Nclex Prep - Which Is Best?

pani · Mar 8, 2005

I took the Kaplan review and it helped me pass the NCLEX. They teach you how to better eliminate answer choices, especially the distracters. Overall, it mainly helped reduce my anxiety about taking the NCLEX, because it made me feel more comfortable going in. Of course you need to study and know your stuff, but in my opinion, passing the NCLEX also includes being a good test taker. That is why the course helped me. I also used the Saunder's NCLEX review book, which seems to be the best one out of all of them and from what I've read, others think the same. Good luck to you. Let us know how you do! :)

Speculating · Mar 8, 2005

Good morning,
I am getting ready to graduate in May and will be taking the NCLEX in June. I would like to hear from other nurses which prep test you used and if you thought it was worth the money and also effective in preparing you for the test. My school has a very high pass rate (so they say...) and hope that I would be able to pass with just the knowledge I gained in school (3.5 gpa). However, I do want to feel as prepared as possible, and want to use some kind of prep course. Thanks for your time:)
Victoria

For the life of me I can't remember the name of the book. It was nothing but questions and answers like 2500 total. I went through it everyday a set amount of questions. It was excellent prep. There is no way on earth I would waste my time and huge $$$ on a prep class.

The Veridican · Mar 8, 2005

I'm glad to hear you got some A's in school (GPA 3.5) because I think this question is always asked too late. When I took NCLEX I discoverd that my review helped very little. All that mattered was that I worked really hard in all four levels of nursing school (above 90% in all four levels), and took the NCLEX as soon as I could. I needed the knowledge and test taking ability and critical thinking from nursing school--all of it. I really didn't need my review.

With a 3.5 in nursing school, I have no doubt you will pass. Sign up for the first NCLEX you can take.

Good Luck

The Veridican

reevescw · Mar 8, 2005

Our class of 60+ students chose three different paths:

1) Kaplan

2) Hurst Review

3) None, just book reviews...

In addition, several took both Hurst and kaplan. The Kaplan class was first, and many people finished frustrated and bored.

The Hurst review folks were WONDERFUL! The classes were interesting, and stated flat out that their only goal is to get you to pass the NCLEX the first time, not to teach and review everything you should have learned in nursing school.

Of the two people who took both, one approached the Hurst instructor during the first break and stated that she had already learned more in one session than during the whole Kaplan review.

Everyone who took the Hurst review passed the NCLEX first time with only 75 questions. Of the Kaplan group, there are several who did not pass, and many who had to go the full 265 questions. Of those who did not take a review class several have failed.

On a personal note, I took the hurst review, and thoroughly enjoyed it! And I passed with 75 questions!

Check them out at http://www.hurstreview.com and tell them Clay sent you! This is not a solicitation, rather the testimony of a VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER!

--Clay Reeves

emsboss · Mar 8, 2005

UMMMM...Good instructors...Never had a "prep" and passed with 75 questions. :)

CarolineRn · Mar 8, 2005

UMMMM...Good instructors...Never had a "prep" and passed with 75 questions. :)

I agree. I wouldn't waste money on prep classes with a 3.5 GPA. Just get the Kaplan review books and do some of their questions so you'll be familiar with the test layout, which you most likely already are since most nursing programs utilize testing questions based on the NCLEX standard. Also, take the NCLEX as soon as you can. Best of luck to you, congrats, and welcome to the wonderful, wacky world of nursing! :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

*PICURN* · Mar 8, 2005

Honestly, I think in the end any review class/prep will be "worth the $$"

Think of it this way...if you just take the NCLEX w/o any preparation and FAIL you will have to wait at least 91 days to retest. In that 91 days you could have made some $$$ as an RN and would have paid off that prep class x 10

I also had a 3.5 GPA in nursing school and I still took Kaplan. I didn't want to EVER have to take NCLEX again. I would rather spend the $$, even if maybe I didn't have to, and pass w/o having to go through it all over again. Better to be safe than sorry.

Kaplan honestly taught me test taking strategies....not really any "new" content. I also bought their "q-bank" which is a bank of over 3000 questions broken down into different areas.

I passed with 75. My friend didn't take Kaplan, just did a bunch of practice questions and passed w/200. So I'm not saying if you don't take Kaplan you won't pass, but I definately felt a lot better walking out of there than my friend did. She "knew she failed" where I felt a little better about it.

What I think you should do is go buy the Kaplan NCLEX book. It's like $30 in bookstores. The first half of the book is basically the Kaplan strategies, and the last half is a practice test which assesses how well you have stuff down and how ready you are to take NCLEX. Then I would suggest taking as MANY practice questions as you can get your hands on. That really is the best way to study IMO. Make sure to read ALL THE RATIONALES! That will help you for future questions. If you want to be super-safe I would do Kaplan...its like $400, but like I said when you pass that will be paid off w/like 2 days of work as an RN. Not really a big deal (although it is NOW I know!) You might feel better just knowing you did everything you could to make sure you passed on the first try.

GOOD LUCK!

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2005

91 days? Here in Florida you only have to wait 45 days to retake the nclex.

Regardless, I just repeatedly did nclex questions, no review class & passed with 75 questions.

I have heard that Kaplan is a good review course. If I didn't pass on the first try, I would have definitely signed up for that course.

LisaG21 · Mar 8, 2005

I am scheduled to take the kaplan course! And they have a gaurentee pass rate!