Kaplan n Saunders

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2008

I used Kaplan and Saunders for preparing for the NCLEX-RN. I know Kaplan says you should be scoring above a 60% on their tests before doing NCLEX. IMO, Saunders was much easier than Kaplan. Perhaps though, you could use Saunders to study more physiologic integrity type questions. Good luck!

iloveclay · Oct 9, 2008

ok so i'm going to take the nclex rn in two weeks. I brought the Kaplan book and did the 180 questions in the CD... i got a 62%, i looked at the analysis and the items i scored low on were physiological integrity and womens health. Then a week after i took the assessment test in the Saunders ed. 4 cd and i got a 64%.
My question is, to anyone that knows, what percentage should i aim for, and analysis aside, is scoring in the 60's a bad sign or what?
I committed myself to doing 150-200 questions a night. I use the Saunders CD, and i set it to study mode and selected physiological integrity and it has 3158 questions, so thats helping me, and i also read the womens health chapters in the book.
thank u!
and good luck to all those taking their exam soon, and congrats to all those that are registered RNs!

You know honestly you have really done all you can to prepare for the test, in my opinion. And I believe, it is hard to use Kaplan as a predictor since the scores you receive are not reflective of the content you may see on the NCLEX. It is just reflecting on the content that you saw on that particluar test. Meaning, you may see entirely different content on the NCLEX.

The analysis of your results is a good thing. It will point out your weaknesses. So your plan to focus on the physiological and using Saunders is a much better game plan.

I have been studying for the last 3 months but I have a special, unique circumstance. I passed the "OLD" boards many years ago then let my license lapse. I practiced for about 12 yrs then left for another degree and career(engineering). NOw I want to return to nursing so I must take the boards.

Now that I have spent the last 2 mos studying (using Suzanne's mainly) I can see the reasoning for her plan and the success people have met with it.

I test tomorrow and am nervous and anxious to get it over with it.

Good luck.

BISN08 · Oct 9, 2008

I used both Kaplan (sit-in too) and Saunder's. Got about 65%. Failed nclex on the first attempt. Second did not come yet. If you read Suzanne's sticky you will see that her first rule is to complete 75% on saunder's and if you get less, go back and study. My opinion- 60 is not even near to a passing score. Gotta do better...

scubadooII · Oct 16, 2008

After doing questions in Saunders and taking Kaplan the first time and failing, Im beginning to think that the really difficult questions from Kaplan didnt help much...

Curious though how close Saunders questions are to the real thing...I know I took it before, but I barely remember anything...LOL...

redheadnurse08 · Oct 16, 2008

I too studied with Kaplan the 1st and 2nd time testing and it didn't work for me at all. I didn't study that hard on the 1st time around -- big mistake on my part I KNOW -- but the 2nd time I went back and reviewed content with Kaplan using their online resources and then I did all the questions in the Qbank and that didn't help either. This time I have reviewed with the Saunders book and hoping to start Suzanne's plan and hopefully THAT will help me pass!!