TEAS-style practice questions (all four sections): cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 16 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Method

  1. Read the question first so you know what you are looking for.
  2. Skim the passage for its topic and main point; the first or last sentence often states it.
  3. Go back to the exact lines that answer the question.
  4. For inferences, choose the option the clues most strongly support, not one that goes further.
  5. For labels and tables, apply every rule that fits the case and do the small calculation carefully.

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.

Biology for nursing entrance exams

Method

  1. Name the topic of the question: cell parts, transport, division, DNA and protein synthesis, inheritance, biomolecules, microorganisms or experimental design.
  2. 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.
  3. For crosses, write the parents’ genotypes, list the gametes and fill a Punnett square before counting.
  4. For experiments, label the independent, dependent and controlled variables, and ask whether the evidence supports or only suggests the conclusion.
  5. Check each option against the question asked, not just whether it is a true statement.

Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Method

  1. Identify what is given and asked: particles, a formula, a state change, a concentration, a pH or a mass.
  2. Use the periodic table: the atomic number gives protons, the group gives valence electrons and the usual ion charge.
  3. Balance equations with coefficients only, element by element, oxygen and hydrogen last.
  4. For amounts, go mass → moles → mole ratio → moles → mass, and for solutions use M = mol/L and C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
  5. Remember that pH is logarithmic: one unit is a factor of 10.

English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Method

  1. Find the subject and the verb of the sentence before choosing a form.
  2. Strip away phrases (of the …, along with …) and extra people (you and …) to test agreement and pronoun case.
  3. Check each clause: can it stand alone? Join independent clauses with a comma + conjunction or a semicolon.
  4. Check modifiers and lists: the describing phrase next to its word, items in the same form.
  5. For word choice and register, pick the precise, formal and concise option.

Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Method

  1. Read the whole sentence and look for a context clue: a definition, a contrast, an example or a cause and effect.
  2. Split an unfamiliar word into prefix, root and suffix and translate each part.
  3. Read a medical term from the suffix back to the start (hepat-itis: inflammation of the liver).
  4. Put each option into the sentence and check that the meaning still fits.
  5. Choose the meaning used in this sentence, even if the word has another everyday meaning.

2Practice problems

1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Medium

“Unlike email, which can be read at any time, a phone call needs both people to be available at once.” What difference does the sentence describe?

  1. ACalls cost more money than email.
  2. BEmail is always faster than calling.
  3. CCalls need both people free at once.
  4. DEmail can be read only once a day.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard

The author writes: “Our school’s new start time of 9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. has been a success. Attendance is up, and students say they feel more awake. A few parents have complained about later pick-ups.” Which statement best summarises the passage?

  1. AThe school plans to start even earlier next year.
  2. BParents and students all dislike the later start.
  3. CThe later start helps students, but some parents object.
  4. DThe later start has failed, and attendance has fallen sharply.
3.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Medium
b = 18 cmh = 10 cm

A triangle has a base of 18 cm and a height of 10 cm. What is its area A?

b = 18 cmh = 10 cm
A = cm²
4.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard

Overnight the temperature fell by 45 °F. By how many degrees Celsius Δ did it fall?

Δ = 45 °F
Δ = °C
5.Human anatomyMedium

Where does fertilisation most commonly take place?

  1. AOvary
  2. BBody of the uterus
  3. CAmpulla of the uterine tube
  4. DCervix
6.Human anatomyHard

Early appendicitis is often felt as vague pain around the umbilicus. Why?

  1. AThe phrenic nerve carries the pain to the umbilicus
  2. BThe appendix lies directly behind the umbilicus
  3. CInflammation spreads first to the abdominal wall at the navel region
  4. DIts visceral nerves enter the cord at T10, like the umbilical skin
7.Human physiologyMedium

Which is a classic example of positive feedback in the body?

  1. AOxytocin release during labour
  2. BADH release when plasma osmolality rises
  3. CInsulin release after a meal
  4. DSweating when body temperature rises
8.Human physiologyHard

After several days of persistent vomiting of stomach contents, which acid–base disturbance is most likely?

  1. AMetabolic alkalosis
  2. BRespiratory acidosis
  3. CMetabolic acidosis
  4. DRespiratory alkalosis
9.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium

During which phase of mitosis are the sister chromatids pulled to opposite poles?

  1. AProphase
  2. BAnaphase
  3. CInterphase
  4. DMetaphase
10.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard

A scientist wants to show that a particular microbe causes a disease. According to Koch's postulates, which step is needed?

  1. AThe microbe must be found in healthy hosts just as often as in sick hosts
  2. BThe disease must be treated successfully with antibiotics
  3. CThe microbe grown from a sick host must cause the disease in a healthy host
  4. DThe microbe must be seen in the blood under a light microscope
11.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium

How does ionisation energy (the energy needed to remove an outer electron) generally change from left to right across a period?

  1. AIt first falls, then rises sharply
  2. BIt increases
  3. CIt decreases
  4. DIt stays the same
12.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard

Diamond is extremely hard and has a very high melting point. Which explanation is correct?

  1. AIt contains delocalised electrons like a metal
  2. BIt is made of separate small molecules with strong forces between them
  3. CEach carbon is covalently bonded to four others in a giant network
  4. DIt is held together by ionic bonds between C⁺ and C⁻ ions
13.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium

Choose the correct word: “I am ___ to pass the exam.”

  1. Ahopping
  2. Bhoping
  3. Choppeing
  4. Dhopeing
14.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard

Which sentence uses “effect” correctly as a verb?

  1. AStress can effect your health.
  2. BThe new director hopes to effect real change.
  3. CThe medicine effected her sleep badly.
  4. DThe cold weather will effect her mood.
15.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium

Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The test results were inconclusive.”

  1. AClearly negative
  2. BNot leading to a firm answer
  3. CLost by the laboratory before anyone read them
  4. DClearly positive
16.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard

Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The weakness was ipsilateral to the injury.”

  1. AOn both sides
  2. BOn the same side
  3. COn the opposite side
  4. DAbove the injury

3Solutions

1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Answer: C · Calls need both people free at once.

Why this is the answer

The sentence contrasts email, which can be read whenever is convenient, with a phone call, which needs both people available at the same moment.

Answer

C · Calls need both people free at once.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Answer: C · The later start helps students, but some parents object.

Why this is the answer

The passage reports better attendance and alertness, with some parental complaints. Only the first choice includes both the benefits and the objection.

Answer

C · The later start helps students, but some parents object.
3.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: A = 90 cm²

Perimeter, area and volume: the perimeter is the distance around a shape (rectangle: 2l + 2w). Area is measured in square units: rectangle l × w, triangle ½ × base × height, circle π·r². The circumference of a circle is π·d = 2π·r. Volume is in cubic units: box l × w × h, cylinder π·r²·h. Use the value of π the question gives.

Area

A = ½ × 18 × 10 = 90 cm²

Answer

A = 90 cm²
4.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: Δ = 25 °C

Temperature scales: °F = °C × 9/5 + 32 and °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. A temperature change converts without the 32, because the 32 only shifts the zero point: a change of 1 °C is a change of 1.8 °F.

Change only: no 32

Δ = 45 × 5/9 = 25 °C

Answer

Δ = 25 °C
5.Human anatomy

Answer: C · Ampulla of the uterine tube

Why this is the answer

Fertilisation usually occurs in the ampulla of the uterine (fallopian) tube. The embryo then travels to the uterus to implant.

Answer

C · Ampulla of the uterine tube
6.Human anatomy

Answer: D · Its visceral nerves enter the cord at T10, like the umbilical skin

Why this is the answer

Visceral pain from midgut structures is referred to the T10 dermatome around the umbilicus. When the parietal peritoneum becomes inflamed, pain localises to the right iliac fossa.

Answer

D · Its visceral nerves enter the cord at T10, like the umbilical skin
7.Human physiology

Answer: A · Oxytocin release during labour

Why this is the answer

Stretch of the cervix releases oxytocin, which strengthens contractions and causes more stretch. The loop ends with delivery. The other examples are negative feedback.

Answer

A · Oxytocin release during labour
8.Human physiology

Answer: A · Metabolic alkalosis

Why this is the answer

Vomiting removes HCl, and the stomach's acid secretion leaves bicarbonate in the blood. Volume loss and low potassium help keep the alkalosis going.

Answer

A · Metabolic alkalosis
9.Biology for nursing entrance exams

Answer: B · Anaphase

Why this is the answer

In anaphase the centromeres split and spindle fibres pull the sister chromatids to opposite ends. Telophase follows, with new nuclear membranes forming.

Answer

B · Anaphase
10.Biology for nursing entrance exams

Answer: C · The microbe grown from a sick host must cause the disease in a healthy host

Why this is the answer

Koch's postulates require the microbe to be found in sick hosts, grown in pure culture, cause the same disease when given to a healthy host, and be recovered again from that host.

Answer

C · The microbe grown from a sick host must cause the disease in a healthy host
11.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Answer: B · It increases

Why this is the answer

Across a period the nuclear charge rises while the shell stays the same, so electrons are held more tightly and are harder to remove. Ionisation energy therefore increases.

Answer

B · It increases
12.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Answer: C · Each carbon is covalently bonded to four others in a giant network

Why this is the answer

Diamond is a giant covalent (network) structure. Melting it means breaking a huge number of strong covalent bonds, not just weak forces between molecules, so its melting point is very high.

Answer

C · Each carbon is covalently bonded to four others in a giant network
13.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Answer: B · hoping

Why this is the answer

Drop the silent e before -ing: hope → hoping. “Hopping” comes from “hop”, which means to jump.

Answer

B · hoping
14.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Answer: B · The new director hopes to effect real change.

Why this is the answer

“To effect change” means to bring change about. In B, C and D the meaning is “to influence”, which requires “affect”.

Answer

B · The new director hopes to effect real change.
15.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Answer: B · Not leading to a firm answer

Why this is the answer

Inconclusive results do not settle the question, so more tests may be needed.

Answer

B · Not leading to a firm answer
16.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Answer: B · On the same side

Why this is the answer

Ipsilateral means on the same side of the body; contralateral means on the opposite side.

Answer

B · On the same side

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