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

[WunMsJayLPNtoRN]

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:

[silentmajesty7]

I'll be taking my exam on August 8th as well! I'm so nervous, not to mention that this is my second time taking the NCLEX. I used Uworld the first time. My scores were pretty good. I felt confident and prepared walking into the testing facility. Little did I know that Uworld's questions were NOTHING like the NCLEX! After question #10 I was over it. Don't get me wrong, what may or may not work for some, may or may not work for others but I'm using Kaplan this time around. They are set up the way NCLEX is. They definitely focus more on critical thinking while Uworld focuses more on content. Take it from someone who went all the way to question #265, although knowing your content is important, the NCLEX is 90% critical thinking! I took the test in April so I can't remember the exact questions so it's hard to say that Kaplan is harder than the NCLEX but I'm sure hoping that what I've been reading and hearing from others is true!! I've been averaging 59%-68% but this time I'm not letting my scores manipulate my confidence!! I am armored by God and truthfully, HE WILL do what is best for us so I will Thank Him regardless of the outcome! I agree, drop your worries, keep your faith, and remember that we ARE capable. WE GOT THIS!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND CONGRATS TO THOSE THAT PASSED!