Debate: Studying the book vs doing more questions in CD for NCLEX

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Hi, I take my NCLEX in two weeks..I am debating if I should study the book or do more questions? Which is better in terms of gaining more knowledge? Thank you for your reply Oh yea, I have the Saunders book and Kaplan also.

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Specializes in Critical Care Transport/Intensive Care/Management.

I guess it all depends on your studying style and how comfortable you are with it. Before I took the NCLEX, I studied for 2 months and I must say I did 90% of my studying using CD and Chapter/Review questions from a book. I focused on Saunders CD, did at least 100 questions a day. I also used Lippincott, which had been very helpful too. I read the rationales and analyzed why I didn't get the answer right. The book I'm referring to which also helped me through CGFNS way back year 2002, is the NCLEX-RN Review by Delmar Publishing ( mine was the 4th Edition) . I did all the Chapter and Review questions without fail. If you have enough money to spend, they actually have the review questions online at http://www.nursingreview.com , they have a demo test there as well which is better because you get to see the rationales right away... rather than flipping through pages like in my case.

But I must say, it's a great reference coz I actually got two questions from the book that came out from the actual exam and that was really superb!!!

Good luck to you, don't get too stressed by too much studying. Take a break once in a while .... and try not to study before the exam :)

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questions, questions, and more questions!!!! Dont waste any precious prep time studying chapters unless your reallyyy shaky on a major topic (like lab values or ABG's in saunders). I would get through saunders in the next few days, and then hit kaplan for the 7 days before the test to focus on one review and not get side tracked. you have two of the best books, in my opinion. Kaplan, however, is JUST like the NCLEX in format and content, so stick to it in the final 7 days. good luck!!

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Specializes in med/surg.

I just took my N-CLEX this morning. I would say that all the questions I had were really like Kaplan. So if you have time do the 5 day live Kaplan course then do yourself a favour & take it.

I had tons of priority, infection control & telephone questions. I had a fair few "tick all that apply" mostly on drugs or endocrine & a couple of delegation & spotting the wrong practice of a lower level nurse. I had absolutely no maths questions at all of any description.

I would say use your CD to get the feel of the computer & take Kaplan - even the 1 day live would be something.

I hope that on Friday I will be putting all my stuff up for sale on E-Bay!!

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

Answer tons of questions. Unless you find you are missing a lot in one particular area, stick to figuring out how and why you answer the question in such and such a way. It's all about critical thinking at this point. Remember your ABC's and Maslows. Try and eliminate at least 2 answers and then prioritize the other 2 if at all possible. Good luck!

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Specializes in Clinical exp in OB, psy, med-surg, peds.
Answer tons of questions. Unless you find you are missing a lot in one particular area, stick to figuring out how and why you answer the question in such and such a way. It's all about critical thinking at this point. Remember your ABC's and Maslows. Try and eliminate at least 2 answers and then prioritize the other 2 if at all possible. Good luck!

That's true answer Tons of Questions.

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

Sounds like most of us just answered tons of questions from the CD. I also did at least 100 questions a day for 4 weeks before the exam and I passed with the minimum for the nclex pn. The very best of luck to you!!!!

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RGN1

Hi! Can i ask you how much did you pay with the 5 days live kaplan review? tnx.

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I'll vote for questions. I wish I had all the time back that I spent reading review books. Questions are key!

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Specializes in med/surg.
RGN1

Hi! Can i ask you how much did you pay with the 5 days live kaplan review? tnx.

I'm in the UK & I only did the 1 day course which was £99. However, I wish now that I had done the 5 day course which I think was £299 but I would have got my £99 off of that if I'd booked it there & then.

You'll have to look at their website to find out about prices etc elsewhere. All I will say is that in my personal opinion it would have been money well spent as I'm sure most of you new grads are well up on content so it will probably be all about technique & learning how to get to the top priority answer. ON the 5 day live course the trainer said that basically you do 5 days of questions, questions, questions & analysing how to get to the correct answer.

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Specializes in med/surg.
I'll vote for questions. I wish I had all the time back that I spent reading review books. Questions are key!

I soooooooooooo 2nd that!!!

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