Kaplan harder than NCLEX-RN, Passed with 75Q & Low Kaplan Scores

Published

Let me start off by saying that I don't know whether I recommend Kaplan or not for NCLEX review. I am on the fence because I took Kaplan, used all Q bank questions and Q trainers (and reviewed all questions from both twice); and I passed NCLEX-RN on the first try. I will give you a little background about me: I am an LPN and have been for 7 years, but am also severely out of practice, I was a C student in school and thought I would fail every semester (I failed none). In addition to Kaplan I did a little of Saunders, and I mean VERY little. I studied solidly for about 3 weeks with anywhere from 50-265 questions daily. I graduated Dec 2010, took Kaplan (in class) at the end of January, and took NCLEX-RN at the end of March.

My Kaplan scores for Qbank and Qtrainers ranged from 48%-70% (mostly in the 50's). When I sat for NCLEX I found the questions WAY easier than a lot of Kaplans thought-provoking questions. I got about 3 drag and drop, 8 or 9 SATA, infection control, a lot of priority (who would you see first) and a few pharmacology. The NCLEX SATA's were nowhere NEAR as difficult as Kaplans. The computer cut off at 75, and I was singing hallelujah because I felt very confident in my performance.

The reason why I felt confident, tho, was not because of the fact that I did thousands of Kaplan questions. I was confident because I prayed and truly believe that I took Jesus into that testing center with me. Prayer was the key for me, God is so good! I honestly feel that NCLEX is not a test that you can prepare for by doing content reviews or tons of questions. I mean honestly, you cant study everything, yet NCLEX CAN test you on ANYTHING. I spoke with a friend of mine a few days before my test and she said "Girl, put away those books now! None of that stuff will be on NCLEX!"...and she was right...I didn't see one question that was even similar! BUT...........every test is different and Kaplan may just help you, and maybe it helped me too (if very little)...BOTTOM LINE: If it is in God's will, YOU WILL BE AN RN! Also PVT works! Tried it about 45 minutes after the test and got the "good pop-up". I would also like to say that this site is a GREAT resource for both information and emotional support! Good luck future RN's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

lm inspired. its good u took JESUS :nmbrn:to the test center, cos he is the ultimate. congratulations:clpty:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Step Down.

Congrats! Thanks for the post!! I think you just have to have a general foundation which nursing school gives you and practice questions to have an understanding of how they will be presented.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations on passing you nclex and for sharing with us your success story..Am taking my test in April, sometimes i feel like i don't know anything but after reading you story i feel more relax and confident that i can do it, with God on my side...And i pray as God did it for u so shall He do it for everyone of us about to test soon...Congrats once more..U made it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much for posting this. I was scheduled to take my exam today but felt I wasn't doing well enough with Kaplan Question trainers and Q-banks so I rescheduled. It's really comforting to know and hear Kaplan questions are a lot more difficult than the actual NCLEX exam.

I do agree you can't study everything for this test. I believe just having a strong knowledge base and much prayers is the key to mastering this exam.

I kinda regret now not taking it today but in a couple of days, I'll be sitting in the same seat you sat in today and prayerfully, will have the same results.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

very inspiring! Congratulations! Im now taking kaplan on demand and felt so stupid when I got 58% on my diagnostic test. Now im studying the rationales behind these questions. Yeah u're right, God will never ever leave us. :) Congrats again! Im taking in June.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:ancong!:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone! You all are awesome...this site is like my new facebook for nurses, lol

:hpygrp:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg & home health.

This is very encouraging! I believe that a calm spirit is going to be the best thing I can take with me into the exam in June. May God's blessings continue to abound in your nursing endeavors and life!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations!!! To God be the glory =)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Although you may be right in saying that kaplan questions are harder than NCLEX, but I think q-bank is a must have to pass NCLEX. Why because, when you sit there answering NCLEX question, you will feel like you are doing a practice session from kaplan. All of my questions were exactly like kaplan only worded different and may be a little easy. Nevertheless, haven't seen any other practice questions so close to real NCLEX.

Also, if you get above around 60% is q-bank, it is very likely that you will pass.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Unit Secretary, Tele tech and CNA.

Thanks for this post, im taking my Nclex end of May.. been doing qbanks and practice test from Kaplan. I kinda feel like I want to read the entire book of Kaplan..should i do that or keep doing questions everyday? Any advice? oh one more thing what is PVT?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion