I'm graduating in May with a BSN and there is a lot of emphasis on taking either Kaplan or Hurst reviews from the nursing faculty and it seems like all of the other students think it is really necessary and the key to passing NCLEX. I do think that it can increase chances of passing, but they're $300-$400. I already have a Saunders book, LaCharity PDA book, and Evolve PassPoint, and am thinking about buying NCSBN's closer to time. Anyone did there own test prep and feel adequately prepared?

I did. I passed on the first attempt with 75 questions. That said, we did have ATI tests throughout our program and I did very well on those once I got them figured out. I used the NCLEX RN mastery app for iPad, some focused content review with Khan academy over things I needed a refresher on, and did some ATI practice tests. I took 2 days prior to the test totally off and just relaxed. I really didn't think it was that bad, and I'm not sure that doing thousands upon thousands of questions is the answer, either. I'm with the folks who feel that prior testing success, the quality of your program, and your comfort level with prioritization are the best predictors of NCLEX success. Everyone is different, though. I really felt that doing a regular review and reading the rationales on the questions I missed was the most meaningful study.

Good luck to you!

Necessary? Of course not. Helpful? Absolutely. It totally depends on your learning style; I took Kaplan and it was nice to listen to the info, synthesize it with their book visually, and study on my own either by writing it out or practicing test questions. Those classes are really just another avenue for test review, but yes, they are pricey. But Kaplan offered money back if you fail IF you attend 100% of the classes (when I took it in 2010, anyway).

I didn't use Hurst or Kaplan. I used ATI that my school provided (free). I also used the free 2 week trial of Lippincott PassPoint and got my hands on the test bank from NCSBN (free). I also used free apps. I passed in 75 questions in January after doing 75-150 questions a day for 2 weeks.

I just recently graduated and am not doing either one. I went back and forth on the issue, but after doing well on ATI predictor test and getting A's & B's in my program I couldn't justify the money. I am using the nclex mastery app, a kaplan review book, LaCharity and going through many questions and rationales!

NCLEX-PN, 2005: I self-studied using the Saunders Comprehensive Review book. I'd go to the local public library and treat my studies like a part-time job.

NCLEX-RN, 2010: I attended a live week-long Kaplan NCLEX review that was paid for by my former school. I also paid to attend a live week-long Hurst review. Since I was attending a school of questionable repute with chronically low first-time NCLEX pass rates, I decided to over-prepare.

my school enrolled us in kaplan so i had no choice. i figured if they're making me pay for it i might as well as make use of it and i'm really glad i did. the saunder's book is good for content but the questions are way too easy. i did the hurst online review about 6 days before the nclex and it helped me understand some things better but it definitely does not cover enough if you're weak in content. i thought the lacharity book was good for the SATA and placing answers in order but other than that the questions were still not on par with the difficulty level of the nclex. i think kaplan is definitely the most challenging (not sure about evolve passpoint) and i thought the nclex was more difficult than kaplan. i didn't do much content review since i graduated fairly recently and everything is still pretty fresh in my mind but i did do all the kaplan questions in the question bank and question trainer.

I passed NCLEX first time with 75 questions, never took a review course. I did 75 questions a day for a month from Saunders and NCLEX 4000. That's all.