Is Kaplan necessary

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Hi,

I am a new studying for the board exam. I would like to know if the Kaplan course is a must. A lot of people I know seem to say that if you do not take a review course before taking the Nclex you will fail... I want to find out if this is true. I would like to know how long you had to study before taking the exam. How many questions? what books do you recommend?

Thanks.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I didn't take a review course at all and I passed...

Just bought one book and studied out of it here and there for a few weeks prior to taking the test. I do believe that if you are a poor 'test-taker' it may help....

Good luck!!

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Now, mind you, I took the NCLEX a little over 10 years ago: I received the Kaplan course as a graduation present from my parents (it was $300 then). After I took it, and then took the NCLEX, if I would have paid for it myself, I did NOT think it was worth it. It did help me FEEL that I had done everything I could to prepare for the NCLEX, so, in those terms, since it calmed me a little, it was worth it!

I thought it really only helped me on about 3 questions. I passed with flying colors!;)

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It is only "necessary" to people who feel they have to cover every possible avenue. I did not take any review course but used the Saunders and Mosby study guides (same ones I used in school). Passed first time, like you will too, no doubt. Good luck! If taking the course relieves anxiety, then do it. Otherwise, practice practice practice.

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I did a review course this week, Mon-Wed. It was quite honestly very long and boring. Positive aspects were like someone said before-feeling like I am doing as much as possible to study. But I really believe that new testing strategies are hard to learn and I think I will pass and would have passed without it. I got paid to go and got to see classmates. Just my 2 cents.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Kaplans review book was most excellent, but i didn't take the course, and I still passed. I took sylvia rayfield review course.

xo Jen

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