Western Governors University is popular among RN-to-BSN students because of its flexible, competency-based system. You can move fast, test out of material you already know, and finish your degree quicker than in traditional programs. But very early in the program, every student notices that WGU has two very different types of assessments: Performance Assessments and Objective Assessments.
Almost every RN-to-BSN student eventually asks the same question:
Which one is actually harder?
The honest answer is not as simple as it seems. Both types can be challenging, but in very different ways. In this article, we’ll break down how each assessment works, why students struggle with them, which one usually feels harder, and how you can handle both without slowing down your graduation timeline.
Understanding How WGU’s Assessment System Works
WGU does not grade you with traditional letter grades. You either pass or you don’t. This makes the system efficient, but it also means there is very little room for error.
Performance Assessments are usually papers, projects, or reports. Objective Assessments are proctored exams. Some courses have only one type, and some have both.
What makes this tricky for RN-to-BSN students is that most of them are:
- Working full-time
- Managing family or clinical shifts
- Returning to school after a long break
So the real difficulty is not just the content. It’s time, energy, and mental load.
What Are WGU Performance Assessments?
Performance Assessments are essentially rubric-based writing assignments. They are not creative essays. They are structured tasks where you must prove that you can apply nursing and leadership concepts correctly.
You might be asked to:
- Analyze a healthcare scenario
- Propose an improvement plan
- Evaluate patient safety or quality outcomes
- Reflect on leadership or evidence-based practice
The length is not the main issue. The precision is. Every section must match the rubric. If even one part is weak or missing, the whole task can be sent back for revision.
This is why many RN-to-BSN students feel stuck on courses like NURS FPX 4010, 4020, or 4900. The writing itself is manageable, but interpreting the rubric and structuring the paper correctly is where most time is lost.
This is also where many students turn to NursFPXWriters for help organizing, polishing, and aligning their assessments so they pass on the first submission.
What Are WGU Objective Assessments?
Objective Assessments are proctored exams. They test your understanding of concepts through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions.
These assessments feel more familiar to students who are used to traditional exams. You study the material, take practice tests, and then schedule the final exam.
The challenge here is:
- The breadth of material
- The pressure of a timed, proctored environment
- The risk of failing and having to wait before retaking
Some RN-to-BSN students find these easier because they already have clinical experience. Others struggle because they haven’t taken a real exam in years.
A Simple Comparison
Here is a clear, student-centered comparison of both assessment types:
| Feature | Performance Assessments | Objective Assessments |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Written papers or projects | Proctored exams |
| Main Challenge | Rubric alignment and structure | Memorization and test performance |
| Time Style | Slow, writing-intensive | Short, high-pressure |
| Revision Risk | High | Low (but retake delays) |
| Stress Type | Ongoing and mental | Intense and immediate |
This table explains why students argue about which one is harder. They are difficult in completely different ways.
Which One Feels Harder for Most RN-to-BSN Students?
For most RN-to-BSN students, Performance Assessments usually feel harder.
Not because the content is harder, but because:
- They take longer
- They often require revisions
- The rubric can be confusing
- You never know if you’ve done “enough” until it’s graded
A single Performance Assessment can easily take more time than studying for and passing an Objective Assessment.
However, some students are the opposite. If you hate exams, get anxious under pressure, or struggle with memorization, Objective Assessments may feel much harder.
The Hidden Time Trap: Revisions
This is the real reason Performance Assessments get such a bad reputation.
If you fail an Objective Assessment, you study again and retake it.
If you fail a Performance Assessment, you must:
- Read evaluator feedback
- Fix specific sections
- Rewrite parts of the paper
- Resubmit and wait again
This cycle can turn one assignment into a two-week delay or more.
This is exactly why many RN-to-BSN students use NursFPXWriters to review and improve their papers before submission, reducing the risk of getting stuck in revision loops.
Which One Is Better for Fast Progress?
If your goal is to move fast:
- Objective Assessments are usually quicker if you’re good at tests.
- Performance Assessments are faster only if your writing and structure are strong.
Most delays in WGU RN-to-BSN programs come from writing tasks, not exams.
How to Succeed With Both Types
The biggest mindset shift is this:
Performance Assessments are not “papers.” They are rubric checklists in paragraph form.
Objective Assessments are not about perfection. They are about passing, not scoring 100%.
If you build your Performance Assessment strictly from the rubric and keep your Objective Assessment prep focused, both become much easier.
And if writing is your weak point or time is tight, NursFPXWriters can help you structure, edit, and polish your assessments so you can move forward without unnecessary delays.
Real Talk: What Actually Slows RN-to-BSN Students Down?
It’s almost never the exam courses.
It’s:
- NURS FPX 4010
- NURS FPX 4020
- NURS FPX 4900
- And similar writing-heavy Performance Assessment courses
These are exactly the courses NursFPXWriters specializes in helping students complete faster and more smoothly.
Final Verdict: Which Is Harder?
For most RN-to-BSN students:
Performance Assessments are harder, more time-consuming, and more mentally exhausting than Objective Assessments.
Objective Assessments are stressful for a few hours. Performance Assessments can stress you for days or weeks.
Final Thoughts
WGU’s system is excellent for working nurses, but only if you learn how to play to its strengths.
Understand which courses are writing-heavy. Plan your time. Don’t stack too many Performance Assessment courses together. And don’t hesitate to get help when you need it.
If your goal is to finish your RN-to-BSN faster and with less stress, NursFPXWriters can help you stay on track, avoid revisions, and keep moving toward graduation.
