Kaplan versus Nclec Questions

mazeRN · Feb 15, 2007

NCLEX questions are much harder than anything imaginable (to my experience. case to case though). But Kaplan questions are definitely of big help especially on critical thinking. Utilize Saunders for content and practise on Kaplan questions several weeks before the exam (and include a lot of prayers) and you will see good results. :smilecoffeecup:

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2007

I didn't take Kaplan's review, but I did use the question trainer because I liked the analysis at the end of each test. I thought Kaplan's format was very similar, but thought NCLEX had a much higher degree of difficulty than Kaplan. As far as actual study goes, I'm a big fan of Suzanne's plan & Saunders. Good luck to you! :)

Joanne1033 · Feb 15, 2007

I took Kaplan before the Nclex and (THANKFULLY) passed the Nclex the first time. I don't think the questions were similar ....i think the content for Nclex is kind of random. YET, I don't think I would have passed without Kaplan. The importance is the way they teach you to answer the question....to determine if the question is asking for assessment or intervention.....remember the ABC's....teach priorities.....the three "pains" that are not considered psychosocial.......and MOST IMPORTANT THE WAY KAPLAN TEACHES YOU to ELIMINATE the wrong answers.......to find the correct. ....INstead of simply choosing what you feel is correct. This definetely helped me answer questions correctly even when I was unfamiliar with the concept or content. Hope this helps. Joanne

Anjum · Feb 15, 2007

Thanks all it does help but pressure is on now. Keep me in prayers.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2007

I did not enroll in the Kaplan course. However, I purchased the Kaplan review book as an adjunct to the Saunders Comprehensive Review book. My opinion is that the Kaplan book helped me far more thany other review book I could have ever used. Most of the NCLEX questions were very similar to the scenarios found in the Kaplan review book.

Good luck!

Sheri257 · Feb 15, 2007

I wouldn't say the questions were exactly the same but I thought overall, questions were very similar. Even some of the content was very similar. Content I didn't see anywhere else but Kaplan ended up on the exam.

The whole time I was taking the exam I kept thinking ... geez, this is just like Kaplan. I went through half a dozen NCLEX guides and I feel Kaplan was the best prep bar none.

:typing

Sheri257 · Feb 15, 2007

... and MOST IMPORTANT THE WAY KAPLAN TEACHES YOU to ELIMINATE the wrong answers.......to find the correct. ....INstead of simply choosing what you feel is correct. This definetely helped me answer questions correctly even when I was unfamiliar with the concept or content. Hope this helps. Joanne

I agree. It teaches you not to panic if you don't know something right off the bat and, basically, game the test. And, it teaches you not to jump to what you immediately think is the right answer without checking everything else out out first.

As I've said before, I can't say enough good things about Kaplan. It does live up to the hype. Worth every penny, IMO.

:typing

Narine · Feb 16, 2007

I wouldn't say the questions were exactly the same but I thought overall, questions were very similar. Even some of the content was very similar. Content I didn't see anywhere else but Kaplan ended up on the exam.
The whole time I was taking the exam I kept thinking ... geez, this is just like Kaplan. I went through half a dozen NCLEX guides and I feel Kaplan was the best prep bar none.
:typing

Lizz...What type of Kaplan preparation did you use and what was the price?

How much time it took ? I did call to Kaplan nursing they said they have 3 month courses only.I thought to take smth for 1 month.

I have Kaplan's book for strategy...Do you think it would be enough ?

Sheri257 · Feb 16, 2007

I thought the strategy book was very good but, once I got into it, I felt I really needed to understand their testing approach better and do a lot more practice questions. I also wanted to do their content review because, even though I had done a lot of review already, I thought theirs was better.

So, I bought both the online course and the Q bank. With the online course you don't need to worry about going to any classes.

It was very expensive ... $350 for the course, which includes the Question Trainer and a lot of other stuff ... and $350 for the Q bank. A lot of times you can get hospitals to pay for at least some of it but, I didn't have that option with my future employer.

Nevertheless, I do feel it was worth every penny. I wish I had started with Kaplan from the beginning.

:typing

Narine · Feb 16, 2007

.....

Narine · Feb 16, 2007

Thanks Lizz....but I am so pressed for time to take 3-4 month course.