Passed with 75 Questions using Kaplan

Students NCLEX

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Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share my experience as those that were gracious to share their experiences gave me a little relief while studying for the NCLEX-RN. So, I pretty much used only Kaplan and attended the four day live review. I was worried to death about my Kaplan scores, until I came on here and read about them (they were a couple years old, so I thought i'd update with my experience).

Here are my scores with Kaplan:

QT 1: 50.7

QT 2: 44.0

QT 3: 42.0

QT 4: 51.3

QT 5: 62.0

QT 6: 54.0

QT 7: 54.7 (This one is 265 questions. Kaplan recommends that you complete this in one setting. I did not, because I knew I would just be clicking to be done with it. So, I believe I did 150 in one setting and then the rest later.)

Readiness: 60.1 I believe

My QBank Scores varied from 50s to 64 (highest I got). So yes, aim for the 60-65 as Kaplan says. However, do not beat yourself up if you do not get to this. NCLEX is 50%. So, if you get under 50 you need to study that material and/or see where you went wrong. I also reviewed every single question I took, even if I got it right.

Took boards yesterday, January 26th and passed with 75 Questions. Again, the purpose of me posting this is to help relieve some anxiety some are having with getting low scores on Kaplan.

P.S. I also did ALOT of praying. I'm pretty sure He got tired of hearing from me. Hehe :)

Congrats RN! So happy and proud of you. I can't wait until I get this over with. I bought the Kaplan book and have finished it. Written down some of the rationales. I also found that 35 page study guide on here. Is the 4 day review free? Can you tell me how I can sign up? or possibly post the link? I am also going to buy uworld. It is to help master SATA. I feel like I haven't been studying as much as I should but I don't want to freak myself out. I also just find free practice questions online. Any other advice? Thanks! Congrats again !

havehope

366 Posts

Specializes in None.
Congrats RN! So happy and proud of you. I can't wait until I get this over with. I bought the Kaplan book and have finished it. Written down some of the rationales. I also found that 35 page study guide on here. Is the 4 day review free? Can you tell me how I can sign up? or possibly post the link? I am also going to buy uworld. It is to help master SATA. I feel like I haven't been studying as much as I should but I don't want to freak myself out. I also just find free practice questions online. Any other advice? Thanks! Congrats again !

Go to Kaplan.com, click on nursing, and click on the NCLEX-RN. It is $499, you can either do an "in person" review or a "live review." The live review allows you to work at your own pace. This also gives you all the questions they have available. If this isn't affordable to you, you can buy certain Qbanks. That ranges from $89-$219.

Good luck. I told myself if I failed it's not the end of the world, you can always retest (at least in my state). I compared it to nursing school-if you failed more than one class you were done and out the program. At least with NCLEX you can take it as many times as you need, yes it's costly, but you still have a chance.

Oh and Kaplan offers a pass guarantee. So, if you do not pass the first time, you can either extend your time Kaplan items are available to you or you get your money back.

Browneyes80

28 Posts

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share my experience as those that were gracious to share their experiences gave me a little relief while studying for the NCLEX-RN. So, I pretty much used only Kaplan and attended the four day live review. I was worried to death about my Kaplan scores, until I came on here and read about them (they were a couple years old, so I thought i'd update with my experience).

Here are my scores with Kaplan:

QT 1: 50.7

QT 2: 44.0

QT 3: 42.0

QT 4: 51.3

QT 5: 62.0

QT 6: 54.0

QT 7: 54.7 (This one is 265 questions. Kaplan recommends that you complete this in one setting. I did not, because I knew I would just be clicking to be done with it. So, I believe I did 150 in one setting and then the rest later.)

Readiness: 60.1 I believe

My QBank Scores varied from 50s to 64 (highest I got). So yes, aim for the 60-65 as Kaplan says. However, do not beat yourself up if you do not get to this. NCLEX is 50%. So, if you get under 50 you need to study that material and/or see where you went wrong. I also reviewed every single question I took, even if I got it right.

Took boards yesterday, January 26th and passed with 75 Questions. Again, the purpose of me posting this is to help relieve some anxiety some are having with getting low scores on Kaplan.

P.S. I also did ALOT of praying. I'm pretty sure He got tired of hearing from me. Hehe :)

Congratulations! I tested twice with all 265 and I was near passing in all categories. I used Hurst, Kaplan, and Uworld. I just don't know what else to do. [emoji22]

havehope

366 Posts

Specializes in None.

Browneyes80- I'm sorry to hear that. However, the Kaplan lady said if you get 265 you worked for them. That you are close to passing!! If I remember right, she said that the last question (265th question) is your pass or fail question. I would review your questions and see if it's because you're lacking content (which I doubt since you were at 265) or are you answering questions a certain way.

Browneyes80

28 Posts

So frustrating. I extend my Kaplan twice and I cannot anymore. I test 2/12

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

265 is not your pass/fail question. That's oversimplifying

The Kaplan guarantee ONLY applies to US educated nurses who graduated accredited programs, first attempt (not second attempt or later as your chances of passing are less than 40% at that time), testing within 6 months of graduation and you must complete the program per their terms (watch all videos, take all quizzes, etc). Kaplan pass guarantee does not apply to anyone else.

If you are a graduate of an ACEN, CCNE, or CASN-accredited nursing program, taking the exam for the first time within 6 months of graduation and do not pass the NCLEX-RN[emoji768] exam, you are entitled to either a 100% tuition refund or a free 3-month continuation of your enrollment.

You must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Take the Kaplan Diagnostic and Readiness Tests from your online account.

Attend all class sessions live, live online or online. Up to 2 live class sessions can be made up online as directed by the Kaplan Center.

Answer all questions on the seven Question Trainer tests.

To qualify for the 100% tuition refund, you must not access the Online Study Center resources after the date of your NCLEX-RN[emoji768] exam. The money-back guarantee applies ONLY to the original 3- month enrollment, and does not apply to any enrollment renewal. You must call 1-800-KAP-TEST within 20 days of the date of your NCLEX-RN[emoji768] exam for instructions.

To check your school's accreditation status with CASN, click here.

Kaplan NCLEX Guarantee | Kaplan Test Prep

Browneyes80

28 Posts

Yes, my school is accredited.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Yes, my school is accredited.

You are likely 1 using too many sources and 2 not changing your method. You need to take your candidate performance report and create a targeted study plan focusing on your weak areas. Kaplan is test strategies. Hurst is content. UWorld reportedly has good rationales

Go back to your school for help they have a vested interest in you passing

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
You are likely 1 using too many sources and 2 not changing your method. You need to take your candidate performance report and create a targeted study plan focusing on your weak areas. Kaplan is test strategies. Hurst is content. UWorld reportedly has good rationales

Go back to your school for help they have a vested interest in you passing

Agree.

To add:

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.

Don't look at content; you know most of the material because you passed nursing school; begin to do questions related to each concept; review all questions and rationales; ANY rationale you struggle with, THEN review content. Lather, rinse, repeat.

When practicing the questions, prepare the questions like a mock NCLEX exam, review the minimum and then work up to the maximum for endurance purposes.

After looking at your report, focus on the weakness and review questions and rationales; make mock NCLEX tests and start with the minimum and gradually until the maximum; you have to have an endurance in answering application questions.

After each "exam", make sure you are reviewing the rationales; any rationales you are not clear on THEN

look up the content.

Browneyes80

28 Posts

Me too!

havehope

366 Posts

Specializes in None.

JustBeachyNurse- Sorry, I did not explain the 265th question thing well. According to Kaplan's NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide (I would copy it so you could see, but I can't, maybe copyright reasons?), it say's "If the last question is below the level of difficulty needed to pass, the candidate fails. If the last question is above the level of difficulty needed to pass, the candidate passes." Kaplan goes on the explain that if you took a test longer than 75 questions and failed, you were probably familiar with the content, but you may have had difficulty using critical thinking skills or taking standardized tests. Browneyes0, I would focus on this. The Board of Nursing sends a Candidate Performance Report, I would use this to guide you too.

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