Kaplan or ATI

ATI is easier than kaplan but can help you with core content. I think Kaplan is pretty good though depending on how you use it. I used both by reviewing all the online videos along with the course book. I highlighted every page and made sure I understood concepts. Once you understand concepts, you will be able to make educated guesses through process of elimination and be right even if you are unsure...How were you scoring on your qbanks and qtrainers?

According to Kaplan, people who fail are those who are unable to get through all the qbanks and qtrainers. Saunders Q&A and LaCharity are good books to have in addition to Kaplan. But please take time out to answer atleast 90% of the qbanks and all Qtrainers if you can. You can even finish the qbanks and still answer questions you have already done. My instructor told me it reinforces what you already know and you would be surprised not to score a 100%. He was right because The highest I ever got by redoing the questions over was an 88...I took mine just this past Thursday and passed and I can say following Kaplan guide, helped me alot. Review questions you get wrong and if you don't know them look them up...Good luck with your studying.

I failed my first attempt...I did Kaplan online the first time. I'm wondering should I re-register for Kaplan or get my refund and register for ATI?

Also, has anybody asked for the refund and is it difficult?

My opinion comes from someone who spent an extra year in Nursing with horrible grades on almost every HESI

Kaplan was a joke.

I didn't even use their decision tree and passed 75 questions in under 45 minutes. At first I thought their decision tree was awesome until I began getting questions wrong because "the decision did not apply there" or "yes it's an airway answer but it's not the best answer" . Their questions are hard, their rationales are short and convoluted, and all they did was cause me headaches. I only recommend Kaplan if you are 100% sure on core content, the review book they send you wasn't too shabby either. Since you took Kaplan I guess you can agree. Get your refund is what I would do.

i understand egeffnerrn i am not sure if i agree since i have not taken the test yet. there are many upset with them (kaplan), i feel frustrated with the questions, they are good, but i am not sure i will be able to review all the material is necessary, i must say its clear to me that you really need to see all the rationales, like any other review, including the ones you did right since they have additional information.

now, i seen some people adjust better with other reviews, reviews for me give you a guide to follow, therefore, you have to take a system, which ever you feel comfortable. i think you did not took full advantage, but maybe is not the system for you.

next, how bad you have know the nursing content, doing questions without knowing the content is a waste of time, in my humble opinion. some people want to do miracles without knowing the basics, i am sorry, you need to concentrate in the content. i know some people pass without studying, or 1-2 wks and post “i pass without studying” well great for them, but most of us need to study, and that depends on you and how well you did in your prep tests. if is content, review more than once your kaplan book (form the class, no the one you can buy) and saunders.

if i was you i will try hurst, no the book, the review with web where you can go slowly. complement with lacharity and the saunders.

bottom line: i am ambivalent to recommend kaplan, online review nobody returns you emails, most people love it, maybe they are working for kaplan, some reviews look scripted maybe you need to take a different approach, time is money, but you have to spend time and money, that is a fact of life. most importantly you have to find what works for you, but please don't get too wrapped up in test scores

simple strategies on test, begin by doing 100 questions per day, no more, no less. remember to review each rationale, it will be taking up more time, but is critical.

if you do questions by book, start with chapter 1, go to the end of the chapter and do the review questions. if you get greater than 75%, go onto the next chapter, and start the process again. at any time that you get less than the 75% or do not feel comfortable with the material, then read the chapter from the beginning.

best wishes!

Congratulations!

The only thing that I think kaplan helped me with was getting ready for taking many questions. I never did the qbank questions and only did 1,2,3,4, and 6 of the q trainers. I took the nclex yesterday and found out i passed today. I felt that the kaplan questions were WAY more difficult than the actual nclex. Something that can't be stressed enough though, if you dont know the content, nothing is going to help you. So I would get ATI or saunders and just answer question after question and read every rational.

I did ATI AND I purchased the kaplan question bank. ATI helped me with content, however, the questions were very easy. I liked how I had a coach and I found that helped me with any questions or content areas I had diffuculty in. I found kaplans question bank to be very benifical as I did not use the decision tree. I passed on the first try.