What to study with for the NCLEX-RN

Free and official

The NCLEX-RN test plan. NCSBN publishes it at nclex.com. The current RN plan runs from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2029. It lists every Client Needs area and how much of the exam each one is.

If you want one book

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, 9th edition

Linda Anne Silvestri and Angela Silvestri. Elsevier, 2023. ISBN 978-0-323-79530-2.

A long-running content review organised by nursing area, with practice questions in each chapter. It suits students who want one book to work through from start to finish.

Timing note: Elsevier lists a 10th edition (ISBN 978-0-443-12821-9) for publication on November 9, 2026, updated for the latest test plan. If your exam is months away, it may be worth waiting for it.

See the 9th edition on Amazon

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Practise for free

Kestrel's NCLEX practice app has free questions with explanations. It works offline and has no ads and no account.

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