Which is the best review course for preparing for the NCLEX exam?

Published

I checked with the nursing department and the director told me that

the students purhcase the program

http://www.atitesting.com/onlinestore/productpage.aspx?code=VATI%20RN%201%20PAY&isproduct=0

for review for the NCLEX. The department does not really offer any

specific courses on reviewing for the NCLEX. In addition, from what we

gather, the kaplan course merely reviews tactics on how to pass the exam

and does not really review actual content like maternity nursing,

pediatric nursing, adult nursing, psychiatric nursing, etc. I does not seem that Kaplan is that

good because I do snot understand what I am getting. I don't want to go a course with four days of lectures on how to simply pass the exam; I need lectures where I go through basic nursing

content. I do know, however, that kaplan test questions are the most

similiar to the NCLEX exam. The other online courses that I have

found are:

http://www.hurstreview.com/

http://www.f-n-r.net/RN-home-study-page.html

I found this book to be the most informative:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141603708X/ref=s9_simz_gw_s1_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0QRX7EPENYZBQV9YAT9R&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938131&pf_rd_i=507846

The above book has gotten great reviews and I like it...I just

want a course to go with it and that is where I am having difficulty

deciding on which one is the best.

The Kaplan book that I found did not review content, just had

tactical exercises and review questions.

Best,

David

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi David and welcome to the site

A lot will depend on what your study style is. I passed on 3rd attempt and using Saunders and NCSBN website (leaningext) and practised lot and lots of questions

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, intermidate nursery. PICU..

I took kaplan in the past have failed and also saunders as well. I think it depends on your confidence level with content. You have to know your content before. I feel that saunders can reinforce your content. If your in new jersey area rutgers review is good as well to help with content. Hurst is also good. Ati is good for questions and kaplan is very good with test taking tips to answer questions. Excram and mosby and nclex 3500 and 4000 good questions. Its alot out here but get one good review book and take review class if you can and use other review questions for practice. I had to do that just build on your weak areas. This time when i passed excram, nclex 3500, and 4000. Saunders and hurst review along kaplan 2010 stragety help me and i also used lacharity book with delegation cause that was my weak area. You dont have to use all of these materials get one for content and rest you can get for questions. Work on weak areas you will do fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi David,

It really depends on what you think you need. I myself get very confused perusing through this forum because everyone will tell you something different-- but like some other users have said to me: it really just depends on HOW you learn.

If you're looking for a review COURSE that will review content, I can recommend the Saunders Online Review Course. It comes in 4wk, 6wk, and 8wk options. I am currently doing the 4wk Program to bulk up my content, and it really goes over tons of information on all topics. Also, there is a diagnostic exam in the beginning to find your weak points, and the program will create a study schedule for you based on your results on the exam. (For example, I had maternity as one of my first lessons because I was especially weak there.) There is also a 100 ? exam at the end of every unit, a comprehensive exam, and a CAT at the end of the program. However, I would not rely on this Saunders review as your only source of questions for studying. You really figure out HOW they ask questions as you go through and it's easy to find patterns, etc. But I really do like it and have been doing much better with scores on tests-- especially compared to the last time I took the NCLEX.

I used Kaplan (the book) and just did questions last time and didn't pass. So now I'm doing a content review, questions from an orange Saunders book of just questions, and I just ordered ExamCram to mix it up and get a different style of questions.

Hope that helps, but really-- figure out what YOU need first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg n ICU.
I took kaplan in the past have failed and also saunders as well. I think it depends on your confidence level with content. You have to know your content before. I feel that saunders can reinforce your content. If your in new jersey area rutgers review is good as well to help with content. Hurst is also good. Ati is good for questions and kaplan is very good with test taking tips to answer questions. Excram and mosby and nclex 3500 and 4000 good questions. Its alot out here but get one good review book and take review class if you can and use other review questions for practice. I had to do that just build on your weak areas. This time when i passed excram, nclex 3500, and 4000. Saunders and hurst review along kaplan 2010 stragety help me and i also used lacharity book with delegation cause that was my weak area. You dont have to use all of these materials get one for content and rest you can get for questions. Work on weak areas you will do fine.

I love Hurst!!!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L & D, Med-Surge, Dialysis.

I love every review study guide.............they're all same!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi

Thanks for the response. What are you thoughts on the ati nursing course and the Saunders book?

Best,

David

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ineed a plan of action that covers both tactics and content. What is the best route to take?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi David and welcome to the site

A lot will depend on what your study style is. I passed on 3rd attempt and using Saunders and NCSBN website (leaningext) and practised lot and lots of questions

i also studied with Saunders CD, book and NCSBN studying guide.

if you choose to do NCSBN, don't even bother with the 3 weeks or 5 weeks. the pharmacology section alone takes a good week and a half to read/learn thoroughly. i purchased 5 weeks and ended up regretting it, wishing i could have spent more time studying.

good luck! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The Kaplan book that I found did not review content, just had

tactical exercises and review questions.

Best,

David

what specific kaplan book is this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion