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

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.