TEAS-style math practice: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Order of operations
parentheses → exponents → × ÷ (left to right) → + − (left to right)
Fractions
a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd, a/b × c/d = ac/bd, a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c
Percent
p% of N = (p/100)·N; percent = part/whole × 100
Percent change
(new − original)/original × 100
Discount, then tax
price × (1 − d/100) × (1 + t/100)
Proportion
a/b = c/d → ad = bc
Mean, median, mode, range
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

  1. Read the last sentence first: what exactly is asked, and in which unit or form (lowest terms, nearest cent, one decimal place)?
  2. Write the numbers in one form: turn mixed numbers into improper fractions, percents into decimals, and hours and minutes into one unit.
  3. 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.
  4. Work one step at a time and write each line down; round only at the very end.
  5. 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
Temperature
°C = (°F − 32)·5/9, °F = °C·9/5 + 32
24-hour clock
PM hours 1–11: add 12; 12 AM = 00:xx; 12 PM = 12:xx
Dose rate
mcg/min × 60/1000 = mg/h
Laboratory factors
glucose 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL; creatinine 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L; Hb 1 g/dL = 10 g/L

Method

  1. Write the given quantity with its unit and the unit you want.
  2. 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.
  3. Write it as a fraction so that the unwanted unit cancels; for a rate, use one fraction per unit that changes.
  4. Check the direction: a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
  5. Round only the final answer, to the precision the question names.

2Practice problems

1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Medium

A town had 50 registered nurses last year and has 40 this year. What is the percent decrease p?

50 → 40
p = %
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard
20242025A90300B215140C200295

The table shows the number of volunteers at centres A, B and C in 2024 and 2025. By what percent p did the total number of volunteers change from 2024 to 2025? Use a negative number for a decrease. Round to one decimal place.

p = %
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
94969810010210410635363738394041°F°C95.8 °F? °C

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A patient’s temperature is 95.8 °F. Convert it to degrees Celsius T with °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. Round to one decimal place.

95.8 °F
T = °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
8 fl oz? mL2 tbsp? mL1 cup? mLΣ = ? mL

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 8 fl oz of juice, 2 tbsp of liquid supplement, 1 cup of tea. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.

1 fl oz = 30 mL1 tbsp = 15 mL1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
V = mL

3Solutions

1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: p = 20 %

Percent means per hundred: p% of a number is (p/100) × the number. To find what percent A is of B, divide A by B and multiply by 100. A percent change compares the change with the original value: percent change = (new − original)/original × 100.

Change

40 − 50 = −10

Compare with the original

p = 10/50 × 100 = 20%

Answer

p = 20%
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: p = 45.5 %

Percent means per hundred: p% of a number is (p/100) × the number. To find what percent A is of B, divide A by B and multiply by 100. A percent change compares the change with the original value: percent change = (new − original)/original × 100.

Totals

2024: 505
2025: 735

Percent change

p = (735 − 505)/505 × 100 = 45.54 ≈ 45.5%

Answer

p = 45.5%
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: T = 35.4 °C

Temperature: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 and °F = °C × 9/5 + 32. Subtract 32 before you multiply when going from °F, and add 32 after you multiply when going from °C. A quick check: 37 °C is 98.6 °F, and every 1 °C is 1.8 °F.

Subtract 32

95.8 − 32 = 63.8

Multiply by 5/9

T = 63.8·5/9 = 35.44 ≈ 35.4 °C

Answer

T = 35.4 °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: V = 510 mL

Household measures and weight: nursing exams use rounded equivalents: 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 mL = 3 tsp, 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 30 mL = 2 tbsp, and 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL. For weight, 1 kg = 2.2 lb and 1 lb = 16 oz; for length, 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Set the conversion up so that the unit you do not want cancels out.

Each item in mL

8 fl oz = 8·30 = 240 mL
2 tbsp = 2·15 = 30 mL
1 cup = 1·240 = 240 mL

Add

V = 240 + 30 + 240 = 510 mL

Answer

V = 510 mL

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