We’ve all heard time and again that preparing for the NCLEX is a grueling task that most students don’t want to begin until after graduation is behind them, or so intimidating that they believe they can’t possibly juggle the final semester of nursing school while preparing for the NCLEX at the same time. Students should begin NCLEX preparation sooner rather than later; early preparation will not only help them pass this high-stakes exam the first time, but will also help them achieve better results during the final phase of nursing school.
Effectively preparing for the NCLEX is a lot like training for a marathon. It can seem quite daunting at first, and few students know where to start without the assistance of a training group or coach, which is why most students come to Kaplan in the first place. Kaplan Nursing has been preparing nurses for boards since 1982, and we know how students can maximize NCLEX success. The good news is that the sooner a student starts NCLEX studies, the easier it becomes to integrate NCLEX prep into regular study habits. Before starting a Kaplan Classroom or Classroom Anywhere review, we encourage students to do the following:
- During the final semester of nursing school, students should utilize Kaplan’s 30+ hours of streaming video lectures that cover the most frequently tested content which is organized into study modules using the NCLEX blueprint. These videos will also augment student success on final exams and end-of-program exit exams.
- Take the 180-question Diagnostic Test to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses on essential nursing content. Just like getting tests and blood work drawn to identify health issues, students should take this Diagnostic Test to help assess current NCLEX health. Students shouldn’t worry about the percent correct score on this test. The important thing is not the score, but what students do with the information contained in the results!
- Read chapters 1 & 2 of the NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide. These chapters give students a thorough understanding of what the NCLEX tests and doesn’t test, how it’s organized, and most importantly, how to achieve the maximum benefit from the Kaplan review!
- Take Question Trainer Tests 1, 2, and 3 (but not all at once). The Question Trainer Tests are organized from easy to difficult and from shorter to longer exams. Test #1 is a 75-question test that evaluates the ability to recall, recognize, and understand information taught in nursing school. Based on results, students will know what areas they should brush up on. Rather than simply assuming a student needs help reviewing Pharmacology, test results show how well a student is doing in Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies before opening a book or logging onto online resources.
- Review and learn from the explanations – remediation is key. Students should review the rationales for all of the questions after every test they take. This NCLEX learning process begins with Question Trainers 1, 2 and 3. Too often students take tests and never look at the real “meat” behind the questions. Disregarding explanations prevents them from understanding why they got the question wrong, or right, and impedes their ability to get a similar question correct in the future. Critical learning and improvement happens with careful review, and this technique should be applied to all test questions including the QBank and Readiness Review (which will come during the NCLEX review.)
- Prior to the review course, students should check out the Orientation video, the Strategy Seminar, and the Test-Taking Workshops located on the online syllabus. This pre-work will take students from the system and discipline approach to the more integrated model that will be tested on the NCLEX-PN exam.
- Also, before the review, students should read the NCLEX-PN Content Review Guide and/or watch the online Lessons on Demand (LOD) Content videos. The streaming content videos are based on the NCLEX-PN® blueprint and will increase the value of the in-class activities during the review. After all, learning through spaced repetition will increase the retention of high yield, essential nursing content needed on exam day. PN students should be mindful of scope of practice and delegation considerations while reviewing content.
- After the review, students should challenge themselves by using the QBank in the ‘timed’ mode. Also, when they take the Readiness Test a score of >65% will let them know whether or not they’re ready to take the NCLEX exam! Students should review the rationales for all of the questions after every test they take. Too often students take tests and never look at the real “meat” behind the questions. Disregarding explanations prevents them from understanding why they got the question wrong, or right, and impedes their ability to get a similar question correct in the future. Critical learning and improvement happens with careful review, and this technique should be applied to all test questions.
All students, for best results:
- Treat NCLEX preparation like a marathon, not a sprint. Students should develop a plan that allows them to take advantage of all that Kaplan’s course offers. (Suggestions for study plans can be found at the front of their Content Review Guide.)
- After taking any tests or doing any practice questions, review both the correct and incorrect answers and the corresponding explanations. This is how successful students learn!
- Try and complete all tests in one sitting and under realistic testing environments. Pausing or ending tests early is not recommended. Additionally, try to minimize distractions (cell phone, TV, etc.) when studying for the test.
- All Kaplan tests are timed because there is a time limit on the NCLEX-RN exam, so when creating a quiz using the Qbank, select the “timed” option.
- Kaplan strongly recommends review for essential nursing content organized by client needs for all areas on the exam that have a score of <65% correct. At Kaplan, 65% correct corresponds to passing on the NCLEX exam. Read the corresponding chapters in the Course Book AND/OR watch the Lessons on Demand (LOD) Content videos on the online homepage.
- Reach out to a Kaplan NCLEX Instructor or to the Nursing team for additional advice or study suggestions.
Everyone at Kaplan understands and appreciates the kind of pressure students are under during their final months of nursing school. It’s our hope that student will begin to integrate pieces of these resources into the final semester of nursing school to help them ace final exams and (if applicable) the school’s end-of-program or exit exams. So many people think of Kaplan’s NCLEX Review as something to be taken after graduation and only for the NCLEX, but with the training plan outlined above, the Kaplan program becomes so much more!
For additional questions, to setup a Free NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN® Strategy Seminar, or if you’re interested in hosting a Kaplan NCLEX Review at your nursing school, please reach out to your local Kaplan Nursing representative. Thank you!
