NCSBN Learning Ext course

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I have gone through the 2013-2014 Kaplan book and did very well on their tests (70's-90's). I am still doing questions out of the LaCharity book. I also have the blue Saunders Q&A book, but haven't used it much. I am doing the NCSBN course and am taking the NCLEX in a week. I find that I am not doing that well on the NCSBN questions, mostly getting in the 60's, sometimes 70's but rarely the 75% they say for passing. I often find their questions to be confusing and I'm not even sure what exactly they're asking me. Also a lot of their questions seem to be content questions and not necessarily NCLEX style.

Does anyone that is taking or has taken the NCSBN learning extension course feel the same way?

I'm wondering how I should focus my studying for this last week, drop the NCSBN course and pick up the Saunders book or try and do a little of both? I'm definitely going to continue with the LaCharity book too.

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry, SICU.

I used that course briefly and found it pretty lack-luster. I didn't like the styple of questions very helpful. My classmates found alot of errors with the answers. I'd drop it and focus on Saunders, much better questions with good rationales.

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I used that course briefly and found it pretty lack-luster. I didn't like the styple of questions very helpful. My classmates found alot of errors with the answers. I'd drop it and focus on Saunders much better questions with good rationales.[/quote']

Same here and website was so slow

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

NCSBN has the SAME format as the NCLEX... your practice percentages are actually good. I had questions on the boards that were similar. I am glad I was able to practice from NCSBN to get a feel of the questions and the rationales.

I've known cohorts to use NCSBN ONLY and pass the first time. I highly recommend if you want a realistic preparation, NCSBN is up there...even Saunders.

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im doing it now and not getting 75% either :( that's whats freaking me out but im sticking with it bc they are the ones who write boards

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I was wondering if the ncsbn questions that they give you is the same questions for Rn and Pns or do they give separate questions for each course taken , sorry I don't know if u guys understood me hopefully yes any advice in that

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I was wondering if the ncsbn questions that they give you is the same questions for Rn and Pns or do they give separate questions for each course taken sorry I don't know if u guys understood me hopefully yes any advice in that[/quote']

RN and PN NCLEX are NOT the same, although both question formats are structured in the form of the 4 key areas: Safe, effective care; Health Promotion; Physiologic and Psychologic Integrity.

I have taken both: was a LPN for years, went back to school and got my BSN. When I took my NCLEX-RN, I had some idea of how the questions are formatted, scenario, best answer; however, it was about 7 years removed for the NCLEX-PN and a much broader scope.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
im doing it now and not getting 75% either :( that's whats freaking me out but im sticking with it bc they are the ones who write boards

75 is great!!! The percentage of practice questions near 70% increases the chances of passing the boards, and you have a 75!

Also, when studying, it depends on how you are studying the source. Is it questions only??? If so, go over the questions AND rationales. If you don't understand, go to the source. If for content, review content and questions.

The NCSBN is great in that it can be used for either...It's like taking an online course full of your whole nursing program.

I used it for the questions. I loved how it had the rationales, and the sources to review the rationale.

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Im NOT getting 75% but still going to do them and I am reading the rationales also even if I get it right...one more week!!!..prob take a break and not do much over the holidays but that sunday I will all day and try and relax Monday even tho my body will freak out and want to study

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Thank you ladyfree28 :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Im NOT getting 75% but still going to do them and I am reading the rationales also even if I get it right...one more week!!!..prob take a break and not do much over the holidays but that sunday I will all day and try and relax Monday even tho my body will freak out and want to study

I actually was referring to the OP and inadvertently quoted you...oops!!

Either way, the closer to 70% increases the chance for passing the boards. And you are on the right track-answering questions and reviewing rationales are the meat of understanding the boards and the four areas that are required as a licensed nurse.

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75 is great!!! The percentage of practice questions near 70% increases the chances of passing the boards, and you have a 75!

Also, when studying, it depends on how you are studying the source. Is it questions only??? If so, go over the questions AND rationales. If you don't understand, go to the source. If for content, review content and questions.

The NCSBN is great in that it can be used for either...It's like taking an online course full of your whole nursing program.

I used it for the questions. I loved how it had the rationales, and the sources to review the rationale.

I actually do feel very prepared for the NCLEX next week. I did very well in school and don't suffer from test anxiety. NCSBN was making me nervous bc it says passing is 75%, and I'm not always getting that, but definitely close to it. I'm finding Saunders questions to be pretty easy and their select all that applies are way easier than Kaplans.

I'm curious which sources select all that apply questions are more similar to the boards- Saunders, Kaplan, or NCSBN?

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