Having trouble with Kaplan/standardized tests

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jun 1, 2014

Just to clarify, which tests are we talking about? (Med Surg, Peds, Pharmacology, Q Trainer, Q bank, Diagnostic, Readiness, Secure predictor 1 or 2 etc.) Also, are the scores you are quoting the percentage of questions correct or the percentile ranking scores?

krisiepoo · Jun 1, 2014

I think I only hit my school's benchmark once or twice on the Kaplan tests... they're more there to help you learn how to take the exams. you are able to look back and analyze your tests, when you change answers do you change them from right to wrong? If so, just stop doing it. Teach yourself to go with your first answer. when you're done with school, you'll start taking the predictor tests and that will have a impact on NCLEX. also, do qbanks as much as possible

cafegoer · Jun 2, 2014

They are the "Kaplan integrated tests". We sign up for them and they become available on the Kaplan site, then we take them on campus with a proctor. So far we have taken the fundamentals, physical assessment, med surg 1, peds, and Ob tests. The scores I was referring to are the total percentage correct.

cafegoer · Jun 2, 2014

Hm.. that's interesting. Yeah I have taken so many, but the tests are still foreign to me. I think it may be the NCLEX style questions. Most of the time I do end up changing the answers from right to wrong.

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jun 2, 2014

I have to apologize, I reread your post and you did say it was the integrated tests. Sorry, little burnt out on reviewing for the NCLEX.

Anyway, did your instructor open the focused review test/quizzes to do in between the integrated tests? I would suggest doing any focused review tests you can so that you have an idea what will be asked and how it will be asked.

If it is a test taking problem then I would pick up a copy of the Saunders Strategies for Test success. It will really help with your test taking skills and maybe a little of content. It comes with a CD with 500 or so problems to practice with. I really like this one because it teaches you to break down questions. Great primer for NCLEX style questions. Used copies for 12-16 bucks.

If it is a content problem then I would suggest looking at the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN. This has some upper level problems but is content heavy. The book has good outlines of Med/Surg concepts which would help learning/remembering content. it also has a CD (older version) with 4500 questions. You can also make tests that focus on the content that you will be testing on next.

Kaplan also has a print or online book (e-book is free ISBN: 978-1618657046) that has a lot of content which is specifically geared towards the NCLEX and their tests.

Either way I think the key is to have a good grasp on the material and practice, practice, practice. I can't even estimate how many questions I have answered over the last 3 years. I started off not too good also, but I have to say I do pretty good now.

One last thing, you should look at the percentile raking score on the analyze the test screen. You would assume that a 60 or 70 isn't a good score, but many times it ranks in the 94-99 percentile. that is not bad at all. many of these questions are the higher level application questions that are challenging. Remediate all the questions so that you can "learn" where you went wrong with your thinking. That alone does wonders.

If I think of something else I will let you know. Don't get discouraged. This can be overcome, just takes practice. Hope this helps a little.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2014

I usually post this on the NCLEX list, but it would seem to be apropos here.

NCLEX items are developed in part from knowing what errors new grads make and how. They tend to be of two kinds: inadequate information, and lack of knowledge (these are not the same thing). The goal of NCLEX-type tests is to pass candidates who will be acceptably SAFE in practice as NURSES. So-- they want to know what the prudent NURSE will do.

1) When confronted c 4 answers, you can usually discard 2 out of hand. Of the remaining two,

-- always choose the answer that (in priority order) makes the patient safer or gets you more information. "Can you tell me more about that?" "What do you know about your medication?" "What was the patient's lab result?"

-- NEVER choose the answer that has you turf the situation to another discipline-- chaplain, dietary, MD, social work, etc. It's often tempting, but they want to know about what the NURSE would do. See "always..." above.

1a) Some people find it’s helpful to look at “select all that apply” choices as individual questions. I really suggest you read the article on not fearing SATA in this forum.

2) "Safer" might mean airway, breathing, circulation; it might mean pull the bed out of the room and away from the fire; it might mean pressure ulcer prevention; or improving nutrition; or teaching about loose scatter rugs ... Keep your mind open.

3) Read carefully. If they ask you for a nursing intervention answer, they aren't asking for an associated task or action which requires a physician plan of care. So in a scenario involving a medication, the answer would NOT be to hang the IV, regulate it, or chart it; it would NOT be to observe for complications. It WOULD be to assess pt knowledge of the med/tx plan and derive an appropriate patient teaching plan. Only that last one is nursing-independent and a nursing intervention.

Again, they want NURSING here.

4) The day before the test, do not study. Research shows that your brain does not retain crap you stuff into it at the last minute-- musicians learning a new piece play the first part on Monday, the second part on Tuesday, and the third part on Weds. Then they do something else entirely on Thursday; meanwhile, behind the scenes, the brain is organizing the new info into familiar cubbyholes already stuffed with music, putting it ready for easy access. On Friday, the whole piece works much better.

What this translates for in test-taking land is this: The day before the test, you go to a museum or a concert, go take a hike, read a trashy novel, make a ragout, do something else entirely. Take a small glass of wine, soak in a nice hot bath in a darkened tub with a few candles on the sink, get a nice night's sleep.

5) On the way out the door in the morning, open the refrigerator and read the label on the mayonnaise jar. Do what it says: Keep cool, do not freeze.

cafegoer · Jun 10, 2014

Thank you both for the helpful advice!! I purchased the Saunders books and will be using those to help me study, along with the test-taking tips. Thanks again! :)

invisiblewounds · Jun 10, 2014

The KTPs kicked a lot of butt...I can't stress enough using the "Create Your Own" option!

Physical or mental...one way or another...future "wound" nurse.

browneyes344 · Jun 11, 2014

My school uses the integrated test as our final, but we are able to do the focus test for practice. What helps me are the rationales. You also can create a test with questions for whatever topic you are focusing on. Another tip that was shared with me to create remediations by subject topic. Best of luck on your next Kaplan test. Hope this is helpful.

ThatBigGuy · Jun 12, 2014

For our Kaplan NCLEX class, we get a tool that let's us know if we switched from right-to-wrong answers or vice versa. I would see if your integrated tests have that tool. You claim to change your answers a lot, so if you're changing right-to-wrong, you just need to trust your gut the first time.