NCE Scoring

On the day of the exam, each candidate will receive a unique, computer-generated version of the exam. The scoring of the NCE is simple. Each candidate will receive a raw score equivalent to the number of non-pretest questions answered correctly. Since there are forty pretest questions on every exam, the maximum possible score is 160. The passing score fluctuates, and is based on the difficulty of the exam version. It should be noted that the minimum passing score is not based on the performance of other individuals taking the exam contemporaneously; in other words, the National Counselor Examination is not graded on a curve. Approximately two months after the date of the examination, the candidate will receive a comprehensive score report in the mail. This score report will contain the total score as well as the itemized scores for each of the 13 domains on the exam: human growth and development; social and cultural foundations; helping relationships; group work; career and lifestyle development; appraisal; research and program evaluation; professional orientation and ethics; fundamentals of counseling; assessment and career counseling; group counseling; programmatic and clinical intervention; and professional practice issues. The score report will also include the group mean and standard deviation for this administration of the exam, and the minimum passing score required. The NBCC does not mail score reports to any third parties without the direction of the candidate.

For additional information, we recommend you check out these free NCE test resources:

NCE

NCE Scoring

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