Is Kaplan overrated?

[lsvalliant]

For those of you that have used Kaplan to study for the NCLEX... What did you think?

Was it worth the $$?

I passed the NCLEX w/out using Kaplan mainly because I didn't have the cash for it. My classmates that used Kaplan seemed just as unsure and stressed out about the test as I did.

I thought EXAM CRAM was the best book with the hardest questions and it was easy to read. So tell us.... what do you think about Kaplan?

[amazingaloha]

I know, I failed last week and just called kaplan to get a refund. It didn't work for me to think that i finished all the q bank and trainer questions.

[barbaratruth, RN]

Kaplan is overrated. Because I was so fearful of failing the NCLEX and I heard students who passed NCLEX took Kaplan and those who failed didn't, I paid for the course. I did every question in the test bank (which is about 2000). Psychologically, I had to make sure I wasn't missing anything magical - so the cost of the course gave me the ability to help others who couldn't afford it.

I also did NCLEX 4000 and I believe that is why I passed the NCLEX the first time. Before I took my NCLEX, I did over 6,500 practice questions in total between NCLEX 4000 and Kaplan. In addition, a friend let me use their medspub.com program - which is also good.

Practice questions, questions and more questions. When you take the test, your brain will be scrambled eggs and your subconscious will be so conditioned to answering questions, you will succeed on the test.

Different learning styles benefit from different ways of processing information. In the end, practice questions every day over at least a two month period.

Good luck to you.

[lani75]

I couldn't agree with you more. I, too, was one of those nclex takers who took Kaplan and didn't pass. I spent $500 on the classes and online resorces. It's a good thing I got my money back, for not passing the first time.

I was wondering, why is it that Kaplan doesn't have a book out of just test questions/answers? All the other companies has q&a books, but not Kaplan. They just have a strategy book with 1 comp test (written) and a CD with 1 comp test. If you want more questions, you need to buy it online...$300+. I admit, their questions are similar to nclex questions, but why pay sooo much for them????

[safety]

I'm not sure. I guess it works for some people.

[bsugaRN2b]

I think it works for some, and others it doesn't...

This is my opinion - others feel free to disagree!

Saunders = content

Kaplan = how to answer the question (to me, definitely lacking in content)

I have both the Saunders and Kaplan (and did the Kaplan course) - also did ATI testing through my school - Saunders helped me review the content that Kaplan told me I didn't know...

When you go to the Kaplan class you take a test, and then on the last day you take another one to see if you improved - like some of you, I did worse (though not by much)...

My study strategy - started July 8th - did Kaplan question trainers, looked at the Saunders for the topics that were scoring low - last question trainer the day before NCLEX scored at 70% (according to Kaplan, if you can pull a 60% on the trainers, you have a 96% chance of passing - heard this through the vine, but don't know if it is true...)

Basically, my studying was 2,000 questions between Kaplan and Saunders, took NCLEX on July 23rd and passed with 75 questions...

If you are lacking in content, I would NOT reccomend Kaplan - on the other hand, if you're looking for what the NCLEX is looking for in how to answer the question, Saunders doesn't give a good explination for that - the two together to me seem like a better option - if I could only pick one, though, I'd actually pick Saunders...(and I would have started studying a heck of a lot earlier than I did because of the comprehensiveness of the Saunders route, though - due to circumstances I won't go into, though, I could not start studying any earlier than I did)

Again, only my experience with the deal...much luck to y'all that are studying!!!