Don't stress the kaplan scores

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Hi All,

I graduated with my BSN in May. I just took my board on July 8th. And PASSED with 86 questions!!!!!

I decided to take Kaplan b/c they help with strategies, which is what I needed help with. Personally, I believe Kaplan and NCLEX are 25% content and 75% strategy. If you have no idea what they are talking about you should still be able to answer the question

My advice to everyone taking it:

1. Figure out what kind of test taker you are and figure out your weaknesses

2. Pick one study source and stick with it. (Some people like to have numerous sources and it works for them, others it may not. I personally have every review book known to man, but I didn't use a single one during my preparations. I get easily overwhelmed with too much info and didn't want that to effect my studying.) I only did the Kaplan questions and read rationales. I even bought the book but didn't use it. I also found the videos to be too overwhelming with information.

3. Scores are important but don't get too caught up with them

.....I say this b/c I found myself frequently coming on here reading posts about people and their Kaplan scores and I started to freak out.

Here is a break down of my scores:

Diagnostic: 62% Readiness: 57%

QT1: 51% (literally fell asleep during test)

QT2: 65%

QT3: 57%

QT4: 48% (no clue, just a bad day I guess)

QT5: 56%

QT6: 64%

QT7: 60%

Qbank: 95% of questions used, with a 56% average (when i started is was 51%)

My scores weren't the greatest as u can see. But what u don't know is that the last few weeks b4 my board my qbank scores were increasing...mid 60s to low 70s (i was super happy). I was finally able to break down those questions and even incorporate some of my own strategies that i noticed were consistent even though they were not mentioned in the kaplan book or on the website.

4. If you're studying, be in study mode...sit upright at a desk with complete silence, NO DISTRACTIONS what so ever, because that is how the testing site with be.

5. I personally would suggest studying by yourself unless u KNOW u can benefit from studying with someone else.

6. 3 Cs....COOL, CALM, and CONFIDENT

7. MOST IMPORTANTLY: CONTROL YOUR ANXIETY!!!!!!!! My test was at 2pm, got there at 1:20. My anxiety went through the roof the second I walked in to check in. It was still high after a checked in. They kept asking me if I was ready to go in (I'm thinking to myself do u really think I look ready to go in lol). I literally checked my pulse until it slowed down. And finally went in once it was slow and steady at 1:55pm.

I hope this helps u guys. GOOD LUCK STUDYING!!!!! And stay off allnurses the week before your test lol.

[marinesgirl]

hey do u think theres a difference between kaplan qbnk from last year?

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

I honestly don't know anything about the qbank questions from last year. Hope u get the info u need. I also sent u a private message

[ChannahB]

Thanks for the Kaplan advice! That's good to keep in mind.

[Gizmo_girl]

Congratulations and thank you for your advice! I was worried about not having high kaplan scores.

I'm about 150 questions away in finishing the qbank with an average of 58%. I just retook QT6 and got an 87%. A majority of my QTs were around mid-high 50s the first time around.

I take it Monday so I hope I'm ready bc I definitely don't feel ready... :/

[mhy12784]

OPs kaplan scores were actually really good though

High 50s to low 60s is right where you wanna be

outside of the one that you got a 48 on, id say those #s are all spot on and excellent

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

OPs kaplan scores were actually really good though

High 50s to low 60s is right where you wanna be

outside of the one that you got a 48 on, id say those #s are all spot on and excellent

I guess what freaked me out was reading everyone's post about scores and people were getting scores in the 70s, so it made feel like crap....Thank you

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Congratulations and thank you for your advice! I was worried about not having high kaplan scores.

I'm about 150 questions away in finishing the qbank with an average of 58%. I just retook QT6 and got an 87%. A majority of my QTs were around mid-high 50s the first time around.

I take it Monday so I hope I'm ready bc I definitely don't feel ready... :/

Ur welcome, hope it helps. Just keep reading rationales and analyzing questions. Also, I read on another post that you shouldn't re-do ur question trainer b/c ur brain is just gonna fish for the right answer instead of actually thinking about the question/answer.

Good Luck on Monday...definitely relax on sunday!!!!!!

[mhy12784]

I guess what freaked me out was reading everyone's post about scores and people were getting scores in the 70s, so it made feel like crap....Thank you

I frequently see people who have scores in the 70s and 80s that retook the trainers

But the trainers ask the exact same questions with the exact same answers, so im really not sure what to make of that

[procrastinator911, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the Kaplan advice! That's good to keep in mind.

No prob...good luck with studying

[swansonplace]

I see you concentrated mostly on strategy. Can you tell me more about this. I am reviewing mostly content and no strategy.

[Shio-chan]

I also want to know how you tackled the strategies part.

Also, I need to discuss with you something regarding Kaplan.

I could not use the PM system here. Please help me. I really need to discuss something to you. You could PM me here or contact me via my email [email protected]