If you took Kaplan and then took the NCLEX...

JadeRN7 · Jul 1, 2006

I took the Kaplan course and it teaches you mainly how to answer the questions (as you already know). I believe I needed that and also a review of the materials (which you can review by watching the videos in the Review Content section). The Kaplan questions are definitely harder than the actual NCLEX (that's why they only need you to get 60-65% right). But the test looks exactly like you see on the Question Trainers (you can look at the sample on the pearsonvue site). I did hear that some of the instructors are not nurses (not sure if that's the case with yours). If you have questions, ask them, if she doesn't like them, too bad. Some of those questions are reviewed in the Review Content section as well (the question content section not the trainers). But I felt the review helped me (b/c I really needed it). I passed but a friend who took the same course with me did not (and we're trying to help her get through this tough time). If you have questions keep asking until you get a clear answer b/c that's the only way you can understand how to answer the questions correctly. If you're getting good scores on the Question Trainers, then you are definitely understanding the concept and are answering the questions correctly. If your scores are in the 40's-50's, keep practicing. Good Luck.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 1, 2006

I am getting anywhere from 65 - 70+ on the tests online and the woman teaching the course (a nurse) said that we need 70 - 75% to be able to pass NCLEX. Many of us took other predictors (I took ATI) and had a 99.9% chance of passing NCLEX, but are borderline or just above in Kaplan. She hedged a weird answer about how all the NCLEX practice questions in ALL the different review books and classes are from the same question bank, and how Kaplan has harder questions. (makes little sense if they are all from the same place.) She also instructed us to do 200 or more questions a day. Don't read a review book, don't review content from school. Just do questions. She said that sometime in the weeks leading up to NCLEX, we should 'practice' by sitting at the computer and doing review questions for 4 straight hours, so that we will be able to sit that long should we have to during the exam.

She also kicked someone out of the class yesterday for questioning her answer vs the review book answer which was different (Incredibly Easy book which the instructor had been raving about being her favorite review book) My classmate said something about how we need to know what NCLEX wants us to know for the exam...not sure exact quote...and was escorted out. So no one really wants to argue points with her. She was wrong in a couple other questions as well when compared to the review book. Never got it cleared up because the person who had the review book was missing from class after we got back from a break as well.

Very negative experience and that's why I am doubting what I know in some cases. I did great in school and got one of the highest scores on the ATI. My schools passing rate for the semester before me was 100%. I felt completely ready to test....until I started this review class.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 1, 2006

Did you find that Kaplan helped you? Do you find the same level of questions on the NCLEX, or were they easier or harder than the ones you practiced with on Kaplan.
Were you told anything at Kaplan that was just wrong, or was it mostly on track?
I am trying to get a grip on the stuff that the Kaplan instructor is feeding us and having a hard time. She is telling us one thing, and the review books are telling us something else, and the instructor is getting testy. I don't know what to think. I am feeling that I have to question what I learned because the instructor is telling us things different.

We're not having that hard a time with instructor, she just doesn't seem to be able to explain rationales better than "that's the correct answer". A bit frustrating, when many times most of the class thinks another answer should be correct, and if it's not, WHY...??

What's got me concerned about Kaplan at the moment is that the most current review book they have is still out of date on some information. For instance, it says in the Review Book, in the Content section for breastfeeding, that expressed milk can be kept for up to 48 hours, in a deep freeze for up to two months. But it's been accepted for the last 9+ years that it can be kept in fridge through day 7 (freeze on 8th) and in a deep freeze for up to 6 months. This info is distributed in hospitals everywhere. So here's my quandry: is it just Kaplan that left old, obsolete information in their review book, or is the nclex also relying on old info that isn't updated?? And are we supposed to answer based on the old info, or what we KNOW is current Best Practice (AND textbook correct)??

Argh.

BabyRN2Be · Jul 1, 2006

I am getting anywhere from 65 - 70+ on the tests online and the woman teaching the course (a nurse) said that we need 70 - 75% to be able to pass NCLEX. Many of us took other predictors (I took ATI) and had a 99.9% chance of passing NCLEX, but are borderline or just above in Kaplan. She hedged a weird answer about how all the NCLEX practice questions in ALL the different review books and classes are from the same question bank, and how Kaplan has harder questions. (makes little sense if they are all from the same place.) She also instructed us to do 200 or more questions a day. Don't read a review book, don't review content from school. Just do questions. She said that sometime in the weeks leading up to NCLEX, we should 'practice' by sitting at the computer and doing review questions for 4 straight hours, so that we will be able to sit that long should we have to during the exam.
She also kicked someone out of the class yesterday for questioning her answer vs the review book answer which was different (Incredibly Easy book which the instructor had been raving about being her favorite review book) My classmate said something about how we need to know what NCLEX wants us to know for the exam...not sure exact quote...and was escorted out. So no one really wants to argue points with her. She was wrong in a couple other questions as well when compared to the review book. Never got it cleared up because the person who had the review book was missing from class after we got back from a break as well.
Very negative experience and that's why I am doubting what I know in some cases. I did great in school and got one of the highest scores on the ATI. My schools passing rate for the semester before me was 100%. I felt completely ready to test....until I started this review class.

If she's kicking students out of her class if they question her judgement, that's not a good sign. Even if she's getting upset by your answers or questioning what she knows, that's not good. Is she an RN herself?

I don't think that she's a good teacher, JMHO.

BabyRN2Be · Jul 1, 2006

I did hear that some of the instructors are not nurses (not sure if that's the case with yours).

Some of the instructors are not nurses?! Good grief!! This is not the GRE or any "general life knowledge" test. This is a test that determines one's ability to work in a given field. People's livlihoods are on the line here, and they have people reviewing who aren't nurses?? I don't think that's very good. Again, JMHO.

I don't know if this will help, but when I was studying Kaplan's GRE review, I had a bad time. Many, many of the math questions were wrong, and for a person who has trouble in math (like me) this was causing all sorts of frustration.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 1, 2006

If she's kicking students out of her class if they question her judgement, that's not a good sign. Even if she's getting upset by your answers or questioning what she knows, that's not good. Is she an RN herself?
I don't think that she's a good teacher, JMHO.

yes she is an RN. But I agree she is not a very good teacher. I am glad that I didn't pay for this class out of my own pocket.

JadeRN7 · Jul 3, 2006

In the course book it clearly states that on the questions trainers you need between a 60-65%. I believe it's in the introduction section. I agree with the other posters, if she's kicking students out of the class, it's a serious problem and it's good that you didn't pay for the class but I would still be upset. Can you report her?

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 3, 2006

In the course book it clearly states that on the questions trainers you need between a 60-65%. I believe it's in the introduction section. I agree with the other posters, if she's kicking students out of the class, it's a serious problem and it's good that you didn't pay for the class but I would still be upset. Can you report her?

Oh yes, when the class is over (there are two more sessions) I plan to talk to the DOE, as do others in the class. I am just worried that I will have my butt on the line if I say anything before its over. The hospital pays for the class and pays us our hourly rate to attend as well, and so they expect us to attend.

I just looked in the front of my Kaplan book--which I hadn't even opened lol--and it did say that 65% is the goal. I will have to pass it on. I also noticed that the whole book is basically a review. I wonder why they gave it to us if the instructor said not to read any review books? grrr.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 4, 2006

Just to add to this wonderful saga--I found out from the person kicked out of class that this instructor actually contacted the school from which we graduated to see if the student was argumentative in school. And this was BEFORE she was kicked out, which means instructor already had it in for her.

Oh tres professional. :angryfire I can't wait til its over. I am composing my letter already :devil:

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Jul 4, 2006

Just to add to this wonderful saga--I found out from the person kicked out of class that this instructor actually contacted the school from which we graduated to see if the student was argumentative in school. And this was BEFORE she was kicked out, which means instructor already had it in for her.
Oh tres professional. :angryfire I can't wait til its over. I am composing my letter already

Good for you! Send it to the "higher ups" at Kaplan, and have everyone who is willing to sign it!

ccrn2b · Jul 4, 2006

Just to add to this wonderful saga--I found out from the person kicked out of class that this instructor actually contacted the school from which we graduated to see if the student was argumentative in school. And this was BEFORE she was kicked out, which means instructor already had it in for her.
Oh tres professional. :angryfire I can't wait til its over. I am composing my letter already

Too bad you are haiving a bad time with your Kaplan Instructor but i too took Kaplan and know exactly what you are saying but the picture you're painting on this board about Kaplan isn't good, i must say.... It's true there are different instructors with different methods of teaching but their goal is all the same. You seem to be mixing up all information together. I know I wasn't there but I also know she can't tell you you need 70-75 to pass nclex when the book clearly states at least 65% to pass. i know the online Q bank, they want you to be in those range(70%) or there about, but not with the question trainer. Again telling you to do about 200 questions in a day isn't bad especially if you have little time before your test date, infact, it helps with your endurance afterall nclex is 265. With Kaplan's Q bank you can only select maximum of 50 questions per time. You can decide to do 100-150/day and increase to 200 if you like. But it's totally up to you.

In Kaplan class, it can really be annoying and frustrating to both the instructor and the students when some " know it ALLs" want to answer the question without giving others the chance to critically think and walk their way to the answer. We were told to remain silent during the questions and everybody is on the same page and we walk it out together even when we knew the answer.Then you can ask your questions.Of course with every other nclex review, there's always something that you may not agree with.

Anyways, I'm JUST tired of seeing your rantings and complaints and felt i should address it. If you don't like the class, I can tell you, you are not compelled to be there by your hospital, you can decide to withdraw if you think you are being fed with something you don't agree with. You can also sit at home and do the same questions online and be happy. As far as i'm concerned, Kaplan IS IT for NCLEX RN! That you are having a bad time with your instructor doesn't mean the course is not good. It's just unfortunate that instructors are all very different and unique. Finally, we should be careful what we say here. People come in here and get supported in one way or the other and of course your complaint may help someone make a good decision but so much "rantings" each and everyday like this can be quite depressing for those currently taking the course. Anyhow, I wish you the very BEST as you prepare for your NCLEX! Goodluck!