Best Massage Therapy Study Guides (2026): 5 Picks for Exam Prep

Finding study material for a licensing exam can feel like its own exam, and the best massage therapy study guides make the work manageable. We compared them by stated contents and edition.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	MBLEx Study Cards, 3rd Edition	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	MBLEX Test Prep by Simonds	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	MBLEx Questions by Maughan	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Trigger Points by Perez	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Acupressure by Perez	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon

1

MBLEx Study Cards, 3rd Edition

Test Prep Books·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits MBLEx candidates who want color-coded flashcards with practice questions for every section.

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Pros

• Color-coded cards cover every MBLEx section
• Reading age 16 years and up suits adult candidates
• Practice questions included for each section

Cons

• 511 pages stated, bulky for portable cards
• Number of cards not stated
• 3rd edition, no newer edition stated

2

MBLEX Test Prep by Simonds

Vere Simonds·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits candidates who want the current 2026-2027 edition with study strategies and practice exams.

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Pros

• 2026-2027 edition, published February 25, 2026
• Practice exams with answer keys and explanations
• Covers anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, ethics and business

Cons

• 103 pages is short for a full exam
• Independently published, not a large publisher
• No reading age or grade level stated

3

MBLEx Questions by Maughan

Ms. Lorna S Maughan·9.4/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits candidates who want 250 practice questions with rationales from MBLEx bibliography textbooks.

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Pros

• 250 practice questions with answers and rationales
• Questions drawn from MBLEx bibliography textbooks
• Explains how multiple choice questions are built

Cons

• Older edition, published December 15, 2012
• Questions are a selection from the website material
• No reading age or grade level stated

4

Trigger Points by Perez

Vincent Perez·9.2/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits students who want a laminated map of trigger points and referred pain areas.

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Pros

• Laminated 6 page chart for desk reference
• Illustrated by Vincent Perez
• Color-coded trigger points with referred pain areas

Cons

• 6 page reference, not an exam study guide
• Covers trigger points only, not ethics or law
• No practice questions stated

5

Acupressure by Perez

Vincent Perez·9.2/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits students who want labeled acupressure point illustrations on a laminated chart.

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Pros

• Complete labeled illustrations of acupressure points
• Laminated 6 page chart for reference
• Illustrated by Vincent Perez

Cons

• Older edition, published January 7, 2005
• 6 page chart, not an exam study guide
• No practice questions stated

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More picks to compare

• Muscular Origins & InsertionsVisual muscle reference for origins and insertions during anatomy review.Check on Amazon
• Pocket Atlas of Skeletal MusclesPocket-sized atlas with illustrated muscle profiles for students.Check on Amazon
• MBLEx 15 Full-Length Practice ExamsFifteen full-length practice exams with detailed answer explanations.Check on Amazon
• Texas Massage Therapy Exam SecretsStudy guide for the Texas massage therapy written exam.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age. One listing states 16 years and up.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best massage therapy study guides

Match the guide to the exam year

The Simonds guide is the 2026-2027 edition; the Maughan book is the 2012 edition, so check the listing for a newer edition before buying.

Decide how you drill

The card set covers every MBLEx section with practice questions. The Simonds guide and the Maughan question set, with 250 practice questions, suit sit-down study. Our best study guide for pharmacy technician exam list follows the same format.

Add an anatomy reference

The laminated charts suit desk review: Trigger Points maps trigger points and referred pain areas, and the Acupressure chart labels acupressure points. They skip exam sections like ethics or law. See our best study guide for anatomy and physiology list for more.

Before you buy

• Check publication dates: the Simonds guide is the 2026-2027 edition; the Maughan book is the 2012 edition.
• Confirm answers come with questions: the Simonds guide and Maughan book state answer keys.
• Note the edition: the card set is the 3rd edition; the Acupressure chart is from January 7, 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which guide matches the current exam cycle?

The Simonds guide is the 2026-2027 edition.

Do these include practice questions?

The Maughan book lists 250 practice questions with rationales, the Simonds guide includes practice exams with answer keys, and the card set covers practice questions for each section.

Are the laminated charts enough on their own?

The charts cover trigger points and acupressure points, not ethics or law, so they work best as supplements.

Still deciding? Our top pickMBLEx Study Cards, 3rd Edition

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