Passing the NCLEX has been the standard requirement for aspiring registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in the United States since 1994. Out of over 250,000 NCLEX-RN and more than 60,000 NCLEX-PN test-takers in 2020, the pass rates were 72.35% and 70.89%, respectively. These passers include 83.88% of NCLEX-RN and 82.74% of NCLEX-PN first-time takers. Effective study methods can increase your chances of passing the NCLEX on the first try; that’s why we handpicked the top NCLEX prep courses that can work for you:
- Kaplan — Top Pick
- NurseAchieve — Most Advanced Practice Exam Technology
- Hurst Review — Best First-Attempt Pass Rate
- NCLEX Mastery — Most Affordable
- Mometrix University — Best Free Resources
- ATI — Best Product Offerings
- Achieve Test Prep — Best In-Person Experience
- CrushNCLEX — Best Online Course
- Nursing.com — Best for Students with Learning Disabilities
- Nurse Plus Academy — Biggest Practice Exam Library
- UWorld — Best for Busy Schedules
Our Ranking Criteria
We shortlisted NCLEX prep courses that have a proven track record among first-time test takers, and most of them offer a pass guarantee to prove their commitment to helping candidates succeed. Based on those characteristics, our carefully selected NCLEX prep courses offer flexible study options, such as self-paced learning and one-on-one tutoring, with access to high-quality materials for different learning formats.
Flexible scheduling and adaptable formats
It’s important for your test prep to be able to fit around your existing schedule. We’ve looked for NCLEX courses that have flexible scheduling and self-paced courses and that are delivered via multiple formats, such as live online classes, on-demand online classes, and in-person instruction.
Personalized instruction available
Personalized instruction enhances your learning experience and can help you improve your chances of passing the NCLEX and scoring high. We looked for courses that offer customizable learning aids or a personal tutor that can help address your areas of improvement.
The Best NCLEX Prep Courses
Kaplan — Top Pick
A Kaplan survey reveals that the participants who passed its realistic CATs (Computer Adaptive Tests) are 7x more likely to pass the actual NCLEX-RN. In line with its proven ability to deliver results, Kaplan is our top pick for its decision-tree approach to clinical reasoning as taught by its dedicated, highly competent nurse educators. You may opt for the most basic package of over 2,100 NCLEX questions or choose from multiple bundled packages with the addition of three full-length CATs, 24/7 access to the NCLEX Channel’s live and recorded sessions, and other essential learning tools for up to 6 months. Take advantage of discount codes when you sign up.
Need-to-knows:
- $159 to $525
- Self-paced, live online, and in-person courses
- Free NCLEX-RN on-demand practice test
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NurseAchieve — Most Advanced Practice Exam Technology
NurseAchieve provides you with everything you need to pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN. Each of these self-paced courses comes with 130 chapters of comprehensive review, which covers key subjects efficiently and is much less time-consuming than textbooks. Also, their adaptive mock exam technology provides you with unlimited attempts at replicating the exam experience, and you’ll get a detailed report on your performance after each attempt. And NurseAchieve is the first provider to support all item types for the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which is slated to be introduced in 2023.
Need-to-knows:
- $105 to $389
- Self-paced online courses
- Free demo
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Hurst Review — Best First-Attempt Pass Rate
Dedicated to NCLEX review since 1988, Hurst boasts a 98% first-attempt pass rate and has helped over 400,000 RN and PN candidates nationwide. We’re impressed by its clinical judgment approach to NCLEX review and its range of traditional and online learning options. The online-based Hurst N-Stream package is similar to the Hurst Live physical classroom course in terms of interactive live lectures and provides 9-month access to four unique NCLEX-style exams and over 1,500 Qbank items. Hurst’s Elevate add-on provides a guided study plan consisting of six modules. There is also a guarantee with the option of a full refund or an intensive one-time remediation course for those who don’t pass.
Need-to-knows:
- $109 to $399
- In-person, self-paced online, and live online courses
- Free live webinars and 7-day trial
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NCLEX Mastery — Most Affordable
Built by Higher Learning Technologies, which specializes in mobile learning solutions, the NCLEX RN Mastery and NCLEX PN Mastery apps appeal to on-the-go students and those who are comfortable with self-studying on their gadgets. Aside from having affordable auto-renewing 1-, 3-, and 12-month subscription plan options, NCLEX Mastery promises to double your money back if you don’t pass the exam. It provides 1,800 NCLEX-RN and 1,600+ NCLEX-PN practice questions based on past exams, complete with detailed, illustrated explanations. You also have convenient access to nursing terminologies, mnemonics, and category-specific quizzes, as well as detailed statistics on your review progress.
Need-to-knows:
- $24.99 to $114.99
- App-based online learning
- Comprehensive mnemonics list
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Mometrix University — Best Free Resources
What’s great about Mometrix is that you don’t need to have a login account to access its wealth of free NCLEX prep course materials, including over 120 lecture videos on specific topics under the standard NCLEX test categories. Each free video even has a transcript with bold emphasis on important words. Signing up for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN prep course gives you access to eight full practice tests with over 1,100 practice questions, as well as 600+ e-flashcards, 348 RN or 92 PN lessons with audio modes, and over 70 instructional videos on complex concepts.
Need-to-knows:
- $59.99 per month
- Online course with text, audio, and video lessons
- Refund option within 7 days of sign up
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ATI — Best Product Offerings
Dedicated to nursing education, ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) focuses on the quality of NCLEX review packages it offers. Its Virtual-ATI + BoardVitals program boasts a 99% pass rate for NCLEX-RN takers and 100% for NCLEX-PN. This 12-week course features personalized coaching by an experienced nurse educator who provides study plans and a post-review “green light” when you’re NCLEX-ready. The BoardVitals component gives you access to over 3,300 RN or 1,500+ PN practice questions with detailed, richly illustrated rationales and adaptive quizzes. You may also opt for the BoardVitals-only package and attend ATI Comprehensive Live NCLEX review sessions in your area.
Need-to-knows:
- $95 to $525
- Self-paced online, one-on-one virtual coaching, and live in-person courses
- Three BoardVitals quiz modes: timed, review, and CAT
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Achieve Test Prep — Best In-Person Experience
Live virtual NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN review programs by Achieve Test Prep offer a structured, interactive classroom experience from home. The class is taught once a week over five or six weeks, and you get 15 hours of live lectures from a BSN instructor, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and hear other students. You also get free study materials, including exam-style questions, and you may approach instructors for after-class support. Topics covered include nursing and healthcare concepts, critical thinking techniques, and NCLEX test-taking strategies. With a pass rate of 95%, Achieve’s NCLEX review courses offer a pass guarantee with free repeat courses for non-passing students.
Need-to-knows:
- $499
- Live virtual classroom experience
- Discount on Achieve Test Prep’s classes when pursuing BSN
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CrushNCLEX — Best Online Course
As upbeat as its name, CrushNCLEX showcases a dynamic, mobile-friendly learning platform and a 97% pass rate. Its comprehensive learning materials, including over 100 hours of video lessons and 2,200+ prep questions with detailed and illustrated rationales, are prepared by a team of highly qualified nursing and medical educators. Access to a simulated NCLEX interface familiarizes you with the CAT experience. You also get a 100-point NCLEX must-know ebook, a 30-day NCLEX mastery schedule, and 24-hour email support. The platform’s performance review graph lets you easily monitor your study progress. Check out CrushNCLEX’s Qbank demo, video demo, and NCLEX passer video testimonials on its website before signing up for a free trial.
Need-to-knows:
- $197 to $497
- Self-paced online course
- Simulated NCLEX software with real exam interface
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NURSING.com — Best for Students With Learning Disabilities
As shown on it’s home page, NURSING.com describes itself as a “classroom supplement for visual, anxious, ADHD, and dyslexic nursing students.” Its NCLEX Prep course, which uses the Core Content Mastery Method, achieved a 99.86% pass rate. Over 300 engaging video lessons, as well as mobile app-based audio lectures, Cornell notes, and Picmonics, help struggling students learn effectively. You gain access to over 6,000 practice questions and five SIMCLEX (simulated NCLEX) tests. SIMCLEX’s AI-enabled test result reviews provide personalized study suggestions to help you improve on the topics that challenge you most. If you pass the SIMCLEX but don’t pass the actual NCLEX, you get twice your money back.
Need-to-knows:
- $99
- Self-paced online review program
- SIMCLEX adaptive test mimicking the NCLEX algorithm
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Nurse Plus Academy — Biggest Practice Exam Library
All future nurses are welcome to review for NCLEX using Nurse Plus Academy’s large collection of free sample test questions. If you want to get more in-depth, a Nurse Plus Premium account gives you access to over 1,600 more questions, 65 realistic practice tests, and unlimited exam retakes with the NCLEX test simulator. Each practice question features instant feedback, providing in-depth rationales with images and videos. Customizable learning aids let you show or hide hints, listen to the question’s audio version, and see which answers are most popular among other reviewers. Incorrectly answered questions automatically go to the Challenge Bank for you to revisit.
Need-to-knows:
- $49 to $139
- 1-month, 1-year, and lifetime online access
- Over 1,400 free NCLEX-RN and 400+ free NCLEX-PN practice questions available with no login required
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UWorld — Best for Busy Schedules
For very busy students, making enough time for NCLEX reviews is easier with UWorld’s NCLEX Qbanks and customizable learning tools. You get access to over 2,100 NCLEX-RN or 1,200+ NCLEX-PN questions from your phone, tablet, or computer. Answer them in timed mode to challenge yourself or on tutor mode to see their content-rich rationales. You can generate tests from these questions based on your selected topic categories and set number of items and customize your flashcards for efficient study sessions. If you sign up for at least a 60-day plan, you get access to self-assessments consisting of 100 questions each to test your readiness for the actual NCLEX.
Need-to-knows:
- $139 to $429
- Self-paced online learning
- Free Qbank demo with step-by-step tutorial.
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Choose the Right NCLEX Prep Course for You
When you’re deciding on the right NCLEX prep course, you’ll want to consider specific factors like your personal learning style, how much time you have to prepare, your budget, and the features that are most important to you. We’ve provided more information to help you make the best decision below.
Calculate prep time
Because the NCLEX is offered continuously every year, many NCLEX review providers offer courses for as short as one month all the way up to a lifetime subscription to accommodate students with different personal timeframes. Taking the NCLEX as early as possible after graduation is not unusual, especially for new graduates with fresh knowledge and/or excellent academic records. Repeat test-takers and those planning to take the NCLEX long after graduation may need intensive preparations within a reasonable timeframe.
Consider your learning style
Taking the right NCLEX prep course based on your learning style makes understanding difficult concepts easier. If you’re mostly a visual learner, choosing online NCLEX review courses that use video lessons and interactive flashcards may work for you. There are also options with audio lessons and virtual classroom lectures for aural learners.
Compare costs
When comparing costs among different NCLEX prep courses, consider what’s included in their service packages to help you understand which ones are reasonable for your budget. You may also spend more on programs with longer subscriptions plans which may work out to be less expensive compared to monthly auto-renewals. Pricing for online NCLEX prep courses range from free to over $499, depending on the learning formats and number of practice questions included.
Look for must-have features
Some of the most important features to look for in an NCLEX prep course are:
- Thousands of practice questions with rationales
- High quantity of NCLEX-style practice tests
- Availability of video, audio, and/or text lessons
- Access to expert support from an educator
- Declared percentage of passing students
- Money-back guarantee for students with non-passing scores
- Free trials and platform demos
NCLEX Prep Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for taking the NCLEX?
The annual NCLEX is offered continuously within a 365-day period. Candidates must first submit applications for licensure/registration to their nursing regulating bodies (NRB) and then register for the exam with Pearson VUE. When determined eligible by their NRBs, registered candidates receive their Authorization to Test (ATT) emails, and they must be able to schedule and take exams within the validity dates written on their ATTs. The average ATT period is 90 days. Candidates may schedule their exams with their preferred Pearson VUE testing centers based on slot availability. Change in schedules must be requested at least 24 hours in advance before the original schedule. Official test results are sent by the NRBs up to 6 weeks after a candidate takes the exam. A non-passing candidate is allowed to take the NCLEX up to eight times in a year but must take the next exam at least 45 days after the last one.
Are there accommodations for disabilities?
Pearson VUE only provides testing accommodations to candidates with authorization by their NRBs. Prior to registration and exam scheduling with Pearson VUE, a candidate must send a written request to the appropriate NRB, in compliance with the NRB’s requirements for granting testing accommodations. Candidates who receive written approval from their NRBs should schedule their exams with Pearson VUE’s NCLEX Accommodations Coordinators via telephone.
How early should I prep?
Each state has a required minimum period before taking the NCLEX after graduation. Depending on your current academic status and due to the extensive range of topics covered in the NCLEX, starting to prepare for the exam a few months ahead can help you become fully prepared to answer difficult questions.
How much does NCLEX prep cost?
The costs of NCLEX prep courses vary based on learning formats, course duration, and included materials greatly. Some providers offer renewal discounts, as well as reduced total prices for bundled packages or longer subscriptions, saving students more compared to purchasing a la carte products and monthly plans. The table below shows an overview of differently priced NCLEX-RN review courses:
| Company | Cost |
| Kaplan |
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| NurseAchieve |
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| Hurst Review |
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| NCLEX Mastery |
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| Mometrix University |
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| ATI |
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| Achieve Test Prep |
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| CrushNCLEX |
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| NURSING.com |
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| Nurse Plus Academy |
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| UWorld |
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