Kaplan vs NCSBN NCLEX-RN Review

[jay4]

I am an older 30 year old male married with children who had very little if any experience other then nursing school in healthcare. I graduated from a much respected private university that had 98% of their grads pass the NCLEX the first time, according to the States statistics. Unlike many of my classmates, I had a hard time in nursing school. So I am not a smarty pants by any means.

NCSBN

If you lack the knowledge aspect of nursing this review will help. Reviews basic phys then goes through the related patho. Sometimes felt a little overwhelmed with info that did not seem to be important. There are some things in the review that could have been left out, like the word jumble.

The review is made up of 8 lessons corresponding to the content area of the NCLEX and a question and answer (Q&A) section. I can only speak about lesson 1, 2, 8 and the Q&A portions of the review because I did not complete the whole review. Each lesson is made up of several sections. At the end of each section there is a review of the section which was helpful in summarizing the section. Then at the end of the lesson there is a post test.

I started this review 2 weeks before taking the NCLEX again. My thinking was, since these people are basically in charge of the NCLEX then their questions should be similar to the NCLEX, NOT QUITE. I noticed the wording was different and at times confusing (I didn't know why the answer I picked was wrong). I concentrated on the Q&A section of the review and studied my weak areas according to the NCLEX-RN candidate report I got in the mail after I failed the NCLEX for the first time and the results from the Kaplan readiness report (which I will discuss later). The Q&A section only told you the reasoning for the correct answer and not why the other choices were wrong. It also did not tell you how you did overall or what areas you need to study/concentrate on. There was no way to go back and look at the answers to review. On top everything, the course has some technical glitches, such as accessing the glossary and access to Taber's online was not working, they said they were having technical problems... NICE. The pretest by NCSBN did nothing for me but tell me what questions I got wrong and what the correct answer was. It did not tell you your weak areas or how you did overall. Bottom-line, I don't think this course helped much, there is a reason why they don't offer a guarantee.

KAPLAN

Out of the two review courses I took I strongly recommend this review, at first the $500 seems a lot but think about the money your not earning if you don't pass, believe me I sure did after I did not pass, IT SUCKS.

The course book, the best review book out of all the books I have (Lippincott's Review for NCLEX-RN, Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX, Kaplan's NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam), the book has all the material you need to know to pass, no nonsense, no unneeded info. The only thing that Kaplan doesn't really review is drug calc, this I believe hurt me taking the NCLEX for the second time. Once I missed 1, I kept getting the same kinds of questions throughout the test...NOTE TO SELF...1kg = 2.2lbs not 1lb = 2.2kg...DAM IT! So yeah, don't forget the drug calc, matter of fact, I got the same kind of question again when I finally passed the test, nailed it and never saw another one like it.

Although the majority of the in-class portion of the review is just going over questions, the same questions you can go over yourself in the online portion of the review. The diagnostic and readiness tests are the most helpful, it tells you your weak areas and the questions are very similar to the NCLEX, unlike NCSBN, Kaplan tells you why the answer is correct and why the others are wrong. The readiness test, which you take during the second to last class, basically tells you if you're ready to take the NCLEX, from the 6 people I knew in the class, 5 scored above the borderline level and all passed the NCLEX within 1-2 weeks after the course, the other person scored just below the borderline level, he spoke with the instructor, studied more and took the NCLEX about 3 weeks later and passed. Keep in mind Kaplan's review course is very structured and if you follow their recommendations about how to complete the course you will pass the NCLEX, if I passed the NCLEX, you will too. Another important thing about Kaplan is that they have a guarantee, if you don't pass the NCLEX for the first time within 6 months of graduating nursing school they will refund your money. PLEASE LEARN FROM MY EXPERIENCE AND NOT GO THROUGH WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH. IT SUCKED!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

[AUS2USA]

Before you start to read my review of the two courses, let me tell you about myself. I am an older 30 year old male married with children who had very little if any experience other then nursing school in healthcare. I graduated from a much respected private university that had 98% of their grads pass the NCLEX the first time, according to the States statistics. Unlike many of my classmates, I had a hard time in nursing school. So I am not a smarty pants by any means. The reason why I am writing this review is because, just like you, you're searching the internet to see what people are saying about the two most popular NCLEX review courses out there, Kaplan and NCSBN. When I was looking around I really didn't find anything, so I hope this helps and points you in the right direction. Don't get caught up by reading the testimonies from the review courses websites, they are obviously going to tell you how good they are and not tell you what is bad about their course. So with this in mind here is my review of the courses.

NCSBN

If you lack the knowledge aspect of nursing this review will help. Reviews basic phys then goes through the related patho. Sometimes felt a little overwhelmed with info that did not seem to be important. There are some things in the review that could have been left out, like the word jumble.

The review is made up of 8 lessons corresponding to the content area of the NCLEX and a question and answer (Q&A) section. I can only speak about lesson 1, 2, 8 and the Q&A portions of the review because I did not complete the whole review. Each lesson is made up of several sections. At the end of each section there is a review of the section which was helpful in summarizing the section. Then at the end of the lesson there is a post test.

I started this review 2 weeks before taking the NCLEX again. My thinking was, since these people are basically in charge of the NCLEX then their questions should be similar to the NCLEX, NOT QUITE. I noticed the wording was different and at times confusing (I didn't know why the answer I picked was wrong). I concentrated on the Q&A section of the review and studied my weak areas according to the NCLEX-RN candidate report I got in the mail after I failed the NCLEX for the first time and the results from the Kaplan readiness report (which I will discuss later). The Q&A section only told you the reasoning for the correct answer and not why the other choices were wrong. It also did not tell you how you did overall or what areas you need to study/concentrate on. There was no way to go back and look at the answers to review. On top everything, the course has some technical glitches, such as accessing the glossary and access to Taber's online was not working, they said they were having technical problems... NICE. The pretest by NCSBN did nothing for me but tell me what questions I got wrong and what the correct answer was. It did not tell you your weak areas or how you did overall. Bottom-line, I don't think this course helped much, there is a reason why they don't offer a guarantee.

KAPLAN

Out of the two review courses I took I strongly recommend this review, at first the $500 seems a lot but think about the money your not earning if you don't pass, believe me I sure did after I did not pass, IT SUCKS.

The course book, the best review book out of all the books I have (Lippincott's Review for NCLEX-RN, Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX, Kaplan's NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam), the book has all the material you need to know to pass, no nonsense, no unneeded info. The only thing that Kaplan doesn't really review is drug calc, this I believe hurt me taking the NCLEX for the second time. Once I missed 1, I kept getting the same kinds of questions throughout the test...NOTE TO SELF...1kg = 2.2lbs not 1lb = 2.2kg...DAM IT! So yeah, don't forget the drug calc, matter of fact, I got the same kind of question again when I finally passed the test, nailed it and never saw another one like it.

Although the majority of the in-class portion of the review is just going over questions, the same questions you can go over yourself in the online portion of the review. The diagnostic and readiness tests are the most helpful, it tells you your weak areas and the questions are very similar to the NCLEX, unlike NCSBN, Kaplan tells you why the answer is correct and why the others are wrong. The readiness test, which you take during the second to last class, basically tells you if you're ready to take the NCLEX, from the 6 people I knew in the class, 5 scored above the borderline level and all passed the NCLEX within 1-2 weeks after the course, the other person scored just below the borderline level, he spoke with the instructor, studied more and took the NCLEX about 3 weeks later and passed. Keep in mind Kaplan's review course is very structured and if you follow their recommendations about how to complete the course you will pass the NCLEX, if I passed the NCLEX, you will too. Another important thing about Kaplan is that they have a guarantee, if you don't pass the NLEX for the first time within 6 months of graduating nursing school they will refund your money. PLEASE LEARN FROM MY EXPERIENCE AND NOT GO THROUGH WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH. IT SUCKED!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Hi Jay

I just recieved my quick resulta and it says i have failed.

I have used saunders 4rth edition and kaplan review course.

but i still dont know what happened??

Please help me with a strategy to prepare better next time .

please some one help me.

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

My word of caution here is: don't rely solely on any given method or book. Each book brings a piece of the puzzle. Kaplan strategies are good and they will help you with some of the questions. There are other type questions where the Kaplan tree does not work at all, and if you don't know the answer you get it wrong (every time). I like the NCSBN course but it also does not offer any guarantees. I think that the only guarantee you have is to score 75% in any and all questions you answer being them from kaplan, Hurst review, Lippincott or any other. The reason is that when you get to the test day the questions will be challenging, difficult and strange and nothing you ever seen. The second time I took the test the questions didn't look too much like the Kaplan at all, the pharmacology review from Kaplan is a far cry to what you will see in the test, I think their question bank is getting a little old. I think you should be prepared to answer any question, knowledge base, analysis, planning, priority, infection control, drug calculation and all the other categories.

80% of test takers pass the first time and will never have to deal with this but for the rest of us there is no magical solution but to know the whole story inside out.

[AUS2USA]

My word of caution here is: don't rely solely on any given method or book. Each book brings a piece of the puzzle. Kaplan strategies are good and they will help you with some of the questions. There are other type questions where the Kaplan tree does not work at all, and if you don't know the answer you get it wrong (every time). I like the NCSBN course but it also does not offer any guarantees. I think that the only guarantee you have is to score 75% in any and all questions you answer being them from kaplan, Hurst review, Lippincott or any other. The reason is that when you get to the test day the questions will be challenging, difficult and strange and nothing you ever seen. The second time I took the test the questions didn't look too much like the Kaplan at all, the pharmacology review from Kaplan is a far cry to what you will see in the test, I think their question bank is getting a little old. I think you should be prepared to answer any question, knowledge base, analysis, planning, priority, infection control, drug calculation and all the other categories.

80% of test takers pass the first time and will never have to deal with this but for the rest of us there is no magical solution but to know the whole story inside out.

Thank you so much for your advice.

I just have a question, did u pass when u took ncsbn?

what i steh difference between hurst , kaplan and NCSBN?

please let me know so that i can go for it this time.

[pcawiz]

I took the nclex 4 times. The first time I was flooded in my town/area and was unable to attend my testing time in Indianapolis. The flooding was all over CNN and people were being evacuated, yet pearson vue didn't allow me to retest without paying the full amount so they considered my absence a failure.

2nd time I failed at 75 questions about 90 days post nursing school graduation after prepping with ATI testing books and the Kaplan self study book.

The 3rd time 6 months after post graduation, I failed after answering 265 questions and studying "Nclex made incredibly easy."

So after 10 months post graduation I bit the bullet and paid the $500 to take the kaplan on site course for my 4th and last Nclex attempt. The material in class was identical to the stuff online. The only difference was the opportunity to ask questions. The strategies they mention about what the questions were looking for helped quite a bite and it is true the longer you wait after graduating, the more difficult the nclex test becomes.

Long story short, it is very likely that any prep course if any will help, but none will be the magic bullet. Taking the nclex right after graduation is the best chance of success you will have. I took the LPN nclex right after graduating, only answered 80 questions in 45 minutes and got my LPN license.

[AUS2USA]

Thank u for sharing your story. i am so inspired and also learnt that being confident is important.

As i said earlier i am a foriegn trained nure and graduate d 2 years ago!!!

I ma taking nclex for 2nd time now

[kristadee]

Kevin- so what advice do you have for someone who has waited over 2 years- I did take it this past March and failed, I signed up for Kaplan and loved it! I passed the diagnostics and end of course review above 75% and did 700 Qbanks, I took the nclex again in June and again failed ( I actually walked out of there thinking I passed, unlike most others) I have not been able to get myself into the mental realm of studying again until now. Any suggestions?? Should I try the Saunders book and signe up for Kaplan again (I don't qualify for the re-take course but I can pay $200 to get the online and qbank) HELP please!

[KAYBDT6, BSN, RN]

I used saunders and NCLEX 3500 for my review. It does help and result to minimum question. All the best!

[tammy86]

hello..im glad kaplan worked for you. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. I took it twice, and took the NCLEX twice and failed it both times. I dont understand how. I knew my content and was scoring in the high 60s and 70s on my practice tests and questions. When i took the actual NCLEX i found the questions to be NOTHING like Kaplans, at all. It was totally different. It really sucked. Now im just trying to find another way to study because Kaplan just didnt work for me

[caliotter3]

It wasn't necessarily Kaplan. The NCLEX is known to be unpredictable. People who are very well prepared fail it quite often. Just be persistent and you too will pass, Tammy.

[stefanie27]

I've also took the Kaplan review twice and failed the NCLEX both times afterwards. The first time using Kaplan I took the online review and the second time I took it in a classroom setting. I also was getting 70-80 percent on the qbank tests and I got 62 percent or higher on the other tests, which left me to wonder why I didn't pass. I'm not sure which route to take now. I've been out of college for a couple of years now, so I'm thinking of doing anything I can so I can pass it.

[fmAtoZ&backagain]

I think this review was made by Kaplan people, how is possible that person made 2 comments one with an extensive review... impossible.

[Alfie-RN]

I just found out I passed the nclex, It took me two times to pass. The first time I took it I did the Kaplan review and the readiness test and I scored a 63%- which gave me according to kaplan a 90% chance of passing. I took the exam in 215 questions and didn't feel confident at all coming out. I did the Pearson and vue trick and it took me to the credit card page and I still wouldn't believe it until I got my results in the mail. About ten days later I found out I failed and I just didn't know what to do:-{ But I had some great people in my life esp. my GF who helped me get back on the horse and start studying again. I did kaplan again since the membership is for three months and I finished it in one-two weeks including all of the Q-bank. I ordered Learning Ext. through the NCSBN and my GF bought me the saunders book. I went through both reviews and did all I could. I never studied so hard in my life..... not even in nursing school!!!! I would highly recommend the Learning Ext. because the review course is long.... but very helpful. The questions I feel are more closer to the NCLEX style then kaplan is. My second time taking the NCLEX I did all 265 questions and a total of 5 hours and 45 min in the testing center. I felt probably worse then ever but when I did the pearson and vue trick it took me to the pop up and I felt a little better. I just found out I passed, I am the happiest person in the world and I hope my story helps.

Personaly I liked learingext. and saunders better but the kaplan questions did help me so I feel its all up to the test taker. I'm from california and my state doesn't do quick results but I feel the pearson and vue trick works- as of my knowledge I haven't met any body or read in any forums that the trick doesn't work if that helps. Lastly, good luck to all of you, I prayed everyday and never gave up. I strongly urge all of you never to give up and keep trying- good luck:-}