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UWorld vs Kaplan NCLEX
Our side-by-side comparison of the NCLEX prep materials from Kaplan and UWorld
As you wrap up nursing school and start looking ahead to the NCLEX, one decision every future nurse faces is what test prep company to study with. And commonly, the choice often comes down to Kaplan vs UWorld, two of the biggest and most popular NCLEX prep companies out there. So which one is better? We take a close look in this detailed comparison guide and provide our honest thoughts and analysis.
Kaplan is better than UWorld for NCLEX review, as they offer more resources for content review than UWorld, like video instruction and live sessions, whereas UWorld’s main offering is their practice work and problem explanations. While Kaplan’s problem explanations are thinner, their practice problems do a better job imitating the structure and phrasing of real test questions, which is why we think they’re the best at preparing you for exam day.
Who should choose Kaplan NCLEX:
Learners who want to combine content review with tons of high-quality practice work
Those who learn best through video instruction
Anyone who needs the accountability or structure of a live online class
People who want the most realistic practice materials out there
Students on a budget who need an ultra-affordable Qbank
Who should choose UWorld NCLEX:
People who learn best by doing lots of practice work and reviewing their mistakes
Anyone who needs one or two years of course access
Students who are pressed for time and want strong performance metrics for efficient studying
To provide you with the most helpful evaluation of these two NCLEX prep courses, we think it is best to see where each company excels, first starting with Kaplan.
Quality of Practice Materials
For most aspiring nurses, the best way of preparing for the NCLEX is hammering practice question after practice question. So the realism of a company’s practice problems in terms of content, difficulty, and length is a huge factor.
We prefer Kaplan’s NCLEX questions, finding them more realistic
It’s a close call, and we generally like the problems both companies offer, but Kaplan’s are just a better fit for the real thing. They closely mimic what you’ll see on test day, and the adaptive nature of their CAT program seems to be a bit better than UWorld’s as well.
Video Lessons & Content Review
While the first two categories were close, this is where Kaplan starts to distance itself from UWorld. And that is because Kaplan provides a ton of content review in the form of live and pre-recorded lectures, content review sessions, and books, while UWorld provides nearly nothing of the sort (Princeton Review offers more study materials than UWorld too).
Kaplan offers helpful video lessons while UWorld does not
As I mentioned, most of your content review and learning with UWorld comes through your problem explanations. With Kaplan though, practice and review are just one half of the equation.
The other half is high-quality live and pre-recorded video lessons, and content review sessions, all of which we found to be stellar in terms of effectiveness. Honestly, Kaplan’s videos are second only to those from Nursing.com.
Pricing & Course Options
So, who is the better value, Kaplan NCLEX or UWorld? That simply depends on which package you’re looking at.
At first glance, it would seem that UWorld wins this category with its approachably priced self-study course, which costs about $250 for 90 days of access compared to Kaplan’s self-paced course, which costs about $350. Keep in mind, however, that you’re actually getting more with Kaplan’s package, including 18 hours of video instruction, the NCLEX Channel, live workshops, and 3,800 practice questions versus UWorld’s 3,100 practice questions.
That’s why upon a closer look, we actually think Kaplan provides the better value here. Yes, in terms of straight dollars, they cost more. But Kaplan also gives you access to longer video lessons (compared to UWorld’s bite-sized review videos), optional live sessions, and a few extras that UWorld does not (similar to Nursing.com and Simple Nursing).
Another look at UWorld’s practice problems
Kaplan also has an option for a live online course that costs about $400 for those who do best with real-time feedback or who need a little extra accountability. This is an offering that UWorld simply doesn’t match.
Then if you’re looking for the most affordable option, Kaplan’s Qbank costs about $100, while the UWorld Qbank will cost you about $150. This makes Kaplan the most budget-friendly option for those who only want to focus on practice drills, without needing video instruction.
Supplemental NCLEX Study Materials
Again, Kaplan easily takes this category. While we were big fans of the customizable flashcards from UWorld (a very cool extra that we used often), it is simply hard to beat Kapan’s bonus resources.
These include access to their NCLEX channel, a content review guide, pharmacology flashcards, an AI tutor, and email support. The most notable resource by far is their NCLEX Channel, with near daily live lessons and recorded webcasts that take a deep dive into certain topics tested on the NCLEX.
If I have one complaint, it’s that you have to pay extra if you want the physical prep book. Still, this is a minor complaint, as the review book is available for purchase for anyone who learns best by marking up a text by hand, and Kaplan includes so many other resources in all of their packages. Even the Qbank, for example, comes with Kaplan’s Decision Tree tool, which teaches you how to approach each question type.
Kaplan offers the better overall NCLEX prep package
Pass Guarantees
This one is a pretty open and shut case: Kaplan offers a money back guarantee in the event you don’t pass the NCLEX on your first attempt, while UWorld does not.
Now that you have a good idea of what Kaplan has to offer, let’s talk about the advantages of using UWorld to help you prepare for the NCLEX.
Problem Explanations & Performance Metrics
Although Kaplan provides the better overall practice question quality, we actually think the UWorld problem explanations are better. Their answer explanations are filled with awesome graphics, vivid diagrams, and tons of detail (similar to Simple Nursing).
Now, this is largely true because UWorld’s explanations are meant to serve as content review in lieu of true lessons.
UWorld offers excellent problem explanations
To be clear, we really liked Kaplan’s problem explanations as well, and found them to be more than serviceable in breaking down problems, but UWorld’s solutions are just tough to beat here (being right up there with those from Hurst).
In addition, we also give the edge to UWorld’s progress trackers and performance metrics. Their data just goes a little deeper in analyzing your current skill level (similar to NCLEX Bootcamp and Archer).
User Experience & Interface
This one is a dead tie. Both companies offer really sharp, clean interfaces that we found to be easy to use. Their modern interface and navigability are equal in terms of aesthetics, and both had lightning fast load speeds and responses.
Content Access Period
Who wins this category is the classic “it depends.” (I know, I hate that too). Kaplan’s self-study course comes with 3 or 6 months of access to your NCLEX prep materials, while you can get Qbank access for one month, two months, or si months.
UWorld offers packages that range all the way from 30 days of access up to 2 years. That’s a much longer time frame, which most students probably won’t need. But if you’re someone who wants to study for the long haul, UWorld has a better option for you.
Here’s what it comes down to: while both Kaplan and UWorld offer incredible NCLEX practice materials, Kaplan is the stronger overall NCLEX prep program, especially for serious learners looking for a well-rounded review package that covers all of your bases.
There’s no denying that UWorld has the better practice problem explanations, which makes them a good fit for people who learn best purely by drilling. But if you’re someone who also needs to do content review, or you’re looking for the most realistic NCLEX questions out there, that’s Kaplan.
With high-quality video lessons, optional live classes, the NCLEX Channel, and bonus resources (most of which UWorld does not offer), Kaplan offers the better overall NCLEX prep option.
FAQ
Which NCLEX prep is better, Kaplan or UWorld?
Kaplan is better than UWorld for NCLEX prep due to their video instruction, live classes, NCLEX Channel, and more realistic practice problems. That said, UWorld does offer more detailed problem explanations than Kaplan.
Kaplan Qbank vs UWorld, who’s is better?
We prefer Kaplan’s NCLEX practice questions, since they’re more realistic in terms of imitating actual NCLEX problems. At the same time, UWorld’s more in-depth problem explanations go much further than Kaplan’s, making UWorld a good option for those who learn best by carefully reviewing their mistakes.
Which NCLEX prep package is cheaper, Kaplan or UWorld?
Kaplan’s Qbank is more affordable than UWorld’s standalone Qbank, but Kaplan’s self-paced prep course costs more than UWorld’s, so it just depends on which package you’re looking at. Also keep in mind that Kaplan includes more resources than UWorld, making them a better overall value.
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