Kaplan classroom review

[KJM-RN, BSN]

I feel very torn if I should take the kaplan classroom review for the nclex-rn. I've maintained A's throughout nursing school and feel as though I'm a good test taker. I was wondering if anyone didn't use Kaplan and felt confident in passing the Nclex and what they did use to study for it then. I was considering just purchasing the Kaplan question bank and then using a Saunders review book to study, does this sound like it would be effective? I also had to purchase ATI during nursing school so I have that to fall back on for studying too.

Or is the Kaplan classroom course really beneficial and I should just do it....?

[St_Claire, ADN, RN]

I didn't do any of the reviews. I felt I knew content and just needed strategies and test questions. I have to admit I have lazy study habits. I did two 75 question tests each day from here: http://nursing.slcc.edu/nclexrn3500/mainMenu.do and made sure to read the rationales on the ones I got wrong. This site has a lot of SATA questions for practice. My weak areas were peds and maternity so I used the same site to test on just those areas. I did read the Kaplan Strategies book and took the first test in the book and also the test that came on the CD. I told myself I would review weak areas in my HESI review book, but I didn't.

I passed with 75 questions. Most importantly, I did what works best for me.

Honestly, I think we freak ourselves out with over-studying and worry. Take a couple of tests from the site I posted and see how you feel before you invest a bunch of time and money.

Good luck!!

[j2mp79]

I took the Kaplan course since our school paid for us to take it. While it was helpful, I don't think it's necessary if you plan to use other Kaplan resources like the QBank and question trainers. While it was good to hear the instructor walk through questions and talk about strategies to use in getting to the right answer, there's no reason you can't do that on your own.

After the class I spent a little time each day doing sets of QBank questions and some of the question trainers on Kaplan. I also worked through all chapters in the LaCharity Prioritization and Delegation book. I had Saunders and the Kaplan course book and referred to each if I needed to clarify content based on a question I answered incorrectly. Otherwise, I did not focus much on content at all.

Bottom line: I think you'd be fine using Kaplan questions without the course.

[BolBol]

I took the NCLEX on the 4th and got the good pop up. I'm hoping that means I passed. I'm still waiting for the BON to post it.

Anyway, I didn't spend more than $50 on review materials. I used Saunders for content. I also used NCSBN ($50) and PDA by LaCharity for practice questions. I did check out Kaplan Strategies book from the library and it came with a CD. But honestly I felt that NCSBN and PDA were most similar to the NCLEX. I'm glad that I didn't end up paying $500+ on a review course.

[itsdebraanne, ASN, RN]

You sound like you understand content very well. Kaplan assumes you are familiar with nursing content and just teach on strategies and tell you about their famous Decision Tree (5 step process on determing the right anwer on every question, every time). But since you've been getting As in school, you should know content well. But can you prioritize, delegate, and critically think your way through your answers? Nursing school test questions is like night and day when it comes to NCLEX style questions.

I think if you get some review books, read the first 30 pages. tells you all you need to know about the NCLEX (if you don't know already) then try some practice questions. You can also get access to Qbank questions without signing for the review course. The questions there are all passing level questions and will help you understand the NCLEX format and pass. good luck!