NCLEX 2016 Experience with Kaplan scores (Passed in 78 questions!)

[mackenzie, BSN, RN]

For NCLEX review, my school recommended Kaplan, and I was scheduled for an online live review starting January 2^nd. After I received my authorization to test, I scheduled my exam for January 22^nd at 12pm. Truth be told, I did not study for the NCLEX before this review. My brain was shot, and I knew I wouldn't retain anything. So, on January 2^nd, I logged onto the class with an open mind ready to learn. Within the hour, I felt as though I had learned NOTHING in school. It's overwhelming, and there's no way to sugarcoat that. However, after this 4-day review (which I HIGHLY recommend), I felt much more confident in my ability to answer NCLEX-style questions. For anyone wanting to compare my scores were as follows (and for the record, I did terrible on the mid-curricular and exit HESIs- well below the benchmark...luckily at my school, this did not cause me to fail a course or prevent me from graduating):

QBANKS (average 63--- ranged anywhere from 45-80) -keep in mind that some of these tests were new and incorrect, so I could make sure I understood why I answered questions incorrectly the first time)

Question Trainer (QT) 1- 69.3%

QT2- 54.7%

QT3- 45% (keep in mind that I took these 3 trainers before the live online review course, and yes I was panicked that my scores were steadily declining…)

QT4- 61.3% (YAY…the review course was starting to help!)

QT5- 69.3%

QT6- 67.5%

QT7- 67.2%

Readiness Test (taken on the last day of the 4-day course)- 68.3%

As you can see, my scores got significantly better after the review course. However, I still did not feel confident” about taking the dreaded NCLEX. I suppose it depends on how you study, but I managed to get trainers 4-7 and most of the Qbanks done in the 15 days I had to study after the online review (Kaplan was a part of one of my senior classes, so we completed several 75-question Qbanks and QT 1-3 in that semsester). So, don't feel like you need 8 weeks to study (unless, of course, you can't dedicate 6-8 per day of studying like I was able to do). I was a solid B student (a few C's /: unfortunately), so understand that I was not the best nursing student grade-wise. However, in my experience, Kaplan did an amazing job of teaching HOW to answer NCLEX questions. You can cram all the info you want, but that will be useless if you don't understand what the question is actually asking. Then, REMEDIATE. Remediate everything- correct and incorrect. This was most likely the SINGLE. MOST. IMPORTANT. part of my studying. You must understand why you got an answer wrong or right. You need to understand why you guessed on a question but still got it right. Don't skip over this part.

Also, try not to get so hung up on learning every medication. It's too overwhelming. My advice, learn some of the common endings of generic meds and important side effects. I.e. stopping antidepressants and some antipsychotics abruptly can cause seizures. Good thing to know. Or if an alcoholic patient visits the emergency department, ALWAYS find out when that patient's last drink was to anticipate withdrawal symptoms. Basically, safety is priority, and it's important to remember which symptoms could lead to a safety issue.

NCLEX-RN

On the day of the NCLEX, I was a nervous wreck. I hugged my family goodbye that morning, and drove to my testing site an hour and a half early to make sure I didn't hit any Atlanta traffic. Sit in your car, say a prayer, meditate, deep breathe, call your family… do whatever you need to be able to walk into that test site with a clear and calm mind.

Yes, the NCLEX is hard. Yes, the process is stressful. Go into each question with an open mind, and if you don't know the answer use your ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) or go with your gut. Do not overthink answers.

I ended getting 78 questions and finished in about an hour. I panicked because who gets 78 questions?? The questions started flying around in my head.. Wouldn't the computer just have shut off at 75 if I had passed?! Why didn't I get more select all that applies (I only got 5 or 6)? I felt like I was getting a lot of analysis/priority/application questions, but this still did not alleviate any of my anxiety. Basically, I was pretty confident I had failed.

Pearson Vue Trick?

There is no relief right after you finish the test. There's panic, feelings of failure, and more panic and anxiety. Regardless, I chose not to do the Pearson Vue Trick. I know of many other friends who had used this trick and it worked, but I simply did not trust the trick. The thought of thinking I had passed only to find out I had failed a couple days later gave me even more panic attacks. So, I waited.

I took the test on a Friday, and by Monday morning, I saw something that was heart attack-inducing: Quick results available.” $7.95 for the quick results was more than worth it. My sanity depended on it. I typed in my credit card information and felt my stomach drop- PASS. Surely, it was a mistake. But after checking the Board of Nursing website, there was my name and license number (so the $8 was pointless…). BAM. Registered Nurse!

[amysiuk]

Good post, congrats. I especially agree w/ checking rationale for ALL answers, even correct ones. You can learn from every question. Good job

[Themary89]

Hi there! Hoping to get some feedback on my scores! Here they are:

QT #1: 45.3% (Totally failed because I hadn't had the preparation class yet, and was tired when I took it).

QT #2: 58.7%

QT #3: 54%

QT#4: 60.7%

QT#5: 54%

QT#6: 57%

QT#7: 57%

Readiness: 64%

Completed 75% of the Q Bank with an average of 62%.

I have watched all of the Kaplan videos and remediated every question and took notes on anything I didn't understand from every test, including the Q Bank. The questions I'm getting wrong are ones I am second-guessing myself on. I am testing on 2/11/16, and would appreciate some feedback! Really nervous! Thanks!

[oduma]

You got it!

[virgo7598]

I JUST signed up for the Kaplan NCLEX classroom prep class so hearing that you liked the class is reassuring! I'm graduating this semester but I feel like I know nothing

Congratulations!