NCLEX Prep That Works: Inside Kaplan’s 97% Pass-Rate Method
Originally published on The Nursing Beat, May 15, 2024
About 80% of nursing students in the United States pass the NCLEX on their first try.
While it’s a promising figure, being on the other side of that statistic isn’t anyone’s ideal way to launch their nursing career. After years of agonizing over getting into nursing school, waking up early for clinicals, and staying up late to write care plans, studying for tests, and writing essays, having your board exam stand between you and your dreams could be a nightmare.
Studying with Kaplan, those statistics shift more in your favor with a 97% pass rate and a money-back guarantee if you don’t pass your NCLEX or FNP exam on your first try.
Why Study Using Kaplan?
Kaplan has been part of everyone’s nursing journey in one way or another. Its strategy behind its study course design makes it the most reliable study aid for nursing and FNP students.
Kaplan Methodology
Kaplan’s methodology has three core tenets:
- Exam research
- Microlearning theory
- Best practices in curriculum design
1. Exam Research
Dr. Christi Doherty, DNP, RNC-OB, CNE, CHSE, CDP, and the Executive Director of Nursing Innovation & Graduate Programs at Kaplan North America, shares how this research is done. “Our research-based methodology involves studying past exam questions and trends, understanding the required knowledge base, and identifying the areas where test-takers struggle the most.”
Doherty adds that the research fosters an environment that closely mimics the actual test scenario. That way, Kaplan users will feel well-prepared for exam day.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Save up to 30%* on tuition with the RN-to-BSN Tuition Advantage Grant (*see Chamberlain website for details).
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
2. Microlearning Theory
Kaplan employs the microlearning theory, Doherty says. Microlearning is a method that reinforces learning by delivering content in small, manageable units and providing short-term learning activities.
Benefits of microlearning include:
- Being scientifically proven to enhance understanding and long-term retention of information
- Breaking up information-rich subjects like nursing into more manageable chunks
- Working at your own pace, ensuring your understanding before moving on
With traditional study methods, students may experience cognitive overload, where their working memory cannot handle the amount of information. With microlearning, students can manage large bodies of information more effectively.
3. Best Practices in Curriculum Design
Kaplan is dedicated to curriculum best practices.
“The design of the nursing test prep materials follows a systematic approach, including the foundational concepts and advancing to the more complex issues and challenging aspects of nursing practice,” Doherty explains.
This includes:
- Learning that is progressive and layered, reinforcing comprehension
- Multimedia tools, like videos, practice questions, VR flashcards, and MicroVirtual Simulations
- Encouraging active learning activities that cater to a myriad of learning styles
Using curriculum best practices, Kaplan ensures that learners maximize their preparation time.
NCLEX and FNP Exam Test Prep Courses
If you’re looking to pass your upcoming NCLEX or FNP boards, here’s what studying with Kaplan looks like:
- Multiple test prep course options at various price points
- Question banks with thousands of questions
- Three full-length, realistic, Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT)
- 24/7 access to content review sessions in the Kaplan NCLEX Channel
- And more
- MicroVirtual simulations
- Full-length practice exams
- Question bank with over 500 questions
- Virtual reality flashcards
- And more
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Save up to 30%* on tuition with the RN-to-BSN Tuition Advantage Grant (*see Chamberlain website for details).
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect on Exam Day With Kaplan
Completing the course and feeling prepared is necessary, but Kaplan’s strength lies in how you’ll feel on the day of your exam.
Doherty shares that Kaplan-prepared nurses feel:
- Confident. A Kaplan-prepared nurse should feel confident and ready when taking their exams. This is because the Kaplan nursing preparation course is comprehensive and designed to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their exams, Doherty explains.
- Practiced. Kaplan places a heavy emphasis on practice. Doherty says, “We provide practice tests and questions that replicate the exact test-day experience for learners and allow them to apply the strategies they have learned. This approach helps them become familiar with the exam pattern, improves their timing, and boosts their confidence.”
- Optimistic. With Kaplan’s 97% pass rate for the NCLEX, you know the odds are in your favor. Additionally, Kaplan has a money-back guarantee if you don’t pass your exam on the first try. Kaplan stands by their offer because they have the market’s top nursing exam preparation product. Kaplan is just as optimistic about your test success as you should be.
This article is sponsored by Kaplan.



