All aspiring registered nurses in the United States take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Students’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in a variety of health and medical areas, including health promotion, infection control, pharmacological therapies, and physiology, are tested on this exam. NCLEX-RN® books are study guides that test takers use to help them prepare for the exam. Consider factors such as the areas in which you need the most help, the various features of the books, and the price of the books when selecting the best NCLEX-RN® books.
NCLEX-RN® books are divided into two categories. Some books give a comprehensive overview of the exam, while others concentrate on specific sections. The best books may contain complete overviews of the test if you need an introduction to know what to expect. These books can help you figure out where you should concentrate your attention the most. You may find that some sections are simple to understand, while others appear to be more difficult and require hours of study.
A practice test is a common feature in many NCLEX-RN® books. This is usually a test that you can score yourself and that contains questions that are similar to those on the real exam. Practice tests may include actual questions from previous exams in some cases. Practice tests are beneficial to students who want to learn more about the NCLEX-RN® structure. Many testing experts believe that an individual’s score improves with each exam taken, so taking a few practice tests can help you improve your score on the NCLEX-RN®.
CD-ROMs are included in a number of NCLEX-RN® books. These are CDs that contain software that can be installed on most computers; however, if you decide to use this feature, make sure to check compatibility first. Users can usually access computerized practice tests and tutorials through the software. Because they can generate automatic scores, computerized practice tests are beneficial. Because the NCLEX-RN® is usually taken on computers in testing centers, a computer-based practice test will be more similar to the actual exam.
The best NCLEX-RN® books are most likely those that you can afford and that include the content and features that will help you prepare for the test the most effectively. Used books can be a great way to save money for those on a tight budget, but make sure the used books you consider are current. Another way to save money is to share a book with someone else in your class or study group who is a nurse.