Failed! Using Kaplan, help!

Published Aug 11, 2016

8 Posts

Hi everyone,

I could really use some honest advice and insight.

Long story short, I graduated in Canada in June and I took my NCLEX about a month ago. I felt ready, used uworld and finished the entire bank. I went into the NCLEX knowing that a lot of my classmates had passed in 75 q, so I went in thinking well how hard can it be - I prepared well and I was scoring the same as them (55 - 70%)!

When I sat, I knew I was rushing through the NCLEX to get to 75 because I was bored, wanted to be done, and expected to pass. After 75 hit, my biggest fear flashed before my eyes and I saw question 76. I was sweating, panicking, thinking about everything except for the questions in front of me. I was contemplating just walking out because I knew I wasn't going to pass with my mentality. I just kept clicking and barely reading, then the computer shut off at 130.

After I failed, I gave myself a week and then started with the Kaplan live review. I find the strategies have been very helpful, I don't apply the entire 5 step pyramid but I do use pieces. I guess I'm worried because I've read a lot of threads of people saying the NCLEX was way different than Kaplan, and they were scoring in the 70s-80s but still failed (which is higher than my current scores). Also, I test in 5 days.

I hear so many great things about uworld, and I did purchase it again but I found I have memorized some questions so I'd rather prepare with new questions. I also found Mark K's audio's and they were fabulous - definitely increased my content base. Anything think his audio's are enough of the basic things to know?

Does anyone find the Kaplan questions to be easier or harder or similar than the NCLEX? I know some people have low Kaplan scores and pass, and some have high scores and fail (so that doesn't help). I need to pass for my own sanity because since I am in Canada, we only get 3 tries.

I take at least 125 questions a day, for the past week and a bit I've been doing 150 - 200 (plus the crazy long question trainer). I scored 58% on question trainer 7, my Qbank average is 56% but the first 3 tests were in the 40s and now I am scoring 56 - 67% - I have about 300 questions left. I will take the readiness test tomorrow.

I know I already took the NCLEX, but my questions were also low level thinking questions so I still don't know what to expect. I can't even remember what they were like, I only remember one question because it was so traumatizing!

Any tips or input at all would be helpful. (Tips for the NCLEX, tips on de-stressing/thinking during the exam, words of encouragement, or if I should postpone and try something other than Kaplan - like hurst).

Thank you