kaplan RN review Qbank low scores

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Hi there.. I failed the first time I took NCLEX 265Q self study using saunders book just this year so I took KAPLAN review online. I am committing for the schedule they provided to follow after the end of the class. I am now starting doing their Q banks my scores are low I did 17% of the questions and only did 53% correct answers!!! Any advice and words of encouragement?? I'm planning to take my exam next month last week of Dec. :crying2:

@ nneokill175: No, I don't read the chapters. I use Saunders to look up topics that I don't know while reading the rationales from Kaplan.

@ melai12: Do you watch the Videos from Kaplan? or use the Kaplan book?

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@Miley22 - You're doing great on the question banks! 62% is perfect!

Update: I took the California NCLEX-RN today. My test shut off at 75 after 2.5 hours of testing. I totally walked out feeling like I failed. I still feel like I failed! I tried the PVT and I got the "good pop-up," but I'm hesitant to trust it!

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@ejay: Congratulation!!! You Passed!! I am so happy for you and nervous for myself. I am thinking rescheduling for my exam because I didn't watch any video on demand from Kaplan nor read the Kaplan book. I just do questions from Kaplan and look up contents that I don't know in Saunders?

Did you watch the video on demand or read the Kaplan book that comes with the program? How did you prepare for the NCLEX?

Congratulation again!!!!! :)

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@Miley22, thank you so much! I freaked out at first because I guess I got the old good pop-up.. Our records indicate that you have already scheduled this exam. Please contact your Member Board for further assistance. Another registration cannot be made at this time. I'm hesitant to celebrate until I see my name on the BON.

And I'm totally confident that you can pass the NCLEX! If you keep scoring as high as you do on the Kaplan QBank, I have no doubt that you will do great. Believe in yourself and and do whatever it is that will help ease the nerves (: It's easy to underestimate yourself and reschedule your test. Heck, I rescheduled once, and was tempted to change it a second time! But, you have a great wealth of knowledge and as my fellow nursing friend told me, we're never really going to feel ready for the test. So! If Kaplan tells you you're ready, then you're ready!!

I prepared for the NCLEX by taking the in-class Kaplan course. By repeatedly going over questions and applying their decision tree, it helped to reinforce their technique of reading and breaking down questions. I did not watch their on-demand lessons, only because I didn't want to sit through the same question analysis again. I DID watch the videos on pharmacology, which helped highlight frequently asked medications on the NCLEX (thankfully, I only had a few med questions on my test). Then after I finished the Kaplan class, I just spent 4-6 hours a day doing a 50q timed test from the Qbank and reviewing topics with the Saunders book. I used up all of the Qbank questions, completed all of the Question Trainers, and even completed the 3 Sample Tests (if you look around for the sample tests on your online access, you can find it too). Honestly, I think this is the best and most effective way to study.

When are you schedule to take your test?

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@ejay: Thank you for your response! I did everything like you did, except I haven't watched any videos yet. I feel less stress after you said you didn't watch any Kaplan videos, except for Pharm. I have to watch Pharm tomorrow then because it is one of my weaknesses. Did you use/read the KAPLAN BOOK at all?

My test was scheduled on the 12th, but I just moved it to the following week. I am so nervous and never feel like I am ready.

You have a good pop-up! Congrats to you again!!!! :)

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@ejay: I forgot to ask you if you've used LaCharity to study for the test. I have the book, but haven't have time to look at it yet. Thanks!

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@Miley22, thank you!! I read through the entire Kaplan book once, but I don't really think it benefited my studying. I just did it to make myself feel better and to calm the nerves :p As far as resources go, I have:

Saunders Comprehensive Review: NCLEX

Kaplan The RN Course Book

Mosby's Pharmacology Memory NoteCards

Kaplan NCLEX-RN Strategies, Practice, and Review

I used the Saunders book the most as a reference and I found it to be the best comprehensive review! It's like putting all of our nursing textbooks into one resource (which was great because I sold back all of my textbooks). I didn't read through this book AT ALL. Again, it was just a resource to freshen up my memory.

The Kaplan course book provided a great overview of almost everything you'll find in Saunders. But like I said, I read through it once and didn't pick it up after that.

I bought the Mosby flashcards because I read great reviews about it and I thought it would help in learning pharmacology. I'm a visual learner, so having the visual, mnemonic, and memory aids helped. But sadly, I didn't really use this book a lot either. Haha. I flipped through all of it less than 4 times.

As for the Kaplan NCLEX-RN Strategies book, I have absolutely no clue why I even bothered to purchase this in the first place! LOL I bought this based on the reviews I read on Amazon and before I applied for the Kaplan review. This book would have been great if I decided to teach myself the strategies, but since I didn't, the book just sat on my shelf!

Good luck to you on the boards! I'll be praying for you!

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ejay congrats!!!!! im happy for you! PVT is accurate! can u give us tips 1 to 2 days before the exam??

@miley22 yes i did watch some of the content and while watching i have with me the course book while following the lectures. r u going to reschedule your exam??? i think your doing fine,, you will be fine just like ejay its normal to get nervous and some anxietybut be positive and pray. i know you can do it!!

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I took the sample test #1 and scored a 54! Ugh :/ I have 2 full weeks left to study sooooo scared! 60% is what should be aimed for right?

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I took the sample test #1 and scored a 54! Ugh :/ I have 2 full weeks left to study sooooo scared! 60% is what should be aimed for right?

the first time i did qbank was answer the sample test 1 and scored only 46%!!! yikes!!!! i was so done and feel dumb!! but as i go along my scores improved and stocked with a score of 57% in most on my Qbank test 50Questions. yes it should be 60% correct answer each test.

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I don't know what else to do. I've only done Q trainer 1 and 2 and sample test 1...

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@Ejay: Thanks for the information. In your opinion, do you think Kaplan Q-Bank questions are the same, easier, or harder compared to NCLEX questions?

@melai12: Yes, I rescheduled my exam to the following week (20th) because I am feeling like I am not ready yet....even though I score 62% average on my Q-Bank, I think I still need to go watch the Pharm section because that's one of my weaknesses.

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