Choosing the right NCLEX prep course could be what makes the difference on exam day. Archer Review and SimpleNursing are both popular NCLEX options, but only one of them works for your specific learning style. In this comparison, we’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of Archer Review and SimpleNursing to help you determine which course best fits your NCLEX preparation needs.
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Given this is a lengthy, detailed comparison, we’ve included helpful jump-to links above for easy navigation.
In the video above, John from the Test Prep Insight team compares the NCLEX study materials from SimpleNursing and Archer Review.
Editor's Choice
Editor's Choice
SimpleNursing is popular nursing education platform that supports students from nursing school through NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN prep, and it has a lot to offer. Let’s discuss the areas in which SimpleNursing is better than Archer Review (in our team’s opinion) when it comes to NCLEX prep.
SimpleNursing’s study plan tool is noteworthy for delivering a more customized and adaptable approach to NCLEX prep when compared to Archer Review.
With the SimpleNursing Elite course, you have the option to take a readiness assessment, which creates a personalized plan based on your individual strengths and weaknesses, or you can manually choose the topics you’d like to focus on. This personalized guidance helps alleviate stress by offering a clear, targeted study path.
On the other hand, Archer Review provides standard 3-, 6-, and 12-week study plans, but lacks the option for customization.
When it comes to practice questions and mock exams, SimpleNursing surpasses Archer Review by providing a much larger question bank. SimpleNursing offers over 4,000 practice questions, including 1,400 Next Gen NCLEX questions, which is significantly more than the 2,900 practice questions that Archer Review offers.
This larger volume allows students to cover more material and encounter a wider range of questions, which is essential for the NCLEX’s adaptive format. Additionally, SimpleNursing offers both adaptive (CAT) simulated exams and readiness assessments, giving students the opportunity to practice in test-like conditions.
While Archer Review’s questions are high quality, its smaller question bank and fewer mock exams don’t provide the same breadth of practice as SimpleNursing’s expansive resources.
SimpleNursing’s practice question explanations excel by offering detailed breakdowns of each answer choice, explaining why each option is either correct or incorrect (similar to Nursing.com).
This thorough analysis helps students avoid common pitfalls and understand the reasoning behind their mistakes. Another standout feature is that SimpleNursing emphasizes overarching learning outcomes, allowing students to connect individual questions to broader nursing concepts.
Additionally, the inclusion of video-based rationales for select questions provides a dynamic, engaging way to grasp complex topics, which is especially useful for visual learners.
While Archer Review’s explanations are solid, they lack the depth, learning outcomes, and video elements that make SimpleNursing’s rationales more comprehensive and effective for building critical thinking skills.
SimpleNursing’s video lessons stand out for their variety and engaging delivery, offering two distinct types of content. The remediation videos, over 1,200 in total, use on-screen instructors, alongside images, graphics, and animations, to create an interactive and visually rich learning experience.
For those enrolled in the Premium or Elite courses, the NCLEX review series with Nurse Mike offers a personal touch, with 26 lessons that feel like one-on-one tutoring sessions. Nurse Mike has a knack for simplifying difficult concepts and sharing practical tips, making the material easier to grasp.
While Archer Review’s video lessons are strong in terms of content, they tend to be more dry and lack the interactive and engaging elements that make SimpleNursing’s videos more effective.
SimpleNursing’s digital study guides are far more comprehensive and visually appealing than those from Archer Review. With over 1,000 printable one-page guides, they cover a vast range of topics, compared to Archer Review’s 250 handouts.
These study guides are colorful and packed with graphics, charts, and memory tricks, making the material more engaging and easier to retain, especially for visual learners. Many of the guides even include a notes section, allowing students to personalize their study experience by jotting down key points.
While Archer Review’s handouts are strong content-wise, they lack the interactive and visual elements that make SimpleNursing’s study guides more engaging and effective for on-the-go learning.
👉 Read our full SimpleNursing NCLEX review
Now that we’ve discussed the strengths of the SimpleNursing NCLEX program, let’s switch gears and discuss the major reasons you should consider using Archer to help you prepare for the NCLEX.
Archer Review offers a wide range of NCLEX study packages and options to accommodate different learning styles, more so than SimpleNursing.
These options include self-paced courses, live online sessions, bootcamps, and question banks. This flexibility allows you to select exactly what fits your needs. By doing so, you can avoid spending extra on study materials that aren’t relevant or necessary for your preparation.
In contrast, SimpleNursing offers three different options to choose from, all of which are fairly similar in terms of features and study materials.
On average, the NCLEX prep packages from Archer Review tend to be slightly more affordable than those from SimpleNursing. Archer Review offers a variety of cost-effective options, allowing students to access quality materials without breaking the bank.
While SimpleNursing provides extensive resources, the pricing for their packages is generally higher compared to Archer Review’s more budget-friendly offerings.
For example, the 90-day Rapid Review course from Archer Review costs around $80, whereas the three-month Premium plan from SimpleNursing costs around $110. However, keep in mind, that SimpleNursing regularly offers deals and discounts on their prep packages (similar to NCLEX Bootcamp).
One notable highlight is the three-day live review classes, which offer intensive, instructor-led sessions focused on key content and test-taking techniques. These classes are especially helpful for students looking for a quick, focused review or those who thrive under a more structured, rigorous study plan.
Additionally, the live format enables direct engagement with knowledgeable instructors, giving students the chance to ask questions and get instant feedback during the sessions.
To be fair, SimpleNursing offers live review cram sessions as well that are very insightful. However, they are only available to students who sign-up for the company’s Elite course.
👉 See how Archer Review compares to Kaplan NCLEX
While Archer Review impresses with its variety of study packages and intensive three-day live review sessions, SimpleNursing stands out as the more comprehensive NCLEX prep solution.
SimpleNursing’s vast question bank, engaging video lessons, and printable study guides mean you’re getting an all-inclusive resource library that’s great for visual learners. The personalized study plans keep your review efficient, while the video-based rationales break down complex concepts while strengthening your critical thinking skills.
SimpleNursing’s extensive resources provide a better overall value for students wanting an in-depth and engaging NCLEX program that sets you up for success.
👉Read Next: SimpleNursing vs UWorld
SimpleNursing offers the better NCLEX prep course due to its comprehensive resources, including a vast question bank, engaging video lessons, and detailed study guides. While Archer Review offers a variety of study options, SimpleNursing is better for visual learners and students who want an all-in-one NCLEX system.
While Archer Review’s NCLEX QBank offers solid content and a variety of question formats, SimpleNursing’s QBank is more extensive and provides detailed rationales for each answer choice. This added depth in SimpleNursing’s QBank enhances the learning experience and helps students better understand key concepts.