Preparing to take the NCLEX exam can be a daunting task. Whatever you do, don’t go into it unprepared. If you are at this point that you are looking for NCLEX exam prep material, then as a nursing school graduate you will have or should have the basic knowledge to pass the exam.
The point is did you retain all that information? Can you recall it under the pressure and stress of a testing environment? You will at least need to review the material and understand the requirements of the test. But can you go blindly into a test without any help and expect to pass? Remember you need to pass this exam in order to become an entry-level licensed RN or LPN in the United States, so don’t delay the start of your career, be prepared.
Now there are NCLEX flash cards, audio review guides, and other types of study guides available but for now we’ll simply focus on the top and widely used NCLEX study guides used by thousands of nurses to successfully pass the NCLEX exam.
Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination
This study guide has been called the “best NCLEX exam review book ever”. I’ll let you be the judge of that but it’s hard to dispute that claim with over 5,100 NCLEX examination style questions within the book and available online. Released in 2013, this is the 6th edition updated to reflect the most correction NCLEX test plan. You can’t go wrong with this study guide when preparing for the NCLEX exam.
Lippincott’s Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN
With this edition, the 11th Lippincott’s Q&A, it contains 6,000 questions and answers including the rationales for correct and incorrect answers. That’s more questions than any other NCLEX book that I’m currently aware of. Not only does this book include the latest alternate format questions, study strategies are also included with an emphasis on assisting at-risk students. Also included is a practice test CD-ROM with a study and review mode.
NCLEX-RN Strategies, Practice, and Review, 2013-2014
Now if you’re looking for a study guide with a guarantee then this is your book. Kaplan actually guarantees that if you use their study guide you will pass. I don’t know what happens if you actually don’t pass, other than being frustrated and stressed out, but hopefully you’ll never need to find out. This book includes 2 practice tests, alternate question types, CD and online resources, and a 47-item sample of Kaplan’s thorough NCLEX-RN question bank online.
HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination
Published in late 2013, this all-in-one review of all you need to know that’s written in an easy to read outline format to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam. Includes 700 NCLEX practice questions on the companion Evolve website, HESI Hint boxes that highlight important clinical information and commonly tested concepts found on the exam.
Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for NCLEX Examination
Just like the current NCLEX, this study guide focuses on prioritization, delegation, and patient assignment while using a simple-to-complex approach. This guide is split up in three parts by establishing foundational knowledge followed by exercises of increasing difficulty. Also includes a fully interactive question functionality, addresses the QSEN initiative, and end with an answer key in the back offering detailed rationale.
