by UpliftingRN

i am trying to decide whether i should take the kaplan comprehensive class or not. to those who have taken it i have a couple questions. any answers or input are GREATLY appreciated!

1) did you complete the QTs during or after the course?
2) did you feel prepared to take the nclex within the next week following completion of the class?
3) is there more info/strategies/tips given in the class than in the kaplan strategies book (which i already have)?
4) do they teach any content or strictly strategy?
5) IS IT WORTH THE $500?

Re: Those who took Kaplan course...

I took Kaplan the last week in May. I took my boards on Monday June 23rd.
I found out yesterday that I passed. I did QT1,2,3 prior to the start of class. I spaced the rest of my question trainers out and did #7 2 days prior to my appointment. I think one of the interesting things I found was this. Kaplan does not teach content----but as you go over the questions with the instructor you are reminded of content you might have forgotten and I even learned some brand new information that I had never heard previously.
I, unfortunately, was unable to use the "decision tree" when I took my boards. The "DT" is not applicable to priority, delegation, SATA, and alternate format questions. Even saying that, though, I feel that I learned alot through Kaplan and it very well might have made the difference for me between passing and failing.
Whether it is worth the money or not? Good question. If you don't pass you can use it for another 3 months or get your money back (if you follow all their instructions).
I would be sure to purchase some other NCLEX review book. I like Saunders the best. Use the CD and answer those questions too. The estimated number of questions you are supposed to answer prior to boards (in order to be successful) is somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000. I think that is probably about right for me.
Blessings!

Re: Those who took Kaplan course...

Originally Posted by shelfish

I took Kaplan the last week in May. I took my boards on Monday June 23rd.
I found out yesterday that I passed. I did QT1,2,3 prior to the start of class. I spaced the rest of my question trainers out and did #7 2 days prior to my appointment. I think one of the interesting things I found was this. Kaplan does not teach content----but as you go over the questions with the instructor you are reminded of content you might have forgotten and I even learned some brand new information that I had never heard previously.
I, unfortunately, was unable to use the "decision tree" when I took my boards. The "DT" is not applicable to priority, delegation, SATA, and alternate format questions. Even saying that, though, I feel that I learned alot through Kaplan and it very well might have made the difference for me between passing and failing.
Whether it is worth the money or not? Good question. If you don't pass you can use it for another 3 months or get your money back (if you follow all their instructions).
I would be sure to purchase some other NCLEX review book. I like Saunders the best. Use the CD and answer those questions too. The estimated number of questions you are supposed to answer prior to boards (in order to be successful) is somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000. I think that is probably about right for me.
Blessings!

Congrats on your success!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience. My day is July 1st. It is coming very soon....approacing me by the minute (lol)

Re: Those who took Kaplan course...

I may be in the minority on this board but I have to say that I should have saved my money. I am an excellent test taker and graduated in the top of my class. We used ATI and I passed them all with flying colors. I should have skipped the Kaplan review class. I feel like we were scared into it by the rep that came to our school. They held the class at our school all day for 5 days. 5 VERY long days. The instructor was recruited straight from Charlie Brown (horrible monotone). She could not answer questions about the content clearly and acted like she didn't want to be there. Maybe a better instructor would have helped, I can't be sure. Several of us had lower numbers on the second test than we did on the first.

Bottom line, 85% of test takers pass. Those are good odds. If that number includes foreign test takers who did not just graduate from a school that has been gearing them for this test, it is even better odds. Only you know if you need this or not. Some people consider it insurance. IMHO Kaplan is making a killing off of nursing school graduates that have been scared silly about this test from day one. There are a lot of ways to prepare that don't cost 300-500 bucks.

Out of my class of 60, only one person has not passed so far.

Good luck to everyone!!

mo