Best NCLEX Prep Courses (2025): UWorld vs. Nursing.com vs. Archer
The NCLEX-RN is the final hurdle between you and your nursing license. With the recent shift to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), the exam has become more clinical and case-study focused. Your prep course needs to reflect this reality.
If you are reading this, you are likely overwhelmed by the options. Do you pay the premium for UWorld? Do you save money with Archer? Do you need the simulator of Nursing.com?
We have analyzed the top providers for 2025 to help you make the right choice.
Quick Comparison: The 2025 Landscape
| Provider | Best For | Rating | Price | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWorld | Best Overall | 4.9 | $139+ |
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| Nursing.com | Best for Anxiety | 4.7 | $82/mo |
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| Archer Review | Best Value | 4.7 | $59+ |
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| SimpleNursing | Best Visuals | 4.8 | $39/mo |
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| BoardVitals | Best Difficulty | 4.5 | $119/mo |
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1. UWorld Nursing
The Gold Standard for Rationales
UWorld is the undisputed king of the NCLEX world. If you ask 10 nurses what they used, 9 will say UWorld. Why? Because their rationales are better than your textbooks.
The “Learning by Doing” Approach
UWorld doesn’t rely on long lectures. They teach you through the questions.
- Detailed Explanations: Every question comes with a mini-lecture explaining why the answer is right and why the others are wrong.
- Visuals: Their medical illustrations are world-class, helping visual learners grasp complex concepts like heart defects or insulin mechanisms.
- The Interface: It looks exactly like the real NCLEX. This reduces anxiety on test day because you feel like you’re just doing another practice set.
Pros:
- Best-in-Class Rationales: You learn more from reading one UWorld explanation than watching an hour of video elsewhere.
- Accurate Predictors: Their Self-Assessment exams are frighteningly accurate at predicting your pass/fail status.
Cons:
- Price: It is expensive for a QBank-only product.
- No Guarantee: They don’t offer a money-back guarantee because they assume you will pass.
2. Nursing.com
The Confidence Builder
If you suffer from test anxiety, Nursing.com is your best friend. Their entire platform is designed to be less intimidating than a traditional textbook.
SIMCLEX: The Real Deal
The crown jewel is SIMCLEX®. While other providers claim to have “adaptive” tests, Nursing.com holds a patent on their algorithm. It is designed to kick you out exactly when the real NCLEX would—whether that’s at 85 questions or 150.
- 200% Guarantee: If you pass a SIMCLEX but fail the NCLEX, they refund you double your money.
Pros:
- Simulator: The most realistic adaptive testing experience.
- Lessons: Short, 10-minute videos that respect your time.
Cons:
- Difficulty: Some students find the questions slightly easier than UWorld.
Read our full Nursing.com Review
3. Archer Review
The Budget-Friendly Disruptor
Archer Review has taken the nursing world by storm by offering a massive QBank and unlimited assessments for a fraction of the cost of UWorld.
The “Vague” Factor
Many students claim that Archer’s questions are more similar to the actual NCLEX than UWorld’s.
- UWorld: Very detailed, lots of context.
- NCLEX: Short, vague, direct.
- Archer: Short, vague, direct.
Pros:
- Price: You can get a full combo (QBank + Live Review) for less than the price of UWorld’s QBank.
- Quantity: Unlimited CAT exams allow you to build stamina.
Cons:
- Polish: The interface is clunky and there are occasional typos in the rationales.
4. SimpleNursing
Visual Learning Mastered
If you are bored to tears by your nursing textbooks, SimpleNursing is the answer. Fronted by “Nurse Mike” Linares, the platform uses humor, energy, and high-budget animations to teach concepts.
The “Nurse Mike” Effect
Mike Linares is a star in the nursing world. He has a gift for simplifying the complex.
- Mnemonics: He gives you catchy rhymes to remember side effects.
- Visuals: Watch a cartoon blood cell travel through the heart instead of reading about it.
Pros:
- Engagement: Impossible to fall asleep to.
- Content: Best for relearning core nursing concepts.
Cons:
- Style: The “fun” tone isn’t for everyone.
Read our full SimpleNursing Review
5. BoardVitals
Training with Weights
BoardVitals is known for being hard. Their questions are often more difficult than the actual exam. The philosophy is that if you can handle BoardVitals, the NCLEX will feel easy.
Pros:
- Difficulty: Over-prepares you for the exam.
- Distractors: Excellent explanations of why wrong answers are wrong.
Cons:
- Confidence: Can be demoralizing if you aren’t prepared for the difficulty.
Read our full BoardVitals Review
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
- The Safe Bet: UWorld. If you can afford it, it is the most reliable tool. The rationales are unmatched.
- The Anxiety Cure: Nursing.com. If you need to prove to yourself that you can pass, the SIMCLEX is the best tool.
- The Budget Choice: Archer Review. If you are tight on cash, Archer is a fantastic alternative.
- The Visual Learner: SimpleNursing. If you need to see it to understand it, Nurse Mike is your guy.
Many students use a “Combo Strategy.” They use SimpleNursing for content review in the first few weeks, and then switch to UWorld to grind practice questions for the final month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best NCLEX prep course in 2025?
UWorld is the best overall NCLEX prep course with industry-leading rationales and highly accurate predictor assessments. For budget options, Archer Review offers excellent value. Nursing.com is best for students with test anxiety thanks to their SIMCLEX simulator.
Is UWorld worth it for NCLEX?
Yes, UWorld is worth it for NCLEX. Their detailed rationales teach you clinical reasoning, not just memorization. Their Self-Assessment exams accurately predict your pass/fail status. Most students who score 'High' or 'Very High' on UWorld assessments pass the NCLEX on their first attempt.
How much does NCLEX prep cost?
NCLEX prep ranges from $39/month (SimpleNursing) to $179+ (UWorld 90-day). Archer Review costs $59-149, Nursing.com costs $82/month, and UWorld costs $139-179 depending on access length. Many students spend $150-300 total on prep materials.
How long should I study for the NCLEX?
Most nursing graduates study 4-8 weeks for the NCLEX, dedicating 3-6 hours per day. Aim to complete 75-150 practice questions daily in the final weeks. Take your NCLEX within 45 days of graduation while nursing knowledge is fresh.
What UWorld score do I need to pass NCLEX?
A UWorld QBank average of 55-65% typically indicates NCLEX readiness. For Self-Assessment exams, 'High' or 'Very High' probability strongly predicts passing. Scoring 'Borderline' suggests you may need more preparation before testing.
Is Archer Review as good as UWorld for NCLEX?
Archer Review offers good value at a lower price point, but UWorld's rationales are more detailed and educational. Many students find Archer's questions more similar to actual NCLEX style (short and vague). The ideal approach is using both if budget allows.
What is the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)?
The Next Generation NCLEX launched in April 2023 with new question types including case studies, extended multiple response, and cloze questions. These assess clinical judgment more deeply. Modern prep courses like UWorld and Archer include NGN-format questions.
What is the NCLEX pass rate?
The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for US-educated nursing graduates is approximately 85-90%. Repeat test-takers have lower pass rates around 40-50%. Using a quality prep course like UWorld significantly increases first-attempt pass rates.