Do I NEED to take a prep class?

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Ok, flat out I am broke. I want to do the Kaplan online class, but $418 is a lot of money. I'm a good student (finished with a 3.3 GPA) and at our school we took a mock NCLEX through a company called Arnett and I scored a .80 (the NCLEX pass point was a .29). The guy from that told me I just needed some general review with a bit of a focus on pharmacology. I'm a good test taker. I feel pretty confident about taking the NCLEX and passing. Do I NEED to take an NCLEX prep class? I would hate to pay the money if it's not necessary, butI would hate it more if I don't take one and fail. :uhoh3:

So do you think a prep class is helpful?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Like you, I'm a good test taker and really don't think I need a review course. I'm not interested in sparing the time required. I am doing plenty of studying on my own so its not like I'm blowing it off, just that I don't need test taking tips. I'll definitely take a review course if I happen to flunk but I feel pretty good about it. :D

P.S. many employers will pay for the review class if you really want to take it and money is your major hesitation.

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No. Another good test-taker here.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

dosen't sound like you need to. i would just review my books .. when do you take boards? let me know how you do... keep me posted...

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Like you I didnt have the extra cash laying around to take a prep course...I studied for boards the old fashioned way by doing TONS and TONS of questions...I passed with 75 questions

In my personal opinion I think the prep classes feed off your anxiety level already...

You graduated from Nursing School that alone is an accomplishment...you have the knowledge you just need to relax enough to retrieve it. Get a good book: Saunders/Davis/Kaplan etc etc and just do lots of practice questions, read the rationals on all the choices.

Good Luck!!

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I just graduated and I am a good test taker too. I took the ATI comp predictor a few weeks ago and according to that I have a 99% chance of passing the NCLEX the first time. I don't see a reason to take a review course and pay them $300-400 when I can just study on my own. I have saunders comp review book and I'm also going to get the saunders q&a book as well (the green one) and just review the areas I think I need to and do as many questions as possible. So my advice would be not to bother with a review course. Just focus on your weaker areas and do tons of practice questions. I'm sure you'll pass. Good luck!! :)

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