Kaplan NCLEX Review: Expert’s In-depth Evaluation

In this review, I’ll dig deep into every aspect of Kaplan NCLEX Review to give you the lowdown on whether it’s worth your time and money. 

As someone who’s been around the block in nursing education, I know how crucial it is to pick the perfect NCLEX prep course. So, I’ll evaluate what you must consider when taking prep courses like this.

Let’s jump right in and see what Kaplan offers!

Overview Of Kaplan NCLEX

Kaplan is a comprehensive resource designed to equip nursing students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed on the NCLEX. 

With over 2,000 practice questions, the program closely mirrors the adaptability and format of the exam, including CATs that dynamically adjust question difficulty based on student performance.

In addition to practice questions, Kaplan offers a wealth of supplementary resources, including video content, study guides, an eBook, and mobile apps. 

Kaplan also has the Decision Tree approach that distinguishes its program (I’ll explain more in the following in-depth reviews). This method guides students in critical thinking, data analysis, and nursing knowledge to real-world scenarios. 

Now let’s read my in-depth review below to know whether Kaplan is an effective NCLEX preparation program!

Kaplan NCLEX Review

After six months of using Kaplan, my overall impression is that it’s well worth the money I spent. Most of what it provides helps my studying, from question banks and practice tests to supplemental resources. 

Below is my detailed review of each of its features.

1. Question Bank

As someone who believes in the importance of extensive practice to prepare for the exam, I am very harsh when evaluating Kaplan’s Qbank. As a result, I am satisfied with what it offers.

One of the standout features of the Qbank is its vast array of practice questions (+2100), covering many topics, difficulty levels, and formats. 

This diversity is crucial for adequately preparing for the exam, which is known for its adaptive nature and varied question types. 

I appreciated that the questions were neither too easy nor too difficult, so they challenged me without causing unnecessary frustration. This aspect is often lacking in other NCLEX courses, but Kaplan got it right.

Moreover, the ability to customize practices based on specific criteria, such as topic, timing, and difficulty, was helpful. This feature helps me focus on my weaknesses and tailor my sessions accordingly. Hence, I could make significant progress in my preparation.

However, while Kaplan excelled in providing top-notch practice questions, the same cannot be said for its problem explanations. 

While they provided reasoning for their answers, they lacked the depth and visual aids when compared to Uworld, NCLEX Mastery, or other NCLEX courses. 

I wanted more detailed explanations, including diagrams and graphics, to enhance my understanding of certain concepts. Despite this, the explanations were sufficient for grasping the fundamentals and learning from mistakes.

2. Practice Tests

Overall, Kaplan’s practice tests effectively simulated the CAT format of the exam. It provides three full-length tests that closely mirror the real thing. 

This aspect was crucial in preparing for the exam, as it allowed me to familiarize myself with the structure and pacing of the NCLEX.

What I appreciate most is their adherence to practice problems. Much like the questions in the Qbank, its practice tests featured challenging yet realistic questions that accurately reflected the content and difficulty level of the NCLEX. 

Additionally, I was impressed by Kaplan’s CAT format. The testing delivery was seamless and effective, adjusting to my skills and knowledge as I progressed through the test. 

However, similar to my experience with the Qbank, the problem explanations in practice tests fell short of expectations. 

While they adequately explained the concepts and provided some insight into why answers were correct/incorrect, they lacked the depth and detail found in ATI Testing. 

While the explanations weren’t the best I’ve seen, they were still sufficient for reviewing missed questions and gaining a better understanding of the material.

3. Content Review & Video Lessons 

Kaplan offers +300 video lessons covering different topics and strategies. For visual students like me, this is a big help because I struggle with just studying from a book.

It offering a comprehensive visual learning experience that stands out from The Princeton Review‘s more traditional instructional approach.

Dr Cheryl Ross

The videos cover all the topics you need to know for the exam. They explain things in detail, usually with slides and someone taking over them. 

Although the videos might not look super modern, the information they give is good. They explain everything clearly and make it easy to understand. Even though I might have liked them to look better, I still found them helpful.

Kaplan’s videos don’t just cover content. They also teach you how to approach questions on the exam. They show you strategies such as rephrasing questions and using their Decision Tree approach. 

By incorporating these strategies into my study routine, I felt more confident and prepared to tackle the challenges posed by the NCLEX.

Overall, Kaplan’s content review and video lessons are valuable resources. They cover all the essential topics and teach you helpful test-taking strategies.

4. Classes

Kaplan review classes are helpful for students who thrive in a structured, live class environment, with 18 hrs of live class.

This format contrasts with Simple Nursing‘s primarily digital and self-paced structure, catering to students who thrive under personal guidance and structured schedules.

The live classes are typically divided into six sessions, each lasting three hours throughout one to two weeks. 

This schedule allows ample time to cover the material thoroughly while providing chances for students to ask questions and engage with the instructors.

In these classes, you will be impressed by the quality of the instructors. The instructors are highly knowledgeable and skilled in their respective fields and excel at breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized parts. 

For those who struggle with self-motivation (or prefer more structured learning experiences), these live classes can provide the necessary support because they allow students to interact with instructors and classmates.

However, the live classes may not be necessary for everyone. If you’re self-motivated and disciplined in driving your studies, you may find that the self-paced option is sufficient for your needs. 

5. Supplemental Resources

Kaplan also has extra resources to help you prepare for the exam, such as an eBook and access to its channel. Let’s break down what these resources offer and what’s good and not so good about them!

First, the channel is a virtual classroom where Kaplan instructors give live online lessons covering different topics. They dive deep into the material and provide solid advice. I found them helpful. 

However, if you’re already strong in their topic, you might want to focus your study time on something else.

Then there’s the eBook. It’s a great companion to the course. But it can be overwhelming because of all the detail. If you prefer simpler study materials, this might not be the best option.

You don’t need to read all of it, but it’s there if you need extra help on a specific topic or want to refresh your memory on something from your nursing school. It’s like having a detailed reference guide at your fingertips.

Kaplan’s extensive resources and interactive platform are suited for a broad audience preparing for the NCLEX, contrasting with Hurst or Simple Nursing, known for its focused approach and in-depth content review.

So, these resources can be helpful, but they might not be for everyone. I recommend using them wisely and focusing on what works best for your study journey.

6. Digital Platform & User Experience

Besides looking good, this platform works well, too. You can customize your study plan, track your progress, and see how you’re doing. It all works smoothly and makes studying easier.

Another great thing is that you can use it on any device, like your computer, tablet, or phone. It’s perfect for busy nursing students who need flexibility.

However, some parts might be a bit confusing for some people. And while it looks nice, some people might prefer a basic design.

Overall, if you’re looking for a top-quality online platform to help you study for the exam, Kaplan is worth checking out.

7. Access Period

Kaplan provides a generous six months of access to their study materials. From my experience and what I’ve heard from others, six months is ample time to prepare thoroughly.

The six-month access period gives time to work through all the study materials, including practice questions, video lessons, and live classes. 

This extended access period is particularly beneficial for students who have busy schedules or who prefer to study at a slower pace. 

It allows them to spread their study sessions and review the material thoroughly without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Additionally, six months of access means you have the flexibility to review the material multiple times if needed. There’s no need to worry about running out of time before the exam.

What Others Say About Kaplan NCLEX?

Overall, most people rate Kaplan as helpful for their exam preparation and helping them pass the exam. Some people find its cost a bit high. However, considering the value it brings, it is completely worth it.

Kaplan NCLEX Pros & Cons

So, Who’s It For?

Kaplan NCLEX is basically for anyone gearing up to tackle the NCLEX. 

Firstly, Kaplan is ideal for nursing students who prefer a comprehensive study approach. 

The program offers various resources, including practice questions, video lessons, live classes, and an ebook. It has everything you need to prepare effectively for the exam.

Additionally, Kaplan is well-suited for visual students who benefit from interactive and multimedia learning experiences. 

The program’s video lessons offer engaging and visually appealing content. So, it’s easier for learners to grasp complex concepts and retain information. 

The customizable practice sets also allow you to tailor your study sessions to your individual learning preferences and needs.

So, whether you’re a nursing student who wants a comprehensive study program, someone who learns best with visuals, or just in need of some extra support, Kaplan NCLEX could be what you need to crush that exam.

Kaplan NCLEX Pricing

Kaplan offers a range of pricing options to cater to different study needs and budgets for NCLEX preparation.

Firstly, the Self-Paced option is at $42 for six months of access, including access to:

• Video Library
• A Qbank 
• CATs 
• Channel
• Decision Tree approach 
• NCLEX-RN Review Guide
• eBook
• Practice Pack

For those looking for more focused practice, Kaplan offers a 180-day access option at varying price points. 

• The Qbank option, priced at $159, includes access to the Qbank. 
• For $229, you can access both the Qbank and CATs. 
• The Practice Pack, priced at $279, offers access to the Qbank, CATs, and other resources.

For students seeking a more interactive learning experience, the Live Online option is available for $525 for six months of access. This option includes:

• 18 hrs of live instruction
• Question-based lessons
• Qbank
• CATs
• Live/recorded sessions
• Channel
• Decision Tree approach
• Content videos
• NCLEX-RN Review Guide
• eBook

Wrap Up

Kaplan offers an effective approach to NCLEX prep, from top-notch practice questions to handy video lessons and a slick digital platform. 

Sure, there might be a few areas they could tweak, like beefing up their problem explanations, but all in all, it’s a solid choice for anyone gearing up to tackle the NCLEX. 

Comment down your experience using it!