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Hey everyone! I just took the Kaplan today for Carrington Reno and did pretty good but I'm not sure if it's good enough because it depends on the pool of people! I was wondering other people's scores and opinions on the best way to study. I retake mine in Febuary. I got a 235/300! Passing is in the 160's but I feel like 235 isn't good enough. Let me know!
This post is mainly for prospective students, because I know from time to time I kept going back to reread and researched for more information on the Kaplan Exam that might help me do better or direct me towards the right direction.
As of 2015 the exam was based off of 3 subjects: Reading, Math, and Writing. There are 71 questions and 300 points possible (21 in reading, 28 in math, and 22 in writing). At the end of the test the computer will show you what your overall performance analysis is, which will include: your overall correct vs incorrect, scores by sections, and the individual section breakdown. In Reading the breakdown items are: detail, inference, logic and purpose. Math: conversions, operations, ratios, and word problems. Writing: development, mechanics of writing, and writing logic. The test format itself is: all multiple choice, reading & writing are based on reading a passage and selecting a multiple choice answer, and math consists of basic algebra (percentages, ratios, fractions, conversions between and to those 3, decimals, and some basic word problems).
Study materials that I used:
-Teas V study guide
-McGraw Hill for SATs, GED, ACT
-Barron's grammar guide
-Barron's testing exam books for SAT, GED, ACT
-Princeton SAT, GED
-Kaplan SAT, GED
-KhanAcademy.org online quizzes/tests.
All of these study materials can be found at the library and I rotated through each book to see which was the most helpful to help me understand why I got the answer wrong. The hardest to study for was the writing section (the study material vs the actual exam format). The better you are with identifying incorrect grammar usage, structure, and words; the better you'll do on the exam in the writing section.
I worked a full time job (10hr days, 5days a week) and tried to study as best as I could with the time frame I had to do so (about 5hrs a week). I don't really know how to study well (yes, sad) and I had difficulties concentrating and absorbing certain things (english is my second language). But, the 1st time I took the exam I missed 15 (forgot the score), the second time I missed 10 and got 261/300 (they called and I'm accepted for the 1/4/16 start date). The second time taking the exam felt much better because you had an idea of what the format is and how/what to study exactly vs studying everything and more than half of it was irrelevant.
I hope this information is helpful to others as I found the random scattered information helpful to me studying and preparing for this stressful Kaplan Exam without any REAL study guide. Also, don't forget to put a ZERO before the decimal point on the computer calculator during the math portion and GOOD LUCK!
I am retaking the entrance exam on Monday. If any of you took it twice, do you remember seeing some of the same or very similar questions? Can anyone remember what their percentage break downs were? I got a 95% reading, 71% math, and 67% writing. I took the test without studying to see what it was like and I have been reviewing for the past month to raise my score to an acceptable level. They told me I passed but the points only came out to a 203 so I know I really need to get at least 60 more points but I don't even know if that is realistic. One woman told me there were people getting near perfect scores and another told me not to sweat it and if I raised my math and writing to around an 80% I should be ok. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
@ Khaugen94 I am trying to get in for the May 2016 start day too! Are you taking the test again or is 243 your final score? I looked through a bunch of past threads and saw that people were getting in with 260s. I was also told by one of the staff members that there are generally lower acceptance scores in May because most people apply in August/January. I believe there are around 250 applicants for this May. I really hope that you get in! I scored a 203 without studying but I have been busting my butt the past month to test higher on Monday. Hopefully we both get in! Also, sounds like they are going to try and send out acceptance letters/phone calls the week of March 14th. Best of luck.
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