Best NCLEX Prep Books in 2026
by John Reed· Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Picking the right NCLEX review book can shape your entire study plan. Some books focus on comprehensive content review, others on massive question banks, and a few try to do both. With so many options on Amazon, it is hard to know which one is actually worth your time and money.
We researched and compared 5 of the most popular NCLEX review books to help you decide. Whether you need a deep content review, thousands of practice questions, or an approachable study companion, there is a book here for you.
Here's the bottom line:
- Saunders Comprehensive Review: Best NCLEX review book for comprehensive content review with 5,700+ practice questions.
- Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus: Best for concise review with a clinical reasoning framework (Decision Tree method).
- Lippincott Q&A Review: Best for students who want a massive question bank (6,000+ questions) organized by topic.
- NCLEX-RN Q&A Made Incredibly Easy: Best for students who prefer an approachable, lighthearted study style with 6,500+ questions.
- HESI Comprehensive Review: Best for students already familiar with the HESI format who want a structured, concise review.
NCLEX Review Books Comparison Table
| Saunders | Kaplan | Lippincott Q&A | Made Incredibly Easy | HESI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$60–$72 | ~$35–$45 | ~$45–$55 | ~$40–$50 | ~$50–$60 |
| Practice Questions | 5,700+ | 1,000+ | 6,000+ | 6,500+ | 1,000+ |
| Content Review? | Yes (1,000+ pages) | Yes (concise) | Minimal | Light | Yes (concise) |
| Online Companion? | Yes | Yes (videos) | No | No | No |
| Unique Feature | Pyramid to Success framework | Decision Tree method | Self-analysis grid | Lighthearted writing style | HESI exam alignment |
| Best For | Comprehensive review | Clinical reasoning | Question practice | Approachable study | HESI-familiar students |
The 5 Best NCLEX Review Books — In-Depth Reviews
Now let's take a closer look at each book, what it does well, where it falls short, and who it is best suited for.
1. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination
Saunders Comprehensive Review is the best-selling NCLEX review book of all time, and it remains the gold standard for comprehensive content review. The book spans over 1,000 pages covering every NCLEX topic area, with 5,700+ practice questions and detailed rationales.
What sets Saunders apart is its Pyramid to Success framework — a visual learning system that organizes content into clinical judgment categories, helping you understand how to approach questions rather than just memorize facts. The book also includes an online companion with thousands of additional practice questions.
Pricing sits at approximately $60–$72 depending on the edition and retailer. The latest edition is updated for the Next Generation NCLEX format.
On Reddit, Saunders is consistently the most mentioned NCLEX book. As one student in r/PassNclex shared: "Saunders was my bible for content review. I read it cover to cover and then used UWorld for questions." Multiple students recommend it specifically for building a strong content foundation before transitioning to practice questions.
Who it's best for: Students who want the most thorough content review available in book form. Ideal for those who prefer to master the material before diving into question banks.
2. Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus
Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus takes a more strategic approach to NCLEX prep. Rather than exhaustive content review, Kaplan focuses on teaching you how to think through questions using their proprietary Decision Tree critical thinking method.
The book includes full-length practice tests, online video lessons, and content review organized around the NCLEX test plan. At approximately $35–$45, it is the most affordable book on this list. Kaplan's decades of test prep expertise show in the question quality and test-taking strategies.
The concise format makes Kaplan a strong choice for students with shorter study timelines who cannot commit to reading Saunders cover to cover. The online video lessons add a multimedia dimension that other books lack.
Who it's best for: Students who want a concise, strategy-focused review book rather than an exhaustive content reference. Especially useful for students who learn well from test-taking frameworks and want online video support.
3. Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN
Lippincott Q&A Review is a pure question bank in book form. With over 6,000 practice questions organized by content area, it is one of the largest print question collections available for the NCLEX-RN.
The standout feature is the self-analysis grid that helps you identify your weak areas after each practice set. This lets you focus your remaining study time on the topics where you need the most improvement. Each question includes a detailed rationale explaining both why the correct answer is right and why the distractors are wrong.
Priced at approximately $45–$55, Lippincott is best used as a companion to a content review book like Saunders or HESI. It is not designed to teach you nursing content — it is designed to test and reinforce what you already know.
Who it's best for: Students who have completed their content review and want extensive question practice in print format. Works best paired with Saunders or another content-focused resource.
4. NCLEX-RN Questions & Answers Made Incredibly Easy
NCLEX-RN Questions & Answers Made Incredibly Easy lives up to its name with an approachable, lighthearted writing style that makes studying feel less intimidating. The book features over 6,500 practice questions across all NCLEX content areas.
Part of the well-known "Made Incredibly Easy" series by Wolters Kluwer, this book uses humor, illustrations, and a conversational tone to break down complex nursing concepts. The questions cover various item types to prepare you for the range of formats on the NCLEX.
At approximately $40–$50, it has the largest question count of any book on this list. The trade-off is that the content review is lighter than Saunders — this book leans more heavily on learning through practice questions than through content chapters.
Who it's best for: Students who find traditional nursing textbooks dry or overwhelming and want a more engaging study experience. Also great for students who want the largest print question bank available.
5. HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination
HESI Comprehensive Review is published by Elsevier and provides a well-structured content review with concise explanations, test-taking strategies, and over 1,000 practice questions.
The book's chapters are clearly aligned with the NCLEX test plan, making it easy to study in a structured, systematic way. The concise writing style means you can get through the material faster than with Saunders, though with less depth on each topic.
Priced at approximately $50–$60, HESI is a particularly good choice for students who used HESI exams during nursing school. The format and style will feel familiar, and the transition from HESI Exit Exam prep to NCLEX prep is seamless.
Who it's best for: Students already familiar with the HESI format from nursing school who want a structured, efficient content review without the 1,000+ page commitment of Saunders.
How to Choose the Right NCLEX Review Book
With five strong options to choose from, here is a quick decision framework based on your situation:
You want the most thorough content review: Go with Saunders. Its 1,000+ pages cover every NCLEX topic in detail, and it is the book most frequently recommended on Reddit and nursing forums.
You want a concise, strategy-focused review: Kaplan is the most affordable option and teaches clinical reasoning through the Decision Tree method. Best for shorter study timelines.
You want the most practice questions in print: Choose Made Incredibly Easy (6,500+ questions) or Lippincott Q&A (6,000+ questions). Both are question-focused and work best alongside a content review book.
You used HESI exams in nursing school: HESI Comprehensive Review will feel familiar and provides a concise, well-structured review aligned with the NCLEX test plan.
You are not sure where to start: The most common approach on Reddit is Saunders for content review + a digital question bank like UWorld or Archer for practice questions. This combination covers both learning and testing.
What Students Are Saying on Reddit
Based on recent discussions in r/PassNclex and r/NCLEX, here are the most common patterns we found:
- Saunders is the most recommended NCLEX book. Students consistently describe it as "the best content review" and recommend reading it before starting question banks.
- Most students pair a book with a digital question bank. The most common combination is Saunders + UWorld or Saunders + Archer. Very few students rely on a book alone.
- Books are used for content review, not question practice. Even students who own Lippincott or Made Incredibly Easy typically prefer digital question banks for practice because of adaptive testing and performance tracking.
- Kaplan's Decision Tree gets specific praise. Students who used Kaplan often credit the Decision Tree method for helping them think through questions they were unsure about on exam day.
Note: These are anecdotal experience signals from community forums and should not be taken as guaranteed outcomes.
FAQ
What is the best NCLEX review book overall?
Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination is the most widely recommended NCLEX review book based on both student feedback and community consensus. It offers the most thorough content review (1,000+ pages) with 5,700+ practice questions and an online companion.
Do I need an NCLEX review book if I have UWorld?
A review book and a question bank serve different purposes. Books like Saunders are best for learning and reviewing content. Question banks like UWorld are best for applying that knowledge under test conditions. Many students use both for the most effective prep.
What is the cheapest NCLEX review book?
Kaplan NCLEX-RN Prep Plus is the most affordable option at approximately $35–$45. It includes content review, practice tests, and online video lessons. For the best value per question, Made Incredibly Easy offers 6,500+ questions for approximately $40–$50.
Are NCLEX review books updated for the Next Generation NCLEX?
The latest editions of all five books on this list address the current NCLEX format. Saunders and Kaplan specifically include Next Generation NCLEX content and question types in their most recent editions. Always check that you are purchasing the latest edition.
Should I read Saunders cover to cover?
It depends on your timeline and baseline knowledge. Students with weaker content foundations often benefit from reading Saunders cover to cover. Students who scored well in nursing school may prefer to use it as a reference, focusing only on their weak areas while spending more time on practice questions.
Can I pass NCLEX using only a review book?
While some students have passed using only a book, most successful test-takers combine a review book with a digital question bank. The adaptive testing, performance analytics, and NGN question formats available in apps like UWorld and Archer are difficult to replicate with a print resource alone.
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