Kaplan, Saunders, Hurst??? What/which/how should I do this?

robyn226 · Aug 13, 2010

I took Kaplan before my 1st attempt at NCLEX...did all the q's and scoring where was needed. Took 265 and failed.

This time I borrowed a Hurst review book from a friend who attended the live class. I read in cover to cover and feel it REALLY helped!! It is all content but not overwhelming. It is done in note format...they give you a little info and then a blank you fill in so you have to keep up with what's going on in class. I also used the LaCharity book, Lippincott's Alternate Format Questions book, and took notes off the Random Facts thread here. Took 265 AGAIN but passed!! :yeah:

I am terrible at second guessing myself, changing answers, and having high test anxiety! I managed to keep all that under control this time and it worked in my favor. Good luck to you and I know you'll PASS!!

caliotter3 · Aug 16, 2010

Suggest you give yourself more time. You will have to choose the resource that looks best for you. Many people use Saunders Comprehensive Review, but if you think another is better for your purposes, you should go with that one. Take some time to look them over in the bookstore.

I_See_You_RN · Aug 17, 2010

I think I liked the saunders. the huge book of just questions and answers. they really get you into test mode and the explanations for the questions is all you need. I think their other one that actually has chapter reviews gives way too much info and is a bit of a waste of time. I used that,... scored within the 75-83% range, and passed no problem. (Their questions are easier than kaplan, but more reflective of what will be on the test IMO)

Bornleader-NP-C · Aug 17, 2010

im doing all 3, i hope this helps cause i spend all of my time studying

AMN2010 · Aug 17, 2010

Hurst is GREAT for content. Pretty much ALL you need to know the most of is in that workbook, but no infection control. There is some stuff on their website but it really doesnt help at all. All you need to know about that is the sweetmya that has been on numerous threads. Kaplan is great for the "HOW's" like How to answer the question and how to reword it, etc. Lacharity is great for delegation! 3 books seems like a lot, but they all focus on different things. but i studied for just a week the second time. 6 hours a day and felt 100% confident walking in there and passed with 90. (The first time i took it in June i only did hurst and got 265 and failed). Saunders is just overwhelming to me! It's SOOOO much and so small print. Whew it scared me, i did dable into the practice questions though. :) I hope this helps!

lizettern · Aug 17, 2010

I used Lippincott the first time I took the test and answered 265 questions but failed(I guess I was not really serious that time.) The second time... I' ve read the saunders 4th edition from cover to cover and answered the test questions at the end of each chapter. I practiced answering the CD for the last 2 weeks ( about 100- 200 questions each day)before taking the exams and thank GOD I passed. I' ve got a tip from this websites that answering nclex question is like practicing how to take blood pressure, the more practice you do the more you will get the correct blood pressure, just like in answering the test, the more you practice answering questions the more you will be confident in getting the right answer... I hope this help...

phat · Aug 18, 2010

I'm using the Saunder's Compre Review right now and I find it helpful for refreshment since it was 2 years already since I graduated. Also planning to use La Charity and Kaplan Strategies. Some of my friends, who passed, say its a good combo plus the random fact throwing in this website. Let's do our part, study hard and leave the rest to God.