My Review of the Review courses, LOL

[nurse826]

One of the hardest thing for me was how to prepare for my NCLEX exam. Our school did not have a required review course, but we did have some options. The big thing was the constant reminder to take it ASAP.

I received a discount on the Kaplan review course, and thought they would be good because they have a money back guarantee. I signed up for the face to face class. Teacher was great! There was no content that would be studied in the face to face class, it was just going over questions and using the Kaplan decision tree to answer them. I did like the course and there was great online material, but I found the Videos very cumbersome to watch. There were some good tips in them, but honestly, I didn't get through all of them because it was painfully boring.

I also decided to purchase the actual Kaplan review book, instead of using the provided electronic version. It had a lot of review material in it and I used it as a guide to the videos. I started to become frustrated as I did the practice questions. My grade was going down with each practice questions, and not up. I started at over 60% successfully answered questions, and ended at 44% right before the test.

I know I hadn't completed everything in the course, but took the NCLEX early enough that I thought I would still have memory from nursing school. After taking the NCLEX, I did not feel that the Kaplan questions were anything like the Nclex. The Kaplan questions were harder for me than the NCLEX.

I failed! 265 questions through, and I failed. I was devastated, angry, confused, and even doubted myself. I decided to get over it, and go ahead and plan for a solution. Many of my classmates were talking about the NCSBN Learning Extension Review course and they liked it. So I signed myself up for an 8 Week course.

I printed the corresponding course curriculum, and actually filled in the dates that I should be working on the materials. NCSBN was a true self study, but the 8 week program did give me a base without feeling like I was killing myself. This was very different than the Kaplan program. The NCSBN program did not have a decision tree or test taking strategy attached to it. It focused on content and practice questions.

Practice questions gave you a solid rational, and the "pre-questions" gave you a simple reinforcement of the content material. I also loved the fact that it had relaxation techniques, study tips, and links to sites to help you get a real world view on things like Diabetes, and depression. I honestly feel that I got a good base of tools to help my future patients.

From day one, I realized that the practice questions were exactly like the NCLEX. This helped me tremendously. It made me more confident in answering the questions. I also supplemented the information with the SAUNDERS NCLEX Review.

For test-taking strategies, I used Saunders NCLEX Test taking book (think I have the title wrong). That book was a great tool to help me eliminate answers. It also would have been great to have while I was in Nursing school.

Took the NCLEX again, and the computer turned off in 75 questions. I PASSED!!!

Just a side note, we all have different opinions on the many different review courses out there. Make sure you study them, and use one that works with YOUR learning style. I wasn't happy with Kaplan, but others love it. But I did love the decision tree.

I will also tell you that if you do not find a program that you are motivated to do, then studying becomes even more stressful. Make sure you find what works for you, and then put the time and effort into it. NCLEX is not just about knowing the material, it's about self confidence and managing your focus under pressure. Learn to control your stress, and believe you can do it.

[cmj806]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am taking a 5 week course with NCSBN, I heard the same thing about Kaplan!