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.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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
05101520253035nh0246810

The line graph shows the number of people in a waiting room every 2 hours, from hour 0 to hour 10. By how much Δ did the value change from hour 4 to hour 10? Use a negative number for a decrease.

Δ =
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard

A recipe uses 9 cups of flour for 3 batches of muffins. At the same rate, how many cups of flour x are needed for 11 batches?

9 : 3x : 11
x = cups
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
1234567891011121:05 PM?14:0501:0512:0513:05

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose is charted at 1:05 PM. Which entry is the same time on the 24-hour clock? Click it.

1:05 PM
  1. 114:05
  2. 201:05
  3. 312:05
  4. 413:05
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
00:0022:1001:10t = ?

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion starts at 22:10 and finishes at 01:10 the next morning (24-hour clock). How many minutes t did it run?

22:1001:10
t = min

3Solutions

1.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: Δ = 25

Reading charts and tables: read the title, the categories and the scale first. On a bar chart or line graph, follow the top of the bar or the point across to the vertical axis; every gridline is one step of the scale. A pie chart shows parts of a whole: a sector of p% stands for p% of the total and has an angle of p% of 360°.

Read the points

4 h: 5, 10 h: 30

Change

Δ = 30 − 5 = 25

Answer

Δ = 25
2.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: x = 33 cups

Ratios and proportions: a ratio a : b compares two amounts. In a proportion two ratios are equal, a/b = c/d, and you solve it by cross-multiplying: a·d = b·c. To share an amount in the ratio m : n, divide it into m + n equal parts; one share is m parts, the other n parts.

Proportion

9/3 = x/11

Cross-multiply and solve

3·x = 99
x = 99/3 = 33 cups

Answer

x = 33 cups
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: 13:05

24-hour clock: from 1 PM onwards add 12 to the hour (3:45 PM = 15:45). Midnight to 12:59 AM is 00:00–00:59, and 12:00–12:59 PM stays 12:00–12:59. Going back, subtract 12 from hours 13–23 and add PM; hours 00 become 12 AM. Count time across midnight in two parts: up to 24:00 (00:00), then from 00:00 on.

Convert the hour

1 PM → 1 + 12 = 13

Answer

13:05

Answer

13:05
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: t = 180 min

24-hour clock: from 1 PM onwards add 12 to the hour (3:45 PM = 15:45). Midnight to 12:59 AM is 00:00–00:59, and 12:00–12:59 PM stays 12:00–12:59. Going back, subtract 12 from hours 13–23 and add PM; hours 00 become 12 AM. Count time across midnight in two parts: up to 24:00 (00:00), then from 00:00 on.

Before midnight

22:10 → 24:00 = 110 min

After midnight

00:00 → 01:10 = 70 min

Total

t = 110 + 70 = 180 min

Answer

t = 180 min

This is independent practice material. ExamProblems is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organisation that runs this exam, and the exam name is used only to describe the content. ATI TEAS is a trademark of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (ATI), which is not affiliated with ExamProblems and does not endorse it or vouch for its accuracy.

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/teas-math-practice