What is the best website to study for the NCLEX?

There's no single "best" website, as top choices like UWorld, Kaplan, NURSING.com, and Archer Review excel with different features (e.g., detailed questions, live classes, simulators, affordability), so the best choice depends on your learning style, budget, and need for realistic practice questions (like UWorld's) or comprehensive content (like Kaplan's). Many students find success combining resources, such as UWorld for question practice and another platform like Kaplan for content review, notes Reddit users.

What is the best platform 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. 

What is the best thing to use to study for NCLEX?

To study effectively for the NCLEX, use comprehensive resources like Study.com, which offers practice questions, tests, video lessons, and explanations for wrong answers. These tools can help you understand the material thoroughly and identify areas where you need improvement.

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%

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 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. 

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.

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.

Which NCLEX RN book is the easiest to understand?

• #1 | Saunders Comprehensive Review For The NCLEX-RN Examination. ...
• #2 | Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus. ...
• #3 | Lippincott Q&A Review For NCLEX-RN. ...
• #4 | NCLEX-RN Questions & Answers Made Incredibly Easy. ...
• #5 | HESI Comprehensive Review For The NCLEX-RN Examination.

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.

What is the 0 1 scoring rule for NCLEX?

Candidates receive a point for correct responses and lose a point for incorrect responses. We call this +/- scoring. Candidates receive a point for correct responses but do not lose points for incorrect responses. We call this 0/1 scoring.

Which is better, NCLEX Bootcamp or UWorld?

UWorld is often seen as the gold standard for deep understanding with excellent rationales and exam-like interface, while NCLEX Bootcamp offers a more comprehensive package with strategy, cheat sheets, and cheaper pricing, with user experiences varying on which feels more like the actual exam, but many suggest using UWorld for core content and Bootcamp for strategy or vice-versa, or even using both for maximum prep. 

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 3 times, speaking it out loud 2 times, and writing it down 1 time from memory to boost retention; or, as another method, using a spaced repetition schedule of reviewing new info 3 times in the first week, 2 times in the second, and 1 time in the third to solidify long-term memory. A third variation focuses on motivation: 3 small tasks, start for 2 minutes, find 1 reason to continue. 

Is 70% enough to pass NCLEX?

You can potentially pass the NCLEX with a 70% on practice tests, as it indicates good readiness by showing consistent performance above the typical 60-70% target, but the actual NCLEX is adaptive and doesn't use percentages; you pass by consistently demonstrating nursing competency above a set standard (0.00 logits), so a 70% score on a practice question bank (QBank) is a strong sign you're ready for the real exam's variable difficulty.
 

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).
 

Is 50% enough to pass NCLEX?

Yes, you can pass the NCLEX with around 50% of questions right because it's not about a simple percentage; the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) adjusts difficulty, aiming for you to get roughly half the harder questions correct to prove competency above the passing standard. You pass by demonstrating consistent ability, not by hitting a specific score, with the test stopping when it's 95% sure you've met or missed the passing line, which often happens at the minimum 75-85 questions. 

What are signs you failed NCLEX?

Signs you might have failed the NCLEX include the test shutting off at the minimum questions (75/85) while you felt you were answering basic/easy questions or didn't know the content, questions becoming consistently easier (indicating you're not meeting the passing standard), and not receiving your license or a new Authorization to Test (ATT) soon after, which would be needed to re-register. However, the only sure way to know is official results, as feelings are unreliable; many pass even if the test ends early or seems hard.
 

How to pass NCLEX on first try?

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.

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 begin studying for NCLEX?

Take Full-Length Practice Exams

One essential NCLEX study tip is to complete full-length practice exams before test day. Consider taking your first full-length practice exam after each semester of nursing school, starting at the end of your second semester.