How Do I Choose the Best NCLEX® Book?

It is difficult to say which National Council Licensure Examination® (NCLEX®) book is best, as each aspiring nurse's study needs and preferences may differ. In general, however, the best NCLEX® book is likely to be one that provides comprehensive coverage of the material included on the exam as well as plenty of sample questions and answers. Ideally, a good NCLEX® book will also include practice tests you can use to gauge your readiness for the nurse licensing exam.

You may start your search for the best NCLEX® book by seeking recommendations and reviews from licensed nurses. For example, you can ask licensed nurses which books they used and whether or not they would recommend them to aspiring nurses. You might also ask them to share their opinions of the strengths and weaknesses of the books with which they have experience. Likewise, you can look for online reviews written by test takers and use them to compare your options.

Choosing the best NCLEX® book may also prove easier if you compare your options based on the content that will be included on the exam. The best book should contain comprehensive coverage of topics included on the exam. You may also do best with a book that provides numerous sample questions along with the correct answers. Additionally, you can boost your understanding of the exam material by choosing a book that provides explanations to go along with the answers.

Practice tests may prove helpful when you are studying for the nurse license exam. As such, the best NCLEX® book may be one that includes plenty of practice tests and quizzes. Those that include practice test CDs can be particularly helpful; often, they have several practice tests and quizzes you can use over the course of your study program. Some even include full-length practices you can use to simulate the nurse license exam.

Scoring well on the NCLEX® requires you to have more than just knowledge. To some extent, your success on the exam may also depend on the test-taking strategies you employ and your understanding of the best approaches to answering the exam questions. For this reason, the best NCLEX® book may be one that provides practical test-taking strategies you can use to excel on the exam. Likewise, you may benefit most from a book that helps you understand the importance of providing answers based on textbook-type material rather than real-life experience.