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

How many minutes x are there in 3 days?

3 days1 day = 24 h1 h = 60 min
x = min
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard
4 723/1000011 23/1001 277/7234 723/1000

Which fraction or mixed number in lowest terms equals the decimal 4.723? Click it.

4.723
  1. 14 723/10000
  2. 211 23/100
  3. 31 277/723
  4. 44 723/1000
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
193.371 gtt/min? gtt/minround to 1 gtt/min

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A drip-rate calculation gives 193.371 gtt/min. The rule in this exercise is that drip rates are rounded to the nearest whole drop. What value x do you record?

193.371 gtt/min
x = gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
½ tsp · 2/day · 5 d? mL1 tsp = 5 mL

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A prescription reads ½ tsp of an oral suspension every 12 hours for 5 days. Using 1 tsp = 5 mL, how many mL V are needed for the whole course?

½ tspevery 12 hours5 days1 tsp = 5 mL
V = mL

3Solutions

1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: x = 4320 min

Unit conversions: multiply by a factor that equals 1, written so that the old unit cancels: 3 ft × 12 in/1 ft = 36 in. Metric length: 1 km = 1000 m, 1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm, 1 cm = 10 mm. US customary: 1 ft = 12 in, 1 yd = 3 ft, 1 mi = 5280 ft; 1 gal = 4 qt, 1 qt = 2 pt, 1 pt = 2 cups; 1 ton = 2000 lb. Time: 1 h = 60 min, 1 min = 60 s, 1 day = 24 h, 1 week = 7 days. A smaller unit gives a bigger number.

Days to hours

3 × 24 = 72 h

Hours to minutes

x = 72 × 60 = 4320 min

Answer

x = 4320 min
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: 4 723/1000

Fractions, decimals and percents are three ways to write the same number. Fraction → decimal: divide the numerator by the denominator. Decimal → percent: multiply by 100 (move the point two places right). Percent → decimal: divide by 100. Decimal → fraction: write the digits over 10, 100 or 1000 (one zero per decimal place) and simplify.

Over a power of ten

0.723 = 723/1000

Simplify

723/1000
4.723 = 4 723/1000

Answer

4 723/1000
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: x = 193 gtt/min

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 ones place

193.371 → 3

Only the next digit decides

193.371 → 3
3 is 4 or less, so 3 stays.
The digits after it (71) are ignored: round once, never step by step.

Round

x = 193 gtt/min

Answer

x = 193 gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: V = 25 mL

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.

Volume per dose

½ tsp = 0.5·5 = 2.5 mL

Whole course

V = 2.5 mL × 2/day × 5 = 25 mL

Answer

V = 25 mL

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