Aah, just took the Kaplan diagnostic test! Advice!?

Blessedone1 · Nov 30, 2011

I took my diagnostic test last week and scored in the mid 50%. I believe scoring over 60% is substantial. You shouldn't be too bummed because its made to show areas of weakness and what one needs to improve in. I wouldn't let the score deter you from thinking that you are not on the right track. If anything, it shows areas that you are strong in and shows you what to work on. Let it be your guide as to what you may need to focus on, look into the videos and course book as well, then work on the trainer test and qbank and it will give you further insight into your weaker areas. For one thing, it will be my guide to navigate me into what areas I need to hone in on. One thing that you said of being scared and sad faces, can't be used. Going through nursing school was hard and scary enough. We have faced one hurdle and must strive to overcome this hurdle of NCLEX, despite the previous attempts. Must change our words that come out of our mouth of being scared or any phrase of that nature because those words feed into negative thoughts and therefore create negative vibes. Keep words of positivity around and instead of saying scared, say despite how things appear, I know I will make it and when I second guess myself, I must throw away all the feelings of negativity. :)

Julia Wheeler · Nov 30, 2011

When I took my Dx test at Kaplan I scored 63.34% and I was devastated. When my classmates at Kaplan asked my score I was ashamed to say, but when we asked our instructor about the DX test, she wrote on the white board:

Score: 60%- 89.4% (pass)

Score: 65%- 96.1% (pass)

See, you are doing good. Remember that: You have to be only 50% above the level. (they said that all the Kaplan's questions is above the level, wich I don't believe. My real NCLEX-RN test was so difficult- lots os SATA's)

But don't get too excited either. My instructor convinced me that I was good to go and should take my test sooner. I did..and I failed!! :eek: It was a big fight with the computer. I got my NCLEX report 2 weeks later by mail. I was above the passing level in one item, but all the other I was near the passing level. Hope next time...:)

Good luck for you!

nurse1123 · Nov 30, 2011

Did you use the content course book? Do all the lectures and question trainers and question bank? I heard lots of ppl passed with kaplan but now I see some who still failed..and I hate that I can't see the rationales after the diagnostic test..

Julia Wheeler · Nov 30, 2011

I read the Kaplan course book and I didn't like it....at all. The Pharmacological section is ok. I like the Saunders Review, is way more completed and full of important Nursing considerations. The Kaplan's online lectures may have some additional info. But most of the lectures were so annoying!! There was a Lady, in every sentence she had to add her "again"...and "again" remember that "again I need to..." I just could not handle that.

To exercise: Use the Qbank daily (50 questions)

QT#7= helps to build your endurance. Take 3 days before testing.

QT#6= Take it a week before testing. Contains 265 question. It will help you to manage your time, breaks and patience!! :uhoh3:

nurse1123 · Nov 30, 2011

Oh okay ill try thanks! Should I just use Saunders then? I'm so worried. Did u use la charity as well?

Julia Wheeler · Nov 30, 2011

No I didn't use the la charity. I honestly recommend the Saunders. But you can check at another foruns about the "best book to buy" people have different opinion. But the only way to find one that fits for you is reading! I got the NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam (2010) and it is exactly the same thing that they teach at the Kaplan course on line (but is cheaper). So if are taking the Kaplan on line, don't buy it. Also don't buy the Kaplan medication on the box...You have the same on the Kaplan course book at Pharmacological section.

nurse1123 · Nov 30, 2011

Thank you for all the advice! Good luck to you!!