What is the Kaplan test like?

[xmilkncookiesx, RN]

I'm first semester student and we have a Kaplan test tomorrow

They told us LAST MINUTE (Friday) what they "suggest" us to study for the test. We've been asking them all semester and our instructor stated, "I don't know".

It's also for a grade which can either pass or fail us all. A lot of us have been struggling. We are the "lab rats" for their pilot program. Last semester students took the Kaplan test and they had months ahead of what to study for it. They didn't even have it for a grade

Once they finally told us what they suggested to study, it's just WAY too much reading for 2.5 days. Why would someone do that to students? Months in advanced of what to study would've been so much better.

Everyone is freaking out over it. It's worth 30 points and they're doing a bell curve but they "don't know" how they will do it.

What is a bell curve? I've never had that in high school, just that teachers curved our grades if it was 89.9% or something of that.

And what is to be expected on the Kaplan? Our instructors said they expect us to do poorly on it because last semester students averaged at 66% and the highest was 80% I believe. They also said there is stuff on there we've never gone over and won't until second, third, and fourth semester.

That upsetted us all. Please tell me what to expect? What kind of questions? I studied with a group and my gosh we are freaking out.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the General Student Nurse discussion forum

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

Which Kaplan test are you taking, they have several from entrance exam, question bank, trainers that are done at the end of your program. As for what a bell curve is here is a link that explains that Grading on a curve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Also with Kaplan depending on what they have you doing scoring in the 60's or above is considered real good since the questions they use are suppose to be more difficult than those on the NCLEX.

[xmilkncookiesx, RN]

Which Kaplan test are you taking, they have several from entrance exam, question bank, trainers that are done at the end of your program. As for what a bell curve is here is a link that explains that Grading on a curve - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Also with Kaplan depending on what they have you doing scoring in the 60's or above is considered real good since the questions they use are suppose to be more difficult than those on the NCLEX.

Fundamentals

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

With my Kaplan account I have two fundamental tests available. Each 30 questions long. Most of the info was covered in some way in my first semester fundamental class, there was also some things that did not cover until 2nd semester. The thing that they are looking for really in these tests is not so much that you can spout off facts, but can you take what you have learned so far and apply it to the information that they give you. I know it is not much detail but hopefully it will help. If you have any nclex review books practice doing questions out of those and read the rationales. Your school library should have some if you don't, I have always found those to be helpful when preparing for exams in nursing school.

[xmilkncookiesx, RN]

With my Kaplan account I have two fundamental tests available. Each 30 questions long. Most of the info was covered in some way in my first semester fundamental class, there was also some things that did not cover until 2nd semester. The thing that they are looking for really in these tests is not so much that you can spout off facts, but can you take what you have learned so far and apply it to the information that they give you. I know it is not much detail but hopefully it will help. If you have any nclex review books practice doing questions out of those and read the rationales. Your school library should have some if you don't, I have always found those to be helpful when preparing for exams in nursing school.

Thanks! I took it yesterday. They didn't tell us if it was going to be over every section on the Kaplan site (the practice tests) or if there's a few picked out of all of them

I did well though!