Kaplan scores and nclex

smn2010, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

57-62% is actually pretty good with kaplan. kaplan would like for their students to receive 65% on their diagnostic/readiness/q-bank questions which reflects a 95% pass ratio for the nclex/state boards. at this point, since your state board exam is only a few days away....just be comfortable with your nursing "content." also, after today, put your books away :bugeyes: and try to relax before you take your boards on thursday. good luck! you will do fine!

PDXSammy · Feb 10, 2009

I used Kaplan and Saunders books after graduation and didn't pass the first time. Then a fellow student who took the Kaplan course said that the instructor mentioned "off the record" during a break to go with Saunders. So I picked up a 2nd Saunders book and concentrated only on Saunders for the second go around and didn't pass. Then I picked up a copy of NCLEX-RN for Dummies, read it cover to cover and did the entire test on the CD and passed the NCLEX on the 3rd try. Since you don't have enough time to get through the Dummies book, here are a few hints that I learned from that book that helped quite a bit: #1 DO NOT go with your first choice right away unless you're absolutely, totally 100% positive it's the correct answer. Like if you were answering the question "What color is an Orange?" #2 - Pay very close attention to EVERY word in the question. Don't read ANYTHING extra into what's being asked. #3 - Think through each of the selections....as in "What are the consequences of this choice?" #4 - Keep Maslow, ABC's, and safety in mind at all times. I know this is basic stuff...but in retrospect, I feel that I slacked on these issues the first two tries. I was a solid B student all through NS, and blew through the NCLEX the first two times, thinking it was pretty easy, only to be devastated when I got THE ENVELOPE in the mail. I wish you the best of luck on Thursday. It'll feel almost surreal to suddenly be able to put those letters after your name.

geocachingRN · Feb 11, 2009

I was just like you; an A-B student, 55-62 on qbank, 62 on Q7. I did the entire qbank and ONLY the qbank to study not even looking at the kaplan book. It worried me because I knew I had gaps in my knowledge and I really wanted to reschedule so I could study those. My boyfriend, who went through the program with me and does not have test anxiety said I should just take the NCLEX anyway and can always take it again if I fail. I went in last week with the expectation that I would fail at 75 questions and then I would take it again in a month or so. Well, I passed with 190 questions and I had questions all over the board. My advise is review the lab values, relax and when it is done, do what YOU need to do to relax. For me, I started looking at Saunders, not so much to start reviewing again, but I wanted to fill in the gaps in my knowledge to be a better nurse. Even thinking I would fail didn't cause me to fail so I encourage you to go for it!

Good luck to you. :redpinkhe

darlak07 · Feb 15, 2009

what about the new format questions? how many did you get and how hard are they? i am freaking out about them because you get no credit if you partially get it right

Tamstermb · Feb 16, 2009

I passed!!! Me, my best friend and her husband all went last Thursday and walked out of there feeling like we had learning nothing in nursing school. We all passed. I got 120 questions, Heather got over 200 and Micheal 75. We all took kaplan and I guess all those questions helped and that that information is somewhere packed up in our heads. I felt like I was quessing on my questions and so did they. We thought about studing the night before but ended up relaxing and giving our brains a rest. Good luck to everyone getting ready to take it. Don't stress if you leave the test feeling like a failure because from what I see thats how everyone feels.

strivin4it · Feb 17, 2009

congatulations! most of my friends used kaplan and saunders, and they passed, too.. as for me, i have read both books and i'll also try suzanne's plan.

rectal itch · Feb 19, 2009

I'm an older guy (43) and I find myself learning testing and forgetting evrything after i move on to the next test. I now have 9 weeks to go and am going into patient management tomorrow. i'm freaking out because i can't even remember the most basic of things and i have to manage care of 6 patients.... does anyone else have this problem? what can i do to help myself get through this? what about the nclex exam i have to take......HELP!!!!!

PDXSammy · Feb 19, 2009

I know what you mean about forgetting material right after the test! As far as keeping track of 6 patients - get organized now! Use your favorite patient organization sheets and keep lots of notes as you go. If you don't have a favorite sheet yet, use a variety and by noon you'll know which ones you like and don't like. The basic stuff will come back as soon as you need to do vs on the first of the 6 patients. Ask for help if when you start getting backed up. I had a tough time keeping track of med times with 4 patients, but what finally helped was to actually write out the meds and times on the org sheet, and keeping the org sheets stapled together in order of the patient rooms. I caught myself wasting WAY too much time shuffling loose papers, post-it's and index cards. Do you graduate in June and take the NCLEX asap after graduation? Much congrats on getting as far as you have. Nursing school is brutal!! It took me 3 tries to finally pass the NCLEX. The first go around I studied Kaplan, the second time Saunders and the third time NCLEX-RN for Dummies. I came out of all 3 attempts feeling as though the test wasn't that difficult, and was shocked and devastated when I got the no pass letter a few days after testing 2 times. Try to relax, TOTALLY DISECT every word of every question and don't read any more into the question than what's actually being asked. Keep in mind Maslow's hiearchy, ABC's, and patient safety at all times. DO NOT go with what you think is the obvious answer...your first choice....unless the question is something like "What color is an orange?" What I did differently on the last attempt was to think about the consequences of each of the selections before choosing one. You'll do fine...and know you aren't alone if you don't pass the first or second time. Best of luck with juggling 6 patients and the NCLEX. It'll all be a memory before you know it and you'll have that license in your hand.