Kaplan is frustrating me!

Nurse2B2005 · Jun 9, 2005

I am not doing any review courses as I don't have $400 to spend, but would you recommend me at least buying the Kaplan book? I have Saunder's comprehensive, the Pre-RN one from ERI, and Nclex 3000 and 3500 cds and that's all I've been using. Seeing how everyone is saying how Kaplan's questions most resemble the NCLEX makes me want to buy it. Can I get it in any stores or do I have to order online? I'm going away Sunday and I'd like it in my hands before then! Nothing like studying on vacation. (I think I remember seeing the 2004-2005 Kaplan book at Barnes and Noble when I was there a few months ago...)

Hi! I bought the Kaplan book at Barnes and Noble back in December, thinking that it would also help me my last semester in nursing school. The first 12 chapters or so, of the book that is available to purchase goes over in great detail about how to approach the NCLEX questions. Once you can read that and understand the principle, I would say that it is basically the same as the class, minus all of the questions you get in class. Just read the first 12 chapters (the rest of the book is all questions) and really try to apply their principle to the Q&A's that you are studying from. There is a 2005-2006 version for sale now with 180 questions and a cd with another 180 (or so) questions. Hope that helps! I think the book is roughly $30 or so. Note: this is not the same book that they give you when you take the course. It is just a condensed version about the strategy. When you take the course, you get a book that talks about the strategy with review of content.

Nurse2B2005 · Jun 9, 2005

Well, I just took the test #3 in the Kaplan question trainer and I got the same percentage as test #2! Now I have 63%,49%, and 49%!! I just underlined my stupidity!
I might try the Q bank because I'm just freaking now.
Tomorrow I have the "Non-Readiness Test" and I hope my score is better than the Diagnostic because I was a hair below passing!
Has anyone used the Training library at the class sites? Anything helpful in there?
Good luck to everyone else in this study course!!
Kitty-MayRN

Hi Kitty-May!

I have spend some time in the library, and there are multitudes of extra videos that you can watch. They even have videos that talk about anatomy and Phys, and Micro, in case you forgot about everything. Don't worry, I am in the same boat as you. I have gotten 50's and low 60's on the cd. I am in freaking out mode.

We will get through this!

leshph · Jun 9, 2005

Well, I just took the test #3 in the Kaplan question trainer and I got the same percentage as test #2! Now I have 63%,49%, and 49%!! I just underlined my stupidity!
I might try the Q bank because I'm just freaking now.
Tomorrow I have the "Non-Readiness Test" and I hope my score is better than the Diagnostic because I was a hair below passing!
Has anyone used the Training library at the class sites? Anything helpful in there?
Good luck to everyone else in this study course!!
Kitty-MayRN

I too am studying for NCLEX right now! I took hurst review back in March, 2005 during my final semester of nursing school and Marlene was awesome!! I am studying her material in-depth, Saunders CD questions, Davis NCLEX book of questions, and attempting to rea/understand the KAPLAN book ($30) strategy tips, and also the Kaplan trainer CD (friend gave me a copy) with 6 or 8 tests on it. My scores have always been low on Kaplan test. (I did not take the kaplan review course). Scores of 63%, 59% & 59%. Hey, at least I was consistent on the last 2 tests and they did increase in # of questions. I am frustrated also, but I just try to keep plugging away and think positive thoughts. The big one is scheduled for June 15th (wondering if I should reschedule - I was an "A" student thru nursing school) and I am trying not to be nervous about it. I'm going to keep doing questions in my NCLEX books and taking Kaplan tests and just maybe...One positive note about Kaplan is you can look at the analysis of the test and i.d. your weak areas. I've never posted on this website so I should introduce myself: Laurette-GN05

BrightStar05 · Jun 9, 2005

p.s.
BrightStar05,
Good luck studying and good luck on the NCLEX next week! I hope it all works out for you! :)
Kitty-MayRN

Thanks so much!! Good luck to you as well. I hope you did well on the readiness test. I just did test 3 of the question trainer CD and didn't do very well:( As for the study center, I havent' been to the Kaplan center for their library. However, I have been doing some of the review videos online. They are somewhat helpful.

VegasRN · Jun 9, 2005

I am a Colorado graduated from a BSN program and just moved to Nevada, Las Vegas area. I recieved my interim permit and I have an interview with an ER next week for a new grad position. I am studying like hell for boards. I have studied about 95 hours so far and have done about 1000 questions. I took Kaplan and scored borderline on both the diagnostic and readiness tests. So far I have completed tests 1-3 and scored 68%, 64%, and 49% on the third test. I thought I would improve by test 3. I am really anxious about this test as I want to do well and have this only be a 1 time experience. I hope to take boards in July. I want to be sure to raise those percentages. I made note cards for all lab values and I bought Kaplans med review cards and I plan to use them. Dont freak about low test scores on the question trainer. I talk to my peers frequently and we are all on the same level. Stress will lower your score! I try to believe it to because I am just as nervous as anyone else is "this to shall pass"

Mr. VegasRN

LilRedRN1973 · Jun 10, 2005

I took the practice test from the CD BEFORE reading my Kaplan book (finished in about 80 minutes and scored a 52%) and then took another practice test AFTER...my score improved by about 20% (got a 61% second time around). I really like how the Kaplan book breaks things down for you and explains about the different types of questions. I also have trouble on application questions, but do great on the diagnostic and evaluation questions, as well as the delegation ones. I won't be taking my NCLEX for about another month, but plan to keep doing questions daily. I also bought Frye's Bullet 3000 for my PDA and every time I have to wait in line somewhere or am with my hubbie in the car, I whip that out and start going through them. I also downloaded an NCLEX review and practice tests onto my PDA as well. I figure repetition, repetition, etc.!!!

And I definitely agree on the part about stress. I have never gotten stressed over exams and have always done extremely well. I believe part of it is because I relax and stay away from all the negativity and apprehension. You should have seen most of our class right before we took the ATI (a mock NCLEX). They were FREAKING out.....over a practice test. I was excited because I figured the test would tell me exactly what areas I was weakest on...and it did. Then again, I don't quite believe it when it tells me I have a 99% chance of passing the NCLEX because some of those questions seemed too easy. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I expect the NCLEX to be. Then again, maybe it was. :uhoh21: :chuckle

Melanie = )

VegasRN · Jun 10, 2005

Ok so I have a job interview monday with an ER position. It starts July 11th. I now have an interim permit. I have been doing questions everyday, but lately I have hit content pretty hard after getting a 49% on test 3 of the question trainer. T-1 68% t-2 64%. I wrote out about 200 lab values on note cards and I go through those at least once a day. I also have KAPLANS medication flash card book. Meds is something I am weak in. Anyways I will take everyones considerations to heart. I plan to take boards in July just not sure when yet. I wont take it unless I get a 65% or higher on test 7.

until then keep studying

RNDad · Jun 10, 2005

Whew, Thank goodness! I thought it was just us; myself and 40 or so of my classmates all feel the same way. We're all taking Kaplan review at Merrimack College in N. Andover, MA and I can say that some of us feel pretty stupid right about now. We pretty much all came in at borderline on the diagnostic test and I for one got a 57% on test 1 and a 60% on test 2. Why is it when I do questions with the other CDs like NCLEX 3000 or NCLEX 5 I do between a 75% and 100%??? I'm heading out to Barnes and Noble tonite to buy a Saunders book and CD.

I have to believe that Kaplan has raised the bar high enough so that we will pass NCLEX.

Scott, GN '05 (Northern Essex Community College)

nursing 101 · Jun 10, 2005

well I just took test # 7 on the cd-trainer. It is so much easier than the other ones. It is really basic. The only think I don't like with some of them is that you really can't figure out the topic of the question so it takes you longer to get the answer. I scored a 68%!

I will continue to study. Is anyone just planning to use the Kaplan book when it comes to content? Or are you guys using other books?

Nurse2B2005 · Jun 10, 2005

well I just took test # 7 on the cd-trainer. It is so much easier than the other ones. It is really basic. The only think I don't like with some of them is that you really can't figure out the topic of the question so it takes you longer to get the answer. I scored a 68%!
I will continue to study. Is anyone just planning to use the Kaplan book when it comes to content? Or are you guys using other books?

Phew, glad to hear you ay that. I have taken tests 1-6 and have been holding off on #7, because I know deep down, if I do the worst on that one, then I will really be in tears!

I am using a combo of Saunders and the hurst review notes that I have.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2005

Well I just had my last Kaplan class, and I'm glad to say that I did well on the readiness test. Our instructor gave us some encouraging thoughts. She said that past students have actually come back to her and said that Kaplan questions are much harder than board questions. She also said for that reason, if you score around borderline on the diagnostic/readiness (above or below) than you shouldn't have trouble with the exam. I'm not saying that I'm going to ace the exam, but it was nice to know and made me feel a little better. Another thing I'm finding helpful is other students I graduated with are taking their boards and passing. I guess kind of makes it seem real that we CAN pass this test.

RNKITTY04 · Jun 10, 2005

STOP with the lab values and the other flash card type things. The NCLEX is NOT a memorization test. The questions are judgement calls. I did all the things you guys are doing and sorta feel like I wasted my time. You either know the material or you don't.

I was not an A student, I did not have a 4.0, I also scored at boarderline level on the Kaplan readiness test.

The day of the test I showed up early, ate a Burger King Biskit in my car than went in and took the test. I was out in less than an hour. 75 questions and BAM my life as a nursing student was finally over. I knew in my heart I passed when I left the building.

I can honestly say I can not remember 1 question that was asked, I think I was in some sort of daze.

You will all do fine, you know more than you think you do. And yes the questions on Kaplan were MUCH harder than NCLEX.