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How to answer NCLEX select all that apply questions
Select all that apply (SATA) questions worry most NCLEX candidates because there is no fixed number of right answers. Understanding how they are scored, and treating each option on its own, makes them far more manageable.
How SATA is scored on the Next Generation NCLEX
Most SATA items on the Next Generation NCLEX use plus/minus scoring: you earn a point for each correct option you select and lose a point for each incorrect option you select. Your score for the item cannot go below zero. That means partial credit is possible, and guessing extra options costs you.
| Example: 3 correct options out of 6 | Score |
|---|---|
| Choose all 3 correct options and nothing else | 3 of 3 |
| Choose 2 correct options | 2 of 3 |
| Choose all 3 correct and 1 incorrect | 2 of 3 |
| Choose 1 correct and 2 incorrect | 0 of 3 (never below zero) |
A five-step strategy
- Read the stem twice and find the question. Is it asking for findings that need follow-up, actions to take, or statements that show a need for more teaching? A negative stem flips every option.
- Check the client record. Trends and abnormal values are usually the cues the item is built around.
- Treat each option as true or false on its own. Don't compare options or count how many you have picked.
- Don't assume a number. Keys can be 2 of 5 or 6 of 8. Choosing everything is penalised; choosing only one is rarely right.
- Use the rationale after every practice item, including the options you got right, so you learn the rule behind each one.
Practise SATA questions free
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Practise SATA questions with partial-credit scoring →
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