Kaplan?

Metabaronx · Nov 21, 2008

Actually, I am going to do it. For now, I'm going to study more content and learn what Kaplan has for test taking strategies.

What was your experience with Kaplan like? I've had to coworkers talk very highly of them and even credit them with helping them pass the NCLEX on their first try.

JeepDudeRN · Nov 21, 2008

I have been following Suzanne's plan. I finished the first tip, and am working on the others. That was all I was planning on doing. On Wednesday, our Director informed my class that the school has payed for the Kaplan review in it's entirety for all of us. It was very unexpected, since it is $500 per person. We are to go to a 4 day class and also receive all the online questions and trainers as well. I wasnt going to do it, because it is so expensive, but since it is paid for now, I am considering it. I would really like to hear from people who have taken it, both the pro's and cons. :uhoh3:

suzanne4, RN · Nov 22, 2008

Please do not do it along with my program. It is not a good fit with mine and their rationales are completely different from what I use. If it is done with mine, then it is no longer my program that one did.

Your choice, but I would decline this nice offer from your school.

heavensent88_RN · Nov 22, 2008

I am following 1st tip of Suzanne's plan now and I am also planning to attend Kaplan NCLEX-RN Live Review (Complete Course) this December in Dallas too.

JeepDudeRN · Nov 22, 2008

Thank you so much for replying Suzanne! I am going to stick with yours. Why fix what isnt broken, right?

oceanbird · Nov 28, 2008

Another course that begins with a K but is very different is the Kellermann NECESSARY NCLEX. It is unbellievalbe. I did the Kaplan and found it boring!

I flunked the test. I should have stayed home and just read or did questions.THat is what the instructor for Kaplan did.

SO I stumbled on the NECESSARY NCLEX in NY. Oustanding. that presenter in NY is the lady who founded the course in 1997 ( I think).

SHe is not only a terrific speaker but uses somthing called right brain learning and a stick figure "Kellerman schematic"

I tell you well worth the money for 400.00 bills. Plus if you fail she gives you all your money back......WHO DOES THAT????with no strings or fine print.

Take NECESSARY NCLEX....it was to the point creative, interactive and I think really long days but I AM A RN NOW. It was necessary to take this review.

Good luck everyone. :nurse: :clown::bowingpur

labrador4122, RN · Nov 29, 2008

I have been following Suzanne's plan. I finished the first tip, and am working on the others. That was all I was planning on doing. On Wednesday, our Director informed my class that the school has payed for the Kaplan review in it's entirety for all of us. It was very unexpected, since it is $500 per person. We are to go to a 4 day class and also receive all the online questions and trainers as well. I wasnt going to do it, because it is so expensive, but since it is paid for now, I am considering it. I would really like to hear from people who have taken it, both the pro's and cons.

:up: Go for it!!!!!! you are so lucky that your school is offering the kaplan course to all of you students! I had to pay for mine out of pocket, but my school offered the Hesi review--which was not very good, a waste of 3 days.

To me, kaplan really helped me answer the questions, and the strategies really help when answering questions that you don't know the answer to. It helped me prioritize, and helped me break down the answer to two answers then choose the best one.

I did EVERYTHING that kaplan came with, including watching their content videos online that took forever--I did that at least twice, read the book like 3 times, and did the q-bank & tests at least twice.

and also I listened to helen feuer in the car--- and when I was sick of doing kaplan, I would do questions from my nursing school colection of nclex-rn review guides.

I don't think that I would have passed without kaplan--- maybe it's just me being a worry wart, or anxious about NOT passing the test-- that in my heart, I knew that I had to do everything I did to pass.

go and do kaplan, and do everything that comes with the program, and practice their strategies on any question you see.... and go for it!

:nurse:

labrador4122, RN · Nov 29, 2008

Thank you so much for replying Suzanne! I am going to stick with yours. Why fix what isnt broken, right?

Jeepdude, I would definitely suggest to try the kaplan. It is an amazing program that will teach you how to answer critical thinking questions.

Reading and doing questions from saunder's can only help so much- with detailed information that the nclex doesn't ask for---

Kaplan questions have a lot of priority, select all that apply & critical thinking that you will get so used to by the time you are done with the program that the nclex-rn exam will seem like any other kaplan exam.

you choose what you whatever its best for your learning needs, but in my opinion, nothing beats kaplan. :nurse:

*SS* · Nov 30, 2008

I took the Kaplan Complete and unfortunately I found the course to be confusing. I tend to overanalyze things anyway. I'm sure I learned a few things from it and I did find the prioritization questions very helpful but the rest of it didn't seem very useful or applicaple to the actual NCLEX exams that I have taken.

I'm currently using the Saunders and feel that although it seems incredibly simple and straight forward it is more like the 2 actual NCLEX tests that I took. I wish I would have used it sooner. I also think the Saunders book layout is more user friendly than the kaplan book that comes with the course.

I only used the Kaplan to prep for those 2 tests and failed. I also noticed alot of inconsistencies with Kaplan and this ultimately just confused me.

Ultimately we all learn differently so you need to figure out what is best for you and what feels right.

Good Luck!

PG-15, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Dec 1, 2008

From what I know Kaplan is very good for strategy, whilst saunders is very good for content. The may class students that took kaplan all passed from my school. I just signed up for kaplan today, won't be taking the class til january since school won't be over til december, 16th. So go for it.