NCLEX

PVL_RN86 · Jul 20, 2015

Hi there,

I think it's really important that you also remember to study for nclex in a way that suits you the best.. The reason I say this is because some people might find Kaplan helpful, whereas others may not. I'm one of those who found Kaplan really challenging in a way where I could not keep focus to be in that study mode for nclex. In my opinion, I felt Kaplan questions were very complex in nature. While Nclex is a complex exam designed to test our knowledge-- I don't agree that paying $400+ is a "for sure" way that you will pass your exam boards.

I am not promoting in any way, but I decided to do NCSBN's practice online module for 3 weeks, no more, no less. What that does is, they provide you with solid need-to-know content material so that you can review whatever/whichever content material you want to review at your time between the purchased weeks (3 week, 5 week etc). You don't have to review and go through all of the modules, but they do have some great review points that I found were helpful to me. Remember that in nursing school, we could only have been taught so much in that time. NCSBN, to me, was really good at giving me those random in between content material that I missed or was not taught about in school. This I liked because it stuck to me.

NCSBN also had practice test questions available to you at each end of the the content material module, OR just random test banks. If you do these, pay close attention to WHY you chose the wrong answer, and WHY you chose the correct answers. Overtime as you do more questions, you will find that there were reasons why you rationalized and selected that answer. This is a golden test taking skill that is really helpful in taking nclex. It helped me tremendously. You will find that you should be able to critically think your way out of each "incorrect" option so you can find the correct answer. I did NCSBN and did some hard core studying within a 2.5 weeks time before my test date and passed with 75 questions. In my opinion, nclex questions were closest in format to NCSBN's. I also bought a 1 month Kaplan QBank questions ONLY for $49 and oh my gawd.. that was the worst money spent ever. I could not stand the questions because I felt like I failed every time. Their questions were hard in a complex way. I did about 30 of Kaplan test bank questions for practice and called it quits and stuck with NCSBN and studying on my own.

I liked nclex mastery app too, but couldn't afford that so i only got their free trial app with some of their neuro questions. If you have the moola, this is a good one I heard from my friends. If you can get your hands on some good questions, review and do as much as you can while reviewing content material you know you NEED to review on. Good luck! :)

allheartnewRN · Jul 20, 2015

I spent the big bucks and did the actual Kaplan course which gave me access to all the qbanks plus multiple practice exams and a few comprehensive practice/readiness exams. I studied for 4 hours a day which usually consisted of taking a 75 question practice test, fully reviewing it, and then watching kaplan's content review videos which I found immensely helpful.

I passed in 75 questions.

ddmad · Jul 20, 2015

Kaplan Qbank... I did about 50-100 questions five days a week for about six weeks... Passed with 75 questions and 49 minutes... The school wife passed in 150 minutes, 80 questions and we studied the same way... IMO all you need to do are questions, all these test prep classes are a waste of money...

Kellz1031 · Jul 20, 2015

Hi there,
I think it's really important that you also remember to study for nclex in a way that suits you the best.. The reason I say this is because some people might find Kaplan helpful, whereas others may not. I'm one of those who found Kaplan really challenging in a way where I could not keep focus to be in that study mode for nclex. In my opinion, I felt Kaplan questions were very complex in nature. While Nclex is a complex exam designed to test our knowledge-- I don't agree that paying $400+ is a "for sure" way that you will pass your exam boards.
I am not promoting in any way, but I decided to do NCSBN's practice online module for 3 weeks, no more, no less. What that does is, they provide you with solid need-to-know content material so that you can review whatever/whichever content material you want to review at your time between the purchased weeks (3 week, 5 week etc). You don't have to review and go through all of the modules, but they do have some great review points that I found were helpful to me. Remember that in nursing school, we could only have been taught so much in that time. NCSBN, to me, was really good at giving me those random in between content material that I missed or was not taught about in school. This I liked because it stuck to me.
NCSBN also had practice test questions available to you at each end of the the content material module, OR just random test banks. If you do these, pay close attention to WHY you chose the wrong answer, and WHY you chose the correct answers. Overtime as you do more questions, you will find that there were reasons why you rationalized and selected that answer. This is a golden test taking skill that is really helpful in taking nclex. It helped me tremendously. You will find that you should be able to critically think your way out of each "incorrect" option so you can find the correct answer. I did NCSBN and did some hard core studying within a 2.5 weeks time before my test date and passed with 75 questions. In my opinion, nclex questions were closest in format to NCSBN's. I also bought a 1 month Kaplan QBank questions ONLY for $49 and oh my gawd.. that was the worst money spent ever. I could not stand the questions because I felt like I failed every time. Their questions were hard in a complex way. I did about 30 of Kaplan test bank questions for practice and called it quits and stuck with NCSBN and studying on my own.
I liked nclex mastery app too, but couldn't afford that so i only got their free trial app with some of their neuro questions. If you have the moola, this is a good one I heard from my friends. If you can get your hands on some good questions, review and do as much as you can while reviewing content material you know you NEED to review on. Good luck! :)

Thank you so much, this is really helpful. I too find the Kaplan questions/book/course difficult. Not because I'm lacking knowledge, but because of the way it is formatted. The content in their course book is all over the place as wall as vague. With Kaplan I don't like the fact that it doesn't have review questions for each content section, the course mainly went over questions, and with the qbank I wish could pick topics I wanted to be quizzed for. It gives you general topics, but I wish I could pick more specific ones. Thank you for your advice.

At the present time I am doing Kaplan questions, Kaplan NCLEX-RN premier 2015-2016 book, Kaplan course content book, Prioritization, delegation, and assignment (PDA) book, and Pearson review and raitionales: comprehensive review for NCLEX-RN.

evmarie · Jul 20, 2015

UWorld was probably what helped me the most (there is a free trial for a week, search this site or Google to find). The rationales are great and I felt that it really helped to prepare me. Don't get discouraged if you are making in the 50's and 60's score wise because I was and I passed the first time!

I also did the Hurst review. This helps to get your core content down.

Overall just try to remember you can not know the answer to every question. However you can know enough to make a correct educated guess!

Make sure you get a good nights sleep the night before and eat a good breakfast. The day before the test just try to relax so your brain is not fried the next day!

You can do it!!

evmarie · Jul 20, 2015

Also focus on prioritization and delegation!

Kellz1031 · Jul 21, 2015

UWorld was probably what helped me the most (there is a free trial for a week, search this site or Google to find). The rationales are great and I felt that it really helped to prepare me. Don't get discouraged if you are making in the 50's and 60's score wise because I was and I passed the first time!
I also did the Hurst review. This helps to get your core content down.
Overall just try to remember you can not know the answer to every question. However you can know enough to make a correct educated guess!
Make sure you get a good nights sleep the night before and eat a good breakfast. The day before the test just try to relax so your brain is not fried the next day!
You can do it!!

Thank you!

Kellz1031 · Jul 21, 2015

UWorld was probably what helped me the most (there is a free trial for a week, search this site or Google to find). The rationales are great and I felt that it really helped to prepare me. Don't get discouraged if you are making in the 50's and 60's score wise because I was and I passed the first time!
I also did the Hurst review. This helps to get your core content down.
Overall just try to remember you can not know the answer to every question. However you can know enough to make a correct educated guess!
Make sure you get a good nights sleep the night before and eat a good breakfast. The day before the test just try to relax so your brain is not fried the next day!
You can do it!!

I looked up UWorld and it says that it's an app for your phone/tablet. Can I use is on my computer? Not sure if I am doing something wrong?