8 Best NCLEX Review Books for 2025

Preparing for the NCLEX in 2025? The exam has introduced the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which focuses on clinical judgment with new question types like drag-and-drop and matrix formats. Choosing the right review book can help you:

• Understand the NGN format and sharpen clinical decision-making skills.
• Identify and improve weak areas.
• Practice with realistic scenarios and detailed explanations.

Here’s a quick look at the 8 best NCLEX review books for 2025:

1. Saunders NCLEX-RN Review: Comprehensive content, clinical reasoning exercises, and 5,600+ practice questions.
2. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus: Test strategies, video tutorials, and NGN question breakdowns.
3. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Content Review: Focused concept mastery with 2,500+ questions and critical thinking exercises.
4. Davis’s NCLEX-RN Q&A Review: 2,800+ practice questions aligned with NGN, ideal for practice-based learning.
5. NCLEX-RN Drug Guide: Simplifies pharmacology with 300 key medications and practical nursing considerations.
6. Nurse Cram NCLEX-RN Next Gen Success: Digital guide with NGN-aligned clinical judgment exercises.
7. Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide: Core content review, readiness exams, and clinical case studies.
8. Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review: Tailored for LPN/LVN candidates with adaptive testing and practical nursing scenarios.

Quick Comparison

Review Book	Practice Questions	Next Gen Updates	Focus Areas
Saunders NCLEX-RN Review	5,600+	Yes	Clinical reasoning, content depth
Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus	2,000+	Yes	Test strategies, NGN questions
Kaplan NCLEX-RN Content Review	2,500+	Yes	Concept mastery
Davis’s NCLEX-RN Q&A Review	2,800+	Yes	Practice-based learning
NCLEX-RN Drug Guide	300 medications	Yes	Pharmacology
Nurse Cram Next Gen Success	1,500+	Yes	NGN-aligned clinical judgment
Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide	1,000+	Yes	Core concepts, readiness exams
Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review	3,000+	Yes	Practical nursing focus

Each book offers unique strengths, from practice questions to clinical judgment exercises. Choose based on your learning style, weak areas, and exam goals.

Nursing.com vs UWorld vs Archer vs Kaplan NCLEX Review (2024)

1. Saunders NCLEX-RN Review

The Saunders NCLEX-RN Review is a go-to resource for NCLEX prep, especially for the 2025 Next Generation exam format. It focuses on building clinical judgment skills through detailed content reviews and plenty of practice opportunities.

Here’s what the latest edition offers:

• Scenario-based questions with thorough explanations.
• Critical thinking exercises designed to challenge your reasoning.
• Thousands of practice questions that align with the current exam format.
• Access to online tools for adaptive testing, mobile-friendly study, and progress tracking.

The book’s chapters break down scenario-based questions, explaining why each answer is correct. This approach helps you develop clinical reasoning skills step by step. The accompanying online platform adds even more value with personalized features to make your study time as effective as possible.

What sets Saunders apart is its structured and systematic approach. It doesn’t just present information – it walks you through the reasoning process, making it an excellent choice for students who prefer a guided study plan.

For the best results, use Saunders as your main study tool and pair it with other resources if you need extra help on specific topics. While Saunders provides a strong foundation, resources like Kaplan can offer additional strategies to round out your preparation.

2. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus Guide

The Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus Guide blends traditional study tools with modern digital resources to align with the Next Generation NCLEX format, which emphasizes clinical scenarios and adaptive testing. The 2025 edition is designed to sharpen clinical judgment through practical exercises.

This guide organizes its content around the NCLEX exam categories, making it easier to focus on areas where you need the most improvement. It includes two full-length practice tests, chapter-specific practice questions, and detailed answer explanations. Plus, it offers over 60 minutes of video tutorials that cover exam strategies.

A standout feature is its breakdown of the seven NGN question types, complete with step-by-step strategies to tackle each one with confidence. The online platform adds an interactive dimension to your study plan, featuring tools like mobile apps and video tutorials to help you understand adaptive testing and refine your approach to the exam.

For a more comprehensive study plan, you might want to pair this guide with additional resources. While Kaplan excels at test-taking strategies and practice questions, some students find it helpful to use other materials to dive deeper into specific content areas.

If you’re looking for more in-depth subject reviews, you can explore options like the Kaplan Content Review book, which focuses on mastering core topics.

3. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Content Review

The Kaplan NCLEX-RN Content Review is designed to help nursing students thoroughly understand key concepts. The 2025 edition covers eight major areas: 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. Each section not only provides the correct answers but also explains the reasoning behind them, helping students strengthen their knowledge.

The book includes critical thinking exercises and practice sets that connect theory to real-world application, sharpening clinical judgment skills for the Next Generation NCLEX. It also provides access to Kaplan’s online platform, which features video tutorials and the ‘Decision Tree’ method to tackle complex questions effectively.

For the best results, pair this guide with the Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus Guide. While the Content Review focuses on a deep understanding of nursing concepts, the Prep Plus Guide offers strategies for approaching the exam. Kaplan’s structured study plan, combined with end-of-chapter practice sets, helps students identify weak points and track their improvement.

Visual learners will benefit from the detailed diagrams and charts that simplify complex topics. While Kaplan’s Content Review is perfect for mastering nursing concepts, resources like Davis’s Q&A Review prioritize question-based practice to reinforce learning.

4. Davis’s NCLEX-RN Q&A Review

Davis’s NCLEX-RN Q&A Review remains a top choice in 2025, thanks to its large collection of questions and clear answer explanations tailored to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format. The guide organizes its content around the exam’s "Client Needs" framework, helping nursing students zero in on areas where they need the most improvement.

It does a great job of tackling alternate item formats and clinical judgment scenarios. The 2025 edition features updated practice questions that focus heavily on clinical decision-making, keeping in line with the NGN format. The detailed answer rationales break down complex nursing concepts, making them easier to grasp.

With more than 2,000 questions, in-depth rationales, and content aligned with the NGN, this guide offers focused practice across all key nursing topics. Its structure mirrors the NCLEX’s updated clinical judgment model, giving students a methodical way to prepare for the exam.

The digital version is convenient for on-the-go studying, while the print version may be better for those who prefer taking notes directly. This guide works best when paired with other study tools. Experts suggest focusing on one content area at a time and carefully reviewing the explanations for all questions, even the ones you get right.

Though Davis’s offers a comprehensive question bank, other guides like Nurse Cram place more emphasis on mastering clinical scenarios and strategies tailored for NGN success.

5. NCLEX-RN Drug Guide for Nurses

The NCLEX-RN Drug Guide for Nurses is an essential tool for tackling pharmacology, one of the toughest areas of the NCLEX. Since the Next Generation NCLEX places a strong focus on clinical judgment, this guide can be a key part of your preparation strategy.

The 2025 edition includes 300 of the most commonly tested medications, neatly organized by drug families to help you remember them more easily. Each entry provides critical details like drug names, uses, and nursing considerations. A standout feature of this guide is its focus on practical nursing considerations and the side effects that often appear on the exam.

If pharmacology feels overwhelming, this guide simplifies it with clear explanations of complex topics. It also includes practice questions that mimic real-life clinical scenarios, helping you apply what you’ve learned. Its structured format builds confidence by focusing on:

• Drug families to understand similar mechanisms
• Daily practice with focused questions
• Detailed answer explanations for better understanding

Although this guide is excellent for pharmacology, pairing it with broader resources like Nurse Cram or Davis’s Q&A Review can provide more comprehensive preparation. Its portable design makes it perfect for quick, on-the-go study sessions.

For those aiming to strengthen their skills in clinical scenarios alongside pharmacology, Nurse Cram’s NCLEX-RN Next Gen Success is a great companion to this guide.

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6. Nurse Cram NCLEX-RN Next Gen Success

The Nurse Cram NCLEX-RN Next Gen Success is a digital study guide designed to prepare students for the Next Generation NCLEX. It focuses on building clinical judgment and decision-making skills using realistic scenarios, breaking down complex nursing concepts into straightforward explanations and practical examples.

This guide stands out by offering clinical judgment exercises tailored to the NGN format. These exercises help students sharpen their critical thinking skills, not just for the exam but also for real-world nursing practice. It includes a variety of question types that align with NGN standards, complete with detailed explanations and reasoning.

Here’s what makes this guide effective:

• Clinical scenarios that strengthen decision-making skills
• NGN-aligned question formats and practice exercises
• Interactive online tools to support learning
• Strategic tips for tackling challenging clinical questions

The digital format ensures easy access on mobile devices, while additional online resources provide extra practice and reinforce key concepts.

For a well-rounded study plan, pair this guide with the NCLEX-RN Drug Guide to cover both clinical judgment and pharmacology. If you’re looking for a broader NCLEX review, the Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide is another excellent option to consider.

7. Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide

The Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide is a solid option for students who want to balance mastering core nursing concepts with preparing for the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN). It combines traditional content review with tools like a Qbank and readiness exams to help students feel confident on test day.

This guide offers two plans: Hurst Now (90 days) and Hurst Now Plus (120 days). Both include core content review, Qbank access, and readiness exams. The Plus plan also features NGN case studies for extra preparation.

One standout feature is the question review simulator. It evaluates performance by categorizing results into below passing, near passing, or above passing for each client need category. This helps students focus their study efforts where it’s needed most.

For additional support, the Elevate program includes six advanced modules designed to strengthen nursing concepts after the main review. Hurst also integrates clinical judgment case studies with readiness exams, offering a well-rounded approach to NGN preparation.

Key features include:

• Core content review paired with modern learning tools
• A question review simulator for targeted performance tracking
• Clinical judgment case studies tailored to the NGN format
• Extra resources like online guidance, remediation classes, and a money-back guarantee for eligible students

Hurst’s emphasis on core nursing concepts makes it a great choice for those who want a strong foundation. While it excels in content depth and readiness exams, practical nursing candidates might prefer the more focused approach of the Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review.

8. Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review

The Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review is tailored specifically for LPN/LVN candidates, addressing the unique needs of practical nursing students. It focuses on essential nursing concepts and clinical judgment within the practical nursing framework.

This review book stands out for its detailed content, interactive learning tools, and exam-focused preparation features. Its material aligns with the latest NCLEX-PN exam format, including updated question types and unfolding case studies that mirror real exam scenarios.

Some of its key features include:

• Detailed content coverage: Aligned with NCLEX-PN standards, covering major categories like Safe Care, Health Promotion, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity.
• Interactive online tools: Adaptive practice tests and clinical judgment scenarios that adjust to individual performance, helping students focus on areas that need improvement.
• In-depth explanations: Clear guidance to help students understand mistakes and refine their knowledge.

The guide’s online platform offers a personalized study experience, adapting to each student’s progress. Both print and digital formats are available, making it easy to fit into any study schedule.

To get the most out of this resource, students should combine it with other study materials and start preparing at least 8-12 weeks before their exam date. Its targeted focus on NCLEX-PN content makes it a strong choice for those pursuing practical nursing, complementing broader resources discussed earlier.

Comparison of NCLEX Review Books

Here’s a breakdown of how some of the top NCLEX review books stack up in terms of features and focus areas:

Review Book	Practice Questions	Next Gen Updates	Additional Tools	Key Focus Areas
Saunders NCLEX-RN Review	5,600+	Yes	Online question bank, mobile app	Clinical reasoning methodology
Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus	2,000+	Yes	Video tutorials, critical thinking pathways	Strategic approach to questions
Kaplan NCLEX-RN Content Review	2,500+	Yes	Online practice tests	Concept mastery
Davis’s NCLEX-RN Q&A	2,800+	Yes	Mobile app access	Practice-based learning
NCLEX-RN Drug Guide	300 medications	Yes	Pharmacology focus	Medication management
Nurse Cram Next Gen Success	1,500+	Yes	Interactive courses, simulations	NGN-aligned clinical judgment
Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide	1,000+	Yes	Core content videos	Core concept integration
Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review	3,000+	Yes	Adaptive testing platform	Practical nursing focus

If you’re looking for the most practice questions, Saunders NCLEX-RN Review leads the pack. For those who prefer multimedia learning, Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus offers video tutorials and critical thinking pathways. Nurse Cram Next Gen Success is particularly tailored for Next Gen NCLEX preparation, especially relevant for upcoming exam formats. Meanwhile, the NCLEX-RN Drug Guide is ideal for those needing a focused review of pharmacology.

When choosing the right resource, think about what works best for you. Ask yourself:

• Do you learn better with videos, practice questions, or interactive tools?
• How much time do you have to prepare?
• Which topics do you need the most help with?
• What’s your budget, and do you need online access?

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right NCLEX review book is a key step in preparing for exam success in 2025. Each resource shines in different ways, catering to various learning styles and study methods.

The Saunders Comprehensive Review stands out for its detailed content and clear explanations. If you prefer a more strategic approach, Kaplan’s NCLEX-RN Prep Plus offers video tutorials, critical thinking exercises, and a structured format – perfect for visual learners. The Nurse Cram Next Gen Success series focuses on the Next Generation NCLEX format, featuring interactive simulations and clinical judgment exercises, making it a great choice for 2025 candidates.

For specific needs, the NCLEX-RN Drug Guide simplifies pharmacology for quick learning, while Davis’s NCLEX-RN Q&A Review emphasizes practice with its mobile app access. The Hurst NCLEX-RN Study Guide is ideal for mastering core nursing concepts through its video lessons and organized approach. If you’re preparing for the practical nursing exam, the Elsevier NCLEX-PN Review offers strong preparation with its adaptive testing platform, complementing the other resources mentioned.

Make sure your study plan matches your learning style, available time, and areas where you need improvement. Stick to a structured schedule, practice with questions regularly, and focus on understanding the reasoning behind answers instead of just memorizing them. With the right preparation and materials, you’ll be ready to face the NCLEX with confidence.

FAQs

Is Saunders enough to pass NCLEX?

Many nursing students wonder: Is Saunders enough to pass the NCLEX? While Saunders Comprehensive Review is a highly regarded resource, relying on it alone might not fully prepare you for the Next Generation NCLEX. The exam’s complexity means no single book can cover everything you need.

Why you should use multiple resources:

• Different books and tools focus on various strengths, like test strategies, detailed content, or clinical scenarios.
• Exposure to varied question formats helps you prepare for the Next Gen NCLEX structure.
• Multiple teaching styles can deepen your understanding of challenging topics.
• Specialized resources can tackle your weaker areas more effectively.

To build a solid study plan, consider combining Saunders with other tools. For example, Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus can sharpen your test strategies, while Nurse Cram offers practice with clinical scenarios tailored for the exam.

How to structure your study plan:

• Start with a comprehensive review book as your foundation.
• Add resources that focus on areas where you need improvement.
• Practice with a variety of question types to get comfortable with the exam format.
• Take regular practice tests to track your progress.
• Focus on understanding concepts, not just memorizing facts.

The best study approach depends on your learning style, how much time you have, and the areas you want to strengthen. By pairing Saunders with other resources, you’ll be better equipped for the challenges of the Next Generation NCLEX.

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