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Saunders NCLEX review book: what it covers in 2026

The Saunders NCLEX-RN book's 10th edition has 6,000+ questions in print and online and ships November 30, 2026; the 9th edition is from 2022.

Checked November 15, 2026
A stack of thick books
Photo: Pexels

Short answer: The newest Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination is the 10th edition, with more than 6,000 questions in the book and online, and Elsevier's US store lists it as a pre-order that ships on November 30, 2026, at US$77.99. The 9th edition, published in July 2022 with 5,700 questions, was written before the 2026 test plan took effect on April 1, 2026, so a book-first plan in 2026 should use the 10th edition and add timed case-study practice.

Before and after comparison of the Saunders NCLEX-RN book: 9th edition, July 2022, 5,700 questions; 10th edition, ships November 30, 2026, 6,000+ questions, 5 more NGN case studies online.

Saunders is published by Elsevier, a private company. It is not an official NCLEX resource. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which owns the NCLEX, does not endorse any review book or course. The facts below come from Elsevier's own product pages, read on November 15, 2026.

Which edition is current

9th edition 10th edition
Authors Linda Anne Silvestri, Angela Silvestri Linda Anne Silvestri, Angela Silvestri
Date Published July 15, 2022 Pre-order; ships on release, November 30, 2026
Questions (book and online) 5,700 More than 6,000
Print price, Elsevier US store US$75.99 list (US$60.79 on sale on the day we checked) US$77.99
eBook US$71.99 (VitalSource) Not listed yet in the store page we read

Elsevier's own pages do not agree on the 10th edition date. The Elsevier Shop header shows "March 27, 2026", but its product details say "Published: November 30, 2026", and the US store says the book "will be released on 11-30-2026". Treat November 30, 2026 as the shipping date and confirm when you order.

Does it match the 2026 test plan?

The 2026 NCLEX-RN test plan is in effect from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029. Elsevier says the 10th edition has "Thoroughly updated content" that "reflects the latest NCLEX-RN test plan." The 9th edition came out in 2022, before the 2026 plan existed.

For the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), the 10th edition lists:

  • NGN stand-alone items and unfolding case studies, including bow-tie items
  • 5 additional NGN case studies on its companion website
  • "Clinical Judgment" boxes, each tied to one of the six steps of NCSBN's Clinical Judgment Measurement Model

Elsevier also lists "Trend" items. NCSBN's public pages do not currently define a trend item, so do not worry if you never see that name on nclex.com. For the official item types, see What are the Next Generation NCLEX question types?.

The online questions

Part of the practice is on Elsevier's Evolve companion website, not in the printed pages. For the 10th edition, Elsevier lists:

  • an 85-question pre-test and post-test, matched to the test plan percentages, that each create a study calendar
  • over 1,000 pharmacology questions
  • practice you can sort by content area, client needs area, cognitive skill and more
  • audio podcasts on pharmacology, acid-base balance, and fluids and electrolytes

Elsevier's product pages do not say how long the online access lasts or whether it works with a used copy. If you plan to buy a used book, ask the seller whether the Evolve access is still unused.

Who a book-first plan suits, and what to add

It suits you if you learn by reading and making notes, you want one low-cost resource that covers all content, and you like to study offline. At US$77.99 for print, it costs less than most paid courses. See prices side by side in NCLEX review courses compared.

Add something if you need:

  • Adaptive timed practice. The real NCLEX is computer adaptive. Elsevier's description of the online tests does not mention adaptive testing. A question bank with CAT tests fills this gap.
  • More case studies under time. Every NCLEX has three case studies of six items each. Use NCSBN's free Sample Pack too; see Free NCLEX resources.
  • A teacher. A book cannot answer your questions. If you need someone to explain, look at a live or video course.

What to do next

  1. Check which edition you hold: look for "10th Edition" on the cover or the ISBN 9780443128219.
  2. If you have the 9th edition, read the 2026 test plan alongside it and add newer practice questions.
  3. Plan the book chapters against your exam date, then book your exam; see How long should you study for the NCLEX?.

Common questions

Does Saunders sell other NCLEX-RN books?

Yes. Elsevier's US store also lists Saunders Q & A Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination and Saunders 2026-2027 Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies. This page covers the Comprehensive Review only.

Can I use a free PDF copy?

We do not link to file copies. The online part of the review is on Evolve, so a copy of the printed pages is not the full product. Buy from the publisher or a licensed seller.

Is the book enough on its own?

For some strong readers it can carry most of the content review. Most students still add timed adaptive practice before test day.

Prep from our team

NCLEXPace has 3,200+ NCLEX-RN practice questions with rationales, Next Generation NCLEX case studies, CAT Readiness Exams and a personal Study Plan. Plans start from US$59 paid once, nothing renews, and you can try 10 free questions without payment. All Nursing Exams, NCLEXPace and NPractitioner are run by the same team. See NCLEXPace.

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