What are the best NCLEX study materials?

The following NCLEX® prep courses offer the best study materials to help you succeed on test day.

• Hurst Review. Hurst's ultimate NCLEX® Review course has been used by more than 400,000 nursing students. ...
• Kaplan. ...
• Nursing.com. ...
• UWorld. ...
• NCLEX® Mastery. ...
• ATI. ...
• Simple Nursing. ...
• Nurse Plus Academy.

What is the best source to study for the NCLEX?

More students recommend Kaplan for NCLEX® prep than anyone else. Why? Our personalized study plans and comprehensive tools cover everything you need to pass. In fact, 97% of Kaplan students pass the NCLEX® exam the first time.

What is the best study prep for the NCLEX?

The best NCLEX prep depends on your learning style, but top-rated options include UWorld for its realistic questions and in-depth rationales, Nursing.com for engaging videos and affordability, Kaplan for live classes and strong strategy, and Hurst Review for high first-attempt pass rates and trial options. Other popular choices with unique strengths are Simple Nursing (video-focused, lower cost) and Bootcamp (affordable, great Qbank). A good strategy involves combining a strong question bank with video content and test-taking strategies, often for 4-6 weeks before the exam. 

Which NCLEX book is the best to study with?

Top 5 NCLEX Review Books for 2025

1. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (9th Edition) ...
2. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus. ...
3. Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN (13th Edition) ...
4. NCLEX-RN Questions & Answers Made Incredibly Easy (7th Edition) ...
5. HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (6th Edition)

Which NCLEX Prep has the highest pass rate?

While reported pass rates vary, NURSING.com, Archer Review, UWorld, and Kaplan/Hurst consistently show very high success, often claiming over 98% first-time pass rates for students who fully utilize their programs, with some sources even listing NURSING.com as high as 99.86% for their users. The "best" often depends on learning style, but these platforms are recognized for their extensive question banks and focus on critical thinking needed for the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN). 

Best NCLEX Review Courses & Study Materials (Updated Rankings)

Is Kaplan or Archer better?

Not only does Kaplan offer more practice problems than Archer Review, but we also love their video lessons, live classes, and supplemental resources like the Kaplan NCLEX channel. Plus, let's not forget that Kaplan also offers a money back guarantee in case you don't pass.

Which state is easiest to pass NCLEX?

Top 5 States with the Highest NCLEX Pass Rates

1. New Hampshire. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 96.5% ...
2. North Dakota. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 96.4% ...
3. Nebraska. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 95.1% ...
4. Tennessee. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 94.9% ...
5. Wyoming. NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): 94.9%

Is Kaplan or ATI better?

Kaplan not only provides more realistic practice problems than ATI, but their video lessons, live classes, and additional resources like the Kaplan NCLEX channel make this an easy decision. Additionally, Kaplan offers a money-back guarantee if you don't pass, adding extra peace of mind.

Is 2 weeks enough to study for NCLEX-RN?

Yes, two weeks can be enough for the NCLEX-RN for some graduates with strong fundamentals, focusing intensely on weak areas with practice questions and test strategies, but many experts recommend 4-6 weeks for less confident students to avoid stress and ensure mastery, with some suggesting longer periods for comprehensive prep. A short timeline requires a very structured, intense plan (6+ hours daily) focused on high-yield topics, practice exams, and self-care. 

Which NCLEX-RN book has the most practice questions?

Based on the test's current blueprint, Saunders Q & A Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, 9th Edition provides more than 6,000 practice questions in a question-and-answer format.

Which is better for NCLEX Prep Archer or UWorld?

UWorld offers deeper, more detailed rationales with visuals, great for in-depth learning but pricier and harder; Archer provides questions more similar to the actual NCLEX format, has excellent CAT exams and readiness assessments, is more affordable, and is often preferred for its realistic exam feel, though some find its rationales less thorough than UWorld's. The best choice depends on your budget and learning style, with many suggesting combining Archer (for format) with other resources or using both for comprehensive prep. 

How many months before NCLEX should I start studying?

In order to allow enough time to review the extensive amount of information that will be covered on the NCLEX, successful candidates usually start studying about 5 or 6 months before they are scheduled to take the test, which is probably around the beginning of your final semester in nursing school.

What is the Pearson trick for NCLEX?

The Pearson VUE NCLEX trick is an unofficial method to check your NCLEX results by attempting to re-register for the exam on the Pearson VUE website. If you get a message stating that you can't register because you have an open registration, it may indicate a passing result.

Is UWorld enough to pass?

UWorld alone is not enough. You should use UWorld along with these tips to effectively prepare for Step 1: Combine UWorld with other resources, such as First Aid and NBME self-assessments. Start with a small question pool at the beginning of each topic to determine which concepts you need to focus on the most.

Is Kaplan a good test prep company?

Kaplan Review: Final Verdict

Kaplan is one of the giants of the test prep industry, and so their SAT prep products, courses, and tutoring are well-known. However, we found that they were overall overpriced and of lower quality than other options.

What is the 3/2:1 rule in studying?

The 3-2-1 rule in studying refers to different effective techniques, most commonly: reading a concept three times, saying it out loud twice, and writing it down once from memory for better retention, or using it for motivation with 3 minutes of activity, 2 minutes of deep breathing, and 1 minute of focused prep before studying. Another version involves reviewing new material 3 times the first week, 2 times the second, and 1 time the third, using spaced repetition for long-term memory.
 

Is NCLEX shutting off at 85 good?

Yes, the NCLEX stopping at 85 questions is generally a good sign, indicating you likely passed because the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) algorithm found you consistently above the minimum passing standard for safe nursing practice; however, it can mean you failed if you were consistently below that standard, but statistics heavily favor passing at 85 questions, showing strong performance. 

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam?

There isn't one single "first toughest exam," as difficulty is subjective, but the Gaokao (China's college entrance exam), India's UPSC Civil Services Exam, and India's IIT-JEE are consistently ranked among the world's most challenging due to immense competition, vast syllabi, and low success rates, often determining life paths for millions. Other famously tough tests include the Master Sommelier Diploma, USMLE (Medical Licensing), and CFA (Finance).
 

Which NCLEX prep is best?

The best NCLEX prep depends on your learning style, but top-rated options include UWorld for its realistic questions and in-depth rationales, Nursing.com for engaging videos and affordability, Kaplan for live classes and strong strategy, and Hurst Review for high first-attempt pass rates and trial options. Other popular choices with unique strengths are Simple Nursing (video-focused, lower cost) and Bootcamp (affordable, great Qbank). A good strategy involves combining a strong question bank with video content and test-taking strategies, often for 4-6 weeks before the exam. 

How deflated is Kaplan?

Kaplan MCAT tests are generally considered somewhat deflated, with a common estimate being that you can add about 10 points to your Kaplan score to get closer to your real AAMC score, though this varies by individual and some users find recent tests less deflated or even inflated due to difficulty. The main difference often lies in content focus, with Kaplan testing obscure details while the AAMC emphasizes critical thinking, making Kaplan useful for content gaps but not always a perfect predictor of final scores.
 

What are good signs you passed NCLEX?

Good signs you passed the NCLEX include the Pearson VUE trick (getting the "good pop-up" saying you can't re-register), your Pearson VUE account showing "exam complete" and no ATT, seeing your name on the State Board of Nursing's license verification site (often with an RN/LPN number), and feeling confident after the exam with tough questions appearing at the minimum question count (like 85) before it shuts off. The only official confirmation is the State Board of Nursing, but these indicators provide strong clues.
 

What is the #1 nursing school in the US?

There isn't one single "#1" nursing school, as rankings vary by source and focus (BSN, MSN, etc.), but University of Pennsylvania (Penn Nursing) and Duke University consistently rank at or near the top in major lists, with Penn Nursing often cited as #1 globally by QS World Rankings and Duke #1 for BSN by U.S. News & World Report (2026 data). Other top contenders include Emory University and Johns Hopkins University, while Southern University was recently recognized as the best by Nurse.org.
 

Where to start studying for NCLEX?

How to Study for the NCLEX

1. Review an NCLEX prep book and other study aids.
2. Complete the NCLEX practice exams.
3. Participate in study groups.
4. Listen to recorded lectures or podcasts.
5. Join NCLEX Facebook groups.
6. Watch YouTube lectures.