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  • November 12, 2023

The 8 Best NCLEX Review Books 2024

We’ve interviewed nursing students to give you the best NCLEX review books to pass the NCLEX-RN exam on the first attempt . While you may already be in some great study groups and have a strong grasp on the information being tested on, there is still a lot to gain from a proper NCLEX book before testing. 

In an exam like the NCLEX that is prepared as a test of prospective nurses’ level of skill and knowledge, it is important that you get the best NCLEX reviewer book that works for you .

Best NCLEX Review Books Summary

The 8 best nclex review books, saunders comprehensive review.

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination

The best overall NCLEX review book that is updated regularly to reflect the latest NCLEX-RN test plan.

This is the most highly-rated NCLEX prep book for the NCLEX-RN examination . Even though it’s quite a big book, it is filled with plenty of information and practice questions that are arranged in an easy-to-understand format. 

The Saunders Comprehensive Review is what I utilized prior to taking my NCLEX (almost 15 years ago). I encourage all students to purchase a copy to help compliment instructional material while in nursing school. Students really benefit from utilizing the Saunders guide while in the last semester/term of nursing school because it “puts all of the pieces of the puzzle together”. It is truly a great a resource to help prepare for the NCLEX.

One thing that I notice from the Saunders Comprehensive Review is the arrangement of the text in sections. Each of the sections is written in language that is easy to understand in simplified grammar. With each new edition, you can notice that there is an emphasis to increase visual content such as charts, graphs, colored pictures that are properly annotated to ensure that students have something to break up the monotony of the text!

The Saunders Review also contains over 5,200 practice questions that are also available online. Questions are found at the end of each chapter so that studying and revising go hand-in-hand while the information is still fresh. All answers are properly explained for both correct and incorrect options, which helps students to be more conversant with the options given and how to approach each type of question.

For those who prefer to study online, there is also an exclusive website that contains even more study resources that help to further clarify the book contents and address any updates on the NCLEX. All of these features are what helped us to determine this book as the best NCLEX review book on the market to date!

See our 5-week NCLEX study plan that utilizes Saunders Comprehensive Review.

  • Over 5,200 practice questions available online
  • End of chapter review questions
  • Test strategy explanations are easy to follow
  • Updated visual content makes for easier learning

Top Feature: The most highly-rated NCLEX prep book among actual nursing students

Who Needs This: Visual learners 

Looking for more? Check out the best NCLEX review courses + DISCOUNT S !

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment

Best nclex reviewer book for work beyond the nclex.

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX-RN

This practice book is great for the NCLEX-RN but can also be referenced for real-life scenarios beyond the NCLEX.

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment makes our list of the best NCLEX review books for its focus on helping studying nurses to get their skills right for their future. The study guide is divided into three parts that address the principles of prioritization, delegation and supervision. 

Where other study guides focus on practice questions and theories, this review book lays more of an emphasis on critical reasoning, problem analysis, and resolution. Patient care requires a lot of task management, delegation and prioritization and this book delves deep into instilling the right strategies and approach for real-life situations .

Multiple choice questions are also provided that become more difficult as you progress that will help you become familiar with most NCLEX exam question types. The newest edition of this book includes NGN-style questions to help you focus on new question formats and optimize study for the NGN!

This resource can truly benefit students enrolled in leadership and management courses as well. Those courses are a requirement for Baccalaureate students, as well as some of the content may benefit Associate Degree of nursing students. My current program has a leadership course, where students may benefit from having this resource as an adjunct learning resource. It is imperative that students are able to apply the theory behind prioritization, delegation, and assignment to NCLEX questions.

  • Updated question format for the Next-Generation NCLEX-RN exam
  • Content for evidence-based guidelines and treatment protocols has been revised
  • Interactive online question format simulates NCLEX-RN questions
  • Answer keys after each chapter review

Top Feature: Best Guide for Patient Care Safety & Efficacy 

Who Needs This: Students seeking approaches for real-life scenarios beyond NCLEX

Lippincott Q&A Review

Best budget nclex rn review book.

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN

Imagine getting comprehensive review for the NCLEX at a fraction of the price - well, you can with this Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN.

This is one of the best NCLEX-RN review books you can use to practice for the nursing exam. This is because it mirrors the actual exam in all terms of the question types, difficulty levels and formatting. If you already have a strong grasp of the NCLEX-RN syllabus and are looking to test yourself with a close replica of an actual NCLEX-RN exam, then this review book is for you. 

The author is an accomplished nursing instructor and associate professor and contains questions that will show you exactly what to expect from the NCLEX-RN exam. The review contains questions that will show you exactly what to expect from the NCLEX-RN exam.

All aspects of nursing practice can greatly benefit from this review book including pediatrics, psychiatric/ mental health, and medical surgical practices. Completing this review book thoroughly is sure to fill any nursing student with the confidence to face the NCLEX-RN exam without any doubt.

  • 6,000+ NCLEX-RN study questions
  • 7 practice tests
  • Separated by sections with color coding
  • Exclusive online study materials complement the book

Top Feature: Most affordable NCLEX book on this list

Who Needs This: Nursing students who are on a budget

Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing

Best nclex reviewer book for a budget.

Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing | NCLEX-RN

A high-value NCLEX-RN review book that covers nearly 800 pages of content for the exam.

The Mosby’s review book is one of the best NCLEX review books that you can add to your nursing school library! With over 800 pages to go over , the Mosby review guide comprehensively lays out the main topics required for the NCLEX. 

Despite being so voluminous, this book is arranged quite well, making it easy to read and organize study plans. There are plenty of practice questions to study with, as well as audio and graphic questions to prepare with.

Combined with the assortment of quiz questions and audio format, there is also an additional segment for nursing management. If you would prefer to have quizzes customized to your personal needs, then a companion CD is included to help you focus your study plans.

  • 4,200 practice questions and rationales
  • 2 comprehensive exams
  • 600 alternate-format question types
  • Downloadable audio summaries for topics on-the-go

Top Feature: The most content among the books listed here – over 800 pages

Who Needs This: Nursing students looking to fill any content gaps 

HESI Comprehensive Review

Best online nclex resources.

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination

Among the best NCLEX study guides with a suite of online resources on their Evolve Companion website.

This resource will benefit students who take the HESI exams while enrolled in nursing school. For students who take other exams (ATI, Kaplan), there may be some slight differences in content. This stands as a helpful study guide for nursing students who have a long study plan and have started well ahead of time to prepare. The book is arranged into chapters that take advantage of different teaching techniques to explain complex concepts from pediatric, psychiatric and neonatal nursing amongst others. 

Another cool thing about the HESI Comprehensive Review is that it is quite easy to understand and written in simple language and clear terms, making it among the best NCLEX study guides in this list!

The layout of the book is well thought out and arranged in such a way that there are hint boxes, clues, short lessons, pictures, and charts that all contribute to a more enjoyable learning experience all around. This is especially important because of its preference by students with months to prepare for the NCLEX exam. The online resource center is also quite extensive and provides plenty of practice questions for students to sharpen their skills with.

  • 900 practice questions 
  • Chapters organized by clinical area 
  • Pharmacology tables
  • Includes Next Generation NCLEX question types

Top Feature: Easy-to-follow outline and organization

Who Needs This: Students looking for a very clear and organized NCLEX prep 

Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN

Best nclex question book.

Davis's Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN®

With nearly 10,000 NCLEX questions, this is the ideal NCLEX book for practice!

Using the Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN is a popular option for many nursing students because it is said to have the highest number of practice questions of all NCLEX review books currently in the market, making it among the top 10 best NCLEX review books. This NCLEX question book contains 2,750 questions in the book and another 10,000 practice questions online. Simply put, there are more than enough materials to get ready for the NCLEX when using Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN ! 

The beauty of this NCLEX question book is that the difficulty levels are also hard enough to provide enough of a challenge. In fact, most of the NCLEX questions are tougher than the NCLEX and need advanced understanding of nursing concepts to answer correctly. This means that nursing students who use the Davis review guide prepare at a higher degree of difficulty which helps them retain more and pass the NCLEX with greater ease.

The arrangement of the question types also helps students to easily identify their areas of deficiency for improvement. That way, you can then focus on working on these in order to ensure a better chance of success on the NCLEX. The rationales provided by Davis’s review guide are comprehensive and extremely detailed. There are also guidelines that help students understand different question types and recommend the best ways to handle them.

  • 10,000 practice questions (online)
  • 2,500 printed practice questions & answer rationales
  • Student success center for analytics & feedback

Top Feature: The most practice questions among NCLEX prep books

Who Needs This: Students looking for lots of practice

Kaplan Next Generation NCLEX-RN Prep

Best score increase guarante e.

Next Generation NCLEX-RN Prep 2023-2024

New edition updates by Kaplan scrutinizes the Next Generation NCLEX question types and spells out how to answer each.

The current research is showing that students are performing better on the NCLEX now that NGN questions are part of the test – so preparing using resources that focus on NGN questions is very beneficial!

With the Next Gen NCLEX upon us, Kaplan’s made some changes to its NCLEX review edition. Included in its updates are step-by-steps on how to answer some of the new question types on the Next Generation NCLEX-RN – Matrix, Multiple Response, Cloze, Drag-and-Drop, Highlight, Bowtie, and Trend.

8 of its content chapters include practice sets to reinforce learning and to help to cement your learnings throughout each chapter.

  • 1 full-length practice test in the book with answers and explanations
  • 1 full-length computer generated NCLEX test online
  • Detailed rationales for correct and incorrect question answers

Top Feature: Best study guide for next generation NCLEX

Who Needs This: Nursing students seeking a higher score guarantee

Kaplan’s NCLEX Medication Review

Best nclex review book for drug reference.

NCLEX Medication Review: 300+ Meds You Need to Know for the Exam (Kaplan Test Prep)

A pocket-sized medication review that is a handy reference for NCLEX and beyond.

Drugs and medications are a critical part of the NCLEX-RN test and this portable guide provides all the information you need about the most frequent medications featured on the nursing exam. This book by Kaplan makes our list of the best NCLEX review books as it contains over 300 drugs explained using a flashcard format (see more pharmacology flashcard options). Each drug page contains drug terms, explanations, contraindications, uses, and other properties.

The NCLEX reviewer is updated to the most recent information so most of the information you need to know is readily available, including a new section of drug uses. A comprehensive index also features drug brand names and common names, their correct pronunciation and medical abbreviations.

This is a handy review of nursing Pharmacology that you can use to review drug information for the NCLEX. A nice touch that most students like is the arrangement of the drugs according to category and not alphabetically. You can also look online for additional Pharmacology study guides.

  • Pocket-sized is easy to travel with 
  • Organized by category and subcategory 
  • Helpful for both nursing students and working nurses

Top Feature: Pocket-sized is easy to reference

Who Needs This: Students and nurses who need help with medical terms and details

Best NCLEX Review Books FAQ

Which is the best nclex rn review book.

Our #1 pick for the best NCLEX reviewer is the Saunders Comprehensive Review. This is the highest-rated book among real nursing students who have taken the NCLEX-RN. It covers all sections of the NCLEX and includes alternate question formatting. 

Which NCLEX review course is the best?

Our highest-rated NCLEX review course is Kaplan’s NCLEX on demand. They keep all of their NGN questions and formatting adapted to the real NCLEX, so you know exactly what to expect on test-day so that you can pass on the first try. You can also read our full NCLEX Course Review .

Is Saunders good for the NCLEX?

Saunders is the highest-rated NCLEX prep book on the market today for the NCLEX-RN exam. They have built out an extensive online study platform so that students can get additional practice online. 

Is UWorld harder than the NCLEX?

90% of students who have taken the NCLEX-RN after studying with UWorld have reported that it was of the same difficulty or harder than the real NCLEX. If you do well on the UWorld practice tests, you can rest assured that you are ready to take the NCLEX!

Is Lippincott good for the NCLEX?

Lippincott has created great NCLEX prep books for practicing. We have ranked Saunders above Lippincott’s NCLEX reviewer, however, due to real student reviews for effectiveness. 

Can I Pass the NCLEX without studying?

You should study before the NCLEX, regardless of how confident you feel going in without cracking open an NCLEX prep book.

When should you study for the NCLEX?

Students should start using the NCLEX review books during their last semester/term of nursing school so that they may take the NCLEX as soon as possible. The longer a student waits, the chances increase for them to not pass due to the duration of content lapse.

Where can I buy NCLEX review books?

You can buy all of the best NCLEX review books on Amazon. We have provided the links above so that you can get these NCLEX books immediately using your Amazon account! 

Best NCLEX Review Books – Wrap Up

Finding the best NCLEX reviewer for you can seem daunting, but we hope that we have helped to ease the burden with this list. If you are still on the fence of which book to use for your NCLEX prep, then we recommend you start with the Saunders Comprehensive Review. You’ll get all of the content review plus relevant test-like practice that will prepare you and give you confidence to pass on the first try on test day! 

If you made it through this list of NCLEX books and are still unsure of what book you want, then we recommend you start with the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN . In it, you’ll get a suite of tools and resources that are all updated regularly to reflect recent NCLEX-RN test changes.

We hope you enjoyed our best NCLEX review books List! Have you used these prep books? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Preparing for the NCLEX? Know what to expect on test day and what to bring to the NCLEX !

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10 Best NCLEX Prep Books for 2023: Top Picks & Reviews

Best Overall

best book to review nclex

Saunders Comprehensive Review

Read Review

Single Section Coverage

best book to review nclex

Kaplan’s NCLEX-RN Drug Guide

Most Affordable

best book to review nclex

Lippincott Q&A Review for the NCLEX

Aaron Simmons Profile Image

Aaron • Last updated on January 4, 2023

Choosing the best NCLEX review book plays a huge role in passing the NCLEX exam. It is essential that you consider a resource that fits your learning style to make the most out of it. Even if you already have a study circle and a good grasp of nursing concepts, it remains a wise investment to get yourself a reliable prep book.

For this roundup review, I give you Saunders Comprehensive Review as the best choice of book from the rest of what I have listed here. Other materials, however, are comparable to some extent. Read further below and check what works for you.

10 Best NCLEX Prep Books

1. saunders comprehensive review.

best book to review nclex

Rating: 4.9/5

The Saunders Comprehensive Review ( 1 ) is considered to be consistently labeled as the best NCLEX review book because of several reasons, one of which is its plethora of practice questions. With more than 5,000 practice questions, you will get complete coverage of all nursing topics, thereby adding to your confidence during the test day.

  • Kindle version is difficult to use
  • Some questions have a low degree of difficulty

Moreover, the author continuously updates the content to make it more relevant, especially considering the changes in the nursing environment over the years. Another reason that makes this book a top-rated NCLEX study guide is the visuals like charts, images, and tables that break the monotony of the texts.

Aside from the thousands of questions, this NCLEX prep book is also easy to understand. It uses simplified grammar to ensure that students understand each concept right away with less to no confusion. Even better, there are detailed explanations for both correct and wrong answers to expand your knowledge on the right approach to answer the question.

I also enjoy the format of this book because the questions are provided at the end of each chapter. This format takes advantage of the idea that it is better to review the practice questions while the pieces of information in each chapter are still fresh. Lastly, you will get exclusive online access to more resources that would help clarify the book’s content when you purchase it.

Final Verdict:

It’s one of the top NCLEX review books for many reasons–bulk information yet easy to digest. The test-taking strategies and other beneficial features certainly give you the confidence you need for the actual test day.

2. Kaplan’s NCLEX-RN Drug Guide

PrepScholar

PrepScholar

Rating: 4/5

Kaplan is a known provider of courses and study materials, including the NCLEX-RN Drug Guide ( 2 ). Although it is not a comprehensive NCLEX prep book, I included it in this list because drugs and medications form a huge part of the exam. Due to this, Kaplan dedicated a book that specializes in the said section.

  • Not comprehensive

This book offers a great deal of information about medications with over 300 drugs explained with a flashcard format. Included in the explanations are details on application, contraindication, uses, and properties. There is also a thorough index on common names, brand names, correct pronunciation, and medical abbreviations. Even better, the drugs are arranged by category, which is more beneficial than alphabetical order.

It also comes in a smaller size than the regular textbooks, so carrying it is no hassle.

If you are struggling with this section, this NCLEX review book is the material to rely on. You can achieve a thorough understanding of medications relevant to your future practice as a nurse.

Use it as a supplementary material only, especially if you feel that you have learning gaps on drugs and medication. Do not rely on this because it is not as comprehensive as other NCLEX study guide books.

3. Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing

Best for Review

Rating: 4.6/5

The 20th edition of Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing for the NCLEX-RN Examination ( 3 ) is a great collection of relevant nursing topics that can help you ace the NCLEX exam. It has over 800 pages of information that cover all of the main topics.

  • The volume is intimidating
  • The delivery of information is slightly redundant
  • The rationales are not clear enough

As per several student reviews, this NCLEX prep book is a huge volume that makes it intimidating to use. Nevertheless, the content makes it one of the best NCLEX books out there. It has tons of practice questions with colorful charts and illustrations, especially necessary for students who are visual learners. Moreover, it includes two full-length practice exams that can help build your endurance in taking lengthy tests like the NCLEX.

Another unique feature of this book is a section dedicated to nursing management practices, such as prioritization, task management, and governance. There’s also a CD included that you can use to tailor your quizzes and to help you focus your study plans.

I consider it as one of the best NCLEX RN review books despite its flaws because its coverage is extensive. Moreover, it is one of the most updated books for the NCLEX.

This book contains more than 600 alternate item formats that will train you well in dealing with these types of questions.

4. Lippincott Q&A Review for the NCLEX

Rating: 4.4/5

The Lippincott Q&A Review ( 4 ) may not be as comprehensive as the Saunders Comprehensive Review but it incorporates the similar types of questions and difficulty found in the real NCLEX examination. It also mimics the format of the exam that helps students get used to what to expect in the exam.

  • No rationales for incorrect answers
  • Book’s content is similar to the online resource
  • Contains some typographical errors

Even more, this NCLEX prep book is so affordable that it is highly voted as one of the best NCLEX reviewers. It contains more than 6,000 questions that will help expand your active learning and critical thinking skills. There is also a self-analysis page for better individual practice. The content is color-coded to aid you well in grasping information easily.

I recommend this book for students who are already familiar with the NCLEX syllabus because it uses a direct approach to question and answer. Otherwise, it may come out as an overwhelming study material. The four major topics in this book are mental health, medical-surgical, obstetric, and pediatric nursing.

If you’re looking for budget-friendly resource material for the NCLEX, then the Lippincott Q&A Review is my best recommendation.

Content updates of this book are driven by objective data from the Lippincott NCLEX-RN PassPoint.

5. HESI Comprehensive Review

Rating: 4.5/5

For students who have time to prep ahead of time before the NCLEX examination, the HESI Comprehensive Review ( 5 ) gets my seal of approval. Despite it being a comprehensive NCLEX review book, you won’t be overwhelmed with the content because it is arranged into chapters, and the terms used are simple and clear.

  • Online resource equivalent has less than 300 practice questions

For enhanced learning, this book also uses various teaching techniques to explain complicated concepts. Plus, there’s plenty of supplementary guides to augment what you already know, such as hint boxes, short lessons, charts, and pictures. Detailed explanations of answers are also well-thought-of to keep students from getting stuck with complex nursing questions.

The high-quality paper used in this book also adds to its overall value as one of the best NCLEX study guides. Preparing for the NCLEX for several months won’t be an issue with this book because it’s durable enough to hold off constant shuffles of month-long study preps.

Finally, its online counterpart provides additional practice questions that can help sharpen your test-taking skills.

The HESI Comprehensive Review is the best book to study for NCLEX-RN if you have several months to study. The engaging format also makes it lively to use and not boring or tiresome. Based on the title of the book itself, you can use it for both NCLEX-RN and HESI exams ( 6 ).

6. NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide

Another book from Kaplan is the NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide ( 7 ) that summarizes all the significant nursing concepts. This book has only around 600 pages but covers enough that will help you learn without going through a full NCLEX course.

  • No full-length practice exams

It is considered to be one of the best study guides for NCLEX-RN because it is both easy to access and understand. It is accessible because there is an online resource companion when you purchase the book, and this is where you can access some of the sample questions and notes on study strategies. Because it uses plain terms, pieces of information are easy to grasp.

If you are struggling in meeting up with your own study schedule for the NCLEX, this book may be able to help. This is because it follows a certain study plan that enables you to cover the complete content without wasting time. Kaplan’s decision tree strategy is also found in this book.

It is not as comprehensive as Saunders, Mosby’s, and HESI, but the summarized content will surely suffice your study requirements. I personally appreciate that this NCLEX study guide is also mindful of the students’ need for a study plan, which is vital when you are using it without a tutor.

7. Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX RN

This book is considered to be a unique choice from our list because it’s a study material with tons of visual presentations. The Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN ( 8 ) uses well-curated charts and mnemonics that aid your learning as you go through each nursing concept. Even better, the book presents concepts in colorful boxes for easy retention of information.

  • Heavily summarized
  • There is a gap between the book and the online portal

When you purchase this NCLEX study guide, you will also be provided with access to its comprehensive online resource with over 2,500 practice questions. Through notecard pages, key concepts are well-laid out for your in-depth understanding of what’s in the book. In other words, the online portal supplements the book.

Of course, I consider it as one of the best NCLEX prep books because it has the most recent addition of information crucial to your practice as an entry-level nurse.

This book focuses on the visual presentation of nursing concepts; hence you ultimately need to refer to the online portal for the explanations and rationales. Therefore, I do not recommend that you depend solely on this book. For an explanatory guide, utilize the online portal in the Evolve web resource ( 9 ).

8. Davis Q&A Review for the NCLEX RN

Greatest Number of Questions

Rating: 4.8/5

Quite closed to Saunders Comprehensive Review, this NCLEX book entitled Davis Q&A Review ( 10 ) is one of the best NCLEX review books because it contains the greatest number of questions. It has 2,750 practice questions in the book and another 10,000 practice questions in the online portal link to it.

  • Some typographical errors

The other feature of this top-rated NCLEX review book that I love is the quality of its questions. Each one is set at the right difficulty level to ensure that you will be challenged enough. A few student reviews even say that some questions in the book are tougher than the ones in NCLEX. 

Moreover, the types of questions are intuitive in a way that can help you identify your learning gaps. To handle various question types, there are also guidelines included in the book. Plus, the two sets of full-length practice tests help you get used to how the actual NCLEX examination progresses.

You won’t go wrong with this book’s wide plethora of questions that can enhance your readiness for the NCLEX. The additional features, such as the NCLEX study guide definitely adds value.

9. Prioritization, Delegation, and Task Management

Best Study Aid

First off, I would like to tell you that this book is best paired with a comprehensive reviewer like the Saunders Comprehensive Review and Davis Q&A Review. Simply put, those comprehensive prep books provide you great coverage of information in order to pass the NCLEX, while the book Prioritization, Delegation, and Task Management ( 11 )  aims to make you a better nurse.

  • Answers are a bit subjective
  • Cannot be used on its own is a gap between the book and the online portal

This book is unique because most NCLEX prep books focus on providing you practice questions and content review so you can pass the test. This one, however, focuses on testing your ability to deal with practical concerns that nurses are facing today.

It covers three areas of principles in caring for a patient: prioritization, delegation, and task management. These three areas target to develop your critical reasoning and problem-solving skills to come up with a resolution.

Also, keep in mind that the NCLEX exam has recently given more emphasis on these areas, which is why the book also provides you with suggested strategies and approaches in dealing with different nursing real-life scenarios.

Overall, it is an amazing book with practical content but it cannot be used by itself. Instead, use it along with some of the best NCLEX-RN review books.

It’s a fantastic resource book with practical uses that will be beneficial even when you’re already a nurse. However, if you use it with a goal to pass the NCLEX, then pair it with other comprehensive prep books.

10. Exam Cram NCLEX Practice Questions

Best for Quick Study

Rating: 4.2/5

Last on our list is a budget-friendly and time-intensive type of NCLEX prep book. The Exam Cram NCLEX Practice Questions ( 12 ) is the best NCLEX study guide for those who have little time before the test. The format of this book is intentionally designed for quick study sessions and easy recollection of information.

Included in this resource material are key nursing concepts and 1,250 practice questions that are all formulated to refresh and sharpen your memory, even if you’re in a rush to learn. For example, cram sheets are used for relevant concepts that require last-minute test prep.

As a user-friendly textbook for the NCLEX, it also offers a CD that can help you familiarize the exam questions. If you don’t have a grounded experience with what goes on in the NCLEX, then we recommend you get the comprehensive study guide.

This book is best as a quick reviewer to refresh your memory, but not as a main NCLEX prep book. This is because most concepts are given only in brief overviews.

How to choose the right NCLEX prep book?

There are a lot of features you have to consider before choosing the right material to use. Some of the things you have to pay attention to are as follows:

  •   Wide coverage – You have to make sure that the prep book you buy is comprehensive enough and covers all nursing concepts in explanatory level. Examples of the comprehensive review books are Saunders, Mosby’s, HESI, and Davis Q&A. You can also look into the number of questions provided and whether they’re provided online and on print. 
  •   Detailed explanations and rationales – Look for a book that gives clarity to the content through detailed explanations and rationales for every question and concept.
  •   Study tips and test-taking strategies – Aside from great content review and tons of questions, choose a book that adds value to your test prep with the inclusion of study tips and test-taking strategies which will help you succeed in your prep time and actual test day.
  •   Easy-to-understand – Choose an NCLEX prep book that makes the study experience easy for you. Some of the signs you have to check are the use of simple language, visual presentation, and good organization of concepts.
  •   Level of difficulty of the questions – Passing the NCLEX requires you to be adept at the most difficult nursing scenarios as the exam targets to test your critical thinking skills in handling these various nursing situations. Therefore, you have to prep with a resource book that gives you an edge in terms of answering difficult questions, which are common in the NCLEX.

You would also appreciate a book that mimics the format and level of difficulty as the real NCLEX examination like Lippincott.

  •   Additional Features – Consider a book that includes full-length practice exams to help you get used to how the actual NCLEX feels. You may also look into additional features like an online portal for extra study resources, companion CDs, and study plans. 

Taking into consideration a lot of factors, I voted Saunders Comprehensive Review as the best book from the list. For the next choice of the best NCLEX reviewer, I recommend Davis Q&A Review and HESI Comprehensive Review.

If you need to master drugs and medications, the Kaplan Drug Guide that covers this particular section is a suitable choice. The book on Prioritization, Delegation, and Task Management is also the perfect option if you want to hone your practical skills in nursing. You can even use it as a refresher when you’re already a nurse.

For quick study fixes, you can try the overflowing nursing content of NCLEX Content Review Guide of Kaplan, Illustrated Study Guide, and Exam Cram.

  • https://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-NCLEX-RN-C2-AE-Examination-Nclex-Rn-ebook-dp-B01K4UK4C4/dp/B01K4UK4C4/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506223478/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkCode=sl1&tag=nursefocus-20&linkId=7de45b16ea25d2905dfd61be09710a27&language=en_US
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323078958/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkCode=sl1&tag=nursefocus-20&linkId=3ad65c38e00b3c3905c4a73859d433d8&language=en_US
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/1469886618/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkCode=sl1&tag=nursefocus-20&linkId=8d80ff7cf6fc3b4cce3ce8bdd4d90fc2&language=en_US
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323394620?creativeASIN=0323394620&imprToken=gZDMAPoPx4MVSHdlzBr7fA&slotNum=28&tag=kthorndy44-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HESI_exam
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506245501?creativeASIN=1506245501&imprToken=PQxi-fjMpb2bJQeQ9KXZwA&slotNum=32&tag=kthorndy44-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323530974?creativeASIN=0323530974&imprToken=PQxi-fjMpb2bJQeQ9KXZwA&slotNum=44&tag=kthorndy44-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
  • https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/080364079X?creativeASIN=080364079X&imprToken=PQxi-fjMpb2bJQeQ9KXZwA&slotNum=36&tag=kthorndy44-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323498280/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkCode=sl1&tag=nursefocus-20&linkId=f5c83a2518ddf23087358e45c96d8e46&language=en_US
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/0789757532?creativeASIN=0789757532&imprToken=PQxi-fjMpb2bJQeQ9KXZwA&slotNum=40&tag=kthorndy44-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

NurseHive

The Best NCLEX Review Books And Study Guides (Plus Study Tips)

by NurseHive | Oct 22, 2020 | Reviews | 0 comments

If you want to ace the NCLEX exam, you’re going to need the best NCLEX review books and study guide out there.

Well, don’t worry – there are 10 best NCLEX review books that nurses have been using for years to conquer the dreaded NCLEX.

In A Hurry? Here's Our Top 5 Picks for the Best NCLEX Review Books and Study Guides

  • Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (Best Overall NCLEX Study Guide)
  • HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination 6th Edition (Most Well-Organized NCLEX Study Guide)
  • Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN (Easiest To Use NCLEX Study Guide)
  • Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing for NCLEX-RN Examination 20th Edition (NCLEX Study Guide With Good Add-Ons)
  • Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN® Exam 10th Edition (Best NCLEX Study Guide For Visual Learners)

Even so, you may have already heard how difficult the exam is.

You may have heard that you might have to answer more than 200 questions covering everything from basic care to pharmacology – and these questions are pulled from a bank of thousands.

Not only that – the test is adaptive, meaning it gets more difficult the more answer you get correct. And to top it off – it’s timed. You’ve only got six hours to take it.

CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE BEST NCLEX FLASHCARDS

Maybe you’ve talked to a nurse or two who’s taken it and passed. Did they tell you horror stories of poring through thousands of prep questions and not sleeping for a month straight while they studied non-stop for it?

Or maybe they were one of the lucky few who spent a week preparing then breezed right through. Yeah, right.

Best Overall NCLEX Study Guide

Saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination, saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-pn.

At the top of every list of NCLEX exam reviews, It’s been updated to include all the most recent additions and changes to the NCLEX test plan.

The Saunders review guide by Angela Elizabeth Silvestri, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, and Linda Silvestri Ph.D., RN, FAAN goes for the overkill approach with thousands of practice questions.

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN review

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Don’t be intimidated by the size of this book (it’s a brick) or the amount of information.

You want everything you can get – and it’s got it all. With everything from test-taking strategies, questions, and tests to audio summaries and access to the Evolve website, there’s nothing forgotten here.

Bonus: you can customize quizzes and tests, plus utilizing the extra resources on the website.

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN review

Here’s some of what you’ll get:

  • More than 5,200 practice questions in the book and its online companion Evolve website with customizable quizzes
  • A comprehensive 75-question exam that hits all of the content areas in the same percentages as the exam
  • Lots of visual elements like charts, graphs, and tables
  • Covers all of the question formats, including prioritizing, multiple response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot (figure/illustration), charts & exhibits, audio questions, and useful videos.
  • Explanations for correct and incorrect answers
  • Audio review summaries: pharmacology, fluids, and electrolytes, acid-base balances
  • Tips and advice on test-taking, the CAT (computer adaptive test), and views on the NCLEX from nurses who’ve passed it

There are tons more included with at least 8 newly added sections.

Pros: comprehensive information, updated, lots of questions, Evolve website access

Cons: Can be a bit information-heavy at times

Most Well-Organized NCLEX Study Guide

Hesi comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination (6th edition).

The HESI Comprehensive NCLEX-RN review will help get you ready for both the NCLEX and the HESI exit exam. With an easy to read outline format, this study guide reviews concepts, and clinical areas.

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN review

It also provides HESI tips on applying the critical concepts of clinical decision making and it includes the companion Evolve website that lets you practice taking the test in exactly the same electronic format as the real NCLEX.

  • More than 900 NCLEX practice questions
  • HESI hint boxes highlighting the most crucial information and concepts
  • Critical thinking study questions
  • Chapters organized by clinical areas
  • Pharmacology tables
  • All question types
  • New additions: all updates, 300 additional questions, clinical judgment scenarios

Pros: pharmacology tables, critical thinking study questions, organized by clinical area

Cons: not as many practice questions as others

Easiest To Use NCLEX Study Guide

Lippincott q&a review for nclex-rn.

Lippincott’s Q&A Review hits all the four main content areas and has almost as many practice questions as Saunder’s, but it’s a bit quicker, yet still comprehensive guide to practice NCLEX exam questions.

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN review

Its content aligns with the NCSBN 2019 test plan covering the four major areas of nursing: obstetrics, pediatrics, medical-surgical, and mental health nursing.

You’ll get access to their online Passport program with randomized tests to help you prepare.

An attractive feature of this guide – the low price.

While studying, you can take tests that cover the concepts you’re reviewing. Here’s some of what’s included:

  • More than 6,000 NCLEX questions
  • Content aligned with the NCSBN test plan and written in the same style as the exam
  • Rationales for correct and incorrect answers
  • Study tips and test-taking strategies

Pros: quick and easy to ready, comprehensive, price, NCSBN aligned

Cons: not as many questions as Saunder’s

NCLEX Study Guide With Most Questions

Davis’s q&a review for nclex-rn® 3rd edition.

Do you absolutely need ALL the NCLEX study questions? Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN has them.

Davis's Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN® 3rd Edition review

It includes more than 2,500 questions in the book and 10,000 online –  including the dreaded SATA (select all that apply) questions. You’ll also get to take two comprehensive exams to test.

Also included:

  • NCLEX test plan overview
  • Audio, video, and clinical judgment questions
  • Strategies for answering each question type
  • Test-taking tips and strategies for getting the right answer if you don’t know
  • Two comprehensive exams
  • 1-year subscription to online tests with 10,000 interactive questions
  • Assignment builder that creates customized quizzes for problem areas
  • Analyzes your strengths and weaknesses

Pros: tons of questions, customized quizzes, test analyzer

Cons: not as many questions in the book

NCLEX Study Guide With Good Add-Ons

Mosby’s comprehensive review of nursing for nclex-rn examination 20th edition.

Mosby’s NCLEX Review is a classic test for NCLEX prep. Fully updated to include the newest NCLEX test plan it includes more than 4,000 questions – including 600 in the new alternative format questions.

Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing for NCLEX-RN review

Also includes a companion CD to customize quizzes and download audio summaries.

Some of what’s included:

  • 4,200 practice questions
  • Content is grouped by categories of concern
  • Detailed rationales for correct and incorrect answers
  • Text references for rationales
  • NCLEX Preparation Toolkit

Pros: lots of alternative format questions, companion CD

Cons: could have more explanations

Best NCLEX Study Guide For Visual Learners

Illustrated study guide for the nclex-rn® exam 10th edition.

Looking at a brick wall of text can be scary – and boring. Liven things up with colorful charts, drawings, and more.

Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN review

With a tight, concise outline format, visual format, and fun cartoon mnemonics, this guide is especially good for those who are visual learners.

Some of what you’ll get:

  • 2,500 questions on the Evolve companion website
  • Mnemonic cartoons to help you remember key concepts and processes
  • Integrated systems approach to each type of care
  • Appendixes summarizing medications and procedures
  • Test answer rationales and explanations
  • Priority boxes to study priorities of nursing care
  • Icons to easily identify content, disorders and treatments

Pros: great for visual learners, mnemonics, pharmacology tables, priority boxes

Cons: not as info heavy

Best Quick Review For NCLEX Exam

Cliffsnotes nclex-rn cram plan.

Gah, – ok. While we’re a little hesitant to include anything with the word “cram” in the title, this little book by CliffsNotes has some useful information and good reviews.

CliffsNotes NCLEX-RN Cram Plan review

The most useful part of this guide is probably the calendars that will help you organize your study time.

Just to be clear – if you think you can cram for the NCLEX and pass it – you can’t. The only way you’ll be prepared is by continuous, steady studying.

What’s included:

  • Calendars to create a study plan with how much time you have until the NCLEX exam (2 months, 1 month, 1 week)
  • Diagnostics test to help you find out where you need to focus
  • Subject reviews on need-to-know topics
  • Practice tests

Pros: study calendar to organize time

Cons: light on some topics

Best Current Review Guide For NCLEX

Nclex-rn exam practice questions by ascensia.

This review book with practice questions by Ascensia has the most up-to-date info available to make sure you get the freshest review out there.

NCLEX-RN Exam Practice Questions by Ascensia review

In addition to the most current info, you’ll get real examples, test questions, graphics, explanations, and everything you need to quickly review and prepare for the NCLEX.

  • 1000+ test questions
  • Detailed exam overview
  • Test-taking tips and strategies
  • Reviews for all NCLEX subjects

Best Priced Study Guide

Nclex rn 2020 and 2021 study guide.

TPB Publishing makes study guides for everything from the LSAT to the MCAT and this NCLEX guide is updated for the new testing outline.

NCLEX RN 2020 And 2021 Study Guide review

It has the same exam preparation, test questions, and review quizzes as the others but does it at a VERY attractive price.

Here’s what’s included in this study guide:

  • Test-taking strategies
  • All test sections: Management of Care, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Safety and Infection Control, Psychosocial Integrity, Comfort and Basic Care, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential.
  • Practice Questions with explanations
  • Comprehensive review

Pros: great price, covers all the basics

Cons: not as much info or extras as others

Best NCLEX Supplemental Guide

Remar review quick facts for nclex.

Need a quick review of NCLEX facts and figures? The ReMar Review Quick Facts For NCLEX does just that – gives you just the quick info you need without having to plow through a ton of chapters and pages.

ReMar Review Quick Facts for NCLEX review

The best part is that it gives you quick little study routines you can knock out in 45 minutes to an hour every day.

It’s all no-nonsense and straight to the point giving you these resources:

  • Self-study program
  • Pharmacology quick facts
  • Help to identify your strengths and weaknesses
  • Quick, effective studying routines

Additional Resources

Need more? Here’s a list of additional resources that include flashcards, books that focus on difficult areas, and a cram guide.

NCLEX Drug Guide: 300 Medications You Need to Know for the Exam

Pharmacology is one of the most intimidating sections of the NCLEX exam, but it doesn’t have to be with the right study aid. This guide from Kaplan covers 300 need to know medications that are sure to be on the test.

It’s also pocket-sized so you can take it to go.

NCLEX-RN Drug Guide review

Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses

While not technically an NCLEX study guide, the Davis Drug Guide has extensive info on all the drugs and medications you’ll need to know – and you can hold onto it for reference after you pass the exam.

Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses review

The NCLEX exam doesn’t have to be the scary monster it’s made out to be. Just remember with the right preparation and study time, you can ace it. In fact, your chances are pretty good because the pass rate is more than 85% on average

All you need is the right tools and the right attitude. So get yourself a guide and some flashcards and get to studying.

If you put in the time and effort, you’re going to do just fine.

Speaking of effort – you’ve got to use your limited studying time wisely. So here’s those studying tips we mentioned earlier. They’ll help you organize and maximize your study time and get you ready for the big day.

Why The NCLEX Is So Important

Well, duh, you have to pass the NCLEX exam to get your license to practice nursing. Yes, that is correct. You have to get a passing score on the NCLEX exam to become a nurse, whether you’re an RN or PN.

But the NCLEX isn’t just testing how well you can memorize facts and data to mark the right boxes on an exam. That’s why they use CAT (computer adaptive testing) to give you the exam.

With CAT, the more answers you get right – the harder the questions become. The test adapts to the test taker, challenging them.

There will be a point where you don’t know the answer to a question (actually, there’ll probably be more than one point). The test is designed that way.

Nobody can memorize all the information covered by the NCLEX anyway – there’s too much to know. And the test knows this.

What they want to see is not that you’ve got a supercomputer for a brain and have committed every piece of data to memory – no. What they want to see is that even if you don’t know something, that you know enough to safely practice nursing.

That means that you know enough to know what the proper steps are that will cause the least amount of or no harm to the patients under your care.

They want to see critical thinking, flexibility, and caution from you.

Is The NCLEX Exam Really Hard To Pass?

It’s hard – but not impossible. True, it covers more information than most people can ever hope to memorize and will ask you things you absolutely don’t know, but it’s beatable.

happy nurse

There are so many factors that go into how successful you’ll be on the NCLEX exam like:

  • How well prepared you are
  • Do you have test anxiety?
  • What’s your learning style
  • Your physical health
  • Your emotional health

Your biggest asset is being prepared. You’ve got to put in the study time and effort on a regular basis. If you aren’t prepared, it’ll be a tough slog. One of your best preps is going to be the right study guide.

But to make you feel better – the current pass rate for the NCLEX is around 75%. That’s pretty good odds. And if you just happen to not pass the first time – they’ll let you take it again . . . and again until you make it.

What Makes A Good NCLEX Study Guide?

What makes a good NCLEX study guide? Well, all the ones we’ve gathered for you are great. They’re written by PhDs, advanced nurses and educators who know what you need to prepare. But they all have the same things in common:

Here’s a few things to look for in any NCLEX study guide:

  • Practice Questions – more than anything you want your practice guide to have tons of practice questions, the more the better. The ones we found have thousands.
  • Practice Exams – good NCLEX study guides will give you at least one practice exam to help you prepare.
  • Updated Content – you want the latest clinical updates and NCLEX test plan, The NCLEX exam is scheduled for an update in 2023.
  • Strategies – you definitely want a study guide with strategies to help you know what to expect on the exam.
  • All Question Formats – your study guide needs to include all the alternate question formats, including multiple responses, prioritizing [ordered response], fill-in-the-blank, figure/illustration, chart/exhibit, video, and audio questions.
  • Extra Resources – most guides include access to websites with extra resources like videos, practice quizzes, and more.

Is The Saunders NCLEX Guide The Best One?

The question gets asked a lot: what NCLEX study guide is the best – that is, after all, why you’re here reading this blog right?

While the HESI, Lippincott, and Davis guides are great, the Saunders NCLEX Guide is at the top of the list for the simple reason that it goes for the “kitchen sink” strategy of providing questions, quizzes, tests, online resources, charts, graphs – everything you need and then some.

It also helps that it’s written by two nursing PhDs, Angela Elizabeth Silvestri, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, and Linda Silvestri Ph.D., RN, FAAN. They’ve been helping nurses pass the NCLEX exam for years.

So take a look at the Saunders Guide – it’s up first on the list. But don’t neglect the others – they have other additions and twists that are good for different types of learners and those with less time to organize their studying.

So are you ready to get your NCLEX guide and start studying? Hah, right – well you still need an NCLEX guide and we’ve got the best ones for you.

What we’re going to do is give you the top-rated NCLEX study guides plus a couple of extra resources that’ll make sure you’ll be fully prepared when you sit down to the exam.

Here are the top 10 NCLEX exam study guides and if you want to stick around, at the end we’ve got some clever studying tips that’ll help you study smarter, not harder.

What Is The Best NCLEX Review Book?

All of these NCLEX books and study guides will give you everything you need to crush the NCLEX exam.

While every one of them covers all the majors, there are a few minor differences in writing style and the way the information is presented. Have a look and find the best one for you.

NCLEX Exam Studying Tips:

Here’s some great NCLEX studying tips – but if you want to really get some genius tips and hacks to help you pass the NCLEX the first time , look here.

Study Regularly

You can’t wait to cram all of your studying until the last week or two. You need to study in short 1 – 2 hour block at least 5 times a week.

nursing student studying

Answer Practice Questions

Probably the most reliable way to prepare yourself for the NCLEX is to answer practice questions – lots of them. As in hundreds of them. The more practice questions you answer, the less surprised and more comfortable you’ll be during the test.

Get Study Buddies

Studying with partners is invaluable. They may understand something you don’t or have notes you missed. You can quiz each other and have practice tests.

Focus On Weaknesses

If you’re having a hard time with a particular subject – like pharmacology – work on it. Find your weaknesses and put in some extra effort.

Ask Somebody

If you don’t fully understand a concept – ask a teacher, mentor or fellow nursing student about it and have them explain it to you.

Get Tutored

If you’re struggling, find a tutor. Most schools provide tutors, so take advantage of them. The extra time and effort are worth it.

Know Your Learning Style

Some people are note-takers; others need to watch how something is done. Find out whether you are visual, auditory or a reading/writing learner and modify your study style for it.

Use Mnemonics

Nursing has more mnemonics to remember procedures and dosages than any other profession. Get those mnemonics and use them – they really do help you remember.

That’s right – teach somebody. There’s no better way to get a full understanding of a concept or subject than be teaching it to somebody else. Teach one of your fellow nursing students and you’ll find out very quickly what you do and do not understand.

We would gladly hear your feedback as to how you’ve aced the NCLEX exam, hope we helped you get inspired. Congratulations in advance!

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5 Best NCLEX Review Books

So you’ve worked pretty hard to complete your basic nursing program successfully. Now the only thing standing between you and your all-important nursing license is the NCLEX-RN examination. Choosing the best NCLEX-RN study materials wisely is critical for maximizing your chances of passing the examination with a top score, and we want to help you wade through the many choices that are available in the market.

5 Best NCLEX Review Books

Best NCLEX review books

As you would know, the NCLEX-RN exam is designed to determine whether applicants for licensure as registered nurses have the necessary level of skill and knowledge required to practice knowledgeably, safely, and capably at an entry-level.

We’ve outlined some of the Best NCLEX Review Books in this comparison table to make it easier to find the one that is right for you. You can click “Read More” on any of the items in the table to jump to the section in this article outlining more information about it. Or, you can click the “Buy from Amazon.com” button to pick it up immediately.

To help you prepare, we have put together the 5 Best NCLEX review books .

Saunders Comprehensive Review

NCLEX review books

At over 1180 pages, The Saunders Comprehensive Review provides a comprehensive review of all subject areas specifically related to the latest test plan.

Designed to help candidates make their way to the top of the pyramid, this best seller introduces all that one needs to know about the NCLEX exam, offers key tips and tricks about preparation, and, best of all, gives you access to rationales and test-taking strategies – which give you the information you need to differentiate the correct and incorrect options, and to determine a logical path to choosing the right option.

In addition to a great number of practice tests, you also get to enjoy access to a unique web portal that provides additional study materials to complement the book.

Verdict: One of the best NCLEX review books out there. With this book, the dreaded assessment isn’t nearly as scary.

Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment

NCLEX review books

As the title reads, this NCLEX review book is all about helping nurses hone their prioritizing, delegating and assigning skills. Questions that test your knowledge are rather easy to crack, but practice exercises and case studies that test your application and analysis need some critical thinking skills. This is where this book comes in handy.

Consisting of 3 parts that focus on the concepts of prioritization, delegation, supervision, this NCLEX review study guide is a game changer in the sense that it allows you to develop the ability to critically think through and analyze the situations.

Verdict: A must-have guide for those who struggle with delegation and prioritization of patient care needs.

Lippincott Q&A Review

NCLEX review books

The 12th edition Lippincott Q&A Review matches the actual NCLEX exam in content, format and difficulty, making it one of the best review book for test takers who have finished their review of NCLEX topics but still want to get a sense of the real exam. Authored by an award winning nursing educator and an associate professor, this review guide for NCLEX features practice tests and questions that are written in the same style as the NCLEX exam.

Besides a comprehensive account on nursing for obstetrics, pediatrics, medical-surgical, and mental health nursing, this review guide offers well written rationales, and easy to follow strategies and tips to tackle all 8 formats of test items such as multiple-choice, multiple response, fill up the blanks, chart/exhibit, hot spot, drag-and-drop, graphic items, and audio options.

Verdict: A solid review guide you could use to get better scores and stay on track after passing the NCLEX.

info and nursing school and nclex study resources at nursing.com

HESI Comprehensive Review

NCLEX review books

For those candidates who believe it is never too early to begin preparing for the NCLEX, the HESI comprehensive review is a good fit. Organized into different chapters, this book uses a variety of learning mechanisms to help nursing students prepare for the ultimate test in a structured way. What stands out is the way the open ended questions are presented at the end of each chapter. The review questions and study exams available online on the Evolve site provide much-needed exposure and practice to the critical thinking style questions that you are likely to encounter in HESI exams.

Verdict: It might not be the best book for NCLEX style questions, but it is right up there with its well summarized and easy-to-memorize content.

Mosby’s Comprehensive Review

NCLEX review books

Last but not least, the Mosby’s comprehensive review is a classic resource put together by a team of trusted NCLEX experts. With over 4000 practice questions, elaborated rationales, this latest NCLEX review book reflects the newest test plan prescribed by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NSCBN).

You’ll also find over 600 questions in the latest alternate item format, a preparation tool kit in addition to a couple of comprehensive exams, and access to a variety of customizable quizzes, downloadable audio summaries and more.

Verdict: A classic NCLEX prep book , updated on a regular basis, presents well-organized review content and relevant test questions (in the newest format) that will help you make the grade.

Which NCLEX review book did you have success with?

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Thanks for sharing these nclex books. These books show you how you’ll apply the medical knowledge you have gained in your real-life situations.

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Best NCLEX Prep Books 2024: Quick Review & Comparison

The Best NCLEX Prep Books

Everyone can agree with me when I say:

The NCLEX RN exam plays a huge role in your medical/nursing career future and a huge role in your future as a whole.

The NCLEX has many different options for test preparation books, all-in-one review guides to question and answer books. The NCLEX , or the National Council Licensure Examination, is a very difficult exam, and has a big say on your nursing future.

Because of these reasons I have created this list of the best NCLEX prep books. All of the info below should make it very easy to choose which all-in-one guide or question-and-answer book is best for you to become a registered nurse with a nursing license.

Sound good?

Please note, all external links for the products below (geni.us links, etc.) link to the corresponding Amazon.com page for each product.

Read the full review below >

NCLEX Prep Book Comparison Table

Last Updated: 1/3/2024

Best Overall NCLEX Prep Book

Saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-rn, 7th edition review.

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Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is our best overall study guide for our list of the best NCLEX RN prep books.

The review sections for Saunders Comprehensive are very comprehensive and in-depth , given its 1152 pages. This gives you confidence on test day that you won't be surprised with new material that you have not studied for since all of it is included in this guide.

The answer explanations are also very detailed and thorough . You will never be left scratching your head wondering why you got a question wrong while studying. These explanations will also help you to learn through your mistakes, which is always an advantage.

There are also plenty of practice questions to make sure that you get those repetitions in before the test. The better you prepare, the higher your score on test day will be.

Saunders Comprehensive Review includes:

1) 5,200 NCLEX examination-style questions

2) Question categories by cognitive level, client needs area, integrated process, and content area

3) 85-question comprehensive exam

The one main flaw of this study guide is that some of the sample questions are a little too easy. This may leave you overconfident for your exam and may give you a nasty surprise when you get more difficult questions on exam day.

The positive thing is that these types of questions are few and far between. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is our best overall study guide on our list of the top rated NCLEX review books.

- Concept review is very comprehensive and in-depth

- Answer explanations are detailed and thorough

- Tons of practice questions

- Some of the sample questions are a little too easy

#2 Best Overall NCLEX Prep Book

Hesi comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination, 5th edition review.

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is our number 2 overall study guide on our list of the top NCLEX review guides.

The summary green boxes included in this study guide are great for focusing on what you really need to know for the test. These green boxes really allow you to pin down the most important things to study, saving you time (hopefully enough time to go on a Starbucks run during that late night study session!).

If you need more detail you can read the review sections and the corresponding chapters. Also, the consistent format and chapter organizations make it easy to move between topics while reviewing. This allows you to study for long periods of time without becoming tired or frustrated.

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN also includes:

1) 700 NCLEX practice questions

2) HESI hint boxes spotlight important clinical information and concepts

3) Consistent format and chapter organization make it easy to move between topics when reviewing

The main thing that I dislike about HESI Comprehensive Review is that it contains a little too much review and not enough practice questions. This study guide may be good for someone that really needs a refresher of the topics that they learned during their nursing classes, but does not give enough practice questions to really get into what you will see on test day.

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is our second best overall study guide on our list of the best study guides to prepare for the NCLEX RN.

- Summary green boxes are great for focusing on what you really need to know for the test

- Consistent format and chapter organization make it easy to move between topics when reviewing

- A little too much review while lacking on questions

Best Value NCLEX Prep Book

Lippincott q&a review for nclex-rn, 12th edition review.

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN is our third best overall and best value pick for the top NCLEX study book.

Unlike our previous pick, this prep book is very much focuses on practice questions instead of reviewing subjects. There are tons and tons of practice questions.  We would be shocked if you see a question on exam day that you are totally surprised by. This confidence really leaves you at ease knowing that you won't see something out of the ordinary on test day.

The study guide also has logical organization and flow. The book makes you progress from easier to more difficult questions. This makes it really easy to ramp up your studying and to ramp up your score on test day.

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN also includes:

1) 6,000+ Questions

2) Detailed rationales on each question

One weakness of Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN is that a few categories such as leadership and management are not introduced as topics. However, the questions for these topics are included separately under other subjects, which somewhat makes up for it.

If you are looking for something that has lot of sample questions instead of subject reviews, Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN would be the best choice for you.

- Plenty of practice questions

- Very logical organization and flow

- A few categories such as Leadership and Management are not introduced as subjects

- Focuses a lot more on q&a instead of in-depth review of material

#4 Best Overall NCLEX Prep Book

Kaplan nclex-rn premier 2017, 1st edition review.

Kaplan NCLEX-RN Premier is our 4th best study guide on our list of the top rated NCLEX preparation books.

The chapters are broken down into easy lessons, allowing you to pick it up and study for short periods of time. This really allows you to fit in studying on a busy students’ schedule, especially in between classes.

Another positive is that the practice question difficulty is similar to that of what you will see on the actual exam. This really gives you a good feeling on exam day knowing that you won't be scratching your head because the questions are a lot more difficult than you have seen before.

Kaplan NCLEX-RN Premier also includes:

1) 2 full-length practice tests to gauge your progress—one online, one in the book

2) 60 minutes of video tutorials, viewable both online and on DVD

3) 8 end-of-chapter practice sets to help you put critical thinking principles into action

The 1 main flaw of Kaplan NCLEX-RN Premier is that it is a little bit less focused on reviewing the topics and a little bit more focused on just general test-taking strategy.  The questions on the actual exam are a lot more geared towards subject knowledge rather than strategies.

Kaplan NCLEX-RN Premier is our fourth best overall study guide on our list of the best NCLEX study guides.

- Chapters are broken down into easy lessons

- Question difficulty is similar to that of the actual exam

- Less focused on the review of the topics and a little more focused on test taking strategies

Budget Pick NCLEX Prep Book

Nclex-rn practice questions exam cram, 5th edition review.

NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Exam Cram is our 5th best overall and budget pick for the top NCLEX prep book.

The quick reference sheets included within the book really allow you to study quickly and save time.

Also the separate quick look up answer and rationale pages allow you to speed through the practice test questions. If you're confident on a question then you can quickly look up the answer, but if you got it incorrect or were confused, you can look at the rationale pages. This allows you to spend more time on the questions that are difficult and less time on the ones that are easy, making your study time much more efficient.

NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Exam Cram includes:

1) More than 1250 sample test questions

2) Cram Sheet tear card helps you remember key concepts and facts

3)  Separate quick look up answer and rationale pages

One weakness of NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Exam Cram is that some of the answer references have editing errors or are incorrect. This leaves you sometimes confused and wasting time wondering why you got a question wrong when it was really right.

Also, since NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Exam Cram is geared a lot more towards practice questions, it is extremely brief on concept overview. You may need to purchase another guide if you're looking for a more comprehensive subject review.

NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Exam Cram is our fifth best overall and budget pick for the best NCLEX prep guides.

- Made from the writers of the exam

- Has some unique tips on reading comprehension

- Does not have much in-depth or deep strategy

- Explanations are not as clear or accessible and the more comprehensive guides

Our Suggestions

Our suggestions offer the most cost effective way to study for the NCLEX exam without breaking the bank.  Our list includes guides that are either focused on concept review or practice questions, with our top two choices focusing on both. We know that not everyone has the same nursing degree, whether it be an associates in nursing, a bachelors of science in nursing or a Doctor of nursing. The NCLEX allows you to start your nursing career and puts a cap on your nursing school and nursing education.

Even though  Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is the most in-depth and has tons of practice questions, it is also the most expensive. The easiest and best way to improve your score on the NCLEX exam is to focus studying on improving your weaknesses.  Because of this, we suggest to:

Buy Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN if you are looking for the best overall study guide and do not care about price.  If you are looking for looking for a lot of practice questions and a lower price, pick up Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN .

Best NCLEX Prep Books: Reviewed

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Top Books To Review For The NCLEX Exam

Blog   |  Dec. 13, 2021 by 1NURSE

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It's critical to find the greatest NCLEX reviewer book that works for you when taking an exam like the NCLEX. This prestigious exam is designed to assess prospective nurses' level of skill and knowledge. Surely, there are many NCLEX RN review books to choose from.  Getting a quick summary of your top choices is a wonderful way to get started on your NCLEX study strategy.

Saunders Comprehensive Review For The NCLEX-RN

Price: $61.49 in paperback $43.44 in Kindle

For the NCLEX-RN exam, this is the most highly ranked NCLEX prep book. Even though it's a large book, it's jam-packed with useful information. Practice questions are laid out in an easy-to-follow fashion.

The content in this book is organized into sections. Each component is written in an easy-to-understand language. With each successive edition, there is a greater emphasis on increasing visual content. It includes charts, graphs, and correctly captioned colored pictures. Something to guarantee that students have something to break up the monotony of the text!

There are almost 5,000 practice questions in the Saunders Review, which are also available online. Questions appear at the end of each chapter, allowing you to study and revise at the same time while the knowledge is still fresh. All answers, both correct and incorrect, are well explained, allowing students to have a better understanding of the options available and how to approach each type of issue. There is also an exclusive website for individuals who like to study online that provides even more study resources that help to further clarify the book's contents. 

Lippincott Q&A Review for the NCLEX Exam

Price: $44.06 in paperback in $39.67 in Kindle

This book is intended to assist you in preparing for the NCLEX exam. The Lippincott Q&A Review is also used by students and professors as a study guide and practice tests for preparation for faculty-created examinations. Because the book's questions are also available in PassPoint, the two products can be used together as a continuous evaluation tool to track progress throughout the nursing program.

The Lippincott Q&A Review is one of the greatest study aids for the NCLEX exam, especially for those on a budget. This book uses the same question types and levels of difficulty as the exam, and it even matches the formatting so the test takers know what to expect on test day.

Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN

Price: $36.15 in paperback $37.12 in Kindle

This book is a well-illustrated review textbook that includes well-designed charts and mnemonics to help you study for the NCLEX exam. The emphasis on visual representation elevates the guide's effectiveness over much of the competitors. Concepts are displayed in colored boxes to make them simpler to recall.

This book will appeal to you if you like to work with textbooks (rather than internet resources) but desire a more multimedia look. Having said that, there is still a complete online resource that accompanies the book, which will supply students with practice questions as well as clearly explained rationales to enhance their study.

NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide by Kaplan

Price: $20.49 in paperback $19.47 in Kindle

Kaplan, one of the most well-known names among the finest NCLEX prep materials, has released this Review Guide. It contains a summary of all nursing principles that are tested. Consider it a comprehensive review of all you need to know. Because it employs the Kaplan Decision Tree learning approach, which has proven to be extremely effective over time, you may master the NCLEX without having to complete the entire course, making it one of the best NCLEX review books available today!

The resources are organized in such a way that they are simple to comprehend, accessible, and follow a study path that allows you to cover all of the NCLEX question categories. For a quick review, the content is structured in an outline fashion with easy-to-use tables.

It can be difficult to find the perfect NCLEX reviewer for you, but these books can make studying enjoyable and simple. Check out these books and go over all of the subjects you need to learn. They provide fantastic practice exams to assist you in preparing for the exam and feeling confident on test day!

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The Best NCLEX Review Books of 2024

  • Post by: Professor Conquer
  • Last updated on: January 24, 2024

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The National Council Licensure Exam or NCLEX is the nationwide licensure exam for nurses all across the United States and even Canada. Anyone who has finished nursing school and has applied for a nursing license from his/her state board of nursing can take the NCLEX. And because the United States takes great caution in giving out nursing licenses to make sure the public is safe, the exam is far from a walk in a park. But, with the help of our top prep books for the NCLEX, you will be able to take the exam equipped with more knowledge and confidence.

If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for NCLEX review books here .

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination

Last update: 2024-02-17

Our Favorites for the Best NCLEX Review Books (the best out of the bunch)

best book to review nclex

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination by Linda Anne Silvestri

There is no better prep book to use for your review than Saunders especially if you are looking for the most comprehensive package or for something that builds you from the ground up. With over a thousand pages of good content, this book not only reinforces your knowledge but also gives you enough confidence to tackle the NCLEX with your head high up.

The review portion of this prep book is so thorough and quite detailed yet does not seem too wordy or heavy. In a sense, it gives you the right amount of information without having to overload your brain with too much content. The best part about it is that it is well written and easily understandable even for those that are just trying to build their knowledge on nursing.

If you are a visual learner, Saunders should be on your list. The entire book is printed in full color but not in a such a style that might get a little bit irritating. The colored design simply makes the book more engaging and appealing not only for those who prefer visual aesthetics but also for any type of learner as well.

To help bolster your question-answering skills, the book contains over 5,000 NCLEX style questions and a full-length practice exam that is designed to help improve your retention as you progress through this prep material. These questions are not your normal nursing questions because they were specifically crafted to mirror the same quality of questions you will be encountering during the NCLEX . In a sense, they are challenging enough to improve your critical thinking skills while also helping you adjust to the actual exam’s style of questioning.

Each question has their own corresponding answer explanations, which are all thorough and detailed enough to help you understand your mistakes. In that regard, you will not be left hanging wondering how and where you got it wrong. At the same time, you are also given an avenue to improve that area of weakness in case you encounter similar types of questions in the exam.

For such an informative and thorough prep book, Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination  can be considered a good bargain. You may also opt to rent for about half the price if the price is too steep for you. But you should opt to purchase the book because it works as a good reference. On top of that, it might be the only book you need as many satisfied customers on Amazon were able to pass the NCLEX on this book alone.

What makes it unique:

  • Its comprehensive review portion is second to none in terms of how thorough and detailed it is.
  • The book is a treasure trove of practice questions that each have their own detailed explanations.

Why choose this book:

  • It is the complete package in the sense that it not only bolsters and reinforces your knowledge but also builds your confidence in answering NCLEX style questions.
  • This book is the best prep tool for those who are not confident in their foundational knowledge.
  • Linda Anne Silvestri PhD RN (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1152 Pages - 02/20/2024 (Publication Date) - Saunders (Publisher)

best book to review nclex

NCLEX-RN Prep Plus by Kaplan Nursing

Kaplan is another leader not only in the field of nursing prep books but also in the entire review books industry. However, it stands out particularly well with its NCLEX prep tool because of how this book tests how well you know how to apply your knowledge in real-life situations. It is also one of the best books at giving you advice on how to tackle the NCLEX questions.

Arguably one of this book’s best features is how it breaks down what you need to know to answer the NCLEX questions properly. It provides you a great walkthrough on the strategies you may want to take when taking the exam. In that sense, this prep tool helps you in more ways than just giving you a thorough review or sets of practice questions.

Speaking of content review, Kaplan Nursing was able to make it easier for anyone using the book to study the material for short periods of time. It did so by breaking down the chapters into easily digestible formats that allow its readers to breeze through the content review section. That means that you do not have to waste time reading through long and time-consuming chapters. That is good news if you only need to recall the most important concepts instead of re-learning everything from scratch.

When it comes to practice questions and tests, this book ranks as one of the best in that department. It might not trump other prep tools in terms of sheer volume of questions and tests but it does excel in terms of quality. Many regard Kaplan Nursing’s book as the closest to the actual NCLEX’s level of difficulty. In that sense, this book’s practice test will build your confidence as you are already used to how challenging the NCLEX questions are.

For its price on Amazon , NCLEX-RN Prep Plus is one of the most affordable NCLEX prep books on the market but is certainly on par with the more expensive competitors. It might not be the most voluminous book in terms of content but it gives everything you need to know to not only pass the NCLEX but also excel in it as well.

  • The chapters are a breeze to read.
  • It has the optimal difficulty level when it comes to practice questions and tests.
  • Go for this book if you are already quite confident in your nursing foundations because it really serves its strict purpose as a review book.
  • It gives you a good sense of the type of questions you will be encountering in the actual NCLEX.

NCLEX-RN Prep Plus: 2 Practice Tests + Proven Strategies + Online + Video (Kaplan Test Prep)

  • Kaplan Nursing (Author)
  • 540 Pages - 03/03/2020 (Publication Date) - Kaplan Test Prep (Publisher)

Last update: 2024-02-18

The Runners-Up for the Best NCLEX Review Books (still good but a little lacking)

best book to review nclex

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN by Diane Billings, Desiree Hensel

Unlike some of the other books on this list, Lippincott  is a prep tool that primarily contains practice questions. Everything else is secondary or even non-existent at all. That said, this book houses a wealth of over 6,000 practice questions. That is more than enough to take up your free time and to also hone your mind and question answering skills.

The questions are logically arranged in terms of difficulty. That means that you will be starting with easy questions and will encounter the more difficult ones as you steadily progress through the books. This ensures that your mind will slowly adjust to the difficulty and does not suddenly get shocked if it encounters challenging questions out of the blue.

If you are looking for a book that enhances your test-answering skills, there probably is no other material that ranks right up there with Lippincott in terms of overall quality in that department. It might specialize in only one thing but it does that job more effectively than any other tool on the market. That is why it is worth the price tag it comes with.

  • It focuses on practice questions.
  • The practice questions are arranged in terms of difficulty.
  • You might not pass or perform well on the NCLEX if you rely only on your content review. In that regard, you also need a book that gives you enough practice questions to work with.
  • Billings EdD RN FAAN, Diane (Author)
  • 1152 Pages - 04/09/2019 (Publication Date) - LWW (Publisher)

best book to review nclex

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination by HESI

HESI is another popular choice for the NCLEX and is actually a favorite among those who have successfully passed the exam. One of the main reasons as to why this prep tool has become such a success is that it tends to be a lot more clear and concise compared to the other competitors. The charts were also thoughtfully crafted that they really attract the attention in the best of ways.

If you want a more targeted review when using this prep book, you can find summaries of every topic. These summaries or hints point out the most important things you need to keep in mind so that you do not have to waste time and effort on the concepts that are not really that vital to passing the NCLEX.

The chapters are also well formatted and are set up according to the different systems or clinical areas. You can easily move from one topic or chapter to another if you are looking to focus more on certain concepts and important details. And the best part is that the chapters are not too wordy and heavy. In that sense, you can spend an entire reading session without getting tired or mentally drained.

HESI contains 700 NCLEX styled practice questions to help you keep track of your progress. It also even has an entire section or chapter that is dedicated to talking about the NCLEX as well as the strategies or tips that can be quite helpful on the day of the big test. The index portion is also quite nice as it contains informative and important tables.

Overall, it is a great book to use and is only a little over 400 pages long. That means that it is not a very long read and is quite concise and straight to the point. The only problem is that it is quite expensive for a book that is not as comprehensive as some of its other competitors. Its price tag is a little steep for some people. But, other than that, it is a prep book that is of the highest quality.

  • It is organized very well such that it is easy to move from one topic to another.
  • It is written in a clear and concise manner that does not waste your time.
  • It is one of the best books you can use if you are short on time.
  • For all other cases, it is quite informative and useful. It should be one of your top choices if you are not shy about spending more than you have to.

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination

  • HESI (Author)
  • 352 Pages - 10/03/2019 (Publication Date) - Elsevier (Publisher)

The Best Value for Your Money for Best NCLEX Review Books (good and affordable)

best book to review nclex

NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Exam Cram by Wilda Rinehart, Diann Sloan, Clara Hurd

This prep book is exactly what its title says it is. It is a book that specializes in practice questions and on helping you cram for the big exam. In that sense, it provides you with every detail you need and all of the test-answering practice time you can get especially if you do not have the luxury of time before the NCLEX.

Because it works as a cram book, there is a quick reference portion that serves to help you study in the quickest way possible . You can even tear the portion of the book that contains all of the important facts and concepts that you should memorize for the NCLEX.

And because the authors kept in mind that the students using this book do not have a lot of time left to review, they decided to speed things up by making it easier for you to look up the rationale to the answers of the questions. Though it might seem like a minor detail to some, it will ultimately save you a lot of time in the long run especially if you are skimming through hundreds or even thousands of practice questions.

For a book that contains 1,250 practice questions, the price tag is more than a good price to pay especially if you consider the fact that this book is supposed to be for those who are short on time. In that regard, it gives you value for both your time and your money.

  • It focuses primarily on practice questions but it still contains a quick reference guide you can use for a speedy review.
  • It made it easier for you to look up the answer explanations or rationale.
  • It was made for those short on time and are on a tight budget.
  • Rinehart, Wilda (Author)
  • 475 Pages - 02/20/2024 (Publication Date) - Pearson It Certification (Publisher)

Summary of the Best NCLEX Review Books

Wrapping everything up, here are the top NCLEX review resources we went over today:

Our choices for the best NCLEX prep books were carefully chosen based on quality and affordability. It is also important to note that you need a good mix of content review and test-answering practice if you want to stand out and perform better than everyone during the exam. Because of that, the best choices for you should be the ones that not only develop your foundational knowledge in the field of nursing but also build your confidence by testing out your preparedness. That said, all of the NCLEX books we have chosen serve such purposes.

Because you read this post, you might also like our review on the best NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN review books.

Looking for more nursing school supports? You may find these helpful:

  • The Best ACLS Review Books
  • The Best ATI TEAS Study Guides
  • The Best CNA Study Guides
  • The Best HESI A2 Study Guides
  • The Best TEAS Study Guides
  • The Best CCRN Review Books
  • The Best NREMT Test Prep Books
  • The Best CGFNS Books

Or check out our medical book reviews here .

Professor Conquer

Professor Conquer

Professor Conquer started Conquer Your Exam in 2018 to help students feel more confident and better prepared for their tough tests. Prof excelled in high school, graduating top of his class and receiving admissions into several Ivy League and top 15 schools. He has helped many students through the years tutoring and mentoring K-12, consulting seniors through the college admissions process, and writing extensive how-to guides for school.

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Best NCLEX Review Books [TOP 7 PICKS FOR 2022]

Quick overview.

Investing in the best NCLEX review book to suit your needs and study style is a very important factor in passing your NCLEX exam the first time.

Even if you consider yourself to be a top student and have a good grasp of all the main topics that will not always translate to peak performance in the exam.

A proper NCLEX review book will be able to prepare you for the types of questions that are asked and in some cases provide real examples of previous exam NCLEX formats.

Best NCLEX Prep Books

  • Editor’s Pick: Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination
  • Best Supplementary Study Aid: Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercise for the NCLEX Exam
  • Best Budget Option : Lippincott Q&A Review for the NCLEX Exam
  • Most Test Questions: Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN

The  NCLEX is designed to test prospective nurses’ level of skill and knowledge. As a result, the scope of the exam is wide-ranging, meaning you have to be extremely prepared in order to be successful.

A quality NCLEX prep book will help you achieve this. In order to be a positive study aid, the book should be designed in a way to help the revision process.

Well organized with up-to-date information presented in a clear and intuitive way is a must. Some will also offer more study materials by providing access to online resources.

All should have practice exam questions with explanatory notes so that you learn why an answer is the correct one. In other words, it is important that you purchase the best NCLEX review book that works for you.

In this top 7 review round up we have chosen what we believe to be the best NCLEX review books currently available.

Our Top 6 Picks

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN (Saunders Comprehensive Review for Nclex-Rn)

Best NCLEX Prep Books: The Reviews

1. editor’s pick: saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-rn® examination.

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN (Saunders Comprehensive Review for Nclex-Rn)

My top-rated NCLEX review prep book for 2022 has to be the excellent Saunders Comprehensive Review.

This has consistently been rated as one of the most popular NCLEX study aids on the market, and now in its 7 th edition, the author keeps adding to the resource to make it the go-to guide for anyone taking the NCLEX-RN examination.

Yes this is quite a tome, and students can find the amount of information rather daunting, however, in this latest edition, Linda Anne Silvestri added a lot of helpful visual content such as graphs, tables, and images to help in the study process.

This has improved what was already a definitive resource making things more manageable and easier to digest.

Furthermore, the updated information and practice questions are extremely beneficial and are presented in an easy to understand manner that aids revision.

The number of practice questions that buyers of the book will have access to is also extremely impressive. Upon purchase, you will be able to consult over 5,000 practice questions (with some being accessible online).

Within the book, questions are found at the end of each chapter.

This enables students to study the relevant information and then quiz themselves before moving on to the next topic.

Furthermore, and this is something I really like about Saunders Comprehensive Review, explanations are given for both right and wrong answers.

This helps clarify any confusion as you are given a clear reason as to why a certain response is inappropriate.

And if you do prefer online study via your laptop, owners of the textbook will have access to an exclusive website with lots of extra study resources.

best book to review nclex

Bottom Line

This is constantly rated as one of the best NCLEX review books available.

Tons of satisfied students, a huge amount of questions, and answers all in a well-presented textbook.

Add that to the online access you have and this really does prove to be a bargain study aid. You will find everything you need here in order to qualify as a registered nurse.

My number one choice for 2022 for good reason.

  • Related Content: Top 10 best backpacks for nursing school [reviews & guide]

2. Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN

Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN® Exam

The Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN is a clearly illustrated review textbook that uses well-designed charts and mnemonics to assist in the revision process.

Concepts are displayed in colorful boxes to make them easier to remember, the onus on visual representation really does raise the usefulness of the guide above much of the competition.

If you work better using textbooks (rather than online resources); yet want more of a multimedia aesthetic, this book will definitely appeal to you.

All that being said, there is still a comprehensive online resource that supports the guide and this will provide users with practice questions, and carefully explained rationales to further assist your studies.

Access to the Evolve web resource associated with the book provides over 2,500 questions making it a very worthwhile study aid, key concepts are also given further coverage via the online portal.

This latest edition of the guide book contains the most recent additions to the NCLEX-RN study plans. The authors have also included the most important nursing concepts that are tested as part of the exam.

This illustrated study guide is an excellent resource for visual learners. Highlighted concepts, charts, and clear summaries actually make the learning process fun, you will find it easier to remember key concepts using the guide.

However, you will need to consult the online information and even another textbook to have a complete understanding of the full NCLEX curriculum .

  • Related Content: White coats for medical students reviews – A Buyer’s Guide

3. BEST ADDITIONAL STUDY AID: Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercise for the NCLEX Exam

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination

I would argue that Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment is a textbook that should definitely form part of your study aids alongside my top pick from Saunders.

I’ll explain why…

The beauty of this textbook is that it is designed to make you a better nurse, plain and simple.

Whereas the majority of NCLEX study aids are created solely to make sure you pass the exam, the priority here is to cover some of the more practical issues today’s nurses face.

The guide is divided into three parts: prioritization, delegation, and supervision. The book tackles these areas in a way that emphasizes critical reasoning, problem analysis, and resolution.

This sets it apart from other NCLEX guides that concentrate more on the basic practice questions and theories related to the exam.

Essentially, the book highlights the strategies and approaches qualified nurses need to be prepared for in real-life situations.

As any practitioners will testify, successful patient care requires a lot of task management, delegation, and prioritization – the exact topics of this guide.

Multiple choice questions form a large part of the textbook mind you. These will help you with certain types of NCLEX exam questions.

In fact, the NCLEX Examination has focused more on prioritization, delegation, and patient assignment in recent years.

However, as I have already mentioned, to get the most out of this guide it should be used in conjunction with another more typical NCLEX study aid.

This is a review guide that will make an almost essential additional textbook for your NCLEX exam preparations. The analytical and prioritization skills will also help you throughout your career. However, with the clear priority of the book being what it is, you will need another resource to cover the areas that the guide omits.

  • Related Content: Top 10 stethoscopes for nurses in 2022 – In-depth guide and reviews

4. Kaplan’s NCLEX-RN Drug Guide

NCLEX-RN Drug Guide: 300 Medications You Need to Know for the Exam (Kaplan Test Prep)

Kaplan are well known in the NCLEX study space, are they do bring a certain level of expertise to anything that they publish.

Because drugs and medications form a large part of the NCLEX-RN test, Kaplan has decided to focus purely on that within this textbook.

Essentially, this guide provides a great deal of information on the medications that are featured on the nursing exam. If that’s where you feel you have a gap in your knowledge, the Kaplan drug guide will help rectify that.

There are over 300 drugs explained using an easy to revise with flashcard format. This also means that the book is smaller in size than normal textbooks, making it very portable. It’s the kind of thing you can pull out while on the bus or train and catch up on your revision.

Each drug listed provides you with information on the relevant application, contraindications, uses, and other details.

There’s also a very thorough index with data on drugs and brand names that even provides helpful information on the correct pronunciation. In an attempt to prepare you for the work-place these names also include their medical abbreviations.

This is an excellent resource for nursing medications. Using this will help you be more than prepared for this aspect of the NCLEX exam.

However, you will need other textbooks that cover the areas not touched on in this guide.

  • Related Content: Best Medical Dictionaries for Students & Professionals

5. BEST BUDGET OPTION: Lippincott Q&A Review for the NCLEX Exam

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN (Lippincott's Review For NCLEX-RN) (Lippincott's Review For NCLEX-RN)

For those looking for a budget-friendly study aid for the NCLEX exam, the Lippincott Q&A Review is up there as one of the best.

As a fast, effective, and easy-to-use guide it really is difficult to fault.

Okay, it may not be as comprehensive as my top pick choice Saunders, however, such detailed information isn’t always for everyone.

The Lippincott Q&A actually uses the same question types and difficulty as the examination; it even mirrors the formatting in a way that familiarizes the student with what to expect on exam day.

Due to the direct approach that the guide takes, (i.e a focus on questions and answers), this is an option recommended for those already familiar with the NCLEX syllabus.

However, as a resource of typical NCLEX exam questions the guide is more than comprehensive, it includes more than 6,000 high-level questions.

As you will find with the exam, these questions are designed to promote higher-order thinking and active learning.

The book focuses on four crucial content areas – mental health, medical-surgical, obstetric, and pediatric nursing.

The content is separated and intuitively color-coded in order to help make the study process easier.

In fact, I would go as far as to say that if you are able to answer the questions in the book with few errors, you can be confident that you are ready for the NCLEX examination.

Overall the Lippincott Q&A Review is an excellent budget-friendly NCLEX exam guide. Yes, it is good to have a thorough understanding of the NCLEX curriculum before using this aid, however for those ready to test themselves on the run-up to exam day, this is one of the best resources around.

  • Related Content: NRSNG Review – My thoughts on the NRSNG Academy Study Platform

6. Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing

Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing for NCLEX-RN Examination)

Mosby’s Comprehensive review of nursing is another very good textbook that comes highly recommended.

A complete nursing student handbook, there are over 800 pages of information to help you successfully pass the NCLEX exam.

The resource covers all the main topics and although it is possible to feel intimidated by the sheer volume of this guide, the info is organized in a way that really does help the revision process.

There’s a ton of practice questions of course, and the colorful charts and illustrations throughout help to highlight the most important learning materials.

There are also two full-length practice exams included in the book, which are a great way of preparing yourself for NCLEX exam day.

There’s also an entire section focused on nursing management practices. These include some of the latest areas to be covered by the NCLEX exam, namely prioritization, task management, and governance.

The textbook also comes with a companion CD. This is included to help you formulate a more bespoke study plan that better suits your needs.

Mosby’s Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX is a highly recommended textbook. With over 800 pages this one large resource.

However, it does have a couple of flaws due to the sheer volume of information that may put some students off.

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7. MOST TEST QUESTIONS: Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN

Davis's Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN®

Davis’s Q&A Review makes the top 10 list for its sheer volume of text questions.

With 2,750 questions in the book and another 10,000 practice questions available online, this guide has proven extremely popular with nursing students wanting access to such a large database of questions.

The questions in the book are gauged at the right difficulty level so that students remain challenged throughout.

The explanations of answers provided in the guide are also commendable; there’s enough detail to assist all levels of students.

Furthermore, the guidelines are designed to help students understand the different question types and how to best tackle them.

Question types are set out in a manner that is intuitive. The result of this is that users of the guide can easily identify where gaps in their knowledge lie, and how to rectify them.

Another great benefit is that there are two full-length example examinations at the end of the guide that will help you become accustomed to the structure of the NCLEX exam when you finally come to face it.

As the largest resource of NCLEX questions available this guide will automatically appeal to many students.

There’s a ton of materials to go through making it great value for money too. A highly recommended NCLEX study aid.

NCLEX Review Books FAQ

Q. Which is the best NCLEX review book?

We have chosen Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination as the best overall NCLEX review book, as some of the highest-rated reviews among nursing students and is formatted in a way to aid study and revision.

Q. Do I need more than one book when studying for the NCLEX?

Depending on your resources more than one book can be beneficial if you have gaps in your knowledge and/or prefer different styles of study aid. For instance, a book that provides broad coverage of all topics of the NCLEX (such as Saunders), along with a text-book packed with practice tests and questions ( Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN ), will assist with your learning.

Q. How many hours should I study for the NCLEX?

This will vary among students, however, we recommend a minimum of 1-2 months of NCLEX review study before you take the exam. Just one of the reviewed books could take that long to properly go through all of the content and test questions.

Q. Are the Lippincott NCLEX Review textbooks any good?

Absolutely, Lippincott NCLEX prep books are very good indeed, especially considering their price (Lippincott was our top budget pick for 2022). They have tons of information and the content is formatted in a way to aid efficient learning.

Q. Can I Pass the NCLEX without using a study aid?

It is possible, but we wouldn’t recommend it. All students should use a study aid before the NCLEX, regardless of their ability or confidence. Your aim should be to obtain the highest result you can. Revising before the exam using a NCLEX review book is the only way to do this.

Q. Where’s the best place to buy NCLEX review books?

In a time of COVID-19, closed stores, and lockdowns, Amazon is by far the best and safest place to buy NCLEX review books. So much so, the links above in this review will take you directly to the Amazon website so that you can purchase your book with ease.

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About Hannah Drake

Hannah Drake, RN, CSP is a registered nurse and owner and founder of Nurse Focus. Her nursing career spans almost two decades, and in that time she has developed her skill base across a variety of settings, including med surg nursing, clinical informatics system administration and implementation, and healthcare community management. Contact Hannah.

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best book to review nclex

8 of the BEST NCLEX Prep Books

best book to review nclex

Are you completely confused when it comes to choosing the right NCLEX Prep book? Don’t worry, I was too. That is why I decided to do some serious research on your behalf. I have chosen 8 of the BEST NCLEX Prep books out there that will help prepare you to pass your NCLEX-RN Exam.

The following NCLEX Prep books are placed from highest to lowest ranking on a 5 star scale. I made sure to ONLY select the best of the best therefore all of these NCLEX prep books are 4.5 stars and above. They are amongst the top rated NCLEX prep books out there today. You can read the reviews yourself, but I’ve done so for you so you don’t have to worry about anything else but studying!

These NCLEX Prep books range from sole comprehensive reviews, sole questions and answers to a combination of both. Everyone studies and retains information differently. Maybe you like to review content prior to answering questions… maybe you just want to answer questions non-stop without having to review any more actual content… either way, the below list has a combination so that you can discover which best suits you.

Let’s jump right into it.

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN

Rated at 4.8 stars, this NCLEX prep book is said to be one of the best review books to prepare for the NCLEX. It states it has been updated thoroughly to reflect the most current test plan information.

With over 5,200 practice questions provided in textbook and online format, this book includes detailed rationales and test taking strategy tips on how to properly answer the question. It also provides a comprehensive review of various topics. Saunders is well-known in the NCLEX world. You definitely can’t go wrong with this book.

  • Over 5,200 practice questions
  • Variety of format questions (multiple choice, prioritizing, fill in the blank, figure/illustration hot spot, chart/exhibit and audio/video)
  • 75 question comprehensive exam
  • Introductory chapters on different topics (nonacademic preparation, the experience of the NCLEX-RN from a new grad’s POV, test taking strategies and more)
  • Clinical Judgement situations
  • Detailed question rationales and test taking tips

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination

Rated 4.7 stars, this book claims to be the the original and most popular NCLEX prep book focused primarily on growing your skills in prioritization, delegation, and patient assignment. This prep book helps you establish a foundation on management of care and provides exercises (using a variety of level of difficulties) to help you transition what you know into practice.

This book also includes NCLEX style questions with detailed rationales including a breakdown of what the question focuses on. They have also recently updated the book to include up-to-date practices such as inclusion of LGBTQ-related scenarios, updated infection control measures, and a completely new pharmacology chapter.

A 5th edition of this NCLEX review book will be out soon but has not yet been released. Click here to check out the new edition and pre-order if you have time to wait for it.

  • 60 pages of additional practice questions
  • Brand new pharmacology chapter INCLUDING questions
  • Answer key offered with detailed rationale and breakdown of question
  • Interactive quizzing on Evolve which can be on Study mode or Exam mode
  • Focuses on prioritization, delegation and patient assignement as it relates to NCLEX management of care
  • Colorful tabs to easily navigate book
  • Practice questions at end of each chapter

Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN Examination

With a 4.7 star ranking, Lippincott Q&A Review provides just what the name suggest… practice questions GALORE! With over 6,000 practice questions (yes! you read right- 6,000!) you will attain your critical and high level thinking skills in no time.

This NCLEX prep book reviews questions related to time management, handoff reports, code of ethics and ethical dilemmas, prescriptions, reporting unsafe practices, safe handling of biohazardous materials, evaluating intake and output, titrating intravenous medications, administering controlled substances and many, many more. Seriously… the list goes on and on.

It is also one of the best selling NCLEX prep books on Amazon and many nursing students have raved about this one. Just read the reviews for yourself.

  • Over 6,000 practice questions covering a wide array of categories
  • 6 comprehensive exams with randomized subjects and difficulty to provide students with realistic experience of the NCLEX-RN
  • 1 comprehensive exam based SOLELY on pharmacology to test students knowledge of medications
  • Detailed rationale for both current and incorrect answer choices
  • Information about the NCLEX-RN
  • Study strategies and tips
  • Content Mastery and Test Taking Self Analysis in which students can chart their progress
  • Practice computerized questions to get comfortable with how the NCLEX exam is

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination

With a whopping 4.7 out of 5 rating for the HESI Comprehensive Review, this NCLEX prep book is great to have during nursing school and after. Many might have had to take their HESI when entering and/or exiting nursing school. Well, this HESI Comprehensive Review is tailored for the NCLEX-RN Examination and states it can also serve to help you pass your HESI Exit exam!

It provides a complete, all in one review of all the must know information for the NCLEX. This prep book not only provides a comprehensive reviews but it also includes more than 900 NCLEX practice questions.

The Evolve companion website allows you to complete these questions in a computerized format under a study mode or exam mode to get a feel of the nursing school exit exam and NCLEX experience.

  • Over 900 NCLEX exam practice questions with an additional 300 questions on the Evolve online platform
  • Textbook and companion online format to resemble computerized NCLEX + Exit exam experience
  • HESI Hint boxes which hint important information to remember for the NCLEX
  • Critical thinking questions including detailed rationales
  • Alternate format type questions- i.e., fill in the blank + prioritization
  • Organized by clinical areas making it easy to search for certain topics

Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN

Davis’s Q&A Review rates at a 4.6/5. This book offers 12,500 NCLEX practice questions for review including brand new Clinical Judgment questions!

When you purchase a new copy of Davis’s Q&A Review for the NCLEX-RN, 3rd Edition you will receive FREE access to Davis Edge NCLEX-RN, which is an online Q&A program that creates quizzes for you based on your strengths and weaknesses. It also helps track your progress along the way so you know what to focus on. There are tons of valuable resources with this online access.

The 12,500 NCLEX Practice questions include tons of SATA (Select all that apply) questions and detailed rationales of all answer options. It is said this is the book with the most NCLEX Practice questions. Each question also follows with helpful tips on how to answer the particular question, which is helpful when getting ready to take the NCLEX.

  • 12,500 NCLEX Practice questions- 10,000 online and 2,500 in book.
  • Detailed rationale and helpful tips on how to answer particular questions
  • 2 practice tests with comprehensive rationales
  • Access to valuable online content

NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide

This Kaplan Nursing NCLEX prep book is rated 4.6 stars and is a great bang for your buck. The great thing about this book is it actually reviews and covers all the necessary content that is on the NCLEX- RN. In other words, it is a comprehensive review book. Kaplan is one of the main test prep platforms and has helped many students pass the NCLEX for over 80 years.

This comprehensive review goes over each disease process, symptoms, contraindications, skills, lab values and so much more. It is a good refresher for material learned early on and throughout your nursing program.

It’s not meant as a “question book”, but rather a complete review of content, which is very important to know for the NCLEX. I usually recommend an NCLEX prep book like this (content review) and one that just focuses on practice questions.

  • All the MUST-KNOW content for NCLEX-RN
  • Outline format makes it easy to study
  • Organized tables allows for efficient review of material
  • A Decision Tree and expert strategies to guide you and help you critically think
  • Includes pictures to visualize material reviewed in book.

NCLEX-RN Prep Plus 2020 by Kaplan

Yet another 4.6 star book by Kaplan, The NCLEX-RN Prep Plus Book helps you shape the way you THINK about questions, not so much how much you know.

This is different from the book above as it is not a comprehensive book but more of a strategies on how to critically think book. It goes over how to read each question, approach it and answer using critical thinking skills.

  • Breaks down exam questions by using 10 critical thinking pathways
  • 8 end-of-chapter practice questions to help you put your critical thinking skills to the test
  • Questions that help you apply knowledge you’ve gained in real-life situations
  • 2 full-length practice tests (online and in book)
  • Detailed rationales for all answers
  • Techniques for mastering the NCLEX-RN and feeling comfortable taking a computer standardized test

NCLEX-RN Drug Guide: 300 Medications You Need to Know for the Exam

With 4.5 rating, the NCLEX-RN Drug guide book reviews over 300 most commonly prescribed medications that will show up on your NCLEX-RN. This NCLEX prep book focuses solely on the pharmacology you will see on the NCLEX-RN and it is organized as a flashcard style format. It goes over nursing considerations, side effects and purpose of medication.

Another plus is that it’s pocket size. You can use this prep book to study for your NCLEX but it can also be helpful for clinical or using once you are already a bedside RN. Definitely helpful in learning what meds to focus on for NCLEX.

Tip: Some reviews say it is helpful to organize this prep book with tabs as it is broken down by drug categories instead of alphabetically.

  • Flash-card format going over 300 must know medications
  • Includes generic and brand name, nursing considerations, side effects and purpose of medication
  • Phonetic pronunciations included
  • Medical abbreviation appendix included for quick find
Do you have any NCLEX Prep books you enjoyed & found helpful? Share them below in the comments for others to discover.

… and don’t forget, aside from having the best NCLEX prep books, you also want to make sure you know how to take proper notes and how to study for the NCLEX. This is an important part to learning and retaining information that will not only be on your NCLEX but real life.

’till next time,

The RN Educator

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Best NCLEX Review Books – 2022 Guide

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If you are getting ready to take the NCLEX exam, you will probably agree with this statement:

Best NCLEX Books Nurse

With all of the NCLEX prep options out there, it’s challenging to know which are the best NCLEX books to get you the best value for your money and help you pass the NCLEX.

Passing the NCLEX is not easy but certainly doable if you are well-equipped with the right NCLEX study guides and prep books. I put this article together to summarize some deeply researched recommendations on the best NCLEX books and resources out there in case you are looking to get one right now.

Best NCLEX Books

1. saunder’s comprehensive review for the nclex-rn  – editor’s choice.

best book to review nclex

As helpful as Saunders Comprehensive Review is, most people recommend using it for at least 6 weeks prior to the exam for best results. The good part is that Saunders provides a study schedule to help organize even the worst test crammer. Additionally, Saunders Comprehensive Review provides thousands of questions to help one get into the exam mindset. Saunders Comprehensive Review can also be used as a companion text for nursing students even prior to preparing for the exam.

Occasionally, one might find Saunders Comprehensive Review to be too concise for anyone trying to get a deeper understanding of a particular topic. Additionally, the book’s overall durability is not the best. The online component can be a bit buggy as well. If you are planning on carrying Saunders around a lot, be prepared to tape your book up to hold it together.

All that being said, Saunder’s Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is a highly recommended book for exam preparation and for nursing knowledge as a whole. Many nurses who have used Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX prep state that they passed the NCLEX on the first try.

  • Detailed, relevant information
  • Effective, text and graphic learning format
  • Some might find this book to be too concise.
  • The physical durability of the book could be better.

2. Pearson Review & Rationales: Comprehensive Review  – Best Book + Online Prep

best book to review nclex

Unique features of Pearson Reviews & Rationales: Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN include special boxes to help with remembering information. The questions are challenging and people have said that similar questions were found on the actual NCLEX. The answers come with detailed explanations as to what answers are correct and why. There are special tips for ESL students. This book also has a companion website with access to over 5,000 questions and practice exams to help simulate the real exam and a study plan based on areas of weakness. The online questions are quite thorough and most should find them helpful as far as revisiting knowledge for the exam.

There are some minor grammatical mistakes and copy errors which made us feel that it is not as tight as the Saunder’s book. Sadly, even though the material is good, it is hard not to feel like it could be better when you see relatively simple errors. Also, some might find the way online modules are laid out to be somewhat challenging to navigate through but we recommend figuring it out as the questions are of good quality. All in all, this is a standalone NCLEX book that will get most people through passing the exam.

  • Dense, updated information
  • Thorough question bank nicely complements the text
  • Grammatical errors diminish the perceived quality.
  • Online module could have a better interface.

3. HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Exam  – Best HESI + NCLEX Book

best book to review nclex

Some argue that the HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is the best book on the market and that they have scored exceptionally well on the various exams as a result of mastering this book. Organized along clinical lines, this comprehensive review features tables for pharmacology and so-called hint boxes to highlight tips. This HESI Comprehensive Review features lots of charts and graphics which helps with learning and retaining many different aspects of the material.

The HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is light on fluff and to the point – there is not a lot of light text. It’s beneficial that the pages are quite durable as a result of being glossy for anyone who plans to carry the book around to study while on the go.

The Comprehensive Review also provides access to a companion website with 700 questions with answers. The questions are laid out in a ways that is similar to the NCLEX exam. The answer choices to the questions come with explanations as to why the specific correct answer was chosen.

The Comprehensive Review is definitely more oriented to passing the HESI exit exam than the NCLEX. On the other hand, different HESI A2 review guides are needed to pass the HESI A2 exam. Additionally, while the pages are high quality, the material is dense and somewhat boring to work through. Also, there are a handful of typographical errors which makes the text feel less valuable than it really is. Regardless, the HESI Comprehensive Review still does a good job in providing additional study material for the NCLEX and is a good complement to more NCLEX-focused book for anyone who is looking for additional resources.

  • Clinical orientation with excellent graphics
  • Detailed explanations to answer choices in questions
  • Splits focus with the HESI exam.

4. Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment Nursing – Practice Exercises  – Best Prioritization / Delegation Book

best book to review nclex

The book is organized with escalating difficulty and offers multiple choice questions similar to what you would find on the NCLEX exam to help you learn and practice the NCLEX process. As you move through Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment Nursing, the practice exercises become more complicated to help simulate more real-life scenarios. Anecdotally, people say that there are questions on the actual NCLEX exam that looked very similar to ones in this book. This book also directly addresses the QSEN concepts (e.g. safety and infection control) and includes some chart-format questions. Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment Nursing is also a good choice for faculty who are looking to teach their students concepts around forming nursing plans.

The downside of Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment Nursing is that it is a niche book focused on this area of the exam. As a result, most people will want to use it in conjunction with another study volume. Additionally, the answer rationales in Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment Nursing felt light at times but we will say that it felt balanced out by the nice critical thinking components of the book.

  • Great for mastering the prioritization, delegation and assessment portion of the NCLEX exam
  • Additional prep materials will be required given the limited scope of this book.

5. Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing  – Good For Nursing Students

best book to review nclex

One can consider Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing for the NCLEX-RN as an alternative choice to Saunder’s for review (unless one has the appetite to go through both). The books have historically had a common publisher and are laid out in a similar way. The content covers core topics such as pediatrics, medical-surgical, mental health and women’s health with practice tests to quiz you on the material. This book also includes a new section on nursing management. The companion CD includes practice tests and downloadable summaries of useful information. All in all, we found this book to be a good choice for nursing students but not quite as tight as Saunder’s in terms of NCLEX book preparation.

The rationales for answers in the question and answer sections felt light to us. Additionally, the way the rationales for answers are laid out makes it difficult to get to why the specific answer is right and the rest are wrong without clicking around. We found this to be somewhat annoying. Some people found the online access a bit buggy.

  • Colorful review that may be best suited for students
  • Recently updated
  • Question and answer bank could use more detail.

6. Lippincott’s Q & A Review for NCLEX-RN

best book to review nclex

One nice aspect about this book is its organization. Sections are broken up into systems-based subcategories which helps connect the dots in the various sections. This book and online companion offer 6,000 questions to help you prepare for the NCLEX.

Some of the questions did not seem hard enough and it would be nicer if the answers were paired with the questions right away (avoid extra page flipping). Unfortunately, we also felt that the rationales for the answers lacked depth at times and were vague. For people who have a previous edition, the newest edition is not all that different from the older one.

  • Beautiful, glossy volume makes studying more fun
  • 6,000 questions included
  • Not many updates in the new volume.
  • Answer rationales need a little more detail.

7. NCLEX-RN Prep Plus

best book to review nclex

The NCLEX-RN Prep Plus features different “critical thinking” paths to help you analyze test questions. The book also includes questions at the end of chapters and two different full practice tests.

The online site is valuable. Although it is buggy at times, it is helpful in terms of test strategies and putting you through the rhythm of taking the test so that you don’t feel as stressed on the day of the actual exam. There are various video tutorials available for the visual learners out there.

Unfortunately, the NCLEX-RN Prep Plus test questions are all lumped together which makes it harder to focus test-taking efforts on specific weak areas.

  • Like taking a quick version of the Kaplan course.
  • Includes multiple practice tests.
  • Book organization needs to be revamped.
  • Accompanying website can be buggy.

8. Lippincott’s NCLEX-RN 10,000  – Best Question Prep

best book to review nclex

With a massive database of 10,000 questions, this NCLEX prep guide features current questions with NCLEX practice quiz settings ranging from 5 to 20 questions. With focused answer questions and real-time feedback, Lippincott’s NCLEX-RN 10,000 is a strong complement to NCLEX review guides to refine and enhance your NCLEX test-taking skills. As you work through the NCLEX practice questions, you will be able to chart your learning and progress. This version of Lippincott’s NCLEX-RN 10,000 provides access to the question bank for twelve months.

Regardless of your knowledge of the NCLEX material itself, some would consider Lippincott’s NCLEX-RN 10,000 a must get given how relevant it is to the process of taking the NCLEX exam itself.

Any complaints about Lippincott’s NCLEX-RN 10,000 prep are minor, but one would be the price. It is not cheap but, given everything that is on the line, it is worth the price. Some people found the NCLEX questions in Lippincott’s NCLEX-RN 10,000 to be on the easier side and, at time, repetitive, but that usually means that you are ready to take the NCLEX.

  • Massive bank of 10,000 NCLEX-style questions.
  • Adaptive learning engine refines your learning in real-time.
  • On the expensive side but worth the cost for most people.

9. Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN – Best NCLEX Practice Questions

best book to review nclex

Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN also includes one year of access to Davis Edge NCLEX-RN, an online module, that provides access to another 10,000 questions. Davis Edge adapts quizzes to your strengths an weaknesses and tracks progress. Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN also has test-taking tips that accompany questions which help refine your approach at a tactical level.

Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN contains a lot of information in a relatively thin volume. Because of this, the paper used in producing Davis’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN is quite thin and may bleed if you are a heavy user of ink or highlighter when doing your NCLEX studying.

  • Huge question bank with questions and answer rationales.
  • Test-taking tips help build NCLEX test day strategy.
  • The paper version could use a print upgrade.

10. EKG Interpretation – 24 Hours Or Less  – Best NCLEX EKG Prep

best book to review nclex

No matter how experienced you are, EKGs are tough to master. It’s pretty amazing when you step back and think about how it works. The complex electrophysiology of the heart is somehow linked up to some electrodes which map the patterns of electricity within the heart onto a piece of paper. Then, from that paper, we can interpret whether the heart is getting enough blood or beating irregularly. Amazing. To help us put all this together, EKG Interpretation – 24 hours Or Less works to break down all of this complex underlying information and make it compact, easily understandable, and applicable in a testing situation. One nice aspect of this book is how it organizes the material into a series of questions to test you on the material. Highly concise, this book is also highly usable for people who are working full-time or just have a lot going on and want something high impact.

As one might expect, EKG Interpretation – 24 Hours Or Less is a highly focused overview of interpreting EKGs and cannot stand alone as an NCLEX review text. However, all in all, EKG Interpretation – 24 Hours Or Less is a great brush up book for EKG interpretation, especially in preparation for the NCLEX.

  • Good choice for extra EKG help
  • Niche book that will require additional NCLEX prep materials.

11. Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam  – Fun NCLEX Study Guide

best book to review nclex

There are lot of mixed feelings about the Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN. Some people found the information adequate to serve as a standalone reference while others found it too light. Unfortunately, we found the Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN is not as “illustrated” as we would hope it to be, particularly when compared to similar review books.

  • A most entertaining study guide that can definitely break up a boring studying process
  • Too light on information to be used as a comprehensive text.

What is the NCLEX Exam?

The NCLEX exam, short for the National Council Licensure Examination, was started in the mid 90s and is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, or NCSBN . The purpose of the NCLEX exam is to ensure that nurses are adequately prepared, licensed and certified to practice nursing and it is primarily used by the state nursing boards. Over 200,000 people take the NCLEX-RN annually and an additional 70,000 take the NCLEX-PN annually. Candidates who take the NCLEX exam have graduated from an approved nursing program prior to taking the test. Said another way, you must have an Associate Degree (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Most people wait at least several weeks after graduation to sit for the NCLEX exam. In addition to being offered in the United States, other countries are looking to introduce the NCLEX exam as well.

The NCLEX exam typically costs $200 (depending on where the candidate is located) which is paid to Pearson for the test itself. Nurses who pass the NCLEX exam will then need to pay additional money for their actual nursing licensure (typically around $300). The NCLEX-RN exam itself takes about 6 hours to complete (5 hours for the NCLEX-PN exam). This time includes some optional breaks and any other breaks that you might take during the NCLEX exam. The NCLEX exam is said to get harder if you are doing well on it.

According to the NCSBN, over 90% of US-educated people who are taking the NCLEX exam for the first time pass the exam. If you include international test takers and people who are retaking the NCLEX exam, the pass rate drops to about 80%.

If you fail the NCLEX exam, there are some unfortunate consequences. In addition to paying the monetary cost required to retake the NCLEX exam, you can only take the NCLEX exam up to 8 times per year and you have to wait 45 days between attempts. This makes reviewing the best NCLEX books and studying hard particularly important for anyone sitting for the NCLEX exam.

Why is the NCLEX Exam required?

That’s a great question. After all, if you have graduated from an accredited nursing school and passed (or even got good grades), why do you need to buy a bunch of NCLEX prep books to prepare for and pass the NCLEX exam?

The NCLEX exam is used by nursing schools as a way to understand and confirm how well an aspiring nurse is trained across the landscape of nursing schools out there. As one can expect, some nursing schools offer a much more rigorous educational curriculum when compared to others. As such, a nursing student who gets average grades from a top tier nursing school may do as well as a higher candidate at a less rigorous nursing school. The NCLEX exam is an attempt to understand and compare these variations in nursing school educations.

It might be fair to say that comparing nurses using the NCLEX exam is actually not fair as it does not test true performance on an equal basis. After all, if one candidate is less prepared for a career in nursing but does better in a high pressure NCLEX testing situation, is that person going to ultimately be a better nurse? It’s not clear. One study looked at the predictive value of the NCLEX and determined that it can be used to identify people who will need help early on in their career and potentially as a way to evaluate the effectiveness of the help administered. Another study suggested that the first nursing course was of importance in assessing one’s readiness for the NCLEX. Another study looked at correlations and regression data and found a significant correlation between prenursing aptitude variables and NCLEX pass rates. In light of these studies, the NCLEX exam does appear to have some value in assessing a nursing student’s readiness and likelihood for having trouble during a nursing program.

We agree that the NCLEX is not a perfect testing tool and that spending additional time and money on NCLEX review books so you can pass the NCLEX is a bit painful. Unfortunately, in most cases, it has to be done and it is better to focus on preparing for the NCLEX rigorously and just passing the exam rather than (excessively) questioning why it exists in the first place.

NCLEX-RN Exam vs. NCLEX-PN Exam

The NCLEX-RN exam is an exam for someone who wishes to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN). The NCLEX-PN exam is for someone who wants to be licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Make sure that you prep for the right exam when you are studying to get through this hurdle on the way to starting your career!

NCLEX Books & Exam Preparation

For good reason, most people find the NCLEX exam to be a source of stress. On the day of the exam, how one handles the stress is an important part of determining how one’s NCLEX exam results turn out. What is somewhat obvious is that having too much stress on the day of the NCLEX exam is not a good thing. What is less obvious is that having no stress on the day of the exam is also not a good thing as a lack of stress can reduce our focus and interest and lead to a failing exam. The best amount of stress when taking the NCLEX exam is just a little bit – enough to keep you on your toes but not overwhelm you as you work through the different sections.

NCLEX exam study plans are an important part of stress preparation. A well-designed study plan (some of which are offered in the best NCLEX books) will help you work through the required information methodically. If you stick to your study schedule, you will not feel behind as the date of your NCLEX exam comes closer and you can re-review weaker areas from the best NCLEX books you are using to tighten up your knowledge. Working through the NCLEX study plan will hopefully prepare you to have the right level of stress on the day of the NCLEX exam.

If you take them seriously, the practice exams and test simulations that you will find in many of the online components of the best NCLEX books can be very helpful. By setting up a room and a computer, shutting off anything that might disturb you (e.g. your phone!), and sitting in a room to take the practice NCLEX test, you can simulate some of the actual stress that you might feel on the day of the exam. Why is this helpful? If you can simulate the stress from taking the exam using a practice test from one of the best NCLEX books, then the stress that you feel on the day you take the actual NCLEX exam will be something that you have experienced previously. For most people, the second (or third or fourth) time experiencing a certain type of stress is always less intense than the first time experiencing that stress. As a result, your stress level on the day of the NCLEX exam will be lower – allowing you to perform better and have a better chance of passing – all because you took a practice test from one of the best NCLEX books.

Of course, choosing one or more of the best NCLEX books to prepare for the information on the exam is vital. If you have not prepared for the wide range of information that you will be tested on by rigorously reviewing a good NCLEX book or two, your stress level will skyrocket on the day of the NCLEX exam as you start going through the first set of questions. The best NCLEX books will not only prepare you and help you build a strong foundation of NCLEX knowledge, but they will also expose you to specific question formats that are used as part of the NCLEX exam itself.

NCLEX Exam Prep Tips

Some quick tips on how to perform well on the day of the NCLEX exam:

1. Read the questions and answers deeply The NCLEX questions and answers will typically be worded in such a way as to give you insight into what the right answer is. Use the wording to help you eliminate incorrect choices.

2. Eliminate bad answers Certain answer choices are typically obviously wrong. By eliminating them quickly, you can focus on the ones that might be right.

3. Evaluate answer choices against each other Small differences in wording are usually what make the big difference. Compare the wording of answer choices that might be right and really understand what they are looking for.

The Cost of NCLEX Prep

With all of the expenses around going to nursing school, including having to buy equipment like a great stethoscope and quality nursing shoes to survive while on your feet all day, it’s fair to wonder whether it is worth it to dole out the extra money for NCLEX prep resources. That’s certainly a personal decision but one good way to think about it is that making sure you pass the NCLEX is an investment in your future that will pay off many times over once you start your career.

NCLEX Study Prep – Actual Questions

Some people might be wondering if there is a way to get actual NCLEX questions to practice on before the NCLEX exam. If you hear of people offering you real NCLEX exam questions, be wary. Sharing or obtaining actual NCLEX questions can be a violation of your agreement with the NCSBN in regards to taking your NCLEX test and can lead to your exam NCLEX results being disqualified. While it is tempting to try and find actual NCLEX exam questions, do yourself a favor and don’t buy any practice questions from websites online as you might get yourself into real trouble.

Best NCLEX Books – Final Points

We hope that you found our review of the best NCLEX books helpful. We will continue to refine our list as new books come out, as things change on the exam, and if we get feedback that we think is worth incorporating in our list. In the meantime, we hope that one or more of these NCLEX books will get you through the finish line with great results. Good luck on the NCLEX!

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2 thoughts on “Best NCLEX Review Books – 2022 Guide”

So then which review is best or have similar questions to the board exam. I need the best material to use to prepare myself very well in all areas. Also good pharmacology practice questions.

Saunder’s Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN is a great option

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This information is meant for informational purposes and is not intended to be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

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It does not cover all 9,432,856 diseases you learned in nursing school - it covers just the "must know", the same process we use in our courses - which boasts a 99.86% NCLEX pass rate. Pass your boards with this all-in-one study guide. Aligns with most current NCSBN Registered Nurse Examination assessments.

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You can join our community at NRSNG.com where we provide study materials and great content for nurses and nursing students.

Check out SIMCLEX.com which provides a simulation NCLEX test preparation environment unavailable anywhere else.

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The College Application

The 5 Absolute Best NCLEX Prep Books

best book to review nclex

Table of Contents

Becoming a Registered Nurse

Nursing school can be one of the most stressful things you will ever do in your life. Just graduating from college with a nursing degree is a tremendous accomplishment. There is one more hurdle before you can declare that you are a Registered Nurse. You must pass the NCLEX.

If you are anxious about taking the test, you are not alone. Most students are stressing about taking the NCLEX. The good news is, if you’re willing to put the time and effort into studying and preparing for it, you shouldn’t have to stress too much over it.

Finding a good NCLEX prep book and  using it  is the best thing you can do to help yourself prepare for the test. And it will help decrease your stress level as you know you will do well on the test.

Best NCLEX Prep Books & Guides

These are some of the best-rated. Remember, just purchasing the book will not help you to pass the test. You need to use it for it to be helpful.

If this is your first time taking the NCLEX, you may not know how to study for it. These guides will come in handy with hints on how to take the test, as well as familiarize you with the question format. Important features include practice questions with explanations for the answer, whether right or wrong.

We have taken the liberty to list & review some of the best NCLEX prep books. Do you know how you like to study, or what the best study experience is for you?

The guides will help you by breaking the information into manageable sections. They also integrate information to give you a better understanding of how to develop critical thinking.

 1. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination

Saunders' NCLEX Prep Book

This book is the #1 Best Seller  in Nursing Reviews & Study Guides on Amazon! So you know it’s really good.

Saunders has a fantastic reputation as one of the best NCLEX test books ever. This is an updated version reflecting the newest test plan. Included in this guide are over 5,200 questions within the book and the online edition. All questions have rationales to allow you to learn the reason for the answer. The guide includes a 75-question comprehensive exam covering the content in the same percentage that is used for the NCLEX test plan– testing the clinical judgment skills needed to pass the exam.

The first chapters are on preparation guidance, including the CAT format, test-taking strategies, priorities, and critical thinking skills, all from a new graduate’s perspective. Alternate item format questions include multiple response questions, prioritizing, fill in the blank, figure/illustration, chart/exhibit, and even audio and video questions.

Utilize the Evolve companion site to access audio review summaries on pharmacology, fluid and electrolytes as well as acid-base balance.

Saunders also includes expanded coverage of delegation, prioritization, and triage/disaster management that may have increased emphasis on the exam. Each question has a detailed strategy and rationale, offering clues to analyze and answer the question successfully.

In the chapters, you will find priority concepts related to nursing practice, updated using the  Giddens’ Concepts for Nursing Practice text. They have also included more Priority Nursing Action Boxes to communicate new content.

The questions are categorized to allow for customizable exams or study sessions using the Evolve site. Boxes spotlight important nursing concepts and procedures as well as tips to help remember them. Mnemonics are included for some of the information accordingly.

Other additions that are only available with this guide are Clinical Judgment Situations, Bioterrorism content and questions to help with prioritizing skills, Pharmacology classifications, Special Populations, Complex Care, and even Systematic case scenarios to assist with focusing on the application of nursing care.

Note: This book now includes questions modeled after the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) examination!

2. Kaplan’s NCLEX-RN Prep Plus

Kaplan's NCLEX Prep Book

The Next Gen NCLEX exam tests how critically you think. Using expert critical thinking strategies and targeted sample questions helps you put your knowledge and experience into practice and gives you the confidence to take the exam. Kaplan has consistently produced great quality prep books that can help you achieve your goals of passing the NCLEX exam.

In this NCLEX prep book, there are proven practice strategies giving you a realistic way to study:

  • Critical thinking pathways to break down the exam questions
  • End of chapter practice questions to help apply what you have learned
  • Two full-length practice tests, one online, one in the book
  • Answer rationales, for both correct and incorrect answers
  • Tips to master the computer adaptive test format

Also included are:

  • Content Review based on the “Client Needs” framework
  • Video tutorials to help with the ins and outs of the NCLEX exam
  • Assessment of the practice questions and study materials by Kaplan’s own learning engineers and expert psychometricians
  • Expert guidance from Kaplan. They have been helping students prep for tests for over 80 years and helped numerous students achieve their dreams by passing exams.

3.  Newstone RN Test Prep’s NCLEX-RN

Test Prep's NCLEX Prep Book

Test Prep has a reputation for producing prep books that are great, comprehensive test guides at relatively reasonable prices.

Included in this comprehensive guide are easy-to-navigate sections.  The beginning of the guide contains, a quick overview, test-taking strategies, an introduction to the test, and what’s on it. The main content is comprised of sections and these are broken into smaller subcategories.

A good, comprehensive guide covers anything that will be on the test. This one does exactly that, covering the bulk of the content topics such as Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential and Physiological Adaptation.

Included in this guide are practice questions and detailed explanations of the answers in case you answer one incorrectly. They created this guide with other great features and benefits. They also included practice questions mimicking the questions that will appear on the test itself. An explanation of the answer follows every problem, allowing you to learn from your mistakes.

Another great feature is the inclusion of test-taking strategies. Not just getting the correct answers, but how to be efficient within the time provided. This helps to decrease test-day anxiety.

Don’t forget that Customer Service is available with access to a real human regarding your comments or concerns. Another resource provided by Test Prep Books is a study guide to go along with this guide, in addition to giving access to NCLEX review materials, practice questions, and test-taking strategies.

4. Mometrix Test Preparation’s Next Gen NCLEX RN

Mometrix's NCLEX Prep Book

This is another well-rated guide for preparing for the NCLEX. Remember, the exam is challenging; probably the hardest test you will ever take- And a test that means the difference between working as an RN or not.

Included in the study guide are practice test questions with detailed explanations of the correct answers. Video tutorials, tips, and strategies to help you perform your best on the test and a complete review of the NCLEX test sections.

This guide is filled with critical information to assist you with doing well on your exam. Concepts, procedures, principles, and vocabulary are included- Every bit of information that you are expected to master before sitting for the exam.

Test sections included are Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological Integrity, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, and Physiological Adaptation.

Filled with specific and detailed information and concepts and principles that are explained in detail, this NCLEX preparatory guide can be the key you need to pass your exam. It is laid out in a logical and organized fashion so the sections flow together in a cohesive manner. It’s not written in dense academic language; instead, it is written with technical accuracy and accessibility in mind.

Filled with practice questions and thorough answer explanations, this guide clearly stands out. There are also links to online review videos that allow you to watch instructors break down the topics to enable you to quickly understand the material. Examples are worked to make the principles and reasoning completely clear.

5.  NCLEX-RN For Dummies with Online Practice Tests

Patrick R. Coonan's NCLEX Prep Book

As one of the famous “Dummies” books, this NCLEX Prep Book can help you ace the exam. You are probably nervous about taking the exam and that’s normal, many students don’t pass on their first attempt.

To help you beat the odds and dramatically improve your chances, this NCLEX prep guide is updated and revised to prepare you for the latest edition of the exam. Complete with content review, tips on how to study, and test-taking strategies, this guide also gives you access to online flashcards and two practice exams. Round out your study plan with answer explanations for all the questions.

Inside you will find full coverage of the subjects such as medical, surgical, pediatric, psychiatric, and obstetric requirements for the test. 38 years of nursing practice give this guide’s author/instructor the hands-on experience to deliver the results you want- To pass the NCLEX exam on your first attempt!

What is NCLEX?

The NCLEX is a standardized test to make sure that the fundamentals of the nursing procedure are understood.

According to the  National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses , the test is used to assess the competencies of nurses before they begin working professionally. The NCLEX-RN exam tests a potential nurse’s knowledge and job skills to ensure that they can provide safe and effective client care.

Read: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

How can NCLEX test prep books help me prepare?

Any study guide can help you prepare if you use it. A good test prep book can help by reviewing the material needed to utilize critical thinking skills, which helps with answering questions. Nursing schools generally teach subjects separately, such as med-surg, OBGYN, pediatrics, etc. The NCLEX tests you on your ability to integrate the information and answer questions utilizing all your knowledge.

Study guides give you the information in a different fashion than that of nursing school, along with practice questions in the same format as the exam. This will allow you to learn how the questions are set up. Besides, most guides give you rationales behind the answers to help with understanding the content.

A study guide is useful in helping you to understand how the questions are prepared and how to answer them. The exam is not like nursing school tests. This exam tests you on how well you are able to critically think, using the information that you have learned during school. To pass the test, you need to be able to integrate the information. That is where the guides come in; by assisting you to understand how questions are formatted.

Some students find that taking practice exams is helpful. They allow you to see the questions and the rationale behind the answers, whether you answered them correctly or not. Although not included in this post, there are a number of NCLEX exam prep guides that are only practice questions. These can be helpful in studying for the exam as well.

Whichever method you choose, the only way they will help you is if you use them. Set up a time every day to study, don’t try to cram it all in one session. Smaller study periods are better and will help you to remember the material longer. Make your plan and work it. It is the best way to succeed.

Related Nursing Readings:

Best NCLEX Prep Courses, According to Nurses

How to Write the Nursing School Personal Statement: Steps, Tips, And Samples

13 Best Books for Nursing Students to Read- Reviewed

Is a Nursing Degree Worth it? Explore the Benefits

13 Best Online Nursing Programs for Non-Nurses

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How to Pass the NCLEX the First Time: 11 Tips from Real Nurses

How to pass the nclex: 11 study tips to pass the first time, more nclex tips and tricks.

NCLEX Study Tips: How to Pass the NCLEX the First Time

You've studied hard in nursing school, and you know your stuff, but that doesn't mean you can't learn some tips and tricks to help you pass the NCLEX on your first try.

We've put together our top NCLEX study tips that real nurses shared with us. 

1. Understand the NCLEX Format

The NCLEX uses a CAT format or computerized adaptive testing. Meaning that no single exam is identical.

During the course of the exam, the computer algorithm produces each new question based on your performance from previous questions. The test bank is comprehensive and includes different question styles and content topics. 

Get 10% OFF Nursing School Study Guides From nurseinthemaking.com ! Fill out the form to get your exclusive discount.

How the NCLEX is Graded

The test will produce a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 questions. A candidate passes the test when the tester has answered enough questions correctly to stay above the pass line with a 95% confidence interval. The candidate will fail the test when they do not rise about the pass line with 95% confidence. 

Think of it this way – there is a horizontal line on an axis, and we will call it the “pass line.” Anything above it is passing, and anything below it is not passing. You start exactly on the line at question zero, and with each correct and incorrect answer, you get bumped up a notch and down a notch, respectively. With each correct answer, the computer will give progressively harder questions to determine your peak knowledge.

To pass, you must ultimately rise to a point above the pass line that demonstrates competency with marginal doubt. The test can end at any point when this determination is made, between questions 75 – 265 or at the maximum time allowance (6 hours). 

NCLEX Question Formats

The Next-Gen NCLEX has several types of question formats you should become acquainted with before taking the test. Studying NCLEX practice questions is a great way to learn the different types of NCLEX questions. You can also check out one of our comprehensive guides for a detailed, step-by-step approach to answering two common question formats on the NCLEX:

  • How to Answer NCLEX Drop-Down Questions
  • How to Answer NCLEX Highlight Questions

2. Don't Self-Evaluate During the Test

There's no use trying to self-evaluate while you test. Don’t assume that because you got a few “easy” questions in a row that you are below pass level. Just focus on the questions at hand. What seems easy to you, might be challenging to someone else. Every question is as important as the next. 

This exam is all about endurance. Prepare to sit the full time and then you won’t stress in the chance that you need to. 

3. Find Ways to Manage Your Test Stress 

For all of the nervous test-takers out there, don’t worry. There are ways to manage your stress.

Test anxiety is a real thing, but you made it through nursing school, so just continue to prepare in whatever way worked for you in the past. Even if you don’t typically have test anxiety, there is a chance that you will be nervous just from the pressure of such an important test. 

There are a couple key ways to keep stress at a minimum. 

  • First, prepare for the exam seriously but don’t make studying your life. It’s important to still keep a balance in the weeks and months leading up to the exam. 
  • Allot time in your days for exercise, proper sleep, and whatever you do for fun! By keeping a balance, your mind won’t build up the test moment to anything bigger than it actually is. 
  • Also, when it comes time to actually take the NCLEX, do not study or cram information the day of. Take the morning before the test to calm your mind. Focus on something that helps you stay grounded – cooking a nice breakfast, listening to music, going on a run, whatever works for you. 

Ultimately, the best way to abate your nerves is to study appropriately. When you feel confident and prepared, the NCLEX doesn’t seem all that scary. 

4. Know Your NLCEX Study Style

We all have slightly different learning styles, and you probably know yours by now. Make sure you tailor your studying to what works for you!

  • If you understand concepts well with visuals, draw out rough sketches of cardiac chambers, color-coded medication classes, etc.
  • If you are an auditory learner, there are plenty of YouTube lectures online and podcasts that cover NCLEX.
  • If you learn best through discussion, be sure to create a study group to talk through concepts together. 

As a general rule, using mnemonic devices help most students with harder to learn concepts. Don’t just reread, rewrite, and copy old notes. Try connecting concepts. Think about what you are learning from a holistic approach and relate it to clinical experiences you had in school. 

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5. Make a Study Plan

The NCLEX exam deserves committed, planned, and personalized preparation. Keep these tips in mind as you make an  NCLEX study plan :

  • Plan days to study. Set a schedule including which days of the week you will study, which days you will take off, and which you will use to take practice exams. 
  • Make a goal before each study session. Maybe it’s to do x number of NCLEX practice questions or master x specific content topic but be intentional. 

Studying without a plan is a waste of your time and won’t ultimately help you pass the NCLEX. It’s not about the hours you put in; it’s about how you use them.

This is one exam you can absolutely not cram for – the NCLEX is a holistic test model that aims to test knowledge gained over the course of years, not days.

>> Related:  Watch Nurse Alice's Free Webinar on How to Prepare for the NCLEX, exclusively available in the Nurse.org Nurse Network

6. Don’t Draw from Past Clinical or Work Experiences

Unfortunately, for those of you who have previous experience working in hospitals as nursing techs or aides, the experience can cloud your ability to answer test questions. Even just from what you observed as student nurses in clinicals, it is usually apparent that many topics or clinical skills are different between textbooks and real-life healthcare. 

The NCLEX is based on proven, research-based, evidence-based practice. Even if your previous facility does something in a different way that is just as safe or just as correct, do not assume that this applies to the NCLEX.

It’s important to answer NCLEX questions as if you don’t have any real-life constraints as a nurse. Assume you have ample time and resources to perform each answer choice. 

7. Hone Your Test-Taking Skills

The NCLEX is just as much about knowing how the test is written as it is about knowing the right answers. Utilize test-taking strategies to eliminate wrong answers, avoid “extremes” like ALL or NONE answers, and remember to always put patient safety first. 

With practice, you will notice some themes in answers: 

  • Always assess the patient first; calling the doctor right away isn’t usually the best first step 
  • Use the Airway-Breathing-Circulation approach, etc. 
  • Use deductive reasoning even if you have no idea about the concepts behind the topic 
  • If all else fails, rely on that budding feeling that we like to call “nurse intuition” 

You will no doubt encounter the dreaded select-all-that-apply questions. Use the same systematic approach to eliminate incorrect answer choices based on knowledge and wording of answers. 

8. Invest in Test Prep Resources

It is definitely worthwhile to invest in practice exam books or enroll in a classroom review course . Some examples are Kaplan, UWorld, and nursing.com .* Usually, people choose their study material based on reviews, peer references, or personal preference.

All exam resource companies produce exceptional guides to prepare you for the NCLEX exam, so spend some time browsing reviews to see which guidebook style fits you best. Check out our NCLEX prep course reviews below:

  • Saunders NCLEX Review
  • Archer NCLEX Review
  • Hurst NCLEX Review
  • NURSING.com NCLEX Review

*Affiliate link. If you decide to use Nursing.com, Nurse.org may receive a commission.

>> Related:  Top NCLEX Review Courses: Costs & Features

9. Go Beyond the Practice Questions

Practice exams are absolutely the best and most important way to prepare – HOWEVER – simply taking the practice exam questions is only half of the process. 

It is just as important to: 

  • Look up questions that you answered incorrectly. Practice question banks provide explanations as to why each answer choice is correct or incorrect, as well as outlining the particular content topic it falls under. 
  • Jot down notes of which concepts you want to revisit , so with your next study session, you can focus on problem areas. 
  • Practice, practice, practice. It is especially useful to take at least 1 or 2 full online mock NCLEX exams so you are used to the experience of computer testing. Go through as much of the question bank as you can before exam day and you will be miles ahead. 

10. Prepare for Exam Day 

  • Be sure to sleep well the week before the exam. 
  • Bring snacks to the center to keep in your locker in case you choose to take a break during the exam. 
  • Arrive early to the testing center, prepared with necessary documents for testing. 
  • Put gas in your car the night before. 
  • Set a reliable alarm. 
  • Bring clothes you can layer in case you tend to get cold. If you try to control your environment as much as possible, it will help you to feel comfortable and prepared for the exam itself. 
  • Schedule your exam time with your usual preference for testing. If you are a morning person, schedule a morning test. If you enjoy slow mornings and sleeping in, then schedule an afternoon exam.

11. Believe in Yourself

Most importantly, believe in yourself. You deserve to pass, and you have already proven your potential as a nurse by graduating from nursing school. This is only the final step on your exciting new journey to becoming a Registered Nurse – so congratulations!

WHAT IS THE NCLEX?

  • To earn licensure as a Registered Nurse, nursing school graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse). This standardized, computer-based test is offered year-round in the US and Canada. The state in which you choose to sit for your test determines which nursing board will issue your first active RN license upon passing. 

HOW HARD IS THE NCLEX?

  • With the right preparation, passing the NCLEX is absolutely attainable for every nursing school graduate. That being said, the test should be taken seriously. Earning straight A’s or 4.0 GPA in nursing school does not predict success on the NCLEX. 

HOW MANY QUESTIONS ARE ON THE NCLEX?

  • The test will produce a minimum of 75 questions, and a maximum of 145 questions. 

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STUDY FOR THE NCLEX?

  • To pass the NCLEX, students should plan to spend a minimum of 1-2 months studying.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FAIL THE NCLEX?

  • If for whatever reason, the test-taker does not pass, it is possible to retake the NCLEX after a 45 day waiting period. Each exam attempt costs $200, so it’s in the best interest of nursing graduates to make their time and money worthwhile by passing the first time.

WHAT PERCENTAGE DO YOU HAVE TO GET ON THE NCLEX TO PASS?

  • There is no specific number or percentage that you need to answer correctly to pass the NCEX. The exam’s computational algorithm evaluates correct answers within the context of their difficulty and variety of topic knowledge. The adaptive test will determine that you are at a sufficient level to pass in each subject area using a 95% confidence rule, or a decision will be made at the maximum time (6-hour mark) or maximum question allowance.  

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF CANDIDATES PASS THE NCLEX?

  • The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) shares all exam statistics publically each year. Based on the results from 2022, the total percentage of first-time test candidates in the US to pass was 79.9%. 

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF YOU PASSED THE NCLEX?

  • As stated on the NCSBN website, “If your board of nursing participates in the ‘Quick Results Service’ you can receive your unofficial results 2 business days after the exam for $7.95. Official results are ONLY available through your board of nursing/regulatory body and will be sent to you by mail and/or posted on their website. If you did not pass, you will receive a Candidate Performance Report which shows individualized performance by content area so you can better prepare for your next NCLEX attempt.”

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STUDY FOR NCLEX?

  • The best way to study for the NCLEX is to take as many practice exams you can so you can get used to the format of questions on the NCLEX.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STUDY FOR NCLEX?

  • There is no right or wrong answer here, but many students choose to study for at least 1 month before taking the NCLEX.

WHAT ARE GOOD SIGNS YOU PASSED NCLEX?

  • The NCLEX test will stop when you have either sufficiently answered enough questions correctly or incorrectly, so if you finish quickly or the tests continued on for a long amount of time, it could be a sign you have passed or are close to passing. However, the opposite could also be true. The only thing to do is do your best!

HOW DO I STAY CALM DURING NCLEX? 

  • Avoid drinking caffeine before the test, practice deep breathing if you feel yourself start to panic, and take each question one at a time. 

IS IT BETTER TO TAKE THE NCLEX IN THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON? 

  • In general, it’s recommended that you take the NCLEX in the morning so your mind is the most “fresh,” but everyone is different—schedule your test for the time you will be at your best. 
  • Top NCLEX Prep Courses for 2021
  • What Does the NCLEX Consist of?
  • Signs You Failed the NCLEX (And What to Do If You Did Fail)
  • What Is the Pearson VUE NCLEX Trick?

best book to review nclex

Brittany Hamstra is a travel nurse on assignment in the amazing city of San Francisco. She specializes in Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Neurology, and Epilepsy. When not working at the hospital or writing articles for Nurse.org, she enjoys playing beach volleyball or exploring the crazy beautiful nature around her. She loves a good adventure, and is currently planning her next big trip - trekking Patagonia in South America in December 2018. Travel nurses have the most fun!

Test Prep Insight is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Best NCLEX Review Courses & Study Materials

Our comprehensive guide to the best nclex prep courses and study materials on the market.

As you wrap up nursing school, there is one major obstacle left between you and starting your career as a nurse – the NCLEX. Like most others, you likely just want to get this exam done and over with so you can move on and start working. However, in order to do, you’ll very likely need an NCLEX review course. In this detailed guide, our team (including a licensed RN and NCLEX tutor) breaks down the top NCLEX review courses available.

  • Video Instruction
  • Live Class Hours
  • Practice Questions
  • Practice Tests
  • Content Access Period
  • Money Back Guarantee

Nursing.com NCLEX

  • Price $29-$162/mo
  • Video Instruction 2,500+ Lessons
  • Live Class Hours None
  • Practice Questions 6,500+
  • Practice Tests 3
  • Content Access Period 1 Year
  • Books Digital

Kaplan NCLEX Live Online

  • Video Instruction 300+ Lessons
  • Live Class Hours 18
  • Practice Questions 2,100+
  • Content Access Period 6 Months

Nurse Plus Academy NCLEX

  • Video Instruction None
  • Practice Questions 2,800+
  • Practice Tests Unlimited
  • Books Cheat Sheets

NCLEX Bootcamp

  • Video Instruction 200+ Problem Breakdowns
  • Practice Questions 1,300+
  • Practice Tests 4
  • Content Access Period 3 Months

Rankings: Best NCLEX Review Courses of 2024

  • Best Overall NCLEX Prep: Nursing.com
  • Best NCLEX Live Classes: Kaplan
  • Best Value NCLEX Review Course: Nurse Plus Academy
  • Best NCLEX Prep Strategy: NCLEX Bootcamp
  • Most Realistic NCLEX Questions: Princeton Review

As this is a detailed and lengthy post, we’ve included a jump-to table of contents above to help you quickly navigate this article.

Video Guide : Best NCLEX Prep Resources

In the video above, TPI team member John walks you through each of the NCLEX review courses that made our best list. For more detail regarding any of these courses, we’ve compiled detailed summaries below.

Nursing.com

  • Frequent Discounts
  • 200% Pass Guarantee
  • SIMCLEX (their adaptive NCLEX simulator) is as realistic as it gets
  • Question bank of 6,000+ problems with really helpful visual explanations
  • 300+ on-demand video lessons that are short and digestible (just 10 minutes each)
  • Awesome booklets, cheat sheets and written study materials
  • Supportive and community-like feel among students makes things easier
  • No live classes if that's what you need
  • Mobile app is a little clunky

Nursing.com NCLEX

Editor’s Choice: Nursing.com Gets Our #1 Spot

Nursing.com takes our #1 spot and editor’s choice selection for a number of reasons, but most notably for their combination of awesome practice material and affordable price .

With an all-in cost of under $250 for their 1 Year + NCLEX Prep plan, they are about the best value in NCLEX prep for what you get. This includes 300+ on-demand video lessons , cheat sheets, an eBook, 6,000+ practice questions , and simulated exams.

But it’s not just the quantity and breadth of review material that blew us away with Nursing.com . We also loved the quality of these materials . Their video lessons are short and digestible at just 10 minutes each , and feature all sorts of sharp graphics and diagrams for visual learners.

They are taught by practicing nurses and are stuffed with helpful tips and tricks for passing the NCLEX (and real practice).

NURSING.com NRSNG video lesson

Around these video lessons, you also get some of the most helpful study tools I’ve used and reviewed, including visual diagrams, outlines, cheat sheets with mnemonics, and most importantly, practice problems. Their Qbank of 6,000+ problems is insanely helpful and allows you to build custom quizzes whenever you want.

But the clear highlight of the Nursing.com course is their SIMCLEX . This is their proprietary adaptive NCLEX simulator, which is about as close to the real thing as we’ve seen.

The questions get progressively harder or easier as you take the test, adapting to your performance just like the real thing . Plus, each question is followed by a well-written answer explanation .

NURSING.com NRSNG NCLEX Practice Question

These text explanations offer some nice insights into the rationale behind the problems, and clearly articulate why each answer choice is correct or incorrect . These answer solutions not only accompany the SIMCLEX problems, but every practice question in their Qbank as well.

Bottom line for our team, Nursing.com simply provides the best bundle of NCLEX study material at an approachable price point.

👉 Read our full review of the Nursing.com NCLEX course here .

  • Self-Paced or Live Classes
  • Best NCLEX live classes in the category (18+ hours of live class time)
  • Highly realistic NCLEX practice questions and full-length exams
  • On-point pre-recorded video lessons that offer solid testing insights
  • One of the only NCLEX prep companies with printed materials
  • Very smooth digital platform
  • Lacking supplemental tools & resources
  • Video lessons can feel dry at times

Kaplan NCLEX Live Online

Use Kaplan NCLEX For Live Classes

In terms of quality of NCLEX study material, we found Kaplan to be a very close second to Nursing.com . Like Nursing.com’s material, Kaplan offers some of the most realistic practice material we’ve seen .

Their practice questions closely resemble real NCLEX problems , and the accompanying explanations are very good, though almost too-detailed .

Kaplan NCLEX Qbank

In addition, their simulated exams do a nice job matching up with the adaptive nature of the real NCLEX . The NCLEX can be a tough exam for prep companies to mock-up given the AI at work behind the scenes, but Kaplan does it very well. Their program truly looks and feels like the real thing.

Kaplan’s video lessons are also very worthwhile in my opinion, but the real highlight of the Kaplan course, and why they make our best list is their series of live classes . No other NCLEX prep company offers class sessions this good. Not even Hurst .

In total, you get 18 hours of live class time with Kaplan . But here’s the best part. At only an additional $100 more over the cost of their self-paced option, this makes each class hour only $5.50 .

$5 per hour of live class time is insane value and you won’t find NCLEX live review sessions that cheap anywhere else.

Kaplan NCLEX Prep Lesson

But these are not just budget classes – they are crazy good . The Kaplan instructors are all longtime NCLEX tutors and teachers, and know this exam inside and out.

They are also great communicators and do an excellent job breaking down some of the tougher concepts with mnemonics and testing tricks.

So in a straight comparison with Nursing.com, we prefer Nursing.com’s self-paced material; however, if you’re the type of student that needs the accountability and commitment of live class time, you have to go Kaplan .

Their live classes offer structured studying that you just won’t get with Nursing.com.

👉 Read our full review of the Kaplan NCLEX prep course here .

Nurse Plus Academy

  • Self-Paced Study
  • 100% Online
  • Massive bank of high-quality practice problems with detailed answer solutions
  • Insanely realistic NCLEX simulator for practicing under exam-like conditions
  • The best value in NCLEX review, hands down
  • Helpful email support line with NCLEX experts for questions
  • No live classes, prep books or video lessons (i.e. no substantive content review)
  • With practice only, will need a prep book from Amazon to supplement

Nurse Plus Academy NCLEX

Nurse Plus Academy Offers The Best Value

Nurse Plus Academy makes our list of best NCLEX review courses for one simple and clear reason: their combination of value and quality study material . Let’s not beat around the bush and start with the feature that attracts most people to Nurse Plus: cost savings .

At just $139 for their one-year plan (or $99 for the 60-day plan), Nurse Plus Academy’s NCLEX course is a screaming deal . For roughly $100 to$140, this course is an awesome value and offers about the most bang for your buck in NCLEX prep .

Nurse Plus Academy NCLEX review questions

And don’t be concerned about the quality of their materials based on the price here. This isn’t some bargain basement study product at this price – it’s far from . Our team was super impressed with the quality of Nurse Plus Academy’s features, especially their practice work .

With over 2,500 practice problems and an NCLEX simulator that allows for unlimited takes, we think there is a lot to like. We found Nurse Plus’s NCLEX questions to very closely resemble real NCLEX problems and loved the quality of this material.

But perhaps even more importantly, we really like the answer solutions that accompany each problem. The Nurse Plus text explanations have this awesome ability to be detailed, yet still easily readable and understandable at the same time. In other words, they’re written in plain English to make your life easier .

Nurse Plus Academy simulated exams

If there is one downside with this review course it’s that there are no live classes, prep books or video lessons. This is sort of a bummer for visual learners , but I would note that Nurse Plus does offer a couple decent content review tools, including flashcards and cheat sheets.

You get access to over 300 digital flashcards in total , as well as 4 cheat sheets that cover summaries of essential, need-to-know information.

Bottom line, for students looking for a streamlined and budget-friendly prep option to pass the NCLEX without a ton of substantive material review, Nurse Plus Academy is our preferred choice . Their practice question bank, NCLEX simulator and flashcards are on point – and you can’t beat the price.

👉 Read our full review of the Nurse Plus Academy NCLEX course here .

NCLEX Bootcamp

  • Monthly Subscriptions
  • Pass Guarantee
  • Love the focus on preparing for the new Next Gen exam format
  • 9-part video strategy series is really good
  • Killer price point at just $99 (very cost effective)
  • Highly realistic practice problems (mirror the real NCLEX)
  • In-depth and practical answer explanations add tons of value
  • Wish there were written study materials like study guides
  • Would be better if the study plan was integrated into the dashboard

NCLEX Bootcamp

Use NCLEX Bootcamp For Test Taking Strategy

If you’re trying to keep your NCLEX prep work on the cheaper side, NCLEX Bootcamp offers an incredibly cost effective option . We love this course for a lot of the same reasons we like Nurse Plus Academy.

That is, there aren’t any content review video lectures or prep books , but it’s a very streamlined course focused on practice work . Plus, it comes with a cheaper price tag than other courses we’ve reviewed .

NCLEX Bootcamp problem explanation

However, Bootcamp differs from Nurse Plus in a few ways. First, this course was built from the ground up for the new Next Generation NCLEX . Whereas other companies just tweaked their existing materials to accommodate the new test style and content, Bootcamp literally built this prep program just for the new exam format . This way you know 100% of the content is hyper-focused on all the new item types.

Second, they include a strategy course that offers a ton of value . There aren’t any videos reviewing hard content tested on the exam, but they give you a nine-part video lecture series that tells you how to study and attack all of the different problem types, as well as provides some really good tips and tricks. This is a nice complement to their practice work.

NCLEX Bootcamp Dashboard

Then lastly, we love the value price tag here . If you’re trying to keep things cheap, you can literally get a one-month subscription for just $49 or a three-month subscription for just $99 (and that’s before discounts). Bottom line, this is a killer value and one of the big reasons we recommend NCLEX Bootcamp . 

👉 Read our full review of NCLEX Bootcamp here .

Princeton Review NCLEX

Princeton Review

  • Steep Discounts
  • Live Online Classes
  • Highly realistic NCLEX questions (direct from NCSBN)
  • Direct access to your teacher via email for questions
  • Awesome live classes (better than Hurst's)
  • Custom flashcard tool is surprisingly useful and effective
  • No video lessons or pre-recorded lectures
  • No hardcopy prep books

Princeton Review NCLEX

Why Princeton Review Makes The Best List

Princeton Review lands near the top of our best NCLEX review courses list for several reasons, but there is one advantage above all others going for them: Princeton Review has purchased close to 2,000 practice problems directly from the makers of the exam , the NCSBN .

Of the 3,500 or so practice questions that Princeton Reviews offers (more than just about every other prep company in the space), more than half are official problems . This is something we haven’t seen with any other review course, and is a major advantage for Princeton Review .

Princeton Review NCLEX Practice

There is no better form of practice than drilling on real problems, so the fact that you get access to nearly 2,000 is a major value add. Honestly, the value can’t be overstated .

Moreover, the rationales that accompany these problems are very good . They’re not quite as good as those from UWorld , but pretty darn close .

In addition, for those looking for live classes, we absolutely loved the new live classes from Princeton Review. Unlike some other prep courses, their classes are taught by real NCLEX tutors who absolutely know their stuff.

The lesson plans for the classes were well thought out, in-depth, and provided plenty of sample problems to show how theory works in practice on the NCLEX.

Princeton Review NCLEX Score Report

The live class package does cost a bit more than the self-paced Qbank package, but can almost always be found on sale for a steep discount (they are trying to push this offering since it’s a relatively new product for them).

Bottom line, we love Princeton Review’s live classes, realistic problems, and detailed rationales. The only thing missing are on-demand video lessons .

👉 Read our full review of the Princeton Review NCLEX Prep Course here .

Do I need an NCLEX prep course?

While some nursing students have the ability to simply study from a single book off Amazon and pass the NCLEX, most aspiring nurses will need a review course. Even the most basic review courses offer practice problems, video lessons and simulated exams to help you pass on the first attempt.

How much does an NCLEX prep course cost?

Most NCLEX review courses are pretty affordably priced. Ranging from around $100 up to $500, most NCLEX prep courses won’t break the bank.

Will an NCLEX course increase my chances of passing?

As compared to not studying or just reviewing your notes from class, if you use an NCLEX review course to help you study, it will almost certainly improve your odds of passing this high-stakes exam on the first attempt.

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The model Kaia Gerber reading a book

‘Reading is so sexy’: gen Z turns to physical books and libraries

Book sales boom as readers escape the ‘oversaturation and noise of the wild west digital landscape’

T hey have killed skinny jeans and continue to shame millennials for having side partings in their hair. They think using the crying tears emoji to express laughter is embarrassing. But now comes a surprising gen Z plot twist. One habit that those born between 1997 and 2012 are keen to endorse is reading – and it’s physical books rather than digital that they are thumbing.

This week the 22-year-old model Kaia Gerber launched her own book club, Library Science. Gerber, who this month appears on the cover of British Vogue alongside her supermodel mum, Cindy Crawford, describes it as “a platform for sharing books, featuring new writers, hosting conversations with artists we admire – and continuing to build a community of people who are as excited about literature as I am”.

“Books have always been the great love of my life,” she added. “Reading is so sexy.”

Gerber isn’t alone. Last year in the UK 669m physical books were sold, the highest overall level ever recorded. Research from Nielsen BookData highlights that it is print books that gen Z favour, accounting for 80% of purchases from November 2021 to 2022. Libraries are also reporting an uptick in gen Z users who favour their quiet over noisy coffee shops . In the UK in-person visits are up 71%.

While the BookTok charts – a subsection of TikTok where avid readers post recommendations – are regularly topped by fantasy and romance titles from authors such as Colleen Hoover, gen Z are reading a diverse range of genres.

“The gen Z book sphere is incredibly broad,” says Hali Brown, the 28-year-old co-founder of Books on the Bedside, a popular TikTok account dedicated to gen Z reading habits. “There is a lot of appreciation for literary fiction, memoirs, translated fiction and classics in particular,” says Brown.

Gerber’s first literary guest was the Iranian-American writer Kaveh Akbar, who joined the model on a video call to discuss his debut novel, Martyr! On the Library Science site, a curated collection of recommended reads include Joan Didion and Jia Tolentino.

“There is a bit of a subculture within the gen Z book world which is ‘hot girl books’ or ‘sad girl books’,” explains Brown. “These largely skew towards literary fiction and memoir and deal in some way with girlhood or womanhood.”

The 28-year-old model Kendall Jenner became the unofficial face of this new “Lit Girls’ Club” when she was pictured on a yacht in 2019 off the Côte d’Azur reading Tonight I’m Someone Else, a collection of essays by Chelsea Hodson musing on the objectification and commodification of the body. Jenner’s copy was covered in green Post-it notes.

She has also been photographed by a pool in the south of France reading Darcie Wilder’s Literally Show Me a Healthy Person, which explores grief and anxiety, alongside Miranda July’s collection of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You. Both Hodson’s and Wilder’s books sold out on Amazon within 24 hours of the photographs being published.

“Overall we are seeing a move towards escapism through the rise in speculative fiction, romance and fantasy, but I think it would be a mistake to homogenise gen Z and say they’re reading lighter,” says the author and literary agent Abigail Bergstrom. “With the oversaturation and noise of the wild west digital landscape, they are also demanding higher standards, especially when it comes to the authority and expertise of a writer on a particular subject.”

The “sad girl” genre isn’t limited to angsty females. The singer Harry Styles has been pictured carrying Didion while the reading habits of the actors Timothée Chalamet (28) and Jacob Elordi (26) have earned them the moniker of the Brontë Bros. Chalamet has name-checked Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment as one of his favourite books, while last October the Saltburn star was pictured carrying a copy of Prima Facie, a novel based on Suzie Miller’s play that explores sexual assault and the legal system.

After the photos of Jenner and Elordi were published there was a stream of online discourse stating we had entered an era of performative reading. Elsewhere, meme accounts regularly satirise readers of titles from the indie publisher Fitzcarraldo Editions, which have become known for their identical Yves Klein-blue covers.

Brown says she dislikes this type of discourse. “I think if they’re both keen to explore the world of reading, they shouldn’t be shut down in this way because they’re beautiful or have large internet presences. Book clubs imply that these are titles they’d like to explore with a community of like-minded people; that’s never a bad thing. If it gets more people reading, then that’s great.”

Gen Z-approved literary merch

T-shirt, £28.56 McNally Jackson Books https://www.bonfire.com/if-you-love-me-navy/ . As seen on Kaia Gerber . Carry a book for bonus style points.

Baseball cap, £27, The Paris Review https://store.theparisreview.org/collections/accessories/products/baseball-cap-in-forest-green . The model and author Emily Ratajkowski has endorsed this hat from the legendary literary magazine.

Tote bag, £19, Minor Canon https://minor-canon.com/en-gb/products/renata-adler-speedboat-tote . Minor Canon’s tote bags featuring prints of novels from acclaimed dead authors are the gen Z equivalent of the ubiquitous Daunt Books canvas carrier.

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March 7, 2024

Current Issue

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A Historic Abdication

February 12, 2024

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Ian Maule/Bloomberg

Donald Trump leaving the stage of a watch party for the Nevada Republican caucus on the day the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether he should be disqualified from the presidency, Las Vegas, February 8, 2024

The Supreme Court justices’ responses last Thursday to the oral arguments over Donald Trump’s disqualification under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment were worse than an embarrassment—they were a disgrace. With the partial exception of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the members of the Court appeared woefully ignorant of the historical and constitutional issues before them. They took up in detail the ramifications of an eccentric 1869 circuit court ruling by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, In re Griffin , that Section 3 could not be enforced without congressional approval, overlooking, except briefly and in passing, that in that case Chase flatly contradicted what he had ruled in another trial a year earlier. They fretted over whether the section’s disqualifications applied to the presidency and vice-presidency as offices “under the United States,” ignoring the explicit evidence from the Senate debates over the amendment in 1866, expressed most directly by Senator Lot Morrill of Maine, that they plainly did.

Over the course of more than two hours of presentations and disputations, gradually it became evident that the justices seem to have no intention of ruling on the meaning of Section 3 and whether it disqualifies Trump. Instead they appear to be casting about for a rationale not to do so. One possibility, which would appeal to the justices across the ideological spectrum, would be to argue that disqualifying Trump would be seen as an act of usurpation, the worst sort of judicial activism, damaging if not ruining the Court’s standing as an independent branch of government. The trouble is that, as I have argued in these pages , both the amendment, interpreted on originalist grounds, and the facts of the case could not be clearer in demanding Trump’s disqualification. The justices cannot avoid reaching that conclusion without appealing to some fictive, extraconstitutional principle. In an effort to preserve the Court’s legitimacy, they seem ready to render it illegitimate. Worse still, they may be hastening the constitutional crisis they think they are heading off.

Trump’s able attorney, Jonathan Mitchell, relied heavily on Chase’s ruling but shrewdly backed off from other strong claims made by Trump’s defenders and even by Trump’s own briefs. At one point, for example, he corrected Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson by pointing out that there was indeed evidence that the framers of the amendment had the presidency in mind. Even as he stuck to Chase’s reasoning, he took pains to remind the Court that it did contradict Chase’s ruling from the previous year. But in these efforts to establish his own integrity, Mitchell also underscored how unfamiliar nearly all of the justices seem to be with the basic questions raised by the case.

Had they mastered the relevant history, the justices would have understood that these seemingly evenhanded concessions exposed the groundlessness of Trump’s claims. They would have recognized, above all, that what turned out to be the basis of Mitchell’s argument—Chase’s eccentric, one-off judgement—is not only extraconstitutional but essentially worthless, as the leading experts in the field have concluded , in part because of Chase’s earlier opinion. Instead, for the most part they persisted in treating In re Griffin as a significant precedent, even though, since Chase made the decision from a circuit court, they have no obligation to do so. Justice Brett Kavanaugh clung to Griffin especially closely as “highly probative” of Section 3’s “original public meaning.” Justice Sotomayor, for her part, pushed back strongly against Mitchell’s reliance on the Griffin case: “a non-precedential decision that relies on policy, doesn’t look at the language, doesn’t look at the history, doesn’t analyze anything than the disruption that such a suit would bring, you want us to credit as precedential?”

The Court seems likeliest to find an escape hatch in a point made by several of the justices, including Amy Coney Barrett and Samuel Alito. Justice Elena Kagan stated it most starkly to Jason Murray, the attorney representing the Colorado voters: “I think that the question that you have to confront is why a single state should decide who gets to be president.” Put that way, the question stands to reason; allowing a single state to dictate a presidential election sounds absurd. But the question is both irrelevant and evasive.

Under Article II of the Constitution, the states have the power to decide how electors for the presidency are to be chosen. Candidates for the presidency must meet any number of state-dictated requirements before earning a spot on the ballot. These include whether the candidate is actually qualified to hold the office under the state and federal constitutions. Individual states clearly, then, have the authority to bar any unqualified candidate, including, under the terms of the Fourteenth Amendment, an insurrectionist who previously swore an oath to support the Constitution. To deny the states that authority would be an extraordinary imposition of federal power. In the words of one amicus brief submitted by, among others, the Republican Party’s longtime chief legal counsel, Benjamin Ginsberg, if the Court were to rule “that Colorado was powerless to make a judicially-reviewable, pre-election decision concerning Mr. Trump’s disqualification under Section 3,” it “would turn our federalist election system upside down.”

The phrase “judicially reviewable” is central to the Court’s evasion. Any state supreme court’s decision to disqualify a presidential candidate can, of course, be reviewed by the US Supreme Court. Ever since the John Marshall Court’s landmark ruling in Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee in 1816, the Court has assumed that its authority under the Constitution extends to adjudicating state rulings on federal law. Once it agreed to hear Trump’s appeal on the Colorado ruling, the Court was fully empowered to decide whether that ruling should stand, above and beyond affirming the state’s authority over elections—that is, to decide the meaning of Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Murray made the point explicitly in reply to Justice Kagan’s skepticism about whether a single state should decide the presidency: “No, your honor, because ultimately it’s this Court that’s going to decide [the] question of federal constitutional eligibility and settle the issue for the nation.” It appears, however, that this is precisely what the justices have decided not to do. The Court may wish not to be thrust into the middle of a presidential election for the second time in a quarter-century, after the debacle of Bush v. Gore , but the prospect is staring the justices in the face. To decline to meet that responsibility, no matter the fallout, would be a historic abdication.

It would also be an invitation to constitutional chaos. To be sure, public discord would certainly ensue if the Court were to rule before the election that Trump, as an insurrectionist, is disqualified for a second term. But that unrest would in all likelihood be mild compared to what would follow if Trump were disqualified after being elected. The amicus brief spells out several possible scenarios. Were Trump to win the election, it is almost certain that members of Congress would try to have him declared unfit to serve under the Fourteenth Amendment. Since bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate voted in 2021 to, respectively, impeach and remove Trump over the insurrection, it is possible that such an effort might succeed. But even if it failed, the effort would invite serious political instability and turmoil between Election Day and Inauguration Day. By failing to rule now, the Court could lay the groundwork for future catastrophe.

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Kelly Link Returns with a Dreamlike, Profoundly Beautiful Novel

In “The Book of Love,” the Pulitzer finalist and master of short stories pushes our understanding of what a fantasy novel can be.

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An illustration of a young woman walking amid a blue haze, with two other figures in the background.

By Amal El-Mohtar

Amal El-Mohtar is the Book Review’s science fiction and fantasy columnist, a Hugo Award-winning writer and the co-author, with Max Gladstone, of “This Is How You Lose the Time War.”

THE BOOK OF LOVE , by Kelly Link

A certain weight of expectation accrues on writers of short fiction who haven’t produced a novel, as if the short story were merely the larval stage of longer work. No matter how celebrated the author and her stories, how garlanded with prizes and grants, the sense persists: She will eventually graduate from the short form to the long. After an adolescence spent munching milkweed in increments of 10,000 words or less, she will come to her senses and build the chrysalis required for a novel to emerge, winged and tender, from within.

Now Kelly Link — an editor and publisher, a recipient of a MacArthur “genius grant” and the author of five story collections, one of which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist — has produced a novel. Seven years in the making, “The Book of Love” — long, but never boring — enacts a transformation of a different kind: It is our world that must expand to accommodate it, we who must evolve our understanding of what a fantasy novel can be.

Reviewing “The Book of Love” feels like trying to describe a dream. It’s profoundly beautiful, provokes intense emotion, offers up what feel like rooted, incontrovertible truths — but as soon as one tries to repeat them, all that’s left are shapes and textures, the faint outlines of shifting terrain.

Still, here goes: Set in 2014, in a small Massachusetts town called Lovesend, “The Book of Love” is the story of three local teenagers (and one stowaway) who return from the dead and must compete for the prize of remaining alive by completing a series of magical tasks.

It’s the story of the parents, siblings and lovers of those teenagers, the people who mourned them for the year they were gone and now, magically, have had those memories of grief replaced: The teens were never dead, they were only studying abroad.

It’s the story of the wizard-priests who guard either side of the door to the world of the dead; one of them is the teens’ high school music teacher, who must now instruct them in magic if they’re to survive.

It’s the story of a fey, cruel moon goddess who’s lost the key to her larder of souls, and the young man, now hundreds of years old, who bound himself to her service in exchange for a promise of revenge.

It’s the story of two sisters, one of whom is part of the undead trio, who can’t speak without hurting or irritating each other, but who also need each other, are lost without each other.

“The Book of Love” is made up of smaller books: Each character perspective is presented as “The Book of [character name],” with surprising detours into the interiority of objects or concepts. This might suggest discrete accounts with clear divisions between them, but the reality is more complex: These books are in conversation with one another, their lives interleaved.

Susanna and Laura Hand, the sisters, are in a band with Daniel Knowe, who’s been secretly dating Susanna but is opaquely detested by Mo Gorch, who is close friends with the girl Laura has a deep crush on — the girl Susanna kissed out of spite. They’ve all known one another since childhood, and they’re all on the cusp of adulthood. Tugging the story forward through these relationships are the questions of how Laura, Daniel and Mo died, why they came back, who or what slipped out of death alongside them, and what they all have to do to stay on this side of the grave.

It’s common to read a book with a strong sense of place and say that the setting is a character in the story. But in “The Book of Love,” it’s more correct to say that characters provide the story’s setting: Each “Book” is a dwelling place to experience a life, and taken together, the result is immense. As C.S. Lewis wrote of heaven and John Crowley wrote of fairyland, the further in you go, the bigger it gets — an experience that recalls the process of getting to know a person.

So much of Link’s work steps lightly, a tempering of the commonplace with vivid, delicate surprise. In a 2023 profile for Vulture , Link observed: “The novel hardens as you go on. … At a certain point the ambitions, even the shape, begin to feel inevitable. The short story stays fluid.” I kept waiting for the novel to harden as it went on, but it never did; every sentence remained a springboard for new sound, piano keys rising and falling in new variations. In one chapter, a man summons his lover by playing wrong notes in an old song; Link’s project here sometimes feels like that, resisting an expected shape by leaning out of resolving cadences and into bumps, splinters, question marks.

“Don’t be ashamed of the things that you unabashedly love in narrative,” Link said in a 2019 speech. “Investigate them with a loving heart.” Investigating romance novels, small towns, families, the friends and music you make in high school, fairy villains and fairy lovers, with fascinated tenderness and deep familiarity, “The Book of Love” does justice to its name. Its composition, its copiousness, suggests that love, in the end, contains all — that frustration, rage, vulnerability, loss and grief are love’s constituent parts, bound by and into it.

THE BOOK OF LOVE | By Kelly Link | Random House | 628 pp. | $31

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