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10 Best NCLEX Prep Books for Nursing Exam Success (2026)

Pass your NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam with confidence using these top-rated prep books. From comprehensive review guides to practice questions, find the resources you need to succeed.

The NCLEX exam stands between you and your nursing career, and proper preparation is essential for success. These prep books have helped hundreds of thousands of nursing graduates pass on their first attempt by combining thorough content review with strategic test-taking approaches tailored to the exam's unique format. From comprehensive review guides that cover every content area to focused practice question banks that build critical thinking skills, these resources provide everything you need to walk into your exam day with confidence.

Books & Affiliate Links

#TitleBest ForPriceISBN/ASINAmazon Link
1Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RNComplete content review$650323795307Buy on Amazon
2NCLEX-RN Prep Plus by Kaplan NursingTest strategies$451506276350Buy on Amazon
3Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment by Linda LaCharityCritical thinking$480323683169Buy on Amazon
4NCLEX-RN Questions and Answers Made Incredibly EasyPractice questions$421975171292Buy on Amazon
5Lippincott NCLEX-RN PassPointAdaptive quizzing$551975173425Buy on Amazon
6NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide by KaplanFocused review$351506276369Buy on Amazon
7Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN by JoAnn ZerwekhVisual learners$520323777791Buy on Amazon
8NCLEX-PN Prep Plus by Kaplan NursingPN exam prep$401506276385Buy on Amazon
9Mosby's Comprehensive Review of NursingIn-depth coverage$580323661548Buy on Amazon
10NCLEX High-Yield by Archer ReviewQuick review$38B0BVTM8GJKBuy on Amazon

Book Details

1. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN

The Saunders Comprehensive Review is the most trusted name in NCLEX preparation, covering every content area tested on the exam with thousands of practice questions. The online resources include an extensive question bank and computer adaptive testing that mimics the real exam experience. The complete preparation package that has helped more nursing graduates pass than any other resource.

2. NCLEX-RN Prep Plus by Kaplan Nursing

Kaplan's test preparation expertise shines in this guide that teaches strategic approaches to the NCLEX's unique question formats. Beyond content review, you learn decision trees and critical thinking frameworks that help you tackle questions on unfamiliar topics. Essential for students who need test-taking strategies as much as content knowledge.

3. Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment by Linda LaCharity

The NCLEX tests clinical judgment through prioritization and delegation questions that trip up many test-takers. LaCharity's focused practice with these challenging question types builds the critical thinking skills that separate passing scores from failures. An essential supplement for anyone struggling with the exam's most difficult question formats.

4. NCLEX-RN Questions and Answers Made Incredibly Easy

The "Made Incredibly Easy" series brings its signature approachable style to NCLEX prep with thousands of practice questions and clear rationales for both correct and incorrect answers. Learning why wrong answers are wrong is just as important as understanding right answers. A less intimidating approach to building question-answering confidence.

5. Lippincott NCLEX-RN PassPoint

Lippincott's adaptive learning platform adjusts question difficulty based on your performance, closely mimicking the actual NCLEX's computer adaptive testing format. Detailed performance analytics identify weak areas so you can focus study time efficiently. The closest simulation of the real test experience available.

6. NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide by Kaplan

This streamlined content review focuses on exactly what you need to know for the NCLEX without the bulk of comprehensive textbooks. Kaplan distills essential nursing knowledge into digestible chapters perfect for efficient review. Ideal for students who need targeted content refreshers rather than exhaustive coverage.

7. Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN by JoAnn Zerwekh

Zerwekh's colorful illustrations, memory tricks, and visual summaries make complex nursing concepts memorable and easier to recall under test pressure. The visual approach is especially helpful for kinesthetic and visual learners who struggle with text-heavy resources. A different path to the same destination for students who learn best through images.

8. NCLEX-PN Prep Plus by Kaplan Nursing

Kaplan's PN-specific guide addresses the unique scope and content of the practical nursing licensure exam. The focused approach covers exactly what LPN/LVN candidates need without the additional RN content that would waste study time. The definitive resource for practical nursing students preparing for their licensure exam.

9. Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing

Mosby's thorough approach covers nursing content in depth, making it valuable for students who need to strengthen their foundational knowledge before exam-focused study. The comprehensive coverage ensures no content gaps while extensive practice questions test understanding. Best for students who want deep content mastery alongside test preparation.

10. NCLEX High-Yield by Archer Review

Archer's high-yield approach focuses on the most frequently tested topics and highest-impact content for efficient last-minute review. The condensed format is perfect for the final weeks before your exam when time is precious. An excellent companion resource for focused review after completing comprehensive preparation.

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