Backward navigation is not permitted on the National Council Licensure Exam. However, the impact of this on test scores and testing time has been rarely tested in nursing students.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the removal of backward navigation on exam scores and length of testing time among undergraduate nursing students.

Methods:

Data were retrospectively collected from 2 student cohorts: 1 with exposure to backward navigation (A) and 1 without (B). Paired t tests were used to address the purpose.

Results:

The findings show no statistically significant differences in the exam scores (81.74 vs. 81.10, P = .242) and the overall time spent taking the exam (70.10 vs. 69.00 minutes, P = .075).

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that the removal of the backward navigation function did not have a significant impact on overall exam performance. Therefore, disabling backward navigation on exams should be considered by nursing programs.

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