The relationship of locus of control, cognitive style, intellectual skills, and nursing State Board Test Pool Examination performance

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify a set of variables which could be used to predict the success of graduate nurses on the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE). This study used the following variables to determine the validity of predicting student scores on the SBTPE: achievement test performance (nursing achievement and verbal ability), locus of control, and cognitive style. Evidence was sought to support the hypothesis that verbal proficiency is a major construct underlying performance on the SBTPE. Procedure. Sample. This study was conducted in a public, state supported institution of higher education. Two groups of students in the final semester of a baccalaureate nursing program were involved in the study. The first group consisted of 70 students at two clinical campuses. The second group consisted of 36 students at one clinical campus. [...]