Is nclex more like Saunders or Kaplan?

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

From what I have been told, Saunders is easier than NCLEX and Kaplan is harder than NCLEX. This comes from people who have taken it. I dont know because I havent taken mines yet. GOOD LUCK!

chillin4me · Feb 16, 2011

i think is halfway between Saunders and Kaplan...

you could use saunders comprehensive content review and Kaplan Q&A as well as its strategies..

chulada77, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Feb 16, 2011

Saunders. Nclex was not into patho, disease process like the Kaplan seems to be. I used both to study but found Saunders to better.

RNLeroy · Feb 17, 2011

In my opinion, neither. The majority of the questions I had were prioritization and SATA. LaCharity was the most useful for these types of questions. I think it's a toss up as far as what you use for content review, but I thought Saunders questions were way easier than what was on the NCLEX. Good Luck!!!!!!!

sheila0313 · Feb 17, 2011

Practice the Saunders cd-rom in study mode, you will find that the real Nclex is just like practice questions. Very easy to me!

harley0511 · Feb 17, 2011

Our instructors have advised us that Kaplan is hardest, Lippencott is 2nd and everything else is a wash. They suggested we do practice tests from the 'everything else' group and when we're getting at least 80% right on those tests, move up to Lippencott. Once we're getting at least 80% on Lippencott, move up to Kaplan (if we can find them!) Better to be prepared for the hardest and have the NCLEX seem 'easy' (if that's possible!) I would love for the NCLEX to seem like 'practice questions' (from the previous post.)

Essentially, if you do at least 5000-6000 NCLEX-style questions-and read the rationales-before your actual boards, you should be prepared. I'm working on mine now!

JM RN · Feb 17, 2011

This is all great advice. Thanks! :) I'm just starting to get even more nervous since I take nclex in 2 weeks!

Zucreb · Feb 17, 2011

Jessy-

I just took my Nclex today for the second time.. failed once again. I used the Saunders book and it was helpful however, I got so many SATA and prioritization questions and I didn't feel like Saunders prepared me for that at all! I'm looking into other options to take my test for the 3rd time in 45 days.. I'm going to use the LaCharity book and do the hurst review!

Good luck!!

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Feb 17, 2011

Just want to say all my friends that have passed say Priority, Assignment and Delegation is majority of the test and LaCharity makes a workbook focusing on just that. You have to find the best fit for you. All you can do is practice, you never know what youre going to get on the exam until you actually get there. GOOD LUCK AGAIN!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 17, 2011

In my opinion, neither. The majority of the questions I had were prioritization and SATA. LaCharity was the most useful for these types of questions. I think it's a toss up as far as what you use for content review, but I thought Saunders questions were way easier than what was on the NCLEX. Good Luck!!!!!!!

Basically this. Throw in Isolation precaution questions and that was my entire test. I felt that kaplan had more relevant info on it, and the NCLEX had the most random ass diseases they could pull from a diagnosis book.

caliotter3 · Feb 17, 2011

You can not predict how the NCLEX questions will be presented. No matter how they are worded, you must know the content area to be able to answer them correctly.