I want to know how to improve my scores... help pls....

[abcdwakwak]

Hello, i'm new here. I need help immediately. I'm a nursing graduate in the Philippines and I will take NCLEX on Sept. 9.

I'm getting freaked out because of Kaplan. I feel like Kaplan isn't helping me at all, the class sucks. I know I lack knowledge because I rarely study when I was in college. Kaplan class always talk about their decision tree which I think is a waste of time because that's all they do.

Anyway, I recently finished the question trainers 1,2, and 3. I got scores of 65%, 65%, and then 50%! I found out in the third test that my knowledge is really low, analysis is pretty good, comprehension is also good, and application is neutral. Oh yeah, my diagnostic test is 57% but wasn't able to finish the test.

I need help, I wanna know people's scores and some advises to help me with my study.

[smn2010, BSN, RN]

the question you are asking about kaplan scores has been responded to many times within this forum. you can do a search of "kaplan scores", "kaplan question trainer" etc. but...i "think" you have already identified your own issues/concerns. you state, "i know i lack knowledge because i rarely study when i was in college...."

you indicate that the kaplan class "sucks"... well, as a paying student, you should be utilizing the online videos to review the information at your own pace since you do not like/appreciate the classroom environment. kaplan states students should have 65% on the diagnostic and readiness tests. you didn't mention the qbank, only the question trainers. by the time you complete all of the kaplan qbank questions, your average should be at/near the 65% range that kaplan suggests. when you search this forum for kaplan scores you will find that people have passed the nclex with scores of high 50's-low 60's. but, keep in mind, everyone is different. you are at the beginning of your kaplan studying process. you may need to give yourself more time completing questions to get an idea of how well/bad you are actually doing.

if you "know" you lack knowledge, then you should be focusing on content along with practicing nclex style questions. there is no way around it for you!!! it may even be a harder process for you. school is over, you admit that you rarely studied while in school and now you have to start studying!!!

you may think the kaplan decision tree is a "waste of time" but i have friends who "lacked nursing knowledge" and focused on the decision tree in order to answer the nclex style questions.

you need to decide....(1) do you need to take additional time and begin a quick review of nursing content, focusing on your weak areas first....(2) do you need to disregard content and focus on breaking down the nclex style questions in order to answer them. if you choose #2...the kaplan decision tree is a helpful option; unless you know of a better way.

no matter what...you need to know nursing content if you intend to pass your nclex. you may have been able to fly by the seat of your pants in school (studying/cramming the night before each exam/test); but this will not work for the nclex!! the nclex is an adaptive test, it will know what your weak areas are so the test will begin to present you with content areas that you may not be ready for.

i would suggest you come up with a "game plan" that incorporates content while you also practice/review nclex style questions. if you find that you do not score well as you get closer to your scheduled nclex test date that you "consider" cancelling/rescheduling. there is no need for you to test if you are not ready.

good luck!