I cant afford Kaplan! Help!

hi there.. im trying to find review materials that can be helpful for nclex rn.. all i have at the moment is saunders compre book 4th ed.. i cant afford the kaplan review.. i was thinking of buying the exam cram coz many members here are suggesting it.. but i found out that there is an exam cram book and another exam cram questions book i think.. what's the difference? or the saunder's Q&A.. which one's better? i do not have the luxury to but every book available.. help!

Hi there!

Exam Cram has two different types of books:

Quick Content Review with Practice Questions: NCLEX-RN Exam Cram (2nd Edition)

JUST Practice Questions (5 chapters worth = 250 questions each) with CD that has an NCLEX simulator test: NCLEX-RN Practice Questions (2nd Edition) (Exam Cram)

These two are very helpful in learning how to answer NCLEX style questions and they are very similar to the actual exam. I didn't use kaplan either and focused on Exam Cram & Saunder's 4th edition. If you feel that you have a good content base then I suggest you start practicing with either exam cram and/or Saunder's. that way, you'll get yourself into test mode and ready for the big day!

Also look at Kaplan's $25.00 book for test-taking strategies. It's a Kaplan course without paying too much money!

Kaplan NCLEX-RN Exam 2010 with CD-ROM: Strategies for the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam

Good Luck Studying!

NurseThis21, BSN, RN

UIC Alumna

Yes i am using exam cram practice questions and i started on the cd i tell i love it. it really is like the nclex. I have the kaplan book as well but only for test taking tips, also hurst book review is good as well. If you used saunders and exam cram keep practicing you will be ready for the test. Nclex 4000 and nclex 3500 I have done in the pass and it really help me with content and answering excram questions.

thanks for all your input.. i guess i'll try to get the exam cram books.. im also planning to do the ncsbn learning extension for 3 weeks.. is it worth it? im presently trying to device a study plan i can really stick to.. planning to take the test maybe oct or november.. since i haven't gotten the time to really focus.. i have a two year old and an army husband to keep me busy.. not to mention that he's going to be deployed this october.. i really hope 2-3 hours a day can do it for me.. im not trying to rush the exam but getting it done asap is wonderful too.. i hope to pass the exam like everybody else.. goodluck to all of us..:wink2:

i couldn't afford kaplan (or any other review course that costs hundreds of dollars) either. i studied on my own and passed the first try. trust yourself!! i bought a couple of review books on half.com and amazon.com. all of them looked brand new when i got them in the mail but cost much less than buying them at places like barnes&nobles. not saying there's anything wrong w/ buying from bookstores like that but when you're tight on money like me you have to go the cheaper route :)

anywho..try saunders comprehensive nclex review book. it's big and blue and that thing is godsent. seriously. i also used the prioritization book by lacharity and a lippincott review book.

and look through the thread "random fact throwing." i tried to read a few posts on that thread every day before taking nclex. i really think that helped me pass bc the posts(most of them) are simple sentences that stick in your head on various topics.

good luck.

Check the internet for other free study software.

These questions with rationales may help you!

http://online.medspub.com/meds/use-online-product.ashx?token=A53DAF82-7D36-4BAC-9DA0-C1214191A463

You must use only the exact link -- so if you bookmark it you need to copy this link location for that because once you get to the site the address bar shows a different address. I wish you the best of luck! I know how it is to be poor and need to study so you can get a job and start being able to pay bills!

Hi there! I just would like to asked your permision if I could use this link you posted on this thread for me to utilized with and use to prepare for the nclex, that is if that's alright with you. I have failed the exam twice already and I would really like to pass my next take and I can't afford to buy hurst nor kaplan either. I do have ncsbn for 3 weeks i purchased other than that I truly can't afford kaplan's $299 Q bank nor online course. I'm very much broke ti'll i get a job.