What is the best study tool for NCLEX?

ShawnetteRN05 · Jul 21, 2005

when i was preparing to take the test, I took a review class that was taught by most of my instructors from nursing school. I bought a Kaplan review book and a Saunders review book, they both had CD's with practice exams on them. I would spend about an hour a day taking practice exams and studing material that I was not really familiar with.

about four days before the exam I used my reivew book and went over diseases that I needed to refresh on (mostly endocrine) and that seemed to help. I think that the Kaplan CD was the best because the Saunders seemed too easy. Do what you think is best and study just like you did in school tofind out what works best for you. Good Luck.

Shawnette, RN

P.S. When I took the exam the only diseases that I was asked about was Diabetes, Pancreatitis, and Myesthenia Gravis. I had a few questions about chemo and chemo side effects. The irony of it all is that I had reviewed that very material the night before the exam! I found out yesterday that I passed and my license was in the mail today...so good luck to you.

nurseRNtobe · Jul 21, 2005

Thank you so much.

Congrats to you!!!

atlanta · Jul 21, 2005

I just took the test and anxiously wait for the result...

Use Kaplan for priority and delegation questions. Many questions are worded just like Kaplan but you also need easy questions and details from Saundra... Know how to think in your mind which patients are most stable or least stable and why??..

I have LOTS of those questions.... Kaplan is very good with these types of questions.... I wish people guided me like this before I took my test... I should have go through Kaplan Question Trainer 1-7 for the second time to review rationale.

bbcewalters, NP · Jul 21, 2005

:uhoh21: Help,
I am studying with Kaplan (took class and doing qbank on line), Saunders comprehensive cd, what else should I use? The saunders cd is nice cause you can pick what system to study and I have learned a lot from that. I have heard a lot of people talk about Mosby's and ncsbn. What is the best??? On Kaplan I get anywhere between 60% and 85% on the tests.
What most is like the NCLEX test???
I have about 15 days left to study inbetween working so what should I spend these next days going over that will be the best use of my time????
Thanks

I just finished my NCLEX RN today. I had 75 and was done in about an hour or less. I like you started to worry when I hit the 15 day mark....I was using saunders (green book ed 2). I HIGHLY recommend the Mosby's CAT as a Boost when you are done it gives you an indication of passing or failing the NCLEX ie the first time I took it it said I would have a 94% chance of passing, every time after it said 99%. This helped with my anxiety. Now I do not know whether or not I passed yet but I think that the reduction in anxiety that the program gave me helped me to concentrate on my further studies.....also I tested the system by christmas treeing it once and got a 26% passing.....Be forewarned that the ordering process has issues....but if you call them they will help. I did not have some of the issues that other people have mentioned on this board....

Hope this helps and say a prayer for me and passing :uhoh21:

napoca · Jul 21, 2005

I just took the test and anxiously wait for the result...
Use Kaplan for priority and delegation questions. Many questions are worded just like Kaplan but you also need easy questions and details from Saundra... Know how to think in your mind which patients are most stable or least stable and why??..
I have LOTS of those questions.... Kaplan is very good with these types of questions.... I wish people guided me like this before I took my test... I should have go through Kaplan Question Trainer 1-7 for the second time to review rationale.

Atlanta,

How can I get the Kaplan Question Trainer? I was looking for it in" Amazon .com" at "Books" and I haven't found it. I have a Kaplan Strategy Practice Test , Saunders ,and I really don't know if to buy this "question Trainer", or not. Can you please help me with this ??? Thanks a lot and I wish you good luck!

Moni

atlanta · Jul 21, 2005

Atlanta,
How can I get the Kaplan Question Trainer? I was looking for it in" Amazon .com" at "Books" and I haven't found it. I have a Kaplan Strategy Practice Test , Saunders ,and I really don't know if to buy this "question Trainer", or not. Can you please help me with this ??? Thanks a lot and I wish you good luck!
Moni

It came with the Kaplan course and Kaplan content review book... I'm sorry that I don't know where to order it.. may be from the website http://www.kaplannursing.com

I can't 100% guarantee that Kaplan is the best....especially you only have two weeks left.. But from my experience, many questions on the tests are worded just like kaplan.... I didn't do well on the exam myself... But Kaplan Question Bank is better than Question Trainer 1-7 because it explain the rationales in details.

Although the questions on Saundras are easy, but the rationales are well-explained. IT is very good for content review... If I have to take it again, I will definitely use it... BUt I pray that this is my last time... even though I went up to 265... hope miracle happen..

cajam6 · Jul 21, 2005

:uhoh21: Help,
I am studying with Kaplan (took class and doing qbank on line), Saunders comprehensive cd, what else should I use? The saunders cd is nice cause you can pick what system to study and I have learned a lot from that. I have heard a lot of people talk about Mosby's and ncsbn. What is the best??? On Kaplan I get anywhere between 60% and 85% on the tests.
What most is like the NCLEX test???
I have about 15 days left to study inbetween working so what should I spend these next days going over that will be the best use of my time????
Thanks

I used Kaplan and saunders. Kaplan questions are worded like nclex. I scored between 70's-80's on question trainer. Know your lab values. When priororitizing patients- think of which one needs you the most. I got slammed with alot of safety and infection control- gown, gloves or masks with certain diseases. Also, know basic pharm- and how drugs apply to disease states. I had 75 questions, took about 90 minutes, and I passed. Trust in you- YOU WILL PASS!!!!!!!!

napoca · Jul 22, 2005

It came with the Kaplan course and Kaplan content review book... I'm sorry that I don't know where to order it.. may be from the website http://www.kaplannursing.com
I can't 100% guarantee that Kaplan is the best....especially you only have two weeks left.. But from my experience, many questions on the tests are worded just like kaplan.... I didn't do well on the exam myself... But Kaplan Question Bank is better than Question Trainer 1-7 because it explain the rationales in details.
Although the questions on Saundras are easy, but the rationales are well-explained. IT is very good for content review... If I have to take it again, I will definitely use it... BUt I pray that this is my last time... even though I went up to 265... hope miracle happen..

Tenks Atlanta,

I got it. Have to think about if I'll take it.

I will cross the fingers for you !

napoca · Jul 22, 2005

:uhoh21: [the Saunders seemed too easy. Do what you think is best and study just like you did in school tofind out what works best for you. Good Luck.

Shawnette, RN

P.S. When I took the exam the only diseases that I was asked about was Diabetes, Pancreatitis, and Myesthenia Gravis. I had a few questions about chemo and chemo side effects. The irony of it all is that I had reviewed that very material the night before the exam! I found out yesterday that I passed and my license was in the mail today...so good luck to you.

Can you tell me please wich Kaplan Review Book did you use? I have a Kaplan strategy CD. I am doing Saunders right now, but I see here many of us are using Kaplan. That's why I want to know ...

Tenks a lot,

Mo :uhoh21: :uhoh3: