Kaplan

SuzieQ84 · Dec 31, 2007

I took the NCLEX-RN in May 2007 after using Kaplan online and passed; however, I know of a number of students who used Kaplan and did not pass. In my opinion, Kaplan review is not a magic bullet but it is a great tool for review. I worked through almost all of the questions, aimed for an overall 90%, and always read the rationales on the questions I missed. I also used the Kaplan course book to review. I purchased several other RN review books with CDs, but I still liked Kaplan the best.

labrador4122, RN · Dec 31, 2007

Has anyone heard of many people failing that go through the KAPLAN course. I'm studying right now online using KAPLAN and I dont feel any more confident than i did before...
Anyone out there that has taken KAPLAN and what were your results? How did you feel about it after?

to me, kaplan was a great program. However, I took advantage of my $400 bucks and I did everything that came with the course, read the book a few times, watched the videos once, and redid the questions untill I had "incorrect:0 questions"... And it also helped to have a place to get out of the house to go and study. I would drop off the baby at my moms, and the center was not even 10mins away. I spent countless hours at the center, I told on quite a few people who ate in the computer room ... which is not allowed!... yes I was a freak in studying. I studied along side with other people who were studying for their medical boards, and one time I told on one of them because she comes in the computer room, and I am doing my "mock NCLEX" and she comes in with a brand new coke can, and a rice crispies bar, and she opens the can, and takes a sip and says "ahhhh"........... hello! I am studying at the study center not at a starbucks!....so I went and told on her, and she stopped eating. THere are signs on every computer station not to have food or drinks in the computer or study room.

and when I was in the study room, it's supposed to be quiet without PC's and I was studying, and there was a person there "clickity click clickity click" and I went over to see what she was doing, and she was in an IM chat room!!! the nerve!! so I went and told on her, and they kicked her out.

a snicker's bar that doesn't make any noise does not bother me, but when people don't think about others does.

and I spent money $400 for kaplan, to go to a place where I am not distracted, away from the baby... to study, not to hear peope munching on their food, or listening to them say "ahhh" when they drink a coke.

I was very respectful when I was there, one time, the only computer available had crumbs of food .... and I went to the front desk, got a windex and paper towel and cleaned it myself.

The kaplan center was awesome, my regards were always taken care off by the staff there. Rain or shine I was always there studying.

The month before my test, I decided not to go any more to the kaplan center. I studied at home, and droped the baby off at my mom's...... I listened to feuer one more time, did questions from feuer booklets (not all of them, because kaplan was better), from alice stein,... and that's basically it.

but thru the whole craziness that was my life when I was studying... I passed first time.

$400 for kaplan

$200 for pearson

$190 for the state

$49 for ncsbn

$24 for parking at the university for kaplan classes

$35 for the little kaplan book

$8 for the flash card book

------OMG! I invested a lot of money!! but it was a good investment.

I really liked kaplan. It helped me pass.... because I did everything that came with the course.

I know some people didn't even do all the questions and they passed, but that is a chance that I wasn't willing to take.

oh yeah, ncsbn site sucks! it was a waste of money. The questions are simple, with simple answers. I felt that kaplan was more challenging, the people from kaplan said that they bought the questions from the people who write the test questions. I don't know if that is true, but the questions resembled more of the real nclex.

IrishItalianRN · Dec 31, 2007

You sound like a big tattle tale! LOL

J/K I would probably have done the same thing if it was breaking my concentration. Im not going to the test center but I start the class on Jan 14th and I am currently working on all the online tools.

I too plan to get my money's worth. I'm just afraid it won't be enough... SCARY! :uhoh3:

iel21 · Dec 31, 2007

I just recently passed using Kaplan. It was my second take and Kaplan really helped me a lot! I read the kaplan course book once, & together with that I used Saunders book if I needed more detailed infos. I didn't really get to watch all the videos online. I felt really sleepy listening to it. But I answered all the test questions.. qbank & qtrainer. The practice questions are very helpful so I suggest you answer all the test questions. Then read all the rationales afterwards..right or wrong. Also use their strategies..it may not work in all questions but still try to use their test taking rules and strategies coz it helped me when i seem to be so helpless in answering a question so unknown to me. oh btw, i took my exam with 75qs and i felt so confident that i passed and i did. i even got 1 question i had from kaplan. just remember when you're doing practice questions..understand the rationales. Kaplan is a great tool for studying..it will just depend on how you will use it. if you need anything i'll be glad to help you. Goodluck & Godbless!

rmfrier · Dec 31, 2007

I recommend KAPLAN. I went to the classes and did all of the question bank with an average of 58%. In the question bank trainer questions, I averaged anywhere from 59% to 65%. I also did an additional 1500 NCLEX questions or so from other sources. When I went to KAPLAN they give you a diagnostic test the first day and that was a 61% for me and the readiness test on the last day (they want you to be 65% or above) was a 67%. They said I was ready to take the NCLEX. I took it the next week and passed. No matter how much you prepare, you will still think you didn't do well on the NCLEX. Just remember 85% of people that take the NCLEX pass. Just read the rationale on all questions that you miss and this will help you learn the material that you are weak in. You will do fine. Good luck!

IrishItalianRN · Dec 31, 2007

Ive just finished the test strategy parts of the videos and Im already feeling better. Those are really helpfull. Thanks for your comments... I will do all the questions they offer! I also have the saunders books that I will use when I'm finished...

Thanks again you guys!

labrador4122, RN · Dec 31, 2007

You sound like a big tattle tale! LOL
J/K I would probably have done the same thing if it was breaking my concentration. Im not going to the test center but I start the class on Jan 14th and I am currently working on all the online tools.
I too plan to get my money's worth. I'm just afraid it won't be enough... SCARY!

he he hehe, I am a big tattle tale!! he he

you gotta do what you gotta do. I went to the study center to get away from the distractions at home, and to hear people munching and clicking away when they were not supposed to... no way. I payed for being there, so I deserve quietness like I was promised!

but anyways, DO EVERYTHING! VIDEOS, BOOK, Questions...untill you get them all right