your opinion please .....

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

hello and congratulations to all the new (and future) rns. this is my first post, and i have yet another question re: kaplan.
i am scheduled to take the nclex rn august 8th. i have been studying saunders, ncsbn, lippincott, nclex incredibly easy, and i also have the kaplan strategies book with 360 questions.
okay. here's my question. i've been reading the many success stories about the kaplan trainers. i've checked into the kaplan site, and i'm wondering if the qbank is the same as the trainers. i've only got about a week to go, and i'm seriously wondering do i need to spend $300 for one week's worth of questions.
well what do you think? should i buy it. my husband says, "do it." i'm not sure. any advice is appreciated!! i wish i'd found this site earlier.....
i thank you in advance for your replies.

well, i can tell you the q-bank is not the same thing as the trainers; if i had only a week, i'd get only the trainers. the question trainers are a series of 7 predefined tests, starting with easier, more knowledge-based questions for the first two (and 75 questions) and works its way up to the last two which are only the higher application and analysis questions (and the last is 265 questions). rationales are always provided for all answers after the test, and an analysis afterward shows your strengths and weaknesses.

the q-bank is a test bank of 1000+ questions (i had 1179, no idea why). you create your own tests based on how many questions you want to answer at a shot, what areas you want to be tested on (or, choose all content). it allows you to create tests based on only new questions, only incorrectly answered questions, or a mixture of both.

JenNJFLCA · Aug 1, 2006

Kaplan was the best investment I have ever made. I passed with 75 questions. I was calm while I was taking the test (not before and after, lol!) because it felt like I was just taking another practice Kaplan test. Just my opinion though, everyone's different! :)

NurseLene · Aug 1, 2006

hello and congratulations to all the new (and future) rns. this is my first post, and i have yet another question re: kaplan.
i am scheduled to take the nclex rn august 8th. i have been studying saunders, ncsbn, lippincott, nclex incredibly easy, and i also have the kaplan strategies book with 360 questions.
okay. here's my question. i've been reading the many success stories about the kaplan trainers. i've checked into the kaplan site, and i'm wondering if the qbank is the same as the trainers. i've only got about a week to go, and i'm seriously wondering do i need to spend $300 for one week's worth of questions.
well what do you think? should i buy it. my husband says, "do it." i'm not sure. any advice is appreciated!! i wish i'd found this site earlier.....
i thank you in advance for your replies.

i have to say that the nclex questions were almost identical to the questions in kaplan's question trainers. i attribute my success on the nclex to kaplan. it is worth the money..get it! and good luck!

pong · Aug 1, 2006

No matter what books you buy, it all depends on the QUALITY time you spend answering questions and reading the rationale and understanding the material presented. I, too, have bought many books (Kaplan QT & Qbanc, Saunders 3rd edi, Lippincott, & ATI) but what helped me to pass was, to take the exam questions on the CD several times until I would get 80% or above, until I was able to understand the questions, and identify the technique on how the question is being asked (I only focused on the Saunder 3rd edi). In my opinion, you already have the information (books & CD) infront of you, all you need to do is find a quiet place (example library) to be able to concentrate. You just need to sacrifice a month or so.........it will pay off in the long run!!!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CaliCat · Aug 1, 2006

thanks to all of you for your great advice. since the kaplan trainers cost about $499, i'm not going to be buying them. i will do as suggested, which is to take my time. (i am a speed reader, and i miss stuff sometimes)

thanks