This Kaplan NCLEX review covers Kaplan’s current NCLEX-RN courses, prices and practice tools for 2026. Kaplan isn’t the cheapest option, but it has the widest range of NCLEX prep, from a $99 question bank to live online classes, and its Decision Tree method and pass guarantee make it a strong choice for most test takers.
Comparing options? See our ranking of the 8 best NCLEX review courses.
Kaplan NCLEX Courses and Prices
Kaplan sells two practice-only products and two full courses. Prices are Kaplan’s regular “from” prices in October 2026:
| Product | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| CAT + Qbank | From $99 | 3 full-length adaptive practice tests (CATs), a 2,200+ question Qbank, 300 pharmacology flashcards, AI Tutor |
| Practice Pack | From $119 | Everything in CAT + Qbank, plus the NCLEX Channel video library and live sessions held more than twice a week |
| PassTrack Self-Paced | $349 | 18-hour recorded review course, 3,800+ questions, 3 CATs, 700-page ebook, pass guarantee, 3 or 6 months of access |
| PassTrack Live Online | From $399 | 18 hours of live instruction over 3 days, plus everything in Self-Paced |
There’s also a Tutoring + Live Online package from $900 and NCLEX-PN prep from $79. You can try the Practice Pack free for 7 days.
The Decision Tree Method
Kaplan’s signature strategy is the Decision Tree, a step-by-step framework for working through clinical judgment questions. It walks you through the answer choices using nursing priorities, so you can narrow down to the safest answer even on topics you haven’t studied. It’s the feature students mention most in reviews of Kaplan’s NCLEX prep.
The PassTrack courses teach it in six strategy sessions led by nurse educators, live in Live Online or recorded in Self-Paced, and every product applies it in the question explanations.
Practice Questions and Adaptive Tests
Every Kaplan product includes three full-length computer adaptive tests that adjust question by question, like the real NCLEX CAT, and use partial scoring for Next Gen items. The Qbank lets you build custom quizzes by topic, and each question comes with a detailed explanation. The PassTrack courses expand the bank to 3,800+ questions.
Kaplan covers the Next Generation NCLEX question types, including case studies, and adds a 24/7 AI Tutor that gives definitions, step-by-step breakdowns and study recommendations. Everything works in Kaplan’s mobile app.
PassTrack Live Online
Live Online is the course we recommend for most students. Over three days you get 18 hours of live instruction from nurse educators, then 3 or 6 months of access to the NCLEX Channel (a library of recorded and live teaching sessions), a 700-page ebook, the full question bank and the CATs. If you need a flexible schedule, PassTrack Self-Paced has the same materials with the 18 hours recorded instead of live.
Related: The Best 5-Week NCLEX Study Plan
Kaplan’s Pass Guarantee
The PassTrack courses come with a pass guarantee, but the conditions are strict. You must have graduated from an ACEN, CCNE or CASN-accredited program and take the NCLEX-RN for the first time within 6 months of graduating. You also have to take Kaplan’s diagnostic and readiness tests, attend all class sessions and answer every question on the seven Question Trainer tests. If you still don’t pass, you can choose a 100% tuition refund or a free 3-month repeat, but you must call Kaplan within 20 days of your exam.
Who Kaplan NCLEX Is Best For
- Students who want structure: live classes, a study plan and a single strategy for every question.
- Recent graduates: the pass guarantee only applies within 6 months of graduation.
- Anyone who mainly needs realistic CATs: the $99 CAT + Qbank is good value on its own.
Kaplan is less of a fit if you only want a large question bank with very detailed rationales (UWorld is stronger there) or you’re on a tight budget and want a guarantee (see the cheaper options in our NCLEX course rankings).
High-quality NCLEX-RN review and simulated practice tests that includes the options of live online, on-demand, and practice offerings.
- Live online classes (18 hours) or a self-paced course
- Extensive practice tests in the style of the NCLEX
- You can access video content 24/7 on demand or through their NCLEX channel
- Unique Decision Tree method
- Expensive compared to other NCLEX prep programs
- Practice tests are known to be tougher than the NCLEX
- Many students are discouraged by low scores on Kaplan tests
Kaplan NCLEX Alternatives
Kaplan vs Hurst Review
Hurst Review focuses on core nursing content, with on-demand and live-streamed reviews and a 2,000+ question QBank. Choose Hurst if you need to rebuild your content knowledge; choose Kaplan if you want more practice testing and a question-answering strategy. Read Hurst vs Kaplan NCLEX.
A fully comprehensive NCLEX-RN course that features responsive customer support and Nurse Coaches to guide your studies through core content.
- Core Content Review
- On-demand, live-streamed or in-person review
- Hurst’s QBank doesn’t mimic the look and feel of the NCLEX
- Gated readiness exams - users must unlock access to the 4 readiness exams by completing a live or online review or purchasing a Hurst Now subscription
Kaplan vs UWorld
UWorld is a question bank first: 2,600 to 3,100+ questions, including 600+ Next Gen items, with some of the most detailed rationales available, but no live classes and no pass guarantee. Read UWorld vs Kaplan NCLEX.
A robust Qbank that is best for supplementing your existing NCLEX-RN comprehensive prep course.
- Extensive, well-researched bank of classic and NGN questions
- Hundreds of brief lecture videos on the most important topics on the exam
- Adaptive (CAT) Practice tests mimic the format of the exam
- Multiple Self-Assessments can be purchased separately
- Tracks your improvement in a detailed manner
- Accessible with mobile app; convenient when away from home
- No live or online review course included with the subscription
- Doesn’t offer a comprehensive curriculum review
- No “pass guarantee”
Kaplan vs BoardVitals
BoardVitals sells a Next Gen NCLEX-RN question bank with no video lessons or live teaching. Read our BoardVitals NCLEX review.
Among the best high-yield question banks that allow for customized practice for the NCLEX.
- 3,700+ questions, including Next Gen question types
- Customize practice tests by subject
- Pass guarantee on the 3- and 6-month plans
- Free trial available
- No video lessons or content review, just a Qbank
- Explanations aren't always as in-depth as UWorld's
More NCLEX Course Reviews
- UWorld NCLEX Review
- Princeton Review NCLEX Review
- NURSING.com NCLEX Review
- Hurst NCLEX Review
- NCLEX Mastery Review
Kaplan NCLEX Review FAQ
Is Kaplan worth it for the NCLEX?
For most students who want structure, yes. PassTrack Live Online (from $399) gives you 18 hours of live teaching, 3,800+ questions, three adaptive practice tests and a pass guarantee. If you only need practice, the $99 CAT + Qbank is one of the cheapest ways to get realistic adaptive tests.
Is Kaplan or UWorld better for the NCLEX?
Kaplan is better if you want a full course with a question-answering strategy, live teaching and a pass guarantee. UWorld is better if you want a question bank with very detailed rationales. Many students use both.
Are Kaplan practice tests harder than the NCLEX?
Many students say Kaplan’s questions feel harder than the real exam. Kaplan builds its questions at what it calls passing-level rigor, and its CATs adapt to your performance the way the NCLEX does.
Does Kaplan NCLEX have a pass guarantee?
Yes, on its PassTrack courses. If you graduated from an ACEN, CCNE or CASN-accredited program, take the NCLEX-RN for the first time within 6 months of graduating, and complete the required work (the diagnostic and readiness tests, all class sessions and all seven Question Trainer tests), you can choose a 100% tuition refund or a free 3-month repeat. You must call Kaplan within 20 days of your exam.
Does Kaplan have a free NCLEX trial?
Yes. Kaplan offers a 7-day free trial of its Practice Pack and a free Qbank trial.
