Yup - another NCLEX inquiry from a new grad!

Ohmygosh · May 31, 2007

hi everyone.
i am preparing to take the boards on june 20th, and i'm just wanted some advice from those who have used kaplan's prep materials.
i am finding that despite scoring incredibly high on the ati predictor tests, and doing very well on the saunders review tests, i am not doing as well on kaplan - usually scoring about 65-68%.
i'm going to be taking the sally lagerquist review course in san francisco, and will keep practicing with my pharmacology cards and what not, but my kaplan scores worry me. i've always tested very well, and am a bit concerned. i'm going to keep practicing the kaplan questions, but to those of you who have taken the boards and used kaplan prep materials - how do the kaplan questions compare to the boards? how did you do with kaplan?
any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
thanks, everyone

perhaps i am answering this question prematurely --but here it goes...i did the kaplan review course in the classroom as well as using their online resources--i took my nclex today -- so i dont know if i passed or not --anyway with that said--i dont feel that kaplan helped me at all- the practice questions that they give you are nothing like the real nclex. in addition the so called "hot topics" i was told to expect--were virtually non-existant on my exam. now... i didnt totally depend on kaplan - i also did part one of suzanne's program. i also used my hesi and saunders cd's. hopefully my efforts will pay off! best of luck to you.

Vektor · May 31, 2007

Thank you so much for your input. (My first reply!)

Congrats to you on taking NCLEX today - I will keep my digits crossed that you passed with flying colors.

I have been using ATI and Saunders as well as Kaplan. I'm not sure what to expect on the test, so I'm trying to use a few different resources.

I'm using Saunders too. Do you find that Saunders helped at all?

Thanks! :nuke:

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 31, 2007

Moved to NCLEX Discussion Forum for more responses. Good luck!

Vektor · May 31, 2007

Thanks, Eric!

chichimitchi · May 31, 2007

Suzanne would only recommend saunders.. i think its great

Vektor · May 31, 2007

Thanks! I have been using Saunders, also. It seems like the questions are not too terribly hard, and I was told that if I am getting a lot of the practice questions right, then I need to switch to something harder... (?) Does anyone else find that to be true?

Saunders does seem to be a pretty good study tool though, I do like it.

sweetieann · May 31, 2007

well, for what it's worth:

I'm taking my Nclex June 14th. I also took Kaplan, and I know they say to get around 65% on their Question Trainer tests as an indicator of being "ready" for nclex (is anyone ever really "ready" though? lol). Anyway--I have read past posts on here about kaplan, and (not to give false hope or anything) but I saw quite a few posts from people who passed Nclex say that in some cases, they never even made 60% on those kaplan question trainer tests! Also--in my own personal thoughts: Kaplan gives a $ back guarantee that you'll pass. They suggest you get 65% on their tests before you attempt Nclex. I think their questions can be pretty difficult (and in many cases I have heard--extremely like nclex--although some may differ in opinion)...they are a money-making company, so obviously, they wouldn't set the bar at 65% if that was setting people up to fail because then they'd have to refund your $. I'm thinking that although we as students believe 65%=not good, a 65% when the questions are relatively hard is actually good and means you (hopefully) are ready for Nclex. I hope this helps. You are getting 68%, which is above 65%, so I am sure you are well on your way. Sending good thoughts to you!

Leda · May 31, 2007

Relax! Most people score 15 to 20% lower on the Kaplan tests/questions vs. other NCLEX prep questions (e.g. Saunders). Your Kaplan scores are fine, remember the NCLEX is not scored in the traditional manner (0 to 100%). To successfully pass the NCLEX you must reach the point at which you are answering/predicted to answer the "higher level" questions with 50% accuracy (50% correct, 50% incorrect).

Stay confident in your test taking abilities and don't let your Kaplan scores affect your confidence. Best wishes for NCLEX success.

decartes · May 31, 2007

I just finished the Kaplan course and I find the questions to be of higher difficulty than ATI. I guess this is supposed to prepare us for the highr level questions the computer might throw at us.

Vektor · May 31, 2007

Thanks for your responses, folks. I guess I just have a slight case of the jitters about the whole NCLEX thing. And like sweetie715 said, I'm so used to thinking 65% is "not a good test grade." I guess I'll just keep plugging along, practicing, and keeping my fingers crossed.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 31, 2007

Those scores are passing, when one is using Kaplan quizzes and tests! It's quite common to see people with scores in the 50% range passing with minimal questions, it's because the practice questions through Kaplan are usually more comprehensive (read: harder) than the actual NCLEX.

I'm floored that anyone found Kaplan questions to be nothing like the NCLEX! Out of the dozens of people I've spoken with (and having read countless posts on this site), most anyone would tell you how very very similar the Kaplan questions and computer testing is to the actual licensing exam. Right down to the same screen set up and clock; questions were designed the same. Frankly, when I sat for the NCLEX, it was much like taking just another Question Trainer!

Best of luck to you :)