Kaplan or Saunders...it might be too late?

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hi everyone...most people have been using the saunders comprehensive book and i am about to finish the kaplan course book. i am worried because people say the saunders is so much better and the kaplan sucks...but i am really anxious and not sure if i should go out and buy a saunders comprehensive book. i am planning to buy the kaplan q bank and do more questions...i did the diagnostic test for saunders comprehensive cd at my friends house and i did 74%, and it was so great it even gave a schedule plan on what chapters to read from the book for about 6 weeks.

i already sent out my application to CGFNS for the CES because i am a foreign grad and it will take about 4 weeks. i work too as a CNA at night and i get exhausted so much but i try to maximize my time...and like i said i already read the kaplan book...about 85% of it and focused on the main subjects that they question most...i feel like its straight to the point and is very detailed in the important aspects of certain diseases.

do you think i should just continue and keep going at it? im about to do question trainer 4 on kaplan and i got 64%, 60% anf 57% on prevous question trainers...this is so stressing me out! i would never forgive myself if i failed knowing i should have read saunders instead of kaplan! =( please someone help!

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Specializes in CCU.

Kaplan and Saunders really helped me pass NCLEX RN.:nurse: I read the Saunder's 3rd Edition book and used Kaplan Q-bank and Q-trainers. I give two thumbs up for both.:up::up: I used Kaplan book too and it helped me narrow meds and disorders. Kaplan are much summarized/brief than Saunders. Goodluck to you.. when are you taking your test?

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im planning to schdule my exam around end of may or june...i still have some time and im planning to buy the kaplan q bank...

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I was wondering do you recommend Kaplan or Saunders...?

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i think they are both helpful in their own ways. i consider them the best reviewers out there.

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hi, hopingtobeanrnsoon. i used saunders 4th edition as my basic read it cover to cover, kaplan for strategies, and ncsbn learning extension as my basis of questions... and it really worked for me. i passed the test and ended up at 75q. i thought i failed. but i made it. so just hang in there and pray. i know you'll do well in your test. good luck...:nurse::nurse:

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Just make sure that you spend enough time doing questions and studying the rationales. Relax the day before and maintain a positive outlook. Wishing you good luck.

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i used both. i got the Saunders book since i wanted to have a comprehensive review (i'm a foreign grad). i used the Kaplan strategies book and Kaplan online so i can practice answering critical thinking type of questions. i did 88% on the saunders cd and about 60% average on the kaplan questions hehe. i didn't read the kaplan course book but i used it as my guide while watching the kaplan videos. both are good! i also thought i failed, i got 75q. just keep practicing :)

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i have read most of the kaplan course book already and i am wondering if it will just confuse me more if i go out and buy the saunders comprehensive and start reading all over again, it took me about 1 -2 months to finish the kaplan course book because i work too. as i said i started doing the kaplan question trainers, about 2 a week. i have the comprehnsive saunders cd but i mainly use it for info...learning alot on it and it seems like saunders is good in giving content but if i go out and start reading the saunders it will be information overload for me! please help

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
i have read most of the kaplan course book already and i am wondering if it will just confuse me more if i go out and buy the saunders comprehensive and start reading all over again, it took me about 1 -2 months to finish the kaplan course book because i work too. as i said i started doing the kaplan question trainers, about 2 a week. i have the comprehnsive saunders cd but i mainly use it for info...learning alot on it and it seems like saunders is good in giving content but if i go out and start reading the saunders it will be information overload for me! please help

Use your Saunders CD and do the questions on it. The key in my opinion for the exam is practising answering questions and making sure you understand what the question is asking. Read the rationale

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

I absolutely LOVE kaplan's strategies. To me they have the best test-taking tips of any book I have looked at so far. I have Kaplan, Saunders, Prentice hall's comprehensive review book and all the individual subjects that prentice hall offers, and cram exam. Kaplan is my favorite for strategies and prentice hall is my favorite for questions. I'm still in school and don't graduate until mid-June but that's just my opinion.

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Use your Saunders CD and do the questions on it. The key in my opinion for the exam is practising answering questions and making sure you understand what the question is asking. Read the rationale

i have been doing that too, its really good for practicing and getting information, it points out the inportant things to learn. the maternal health is the kaplan didnt give much info but when i did that topic on the saunders cd, i got more information and it got more clear. i also did the assessment test and it gave a schedule in the end, im working on it now...thank you...

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