ATI or Kaplan for NCLEX-RN?

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I am about to graduate in May, and wondering if any of you have taken ATI and/or Kaplan? which one did you feel is more relevant/helpful in preparing for NCLEX?

thanks!! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics.

I took the Kaplan course in 2006, and I passed the NCLEX-RN in 75 questions in 48 minutes. I studied my butt off, but I felt that the Kaplan course prepared me well, as did the NCLEX study guides I started using from the first day of nursing school. My school recommended Kaplan, and we had a 100% pass rate that year. But again, my school also required that we start working NCLEX study guides from day one. They were required assignments. I think I'm not going to be much help to you, but I would take the Kaplan course again if I had it to do all over again. And if you haven't already started devouring NCLEX study guides, do it now. :)

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Specializes in Invasive Cardiac/Cath Lab.

I did Kaplan, it was a week long course. I passed with 75 questions and in less than an hour.

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Specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

kaplan was definitely worth it. I passed with 75 questions in an hour or so. I would take it again

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Kaplan. Good Luck to you:)

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Specializes in MICU, CVICU.

Kaplan without question.

Our school had us do ATI, but I felt that, while they did a good review on the material covered in NCLEX, I didn't feel that their practice questions were up to par. A lot of them were just at the "Recognize and Recall" level.

Kaplan's Qbank, however, tests on an Application level, very similar to NCLEX. They have many questions from different areas of nursing that are tested on NCLEX, so you don't feel like you're memorizing the same answer so much as you are memorizing the format of the question and how you analyzed it to derive your answer.

If you're like me and are too poor to actually take the Kaplan class, just buy the Kaplan book and pay for access to the Qbank on Kaplan's site. That alone helped me tremendously.

Oh, and I passed in 75 on my first try, too. ;)

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Specializes in Hospice/Mental Health/LTC/Home Health.

I didn't take either and passed my LPN but when I'm preparing for my RN I think I will take a Kaplan course now! :) I also studied from my Nclex book from second quarter in school until I graduated to prepare for tests. My school would pull questions from our Nclex book so it was in my advantage. We were provided with a Saunders Nclex review book and it is very good and straight-forward.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

@Kaplan fans: It was suggested to us to use Saunders. Is there any reason why you decided to go Kaplan, or did you never consider Saunders?

BTW, we have ATI testing during school...don't pass the test, don't pass the class, no matter what your grade for the coursework is.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics.
@Kaplan fans: It was suggested to us to use Saunders. Is there any reason why you decided to go Kaplan, or did you never consider Saunders?

BTW, we have ATI testing during school...don't pass the test, don't pass the class, no matter what your grade for the coursework is.

I used Saunders as one of my NCLEX study guides during school. It was one of the required books.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

100% Kaplan. Do the on-line course if you can. That way, you can watch the "lectures" whenever it is best. For me, I was working nocs, and Kaplan classes (in-person) were held first thing in the morning. I am an anti-morning person!

It's well worth the $$.

All the best,

Diane, RN

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Specializes in MICU, CVICU.
@Kaplan fans: It was suggested to us to use Saunders. Is there any reason why you decided to go Kaplan, or did you never consider Saunders?

I went with Kaplan because I felt that the formatting of the questions was more in line with what you'd actually see on the NCLEX. It's a lot more application of information, as opposed to simply regurgitating it. I highly recommend the Kaplan book because it gives a good explanation on how the NCLEX really tests, an insider's look, if you will.

I also bought the Saunders and found that it was good for REVIEWING INFORMATION, but not for TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES, which is what I felt I was a deficient in and what the Kaplan provided plenty of. The Kaplan was a quick AND fun read, too, not dry at all, and took me only a few hours to read cover to cover. There were even a couple hundred sample questions on the back taken from their online Qbank (also an invaluable resource!)

Overall, the Kaplan book wasn't a bad way to spend $20, and a sure-fire confidence -booster. :up:

Just remember, you'll (probably) be taking NCLEX shortly after graduation, and the information necessary to pass NCLEX will still be pretty fresh in your head, Kaplan just teaches you how to use that information. ;)

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ok great. thanks for the info. there is an online kaplan course? i prefer not to take it in person.

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