Hi everyone! I have a few questions for anyone who has used Kaplan for the NCLEX-RN. I just finished the course and will be taking the exam next week. Do you think it is better to focus on the material in the course book, Q-bank, or the 7 question trainers? What do you think was most helpful for you?
Overall, how well did Kaplan prepare you for the nclex? Are the practice questions comparable to real nclex questions?
Also (if you don't mind saying) did you pass or fail using Kaplan?
I passed with 75 questions and have used ATI, Saunders and Kaplan's Complete course ($499) and read the Kaplan NCLEX Strategy Review book at Barnes and Noble.
Kaplan was the most helpful route for me. I felt that their questions and rationales were MOST helpful for my success. I suggest doing all seven "Question Trainers" in sequence as it will condition you to take tests ranging from 75 - 265 questions. I believe that going through ALL of the rationales after completing each test will help with content review and indentify content areas you need to review.
Good luck all!
How did you do percentage-wise on the last couple question trainers?
I just looked at my Qbank to see how I was fairing so far. I have taken tests 1-5. On test 4 I got a 71%, but on test 5 I got 55%. I really think, for me, it depends on how much sleep I have had, and my frame of mind when taking the tests. When I am well rested and have not fussed at my husband, I do well on my tests. But when I have not had enough sleep and have a bad morning, I do 50%.
I forgot to mention that in the 4 main categories I have 57%, 59%, 65%, and 66%. Of the total 8 categories, I am weak in 4 areas. With that being 51% Pharm, 56% M of care, 58% S and E Control, and 59% Red of Risk. Regardless to what my score is on 6 and 7, I am taking the test Friday and let the chips fall where they may. I will ask the Lord to guide me through to the correct answers.
My instructor says that you can set yourself up for failure. It is true. Even on practice exams.
During school, my husband took my car one day and I had all my books in the car along with my study material. If I did not get my stuff I would not have been allowed in class. You needed ID to enter the building, which was also in my car. I flew across town pissed off at him for taking my car without asking. Got my car and flew back across town to get to class with 5 minutes to spare. Well needless to say I failed that quiz, the only quiz I failed.
I think when taking the NCLEX you need to be well prepared, well rested, and free of stress. Or else you are setting yourself up for failure.
Today is a good example. I got up this afternoon prepared to do questions. After the first 10 I knew that I was not rested and could not focus. So I have been reading posts all afternoon. I obviously need a day off. I will pick back up tomorrow.
i loved kaplan because it got me to study and focus and i loved taking the tests on the computer instead of out of a book. i used their blue book to review, i thought it was a great outline. when i first started i got a 55% and gradually increased to a 67%. i have read on this board that most people that even score 55% and above seem to pass the nclex the first try. i think i spent more of my time reviewing material because i felt that i needed that, then switched to doing questions. i guess it worked, i passed.
i loved kaplan because it got me to study and focus and i loved taking the tests on the computer instead of out of a book. i used their blue book to review, i thought it was a great outline. when i first started i got a 55% and gradually increased to a 67%. i have read on this board that most people that even score 55% and above seem to pass the nclex the first try. i think i spent more of my time reviewing material because i felt that i needed that, then switched to doing questions. i guess it worked, i passed.
Did you use anything else or mostly Kaplan? I like Kaplan- I read most of the course book and now I'm doing practice questions. I've been getting in the 50s and 60s and will continue to do questions all week, I'm taking the NCLEX on Friday. I hope I'm ready!
my school used hesi (once after 2nd semester and one exit exam). i purchased 3 different study books and did not use them. i did open up the Saunders Comprehensive Review and answered the questions at the end of each chapter (well some of them anyway) and put the disk in one time and hated it.
most of my classmates took kaplan. i think the decision tree can be used but only with limited questions. i just did not get all hung up on that. it is just one more tool for you to use. they also suggested that you pick the 2 or 3 areas that you are already scoring high in and focus your study time on those. this was suppose to increase your chances of answering the more difficult questions right in these areas moving you along and causing you to finish the nclex with less questions. i did not take this advice. i already have well established study habits and felt more comfortable with my own style.
I really like the Kaplan online materials. I was getting 50s and 60s and now I have been getting in the 70s!!! I'm going to continue doing practice questions all week and then Friday's the big day!!
I used kaplan only and it was helpful.I had to read the review book over and over again so as to master all the facts there,used Q-bank and question trainers.All did help,i'd say.i took my nclex Dec 2006 and passed.i answered 75 questions.kaplan did help me but i had to do a lot on my own cos i was trained here in US.i did my nsg programme in Nig and there a lot of differences so i had to try so hard.And thank my stars,i did it in one sitting.goodluck my Dear:monkeydance:
Hey, I used Kaplan. I focused on the Qbank. I got 74% on the diagnostic test so they told me to just keep doing questions. I went back and looked at the book if I didn't know something and I reviewed the drugs quite a few times. Tested on June 12,passed with 75 questions. It was hard though,some of the meds I'd never heard of. Kaplan was right on about the style of questions though. Hope this helps, good luck!!!!!!!!!!!
kaplan strategy is great, before you enter a battle you should know first your enemy. kaplan will teach you how question is being made in nclex. the blooms taxonomy is well worth of a study, it will guide you in your review that mere recognition and recall of facts is not needed.
For everyone who used kaplan (and passed), what were you scoring on the Q bank and questions trainers? I have been getting in the low 60s on the question trainers and my cumulitive for Qbank is 64%. I am taking the nclex on friday and don't know if I'm ready
Obiwarz
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How did you do percentage-wise on the last couple question trainers?