Kaplan Diagnostic/Readiness Tests vs Test Trainers

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Hi everyone!

I did the Kaplan review class a few weeks ago and got a 64 on my Diagnostic Test and a 62 on my Readiness Test. I've been doing qbank questions since then, and have completed Test Trainers 1 through 5 as well. However, I'm worried because my grades in the Test Trainers have been a lot lower than the scores I got on the initial classroom tests.... ranging from 54 to 60.

Is it normal to do worse on the Test Trainers than on the Diagnostic/Readiness Tests? I don't understand what I'm doing wrong and if anything I feel like I should be improving. I've done so many practice questions since I was in the class and have also reviewed content. I know they want you to get a certain score on 6 and 7 and I haven't taken those yet.

Any input/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

I took Kaplan twice and fail twice. The first time I was not well prepared and I knew it. The second time I went through Kaplan book like a mad man and got much better results on QB 65% and QT 1-7 60%. Yes, the QT is harder specially 5-7. I heard people passing and only scoring 50% and I heard people failing with 75%. I think if you have a great knowledge base and are a good test taker you have not much to worry about.

My second try at NCLEX was kind of a surprise. There were questions there I felt I could not use any of the Kaplan strategies at all. I I felt that the knowledge base is what matters in most of them because there are questions you just have to know. So my word of caution with Kaplan go as this:

Use the Kaplan strategies but don't think is the only thing out there. There will be questions where the strategies are a life saver and you can use it. But there will be all kinds of questions that this will not apply. I think NCLEX is like money investment, the more varied investments the better. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Kaplan also have marketing strategy that claims they have the secret to success, so students tend to think there is a miracle formula they are learning that will get them out quick, Kaplan works for most people but It doesn't work for others for some reason so be careful. There is no secret formula...sorry. You just have to know most of that stuff and some you can use the formula.

The best of luck to you.

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I so agree with marcos. There is no formula to passing the nclex. We just have to study harder, and as much as possible be ready for the exam. Know the nclex test strategies, have good knowledge background, and be able to dissect and analyze the questions critically.

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@marcos999 @mariedeecline

Thank you for the input! I've been reviewing content from Saunders as well so I'm hoping that helps. I guess I just think its strange that now that I'm using the Kaplan decision tree I'm getting lower scores in comparison to when I was not using the decision tree (at the review class). Oh well! All the questions are good practice regardless. I think I'm going to take NCLEX next week so hopefully I can improve a little bit more by then.

Thanks again!

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PS - I never heard that Kaplan claims they have the "formula for success"! Thats hilarious! Its hard to imagine that anyone would think that just by taking a review class that they will pass just like that. LOL. I really don't know much about Kaplan at all except for the fact that our school "strongly encouraged" it. Either way - hopefully it helped a little bit if nothing else! :)

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@marcos999 @mariedeecline

Thank you for the input! I've been reviewing content from Saunders as well so I'm hoping that helps. I guess I just think its strange that now that I'm using the Kaplan decision tree I'm getting lower scores in comparison to when I was not using the decision tree (at the review class). Oh well! All the questions are good practice regardless. I think I'm going to take NCLEX next week so hopefully I can improve a little bit more by then.

Thanks again!

I too have low score with kaplan, but don't focus on your scores, learn from your mistakes and read and understand the rationales even the once that you made right. That's what I do. Having low scores is really frustrating esp. if we are aiming something high. But I try as much as possible to feel down on that but instead put it to learning. Everyday I learn something new from answering questions even the onces I made right and most esp. the once I was wrong. Let's keep studying. Stay positive okay.

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q trainer 6 my score was 56% and q trainer 7 53%..technically if your scoring 50and above, your ready to sit for nclex.My diagnostic test is 51% i did the all the trainer b4 i sit in my highest is 67% thats with q trainer 1.Kaplan has high standards so if your not scoring below 50 i think your ready..just make sure you read and understand all their materials.goodluck to you:up:

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