Kaplan CD similar to NCLEX??

PA_CoffeeFreak · Jul 23, 2009

I just took the NCLEX for the 2nd time today and I have to say that Kaplan questions are harder than what you see on the exam. The first time I prepared for the NCLEX I had used Saunders almost exclusively but what kind of freaked me out was how much harder the NCLEX questions were in comparison with what it is that I prepared with.

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 23, 2009

Instead of spending a whole lot on the Kaplan course. are the Kaplan BOOK questions just as good as the trainer and q bank ones?

NewAggieGrad09 · Jul 23, 2009

Instead of spending a whole lot on the Kaplan course. are the Kaplan BOOK questions just as good as the trainer and q bank ones?

Good question! I can't afford the course, so I got the review book from the library, and am wondering will this be good enough as far as Kaplan is concerned.

PA_CoffeeFreak · Jul 23, 2009

The Kaplan book has the same level of difficulty of questions that you'd expect on the course but... I would still at the very least pay to get online access to the Q Bank. The questions in the book are fine but you just don't have a whole lot of them to practice with. I did all of the Kaplan question trainers and actually did the Q bank twice before taking the NCLEX. My readiness test results from Kaplan was 71%.

It's very important to assess what your weaknesses are. For some people knowledge isn't the problem -- it's their test taking skills. Saunders provides a great comprehensive review BUT their questions aren't all that difficult in comparison to Kaplan. I truly feel that the best study materials is a combination of both Saunders and Kaplan.

Another excellent resource is Exam Cram (1,250 questions). The questions provided are also difficult and there is a CD that comes with the book that mimics the NCLEX CAT so you get a feel for how the test will go. This was another resource I used to prepare for the NCLEX.

2bNurse4life4ever · Jul 23, 2009

I just took the NCLEX for the 2nd time today and I have to say that Kaplan questions are harder than what you see on the exam. The first time I prepared for the NCLEX I had used Saunders almost exclusively but what kind of freaked me out was how much harder the NCLEX questions were in comparison with what it is that I prepared with.

Since you think that Kaplan was harder than Nclex.. did it help u on the nclex? were u using the decision tree when choosing answers? and did u find kaplan to be helpful because it was harder?

PA_CoffeeFreak · Jul 23, 2009

We'll know for sure this Friday when I get my unofficial results in :) I found Kaplan to be helpful for so many reasons. There is an abundance of resources that Kaplan provides you with. The question trainers assess whether you have any gaps in your knowledge or your test-taking skills. The videos online review each section of the NCLEX exam and what I also found extremely helpful was the review of questions. This set of videos went through questions but the instructor discussed why a particular answer was chosen.

The first time I took the NCLEX, I prepared with Saunders almost exclusively and took about 8,000+ questions. However I made some critical errors. I only reviewed the questions I got wrong not thinking that the correct answers could have been chosen by chance. Reviewing the rationales made me realize that sometimes I chose the right answer for the wrong reason!! Secondly, my focus was not so much on reviewing content as it was about just taking questions. This time around I focused on what my content deficiencies. You really have to be able to look at yourself objectively, know what your weaknesses are and how you best learn.

2bNurse4life4ever · Jul 23, 2009

We'll know for sure this Friday when I get my unofficial results in :) I found Kaplan to be helpful for so many reasons. There is an abundance of resources that Kaplan provides you with. The question trainers assess whether you have any gaps in your knowledge or your test-taking skills. The videos online review each section of the NCLEX exam and what I also found extremely helpful was the review of questions. This set of videos went through questions but the instructor discussed why a particular answer was chosen.
The first time I took the NCLEX, I prepared with Saunders almost exclusively and took about 8,000+ questions. However I made some critical errors. I only reviewed the questions I got wrong not thinking that the correct answers could have been chosen by chance. Reviewing the rationales made me realize that sometimes I chose the right answer for the wrong reason!! Secondly, my focus was not so much on reviewing content as it was about just taking questions. This time around I focused on what my content deficiencies. You really have to be able to look at yourself objectively, know what your weaknesses are and how you best learn.

Hmm... good to know... Im pretty sure you passed :) and i read ur other post where the pearsonvue trick is giving u the pop up... YOU PASSED!! It truly works! ... I have to take my exam the second time, and im getting really really anxious... I have to pass this time around and i WILL PASS! I just have to keep the positive energy alive..:) Best of luck to you, and Im sure you passed. Hope Kaplan works for me... the strategies are very helpful especially if u get tripped on a question.. and i will use them when taking the nclex

PA_CoffeeFreak · Jul 23, 2009

Thanks :)

Another important thing is how to best manage your anxiety. When I was studying for the exam, I would listen to white noise in the background (rain or ocean sounds on YouTube) to distract me from my anxiety. Sometimes the most difficult thing was not beating myself up or thinking negatively. I remember listening to a sermon that had talked about why it is useless to worry. Worrying doesn't add a single hour to your life nor does it change any results. It just drives you crazy lol and that is so true!

Today when I took my test, I promised myself that when I hit 50 questions I would take a break. I went into the bathroom and pooped my little heart out lol (NCLEX gives me GI problems -- that was an issue the 1st time around too). I gave myself a little pep talk, ate a snack then went back in. Not even 10 minutes later the test shut off.

My mantra for the past 6 months was... On July 22nd I am a registered nurse. I would say this over and over again because I needed to believe in myself. So keep thinking positively... You CAN do it!! Please let me know when you've set a date so I can pray for you!

~Grad-2009~ · Jul 23, 2009

lol...thats so funny that you said you pooped ur heart out! Thats all i been doing too b/c of my nerves.....i go tomorow!!! I'm nervous

smn2010, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2009

i found kaplan questions to be very much like nclex-rn. kaplan was even a little harder than nclex. as suggested above, if at all possible, try to purchase the online qbank. it is about $300 . it will provide you will 1000+ questions to practice with. expensive? yes; but consider a study group...split the costs and study together---i won't tell!!! :lol2: :lol2: okay...i shouldn't have suggested that. :cry: don't split the costs!!!

not sure if you are aware of this but the question trainers 1 through 7 are now located online and include rationales. you can review these, along with tips, nursing strategies, kaplan questions of the day and other helpful sources at:

http://philippinenurses.blogspot.com/2007/11/nclex-question-trainer-explanations.html

if kaplan is too expensive, consider the ncsbn learning extension. this is the group that prepares the nclex exam. you can sign up to do review and complete practice questions for 3 weeks ($49), 5 weeks ($69), 8 weeks ($99), 15 weeks ($159). the rn review website of ncsbn is located at: http://www.learningext.com/products/rnreview/review.asp

hope these are helpful!

good luck to all as you prepare and pass your nclex!!!

NaomieRN · Jul 23, 2009

Thanks :)
Another important thing is how to best manage your anxiety. When I was studying for the exam, I would listen to white noise in the background (rain or ocean sounds on YouTube) to distract me from my anxiety. Sometimes the most difficult thing was not beating myself up or thinking negatively. I remember listening to a sermon that had talked about why it is useless to worry. Worrying doesn't add a single hour to your life nor does it change any results. It just drives you crazy lol and that is so true!
Today when I took my test, I promised myself that when I hit 50 questions I would take a break. I went into the bathroom and pooped my little heart out lol (NCLEX gives me GI problems -- that was an issue the 1st time around too). I gave myself a little pep talk, ate a snack then went back in. Not even 10 minutes later the test shut off.
My mantra for the past 6 months was... On July 22nd I am a registered nurse. I would say this over and over again because I needed to believe in myself. So keep thinking positively... You CAN do it!! Please let me know when you've set a date so I can pray for you!

That is the truth. I truly believed, one of the reasons I passed was because I was able to control my anxiety. I also prayed, which gave me the confidence.