CNE Assessment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When evaluating the reliability of a newly developed nursing examination, which statistical measure is most appropriate for a single administration of the test?
- Test-retest reliability coefficient
- Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) (Correct answer)
- Pearson correlation coefficient
- Cronbach's alpha for polytomous items
Correct answer: Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20)
KR-20 estimates internal consistency reliability for dichotomously scored items (right/wrong) from a single test administration.
Question 2: A student scores at the 75th percentile on a standardized nursing examination. This means the student:
- Answered 75% of questions correctly
- Scored higher than 75% of students in the norm group (Correct answer)
- Failed to meet the minimum competency standard
- Needs remediation in 25% of content areas
Correct answer: Scored higher than 75% of students in the norm group
A percentile rank of 75 means the student performed better than 75% of the comparison group, not that they answered 75% correctly.
Question 3: Which type of validity evidence is established when a nursing exam's content is reviewed by subject-matter experts to confirm it covers the relevant curriculum?
- Construct validity
- Concurrent validity
- Content validity (Correct answer)
- Predictive validity
Correct answer: Content validity
Content validity is confirmed through systematic expert review to ensure test items adequately represent the intended domain of knowledge.
Question 4: An educator uses simulation debriefing as an assessment strategy. What is the PRIMARY purpose of structured debriefing?
- Assigning a pass/fail grade to the simulation performance
- Facilitating reflective thinking to consolidate and correct learning (Correct answer)
- Documenting clinical hours for accreditation
- Replacing direct faculty observation
Correct answer: Facilitating reflective thinking to consolidate and correct learning
Structured debriefing promotes reflective thinking, allowing students to analyze their actions and integrate new understanding after a simulation experience.
Question 5: Which of the following is a key characteristic of a criterion-referenced assessment used in nursing education?
- Student performance is compared to peers in the same cohort
- A predetermined standard defines passing performance regardless of peer scores (Correct answer)
- Grades are curved based on class performance
- Only the top 10% of students receive a passing grade
Correct answer: A predetermined standard defines passing performance regardless of peer scores
Criterion-referenced assessments measure student performance against a fixed standard, meaning all students can pass if they meet the defined criteria.
Question 6: A CNE is reviewing student portfolios as a program assessment strategy. What is the greatest advantage of portfolio assessment?
- It is the quickest method to grade large cohorts
- It documents growth and development over time across multiple competencies (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for clinical performance evaluations
- It provides norm-referenced data for accreditation
Correct answer: It documents growth and development over time across multiple competencies
Portfolios capture longitudinal evidence of student growth and professional development across multiple competency areas.
Question 7: When writing a test blueprint (table of specifications), what is its primary function in nursing course assessment?
- Determining the final course grade distribution
- Ensuring test items proportionally represent course content and cognitive levels (Correct answer)
- Setting the passing standard for NCLEX preparation
- Scheduling examination dates across the curriculum
Correct answer: Ensuring test items proportionally represent course content and cognitive levels
A test blueprint maps content areas to cognitive levels and item counts, ensuring the exam is a representative and balanced sample of course objectives.
CNE Assessment 3
When evaluating the reliability of a newly developed nursing examination, which statistical measure is most appropriate for a single administration of the test?