8 Best NCLEX® Prep Courses & Classes (2025)

You've graduated nursing school - congratulations! You've got all the healthcare skills and pharmacology knowledge needed to work as a nurse. But before you can start, you've got to pass the NCLEX®, National Council Licensure Examination (developed and administered by the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing).

To practice as a nurse in the United States or Canada, you've got to pass the NCLEX-RN® for registered nurses or the NCLEX-PN® for licensed practice nurses. The exams cover a lot of similar content, but the RN exam usually also includes topics like people management since RNs are more senior and oversee LPNs.

Ugh. We get it - test-taking is never fun, especially when the outcomes impact your career. Don't stress! There are loads of resources to help you prepare for the exam. The NCLEX® courses below are designed to get you ready for the actual exam day.

Note: The following list is not a ranking - courses are listed in no particular order. 

Top NCLEX® prep courses & classes in 2025

The following NCLEX® prep courses offer the best study materials to help you succeed on test day.

1. Hurst Review

Hurst's ultimate NCLEX® Review course has been used by more than 400,000 nursing students. It's easy to see why - they guarantee that you'll pass on your first try, and they've got the stats to back it up. The Hurst NCLEX Review program has a first-attempt pass rate of 98%.

They offer flexible course options through their HurstNow platform, with each tier including comprehensive study materials. Here's what you get with every package:

• Complete NGN® Core Content lectures plus specialty topics.
• QBank featuring NGN® case studies and more than 1,500 practice questions.
• Four readiness exams covering all NGN® question types, plus NCLEX® testing strategies for every topic.
• A printed workbook and study guide shipped to your door, plus a resource library covering pharmacology, infection control, and more.

Their pricing tiers are:

• 30-day access: $119
• 60-day access: $159
• 90-day access: $209
• 120-day access with post-review guided study plan: $299

2. Kaplan

Kaplan NCLEX® review courses come in multiple options, each packed with robust study materials and a pass guarantee.

The Self Paced course ($349) includes:

• 2,200+ test-like questions
• 3 full-length, realistic Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT)
• Pharmaceutical flashcards covering 300 drugs
• 24/7 access to content review sessions in their NCLEX® Channel
• 6 recorded NGN NCLEX Strategy Review classes led by world-class nurse educators
• NCLEX study plan to keep your prep on track
• Kaplan's proprietary "Decision Tree" method

The Live Online course ($549) offers everything in the Self Paced course plus:

• 18 hours of interactive NCLEX Review over 3 days, led by world-class nurse educators (includes recordings)

They also offer more affordable practice-focused options:

• CAT + Qbank: $99
• Practice Pack: $119

3. Nursing.com

Nursing.com has a money-back guarantee for their NCLEX® course that even THEY call crazy - a 200% money-back guarantee. If you don't pass, they'll refund your money and give you that same amount on top of the refund. They boast a 99% NCLEX® pass rate. One look at this comprehensive NCLEX program, and it's easy to see why.

It includes an NCLEX® Simulator with practice questions. Based on your performance, it suggests focus areas. On top of that, you get video lectures, printable cheat sheets on essential topics, eight digital review books, and a question app that you can have in your pocket wherever you go. They recommend their 3 SIMCLEX program for students in their last year of nursing school ($129 per month).

4. UWorld

UWorld offers distinct NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® courses with a 98% pass rate for both. Their platform includes comprehensive study resources and performance-tracking tools, including a mobile app for studying on the go.

The NCLEX-RN® review includes:

• 2,300+ practice questions
• 500+ NGN questions
• High-Yield Review Videos
• Adaptive (CAT) Practice Tests
• Digital Flashcards
• Dynamic Study Planner
• Self-Assessments (number varies by package)

Pricing options for NCLEX-RN® are:

• 30-day access: $139
• 60-day access: $169
• 90-day access: $199
• 180-day access: $329

The NCLEX-PN® QBank features include:

• 1,600+ practice questions
• 250+ NGN questions
• High-Yield Lecture Videos
• Adaptive (CAT) Practice Tests
• Digital Flashcards
• Dynamic Study Planner (60+ day packages)
• Self-Assessments (number varies by package)

Pricing options for NCLEX-PN® are:

• 30-day access: $119
• 60-day access: $149
• 90-day access: $189
• 180-day access: $229

5. NCLEX® Mastery

NCLEX® Mastery offers comprehensive exam prep for both RN and PN programs. Each program includes an adaptive learning engine, practice questions, detailed explanations, and exam simulations - all accessible through their mobile app.

The NCLEX® RN & Nursing program includes:

• 4,000+ NCLEX questions
• Adaptive learning engine
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• NCLEX exam simulation
• Weekly content enhancements
• Mobile access
• Discussion forums
• 24/7 community support

Pricing options for NCLEX® RN:

• Monthly plan: $29.99
• Annual plan: $114.99

The NCLEX® PN Mastery program offers the same features with 3,200+ practice questions. Pricing options include:

• Monthly plan: $29.99
• Annual plan: $139.99

Both programs offer a 3-day free trial and a double-your-money-back guarantee if you don't pass. All plans include unlimited access and can be canceled anytime.

6. ATI

ATI takes NCLEX® prep seriously with three distinct study paths, each designed to match different learning styles.

The Virtual-ATI program pairs you with an experienced nurse educator who creates a personalized 12-step study plan. This comprehensive package includes:

• One-on-one coaching from a Virtual-ATI instructor
• More than 1,600 practice questions
• Adaptive quizzes with detailed explanations
• NCLEX preparation strategies

Below is Virtual-ATI pricing:

• RN Review: $525
• PN Review: $475

Their Live Review option boasts higher-than-average pass rates and offers:

• Interactive sessions with expert nurse educators
• NCLEX review book
• Test plan guidance
• Strategic test-taking tips

Contact ATI directly for current Live Review pricing and scheduling options.

BoardVitals™, their question bank program, includes:

• RN version: 3,700+ questions with 12-week access ($159)
• PN version: 1,800+ questions with 12-week access ($95)
• Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) question types
• Comprehensive explanations for each answer

7. Simple Nursing

??Simple Nursing's NCLEX® review program includes feature-rich content that's helped over one million nursing students prepare for their exams. Their comprehensive package includes:

• 800+ NextGen questions with practice in every NGN format
• NCLEX readiness assessments to track your progress
• NCLEX Review Lecture Series featuring Nurse Mike's masterclass
• 900+ study guides and 1,200+ videos packed with memory tricks and test tips

Their pricing options are:

• Monthly subscription: $79/month
• 60-day access: $119 (total cost at $60/month)
• 90-day access: $159 (total cost at $53/month)

8. Nurse Plus Academy

If you're strapped for cash, Nurse Plus Academy Is the perfect place to begin your NCLEX® prep. You can take a free NCLEX® full-length practice exam on their website, covering key areas like basic patient comfort, pharmacological and parenteral therapies, reduction of risk, and infection control.

If you spring for their premium prep course, you get access to 2,700 practice questions and unlimited NCLEX® simulations. They offer a pass guarantee and have been voted "Best NCLEX Prep Course" by Test Prep Insight on multiple occasions. 

What'll it cost you? 

• 30-day course: $49
• 60-day course: $99
• 365-day course: $139

What NCLEX® Prep has the highest pass rate?

It's worth prioritizing programs with a proven pass rate. Top contenders with the highest advertised pass rates are Hurst NCLEX review, Nursing.com NCLEX test prep, and the UWorld NCLEX program. Pick your fighter! These prep companies are at the top of their game.

What's the difference between the Next Gen NCLEX and the NCLEX® Prep?

Next Gen NCLEX (NGN) is the new format rolling out for both RN and PN exams - think NCLEX 2.0. While traditional NCLEX® prep focuses on multiple-choice questions, NGN throws in fresh question types that test clinical judgment and critical thinking. That's why you'll spot some prep companies advertising their "NGN-style questions" or "Next Gen question banks." 

Tips to choose the best NCLEX® prep course for you

The pass rate is only one thing to think about when picking a provider. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the above list of the best NCLEX review courses (uh, we don't blame you!), here are some things to think about to help you decide on the right prep option for you:

• Your learning style. Can you handle a self-monitored online course, or do you need to engage in a virtual classroom (or in-person)? Are you a visual learner or an auditory learner? Do you need prep books or prefer an app?
• Your study needs. Do you need a comprehensive prep course, or do you just need to refresh certain sections? What fields do you need to focus on? Are there parts you can skip?
• Your budget. Let's get real - cost is a factor! You don't want to go broke paying for a class you can't afford.

Use College Rover to help you find the best school for you

The NCLEX® is your ticket to a nursing career in the U.S. or Canada. You won't work in nursing until you've passed it. But before you can take the actual NCLEX®, you've got to graduate from nursing school. And before you can do that, you've got to pick a school. 

College Rover is here to help. With College Rover, you can compare schools online and get tips on everything from how to write the perfect college essay to how to take a campus tour. Log in to start scoping out schools today.