Those of you that have used Kaplan in prep for Nclex, please advise!

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Ok, So I take the NCLEX on July 7th, and I am beginning to get really nervous! I was an average student thru nursing school managing to get mostly B's, a few A's and 2 C's. I ended up still graduating with honors, which was amazing. Anyhow, I graduated May 16th, and that Monday following we had a Kaplan review that our school paid for. Well my scores that week at the review scared the you know what out of me...The diagnostic, Readiness, and Question trainers 1-3 were completed during the week of the review, my scores are as follows:

Diagnostic- 50%

QT1-54

QT2-60

QT3-50

Readiness-57

Since that point, I have been reviewing and doing questions like crazy. I really freak out about big test, and this is a HUGE test. Anyhow, our school also used Kaplan throughout our program like others have used ATI and HESI, our school switched from ATI to Kaplan during my first year of Nursing. So since completing the Kaplan review this is what I have done.

I went back and took every exam available thru Kaplan, and I do mean all of them from our practice course test, each had up to 3 test per section at 30's questions a piece. After each test I reviewed rationales, then made notes on area's I was not so great on. Then I Started back up on the Kaplan review with the online course work provided. I completed question trainer 4 and 5 during the week following our original Kaplan review. These are my scores since that point and up to this morning...(By the way, one of my biggest flaws is changing my answers), and I also went back and repeated QT 1 and 2..

QT 4- 56

QT 5- 60

QT-6-71 (I took this last week)

QT 1-70(second time taking it)

QT 2-72( second time taking it)

NCLEX practice test 1-62

NCLEX practice test 2- 50(ouch, I think I was beginner to get burnt out so I took a couple days off)

NCLEX practice test 3- 73(priority questions)

My Qbank I have used all but about 300 questions, which I plan to finish over the next few days, and I have averaged 50's and 60's on them, most recently in the 60's...

I also have an incredibly easy review in which my employer payed for from Sylvia Rayfield, in which I have achieved a 70% on the pretest, a 80% on the post test 1, and have completed 5 on the 10 units available thru that, and got 75%-80% on those 5 test. I am just so confused at this point, and worried that because my scores are all over the place, that I don't know if I am truely ready for the boards. I feel like I have prepared myself up to this point very well. I have also been watching the videos of online Content from Kaplan, and going over there Question reviews offered with the online content to help me figure out where I am going wrong when thinking through questions...Do you think I am reviewing adequately? Please let me know your experience with this, and how you prepared. Thanks

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You should be ok, do not stress too much on your scores. If you do not get the 60-65%, review contents and go over the rationales. The kaplan Qbank/trainer main goal is to prepare you to pass the real test. The best thing to do, is to take the exam with less anxiety as possible. Good luck to us...I am taking my in early July too. I am averaging 58%, but there were some I took before I started the class, late at night and did poorly. I am doing much better in the pass weeks, getting 71%, 76% and a few high 60s. I am trying to remain as calm as possible.

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dont stress I did Q1-65 Q2-56 Q3-64 Q4-56 Q5-64 Q6-65

Qbank (completed 62%)

Still have to do Qtrainer 7 (holding out after i review more)

I test July 8

The scores I got 60s in really nerved me out. Focus on what you got on Qtrainer 6 & 7 those are closest to Nclex , study dont stress about studying though just make it your goal to Learn as much as you can and enjoy it! If your stressed when u study you wont comprehend it. Learn and enjoy youll be just fine

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I took the Kaplan and found the NCLEX nothing like Kaplan at all. Kaplan was easy compared to this!!!

I got 68-78% on all my Qbanks and tests and when I sat for the boards, the questions just blew me away.

Still waiting for results.......

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Kaplan wants you to focus on your scores on QT 6 and 7. I scored a 63% on 6 and a 57% on 7. I did 1,300 questions in the Qbank with an average score of 59%. Before I took NCLEX I went back and reviewed QT 6 and 7, did not pick up a book the day before the test, and passed NCLEX on June 18th. Just make sure you do questions everyday and any section where you are below a 60%... go back and review. You'll be fine!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I took the Kaplan and found the NCLEX nothing like Kaplan at all. Kaplan was easy compared to this!!!

I got 68-78% on all my Qbanks and tests and when I sat for the boards, the questions just blew me away.

Still waiting for results.......

That's making me nervous too: my scores fall in the same ranges. So I'm wondering when the bomb is going to hit...

If you're saying Kaplan was easy compared to the NCLEX, I'm truly frightened because this Kaplan course has been tougher than the last two years of school! :crying2:

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I'm thinking about getting the online kaplan prep for my nclex, but after reading all of this I'm thinking twice. Did you got your results allready? do you think kaplan helped you? I really need to take the test and get a job, and I'm freaking out here!!!!

thanks

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just relax...you are going to do fine..i had similar grades in school and on kaplan..i usually scored in the 50s and rarely out of the 60s...i passed the boards in 75 ?s...i thought that nclex was similar to the boards...i even think there was repeat ?s...i also did ati and hesi in school (thought ati was a total waste)...force yourself to be in a good place the day of the boards....use the decision tree...and please don't change your answers (always my biggest mistake).....you are going to shine!! good luck! i will keep you in my prayers...:nurse:

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Everyone I talked to so far, about 15 people in my class, said Kaplan was helpful. They all passed the first time. They also said, the nclex was very similar to Kaplan. A few thought the nclex was easier, no one thought Kaplan was easier.

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I am currently taking Kaplan and scoring between 58-67% on the QBank and 55-59% on the Question Trainers (1-4). I also scored 50-78% on the NCLEX sample tests. I am 75% completed with all the QBank questions and I will complete Question Trainers 5-7 this week. I am also doing Medspub as well. Next week, I will focus strictly on Saunders Comprehensive questions. I am looking to test anywhere between July 1 and 6, as I am awaiting my ATT from Pearson.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I'm thinking about getting the online kaplan prep for my nclex, but after reading all of this I'm thinking twice. Did you got your results allready? do you think kaplan helped you? I really need to take the test and get a job, and I'm freaking out here!!!!

thanks

It's been tough, but I also feel it IS helping me, because it's been a good review of content (the QBank questions are better than the videos for that, though supplement it with Saunders/your textbooks) and test strageties.

I'll tell you on July 3rd if it definitely worked, though.

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Thanks for all the replies! I am really feeling good about what I have done up to this point...I will definetly update this when I get my results..Good luck to all!

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