When to take the boards...

wasabi-glow · Jul 3, 2006

It depends on what you get on your rediness test result on the last day of your KAPLAN Class... though, it is advised by some instructors (at least my Kaplan instructor) to not take it right away unless you feel really really comfortable. We were told to keep practicing the question trainers online and if you have the q-bank, practice it as well. I do know someone who took it just 4 days after the KAPLAN CLASS and passed the board... I took the board 2 weeks after the KAPLAN CLASS and still awaiting for my result. GOOD LUCK!

rninme · Jul 3, 2006

I graduated, took a review class the next week...left the class, hopped on a plane to an island....spent a week doing nothing but laying in the sun and de-:biere: :beercuphe :Melody: stressing....came home, started my job ....and took nclex the next week. It all depends on how ready you feel you are.

dimplez · Jul 3, 2006

I am not taking my NCLEX until I feel I am ready. I graduated LPN school a week ago.

mitchsmom · Jul 3, 2006

I think it depends on how ready you feel and how well you do on practice tests. I had a mandatory content review (ERI) right after graduation and then did Kaplan about 6 wks later after doing probably 100 questions every other day. I had the test the Monday after the week I did Kaplan and I liked it that way (I passed but who knows if it had anything to do with the way I did things... the hospital paid for the Kaplan thing and I knew it would force me to study away from my kids for a few days). After all that, I still walked out of the test feeling like I got about 2 questions correct!! There is NO way I'd want to have to take it again so I say be prepared! Good luck to you.

smilin_gp · Jul 3, 2006

I didn't take Kaplan, but I took the test a few days after graduation. I studied Saunders hard earlier in the year for the HESI exam, and kept doing questions off and on through graduation. I think I just felt ready at that point, and thought that waiting any longer would just wreck the summer d/t test anxiety. My employer also was willing to start me quickly. I think the need for waiting depends on the situation, did you have to prepare for HESI or ATI? Do you still feel comfortable with the information?

AnaBanana12 · Jul 3, 2006

I didn't take Kaplan, but I took the test a few days after graduation. I studied Saunders hard earlier in the year for the HESI exam, and kept doing questions off and on through graduation. I think I just felt ready at that point, and thought that waiting any longer would just wreck the summer d/t test anxiety. My employer also was willing to start me quickly. I think the need for waiting depends on the situation, did you have to prepare for HESI or ATI? Do you still feel comfortable with the information?

I did take the ATI at my school. I think I got like a 74. I guess i do feel comfortable with all the info, I just need to be more confident. I have a problem where I would study real hard (it can be up 2 weeks or 5 days before an exam) and come exam day my anxiety increases and I get tunnel vision. I do all the deep breathing teachniques and all the other good stuff to decrease anxiety, but sometimes the anxiety is just too much.

TFRANCIS · Jul 3, 2006

I took my boards when i got tired of studying, i took kaplan scored anywhere from 60-81 on it.. i waited a week and a half to take it passed it on friday..so my advice to you is to take it when you feel ready..you already have the knowledge just apply it now.

Idon'tcodgerdodge · Jul 4, 2006

Honestly, I think all the studying (and the review course I took) for a month and a half before NCLEX didn't do me any good! I used the knowledge that I have from school and and the critical thinking skills I have to pass the test. If you did well and school and feel confident, take it!! You'll be glad you did.