Archer vs UWorld for NCLEX
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For most students Archer is the better value: Archer’s Q-Bank + CAT plan costs $79 for 30 days with 3,100+ questions, against $139 for UWorld’s 30-day plan with 2,600+, and Archer’s Sure PASS adds live review from $159. UWorld wins on rationale depth and longer plans, and its 360-day plan matches Archer’s 3,100+ questions.
Prices and counts below are from each company’s own site, checked November 6, 2026. Several are sale prices, so confirm at checkout. We earn a commission on Archer purchases through our links, and not on UWorld.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Archer Q-Bank + CAT | Archer Sure PASS | UWorld NCLEX-RN Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | 3,100+ | 3,100+ | 2,600+ (30-day) to 3,100+ (360-day) |
| NGN items | 1,100+ | 1,100+ | 600+ |
| 30 days | $79 | $159 | $139 |
| 60 days | $99 | $169 | $169 |
| 90 days | $129 | $189 | $229 |
| 180 days | $149 | $209 | $329 |
| Live review | Not included | 3-day live review plus weekly live sessions | Not offered to individual buyers |
| Readiness tests | Readiness assessments and CATs, limited by unused questions | Same | 1 to 6 self-assessments, depending on plan length |
| Pass-rate claim | See below | 98.98% (conditions below) | 98% (conditions below) |
Bottom line: if you only need a question bank, Archer’s Q-Bank + CAT is the cheapest of the three at every length. If you want live instruction, Sure PASS is the only one here that includes it. UWorld costs more for less volume at short lengths, and buyers choose it for its rationales and reputation.
One thing the $79 plan leaves out: Archer’s Q-Bank + CAT has no review videos. Archer’s Q-Bank + CAT + Videos adds on-demand content videos for $99 at 30 days, which is still below UWorld’s 30-day price. UWorld’s plans include High-Yield Review Videos.
Question Quality
Question quality is what matters most. Both banks are well regarded; they differ in volume and style.
UWorld Questions
UWorld’s rationales are its best-known strength. They explain the concept behind each answer rather than only marking the right choice. Question volume grows with plan length: 2,600+ at 30 days, 2,700+ at 60, 2,800+ at 90, 2,900+ at 180 and 3,100+ at 360 days, each including 600+ NGN items.
Archer Questions
Archer’s bank has 3,100+ questions on every plan, including 1,100+ NGN items, with rationales and video explanations on the higher plans. At short plan lengths that is more practice volume than UWorld; at 360 days the totals are level.
My take: both banks prepare you for the NCLEX. Pick UWorld if its explanation style is what helps you learn; pick Archer if price per question and NGN volume matter more.
Pricing Breakdown
| Access | Archer Q-Bank + CAT | Archer Sure PASS | UWorld | Archer bank saves vs UWorld |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | $79 | $159 | $139 | $60 |
| 60 days | $99 | $169 | $169 | $70 |
| 90 days | $129 | $189 | $229 | $100 |
| 180 days | $149 | $209 | $329 | $180 |
Sure PASS against UWorld is closer: UWorld is $20 cheaper at 30 days, they cost the same at 60, and Sure PASS saves $40 at 90 days and $120 at 180. UWorld also sells 360-day ($389) and 730-day ($449) plans; Archer’s longest is 180 days.
Live Review
Archer’s Sure PASS includes a 3-day live review, 1-hour live case studies on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 3-hour live system lectures on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Archer’s cheaper Q-Bank + CAT plans do not include live review. UWorld does not sell live review to individual students.
Why it matters: some students learn better from live teaching than from self-paced questions. If that’s you, Sure PASS is the only option in this comparison that includes it.
Readiness Assessments
Archer
Archer describes its readiness assessments and CATs as “unlimited”, with a footnote: they are available only while you have unused questions to build them from. Its plan cards list “30+ readiness assessments + CAT exams”.
UWorld
UWorld includes self-assessments by plan length: 1 at 30 days, 2 at 60, 3 at 90, 4 at 180 and 6 on the 360- and 730-day plans. Extra self-assessments can be bought separately.
Pass-Rate Claims
Both companies publish a high pass rate, and both apply only to students who met conditions:
- Archer: a 98.98% pass rate in Q4 2024, among students who completed Sure PASS and then scored “High” or “Very High” on four consecutive readiness assessments. Archer says the figure is based on self-reported outcomes.
- UWorld: a 98% first-time pass rate among users who completed at least 75% of the question bank.
Neither figure tells you how all buyers did, so treat them as a signal of what finishing the program looks like, not as odds.
Who Should Choose Archer
Archer Review is the better choice if you:
- Want the lowest price for a full question bank: Q-Bank + CAT is the cheapest plan here at every length
- Learn well from live instruction: Sure PASS includes a 3-day live review and weekly live sessions
- Are retaking after UWorld: different questions give you fresh practice
- Want NGN volume: 1,100+ NGN items
Who Should Choose UWorld
UWorld is the better choice if you:
- Learn best from detailed rationales: this is what students most often cite UWorld for
- Your school requires it: some programs assign UWorld
- Want a long access window: 360- and 730-day plans
- Already own UWorld: use what you have
Can You Use Both?
Yes, and some students do.
Sequential approach:
- Work through UWorld first, using the rationales to learn
- Add Archer’s question bank for fresh questions
- Use Archer’s readiness assessments to judge when to test
Budget-conscious approach:
- Use Archer’s Q-Bank + CAT as your main resource
- Upgrade to Sure PASS only if you want live review
Buying both is mainly worth it on a long study timeline or for a retake.
The Verdict
Best value against UWorld at 30 to 180 days: Archer. Q-Bank + CAT is cheaper than UWorld at every length Archer sells (30 to 180 days), and Sure PASS includes live review, which UWorld does not sell to individual buyers.
Best rationales and longest stated access: UWorld. If its explanation style works for you, or you need more than six months, it is still an excellent choice.
My recommendation: start with Archer unless your school assigns UWorld or you already know its rationales suit you. Most students won’t need both.
Related resources:
- NCLEX Study Strategies — How to structure your prep
- 30-Day NCLEX Study Plan — Complete month-long preparation schedule
- 2-Week NCLEX Study Plan — Intensive last-minute prep
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