sum/count; middle of ordered list; most frequent; max − min
Length, capacity, time
1 km = 1000 m, 1 m = 100 cm, 1 ft = 12 in, 1 yd = 3 ft, 1 mi = 5280 ft, 1 gal = 4 qt = 16 cups, 1 h = 60 min
Temperature
°F = °C·9/5 + 32, °C = (°F − 32)·5/9; a change of 1 °C = 1.8 °F
Area
rectangle l·w, triangle ½·b·h, circle π·r²
Perimeter and circumference
rectangle 2l + 2w, circle π·d = 2π·r
Volume
box l·w·h, cylinder π·r²·h; 1000 cm³ = 1 L
Speed
distance ÷ time (time in hours for mph or km/h)
Method
Read the last sentence first: what exactly is asked, and in which unit or form (lowest terms, nearest cent, one decimal place)?
Write the numbers in one form: turn mixed numbers into improper fractions, percents into decimals, and hours and minutes into one unit.
Pick the method: PEMDAS for expressions, a common denominator for adding fractions, part ÷ whole × 100 for percents, cross-multiplying for proportions, inverse operations for equations.
Work one step at a time and write each line down; round only at the very end.
Check the size of the answer with an estimate, and put an equation’s answer back in.
Nursing math & unit conversions
Metric steps
1 kg = 1000 g, 1 g = 1000 mg, 1 mg = 1000 mcg, 1 L = 1000 mL
Weight and length
1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 lb = 16 oz, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 ft = 12 in
Household measures
1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
Write the given quantity with its unit and the unit you want.
Pick the equivalent: 1000 between kg, g, mg and mcg or L and mL; 1 kg = 2.2 lb; 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 240 mL.
Write it as a fraction so that the unwanted unit cancels; for a rate, use one fraction per unit that changes.
Check the direction: a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
Round only the final answer, to the precision the question names.
Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Method
Read the question first so you know what you are looking for.
Skim the passage for its topic and main point; the first or last sentence often states it.
Go back to the exact lines that answer the question.
For inferences, choose the option the clues most strongly support, not one that goes further.
For labels and tables, apply every rule that fits the case and do the small calculation carefully.
Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Method
Read the whole sentence and look for a context clue: a definition, a contrast, an example or a cause and effect.
Split an unfamiliar word into prefix, root and suffix and translate each part.
Read a medical term from the suffix back to the start (hepat-itis: inflammation of the liver).
Put each option into the sentence and check that the meaning still fits.
Choose the meaning used in this sentence, even if the word has another everyday meaning.
English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Method
Find the subject and the verb of the sentence before choosing a form.
Strip away phrases (of the …, along with …) and extra people (you and …) to test agreement and pronoun case.
Check each clause: can it stand alone? Join independent clauses with a comma + conjunction or a semicolon.
Check modifiers and lists: the describing phrase next to its word, items in the same form.
For word choice and register, pick the precise, formal and concise option.
Biology for nursing entrance exams
Method
Name the topic of the question: cell parts, transport, division, DNA and protein synthesis, inheritance, biomolecules, microorganisms or experimental design.
Recall the key rule: A–T and G–C, diffusion from high to low, water moves towards more solute, mitosis keeps and meiosis halves the chromosome number.
For crosses, write the parents’ genotypes, list the gametes and fill a Punnett square before counting.
For experiments, label the independent, dependent and controlled variables, and ask whether the evidence supports or only suggests the conclusion.
Check each option against the question asked, not just whether it is a true statement.
Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Method
Identify what is given and asked: particles, a formula, a state change, a concentration, a pH or a mass.
Use the periodic table: the atomic number gives protons, the group gives valence electrons and the usual ion charge.
Balance equations with coefficients only, element by element, oxygen and hydrogen last.
For amounts, go mass → moles → mole ratio → moles → mass, and for solutions use M = mol/L and C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
Remember that pH is logarithmic: one unit is a factor of 10.
2Practice problems
1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Medium
Solve for x: 7x − 18 = −60.
7x − 18 = −60
x =
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard
Work out 2 1/2 × 2 4/9. Click the answer in lowest terms.
2 1/2 × 2 4/9
110
26 1/9
31 1/44
44 2/9
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose calculation for a small injection gives 0.24739 mL. The rule in this exercise is that volumes below 1 mL are rounded to the nearest hundredth of a mL. What value x do you record?
0.24739 mL
x = mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A prescription reads 1½ tsp of an oral suspension every 6 hours for 7 days. The suspension comes in 50 mL bottles. Using 1 tsp = 5 mL, how many whole bottles N must be supplied so the course is complete?
1½ tspevery 6 hours7 days50 mL1 tsp = 5 mL
N =
5.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Medium
“The FAST test helps people spot a stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services.” What does the letter T stand for?
ATiredness in the arms and legs
BTemperature rising suddenly and sharply
CTime to call emergency services
DTrouble seeing out of one eye
6.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
“The scientist repeated the experiment five times in different labs and always got the same result.” Why does this strengthen the scientist’s findings?
AThe law requires exactly five repeat tests.
BIt proves the result is true in every case.
CRepeated results make chance or error less likely.
DDifferent labs always use the same equipment.
7.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The patient’s respirations were 18 per minute.”
ABreaths
BTemperature readings
CHeartbeats
DBlood pressure readings
8.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
What does the term haematemesis mean?
ABlood in the stool
BVomiting blood
CBlood in the urine
DCoughing up blood
9.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the correct verb: “Nobody ___ the answer yet.”
Aare knowing
Bhave known
Cknow
Dknows
10.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which phrase puts the adjectives in the usual English order?
Aa wooden old lovely table
Ban old lovely wooden table
Ca lovely wooden old table
Da lovely old wooden table
11.Human anatomyMedium
Which structure is the main bundle of nerve fibres connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres?
AInternal capsule
BCerebral peduncle
CCorpus callosum
DFornix
12.Human anatomyHard
A patient with a large aneurysm of the aortic arch develops hoarseness. Which nerve is most likely compressed?
ALeft phrenic nerve
BRight recurrent laryngeal nerve
CExternal laryngeal nerve
DLeft recurrent laryngeal nerve
13.Human physiologyMedium
Mean arterial pressure is approximately equal to:
AStroke volume × total peripheral vascular resistance
BHeart rate × stroke volume
CCardiac output × total peripheral resistance
DCardiac output ÷ heart rate
14.Human physiologyHard
A healthy person stands up quickly after lying down. Which reflex response prevents fainting?
AThe baroreceptor reflex raises heart rate and vasoconstriction
BThe Bainbridge reflex lowers heart rate
CThe chemoreceptor reflex raises breathing rate and arterial oxygen levels
DADH release immediately doubles blood volume
15.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
A person with blood type AB has both A and B antigens on the red cells. What kind of inheritance is this?
AIncomplete dominance
BComplete dominance of A over B
CSex-linked inheritance
DCodominance
16.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A pesticide that is not broken down is sprayed on crops. Later, hawks at the top of the food chain have much higher levels of it than the insects. Why?
AEach predator eats many prey, so the pesticide builds up at each level
BHawks make the pesticide in their own bodies
CHawks eat the crops directly, so they take in the most pesticide of all
DThe pesticide is broken down faster in insects than in plants
17.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
A magnesium atom loses two electrons. What is the ion formed?
AMg⁻
BMg⁺
CMg²⁺
DMg²⁻
18.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Hydrogen peroxide fizzes when poured on a cut because an enzyme in blood breaks it down. What gas is produced, and what type of reaction is it?
AHydrogen, in a single replacement reaction
BCarbon dioxide, in a combustion reaction
CChlorine, in a synthesis reaction
DOxygen, in a decomposition reaction
3Solutions
1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)
Answer: x = −6
Solving equations: do the same thing to both sides until x stands alone. Undo operations in reverse order: first undo addition or subtraction, then multiplication or division. Clear parentheses with the distributive property, a(x + b) = ax + ab, and collect the x terms on one side. Check the answer by substituting it back.
Add 18 to both sides.
7x = −42
Divide both sides by 7.
x = −6
Check
7·(−6) − 18 = −60
Answer
x = −6
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)
Answer: 6 1/9
Multiplying and dividing fractions: first turn mixed numbers into improper fractions (2 1/3 = 7/3). To multiply, multiply the numerators and the denominators. To divide, keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, and flip the second fraction (multiply by its reciprocal). Cancel common factors and write the result in lowest terms as a mixed number.
Improper fractions
2 1/2 = 5/2
2 4/9 = 22/9
Multiply
5/2 × 22/9 = 110/18
Simplify
110/18 = 6 1/9
Answer
6 1/9
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 0.25 mL
Rounding: look at the digit just after the place you round to: 5 or more rounds up, 4 or less leaves the digit as it is. Round only the final answer, never the steps. Typical exam rules: volumes of 1 mL or more to the nearest tenth, volumes below 1 mL to the nearest hundredth, drip rates to whole drops and weights to one decimal place; always follow the rule the question states.
Digit in the hundredths place
0.24739 → 4
Only the next digit decides
0.24739 → 7
7 is 5 or more, so round 4 up.
The digits after it (39) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 0.25 mL
Answer
x = 0.25 mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: N = 5
Dimensional analysis: write the given quantity, then multiply by conversion factors written as fractions (for example 60 min/1 h or 1 mg/1000 mcg) so that each unwanted unit appears once on top and once underneath and cancels. When only the wanted unit is left, calculate. Use the equivalents the question gives and round only the final answer.
Total volume
7.5 mL × 4 × 7 = 210 mL
Bottles
210/50 = 4.2 → N = 5
Answer
N = 5
5.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: C · Time to call emergency services
Why this is the answer
In FAST, T stands for “Time to call emergency services”, because quick treatment of a stroke is vital.
Answer
C · Time to call emergency services
6.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: C · Repeated results make chance or error less likely.
Why this is the answer
When a result is repeated in different settings, it is less likely to be due to chance or a mistake in one lab. It strengthens the finding but does not prove it for every case.
Answer
C · Repeated results make chance or error less likely.
7.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Breaths
Why this is the answer
Respirations are breaths; the respiratory rate is the number of breaths per minute.
Answer
A · Breaths
8.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Vomiting blood
Why this is the answer
Haematemesis (US: hematemesis) is the vomiting of blood; coughing up blood is haemoptysis.
Answer
B · Vomiting blood
9.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: D · knows
Why this is the answer
“Nobody” is singular, like everybody, somebody and anybody, so it takes the singular verb “knows”.
Answer
D · knows
10.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: D · a lovely old wooden table
Why this is the answer
English adjectives usually follow the order opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose. “Lovely” (opinion), “old” (age), “wooden” (material) follows that order.
Answer
D · a lovely old wooden table
11.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Corpus callosum
Why this is the answer
The corpus callosum is the largest commissure, linking matching areas of the two hemispheres. The internal capsule carries projection fibres up and down instead.
Answer
C · Corpus callosum
12.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
Why this is the answer
The left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the aortic arch beside the ligamentum arteriosum. It supplies most laryngeal muscles, so compression causes hoarseness.
Answer
D · Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
13.Human physiology
Answer: C · Cardiac output × total peripheral resistance
Why this is the answer
Pressure = flow × resistance, so MAP ≈ CO × TPR. Changes in either cardiac output or vascular resistance change blood pressure.
Answer
C · Cardiac output × total peripheral resistance
14.Human physiology
Answer: A · The baroreceptor reflex raises heart rate and vasoconstriction
Why this is the answer
Blood pools in the legs and pressure falls; baroreceptors fire less, which increases sympathetic and decreases vagal activity within seconds, raising heart rate and vascular tone.
Answer
A · The baroreceptor reflex raises heart rate and vasoconstriction
15.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Codominance
Why this is the answer
The Iᴬ and Iᴮ alleles are codominant: neither masks the other, and both antigens appear. The O allele (i) is recessive to both.
Answer
D · Codominance
16.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Each predator eats many prey, so the pesticide builds up at each level
Why this is the answer
A stable pesticide is stored in the body rather than excreted. Each organism at a higher level eats many organisms from the level below, so the concentration rises along the food chain. This is how DDT harmed birds of prey.
Answer
A · Each predator eats many prey, so the pesticide builds up at each level
17.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · Mg²⁺
Why this is the answer
Losing two electrons leaves two more protons than electrons, giving a 2+ charge. Group 2 metals form 2+ ions.
Answer
C · Mg²⁺
18.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Oxygen, in a decomposition reaction
Why this is the answer
The enzyme catalase catalyses 2H₂O₂ → 2H₂O + O₂. One compound breaking into simpler substances is decomposition, and the bubbles are oxygen.
Answer
D · Oxygen, in a decomposition reaction
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