NCLEX Prep Courses for International Nurses: 2026 Comparison
Last updated: June 2026
51.7%
First-time NCLEX pass rate for Philippine nurses (2024)
28,112 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX in 2024. 48.3% failed on the first attempt. The US-educated baseline is 91.2%. This is a 39-point gap — most of it is closeable with the right preparation for the NGN format.
The most important thing to know
The NCLEX changed significantly in April 2023. The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) introduced new question types based on the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. Prep materials designed before 2023 are outdated. Any course you use must be built specifically for the NGN format.
Course Comparison
Kaplan NCLEX-RN
Most used by international nurses- ✓Built specifically for Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
- ✓Conditional pass guarantee: full refund or free retake if you fail
- ✓Decision Tree methodology — widely used by internationally educated nurses
- ✓Largest NCLEX question bank with NGN item types
- ✓Includes computer adaptive testing simulation
The most widely used NCLEX prep by Philippine nurses. The conditional guarantee requires completing all course requirements before sitting the exam.
Visit Kaplan →UWorld NCLEX-RN
- ✓High-quality question bank with detailed rationales
- ✓NGN item types included
- ✓Predictive analytics — self-assessment test with 98% NCLEX predictive validity (UWorld claim)
- ✓Strong community of users sharing strategies
Excellent question bank quality. No pass guarantee.
Visit UWorld →Archer Review NCLEX-RN
- ✓Budget-friendly option
- ✓Popular with internationally educated nurses
- ✓Strong YouTube community with free content
- ✓NGN item types included in newer version
Best for nurses who need a lower-cost option or are supplementing another course. Fewer questions than Kaplan or UWorld.
Visit Archer →Hurst Review
- ✓Strong conceptual teaching approach
- ✓Conditional pass guarantee
- ✓Good for nurses who need content review more than question practice
More focused on content mastery than question volume. Some nurses use Hurst + UWorld in combination.
Visit Hurst →At a Glance
| Course | Price | NGN-built? | Pass Guarantee? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan NCLEX-RN | $299–$449 | Yes | Conditional | International nurses; want structured approach + guarantee |
| UWorld NCLEX-RN | $329–$449 | Yes | No | Nurses who learn best through questions + rationales |
| Archer Review | $99–$199 | Yes | No | Budget-conscious; supplement to another course |
| Hurst Review | $349 | Yes | Conditional | Nurses who need deep content review before questions |
How to Study for the NGN Format
The Next Generation NCLEX uses six new item types that did not exist before April 2023: Extended Multiple Response, Extended Drag and Drop, Cloze (drop-down), Enhanced Hot Spot, Matrix Grid, and Trend. These question types test clinical judgment, not just knowledge recall.
For internationally educated nurses, the most effective approach:
- 1. Use only NGN-updated materials.Confirm your prep course explicitly covers all six new item types. Any course that doesn't mention "NGN item types" is outdated.
- 2. Do questions from day one. NCLEX is about applying knowledge, not memorizing it. Even before finishing content review, do practice questions daily to build the judgment muscle.
- 3. Read rationales — especially for questions you got right. Lucky correct answers hide gaps. The rationale explains the clinical reasoning chain; that chain is what NCLEX tests.
- 4. Simulate the computer adaptive format.The NCLEX stops at 85 questions (minimum) or 150 questions (maximum). Each answer changes the next question's difficulty. Practice with CAT simulation so the format isn't a surprise on exam day.
- 5. Give yourself 60–90 days of focused preparation. Filipino nurses who pass on the first try typically study for 8–12 weeks with a structured course, 4–6 hours per day.
Ready to start?
Kaplan is the most widely used NCLEX prep by internationally educated nurses and includes a conditional pass guarantee. If you fail and completed the course requirements, you get a full refund or free retake.
Visit Kaplan NCLEX-RN →