Taking the Kaplan This Wednesday... Please Read!

imastudent · Apr 9, 2005

Hello,
I graduated with an ADN from Cerritos College this past December, enrolled in Kaplan, and I just lost access to their online videos an less than an hour ago. I have been studying between 5 to 7 hours a day with an additional hour or and hour and a half these past week and a half. Prior, I have been studying about 3 - 5 hours a day, but more on the side of 3. Throughout Nursing school, I took notes on the computer, and studies with three other friends. I had very good study habits, but all I could manage was either a B or a C in class. (Most of the time, I'd go into teh final with a solid B and completely blow it, managing to pull through with a very high C.) I don't know who to write to, and I feel like I am falling apart. I drove to Irvine everyday (about 30 miles to rewatch all their Course Videos, and I finished two days ago. I would sit there with a thermos full of coffee, and I would smoke cigarettes (never, ever before to stay awake). I've been told I need to rest, but whatever, they are not taking the test. When I was taking teh Diagnostic test in January @ Kaplan, I was one bar below borderline, and after the Kaplan, I was borderline. On the CD, my first test I scored a 55%, 2nd, scored a 51%, and on the 3rd test I JUST SCORED A 39%!!! I have been told that the first two test are very easy, so I feel really stupid. I have also been practicing on teh Nursing 2000 CD and the Nursing 3000 CD. There, I score between a 60% to a 65%. When I watch teh Kaplan Videos, I keep track of how many I get right and how many I miss and I get roughtly between 65% - 75% correct. My Kaplan book is all marked up from reviewing countless times. I don't know what good it will do to write like this. It won't do me any good, actually. I've had nightmares about me waking up on teh day of the exam and telling myself I am not ready. I dreamt a two nights ago that I got pulled over by the police and was arrested for having too much caffeine in my system that my hands shook uncontrollable. I need Xanax!!! I was sooo confident in myself until I finished this test. How could've I had a 39%??? I'm also enrolled in a CCRN course (which I felt very confident in), but the final is on the day after the NCLEX. I know I can't possibly study for it. I don't know what I expect to hear... I'm just not feeling so confident right now. I can't hear, "You'll be ok," because that's false reassurance. All my friends have passed so far. I don't know what to say anymore. I can't reschedule and I don't want to, either. To postpone it longer, well, I'd feel l like I've forgotten everything from nursing school. On test two of Kaplan's CD, I scored the majority of the categories in the high 50's to as far as 100% (Analysis), mostly in the 70's and 80's, with a low score in management of care (8%) and safety (33%). I figured they were low because I haven't touched those pages since February because I reviewed them so much.

I just want to say that I'm currently attending cerritos college right now and am considering their adn program so i can transfer to cal state fullerton then to long beach. how did you think of cerritos' nursing program? i heard that we have a good one but i didnt actually hear it from someone who has been there. It seems like you're struggling with grades, although I don't know what Kaplan is and what tests you're talking about because I'm still working on my GEDs..but whatever it is i wish you the best of luck and keep trying and your hard work will pay off eventually!!! :)

crb613, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

You need to chill out! You seem so stressed that you are defeating your self before you ever take the test. Your mind is not going to work like this. It seems as if you have worked your butt off to prepare so.... quit trying to cram. Rest your brain, & then when Wed. comes it will be fresh & better able to recall & function. If you don't know it by now cramming is not going to work. Go do something fun..rest..exercise....eat good....sleep....sleep some more. You know what you know & if you are well rested & relaxed it will come alot eaiser. A car won't run if its outta gas & in poor condition our body & mind are the same way. Good luck to you & a prayer coming your way. You can do it!!! Now REST that brain.

Heymickey · Apr 9, 2005

I just want to say that I'm currently attending cerritos college right now and am considering their adn program so i can transfer to cal state fullerton then to long beach. how did you think of cerritos' nursing program? i heard that we have a good one but i didnt actually hear it from someone who has been there. It seems like you're struggling with grades, although I don't know what Kaplan is and what tests you're talking about because I'm still working on my GEDs..but whatever it is i wish you the best of luck and keep trying and your hard work will pay off eventually!!! :)

Cerritos College has an excellent ADN program, and I can not stress that enough! Kaplan is an prep course that claims a 95% passing rate for those who follow their instructions. They teach you a different approach to the NCLEX, with lectures, videos, online movies to watch, and lots of test questions. NCLEX is the test to get your RN license and you can take anywhere between 75 questions to 265 questions over a period of 6 hours on the computer. It shuts off after it has determined your "level of competancy" Everytime you get a question right, the next question may be harder, and every time you get one wrong, it gets easier. So you don't want to see lots of easy questions! Kaplan says to shoot to a score of above 65% in their class in order to pass with flying colors, but on the actual test, there is no passing percentage. (Actually, it comes out to roughly 50% of the hard questions right.)

crb613, thanks for the advice. :) (Cramming's always worked in school!!! :chuckle ) I'll break up the study sessions a bit so I can go running or something in between. Your right, either I know it or don't, and I know I KNOW it, but the logic is a little hard for me.

joli · Apr 10, 2005

I agree, you need to chill out! You're scaring me! I have friends who passed the NCLEX without taking any review course and I have one friend who took Kaplan and failed the exam the first time (passed the second time). Your anxiety is much too high. Useless at the moment. You survived nursing school at Cerritos, give yourself more credit. With confidence, you are half way there.

Joy :)

Rio Hondo College

ADN

studyingjenna · Apr 10, 2005

did any of you guys go through Fullerton College's ADN program? or hear about it?

joli · Apr 10, 2005

No, haven't heard anything about Fullerton College. But you can go to

http://www.rn.ca.gov/.....on the left column, click on 'nursing schools'. These are all of the schools with nursing programs that are approved by the board of registered nursing.

Rio Hondo College (in Whittier) has a good program but hard to get in these days (so I've heard). They go by lottery now. Just apply everywhere and go to the first one that accepts you. Of course, make sure they are approved by the board!

Take care!

studyingjenna · Apr 10, 2005

No, haven't heard anything about Fullerton College. But you can go to
http://www.rn.ca.gov/.....on the left column, click on 'nursing schools'. These are all of the schools with nursing programs that are approved by the board of registered nursing.
Rio Hondo College (in Whittier) has a good program but hard to get in these days (so I've heard). They go by lottery now. Just apply everywhere and go to the first one that accepts you. Of course, make sure they are approved by the board!
Take care!

cerritos goes by a lottery system too..it's true that a person might have to wait a year to get accepted to the cerritos adn program so yes i am applying to other schools other than cerritos at the same time..but i still have one year of GEDs to finish :crying2:

Heymickey · Apr 10, 2005

Well, I tried to relax a little, and I managed to study about 4 hours, also. I feel a little better. :coollook: I scored a 67% on the Nursing 3000 CD, and I don't feel too bad. 3 days left! Please, everyone, pray for me!!!

ButterflyRN04 · Apr 10, 2005

On the last few days u have before the NCLEX I would just take practice tests, and focus on those strategies Kaplan taught you. Don't go over any other material...you already know it. Remember, the NCLEX tests you on "ideal situations" so the most absurd answer is usually the correct one. The day before the NCLEX don't do anything. Relax, go to a movie. just enjoy the day. NO MORE CRAMMING! You are just making yourself even more nervous. You cannot prepare much more than what you already have. This is exactly what I did and myh computer shut off at 75 and I Passed!

Heymickey · Apr 13, 2005

Hi,

For anyone who is interested, tomorrow's the day. I've cut my studying time to about 4 hours for the past few days; just taking two tests a day and reviewing them. I've tried to take my mind off of the books by working on my bicycle (my obsession)! Today I took the Kaplan Test #7 and I scored a 60%, so I hope that is good enough for NCLEX also. My Nursing 3000 CD, I have scored between mid 60's to even low 70's, and I am very nervous but feel somewhat relaxed compared to how I was a few days ago, or even a few weeks ago. Thank you for all you responses! Wish me luck!!! :coollook:

Mickey

:angryfire