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

Octopuses can change the colour and texture of their skin in less than a second. They use this ability to hide from predators and to sneak up on prey. What are two reasons octopuses change colour?

  1. ATo hide from predators and to sneak up on prey
  2. BTo signal danger to others and to clean their skin
  3. CTo show they are angry and to sleep
  4. DTo attract mates and to keep warm
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard

A study reported that students who slept at least eight hours scored higher on tests than those who slept less. The study included 5000 students from many schools and controlled for age and family income. Why does the author mention the size of the study and the controls?

  1. ATo suggest that the study was too small
  2. BTo prove that sleep is the only cause of good grades
  3. CTo show that family income does not matter in life
  4. DTo show the results are more trustworthy
3.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Medium
12/252 1/126/1254 4/5

Which fraction or mixed number in lowest terms equals the decimal 0.48? Click it.

0.48
  1. 112/25
  2. 22 1/12
  3. 36/125
  4. 44 4/5
4.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard

A recipe uses 12 cups of flour for 6 batches of muffins. At the same rate, how many cups of flour x are needed for 11 batches?

12 : 6x : 11
x = cups
5.Human anatomyMedium

The rotator cuff consists of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and which other muscle?

  1. ADeltoid
  2. BSubscapularis
  3. CTeres major
  4. DLatissimus dorsi
6.Human anatomyHard

In portal hypertension, oesophageal varices form at which portosystemic anastomosis?

  1. ABetween the left gastric vein and the oesophageal tributaries of the azygos vein
  2. BBetween the superior rectal and middle rectal veins
  3. CBetween the paraumbilical veins and the epigastric veins
  4. DBetween the splenic vein and the left renal vein
7.Human physiologyMedium

What causes the first heart sound (S1)?

  1. ABlood filling the atria
  2. BClosure of the aortic and pulmonary valves
  3. COpening of the aortic valve
  4. DClosure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
8.Human physiologyHard

Which substance's clearance is used as the gold standard to measure glomerular filtration rate?

  1. ACreatinine
  2. BInulin
  3. CGlucose
  4. DUrea
9.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium

The genetic code is described as nearly universal. What does this mean?

  1. AAll organisms have exactly the same genes
  2. BThe same codons mean the same amino acids in nearly all organisms
  3. CEvery cell in the body makes the same proteins
  4. DAll organisms have the same number of chromosomes in their cells
10.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard

Why is ATP described as an energy carrier rather than a long-term energy store?

  1. ACells hold only a little and constantly recycle it from ADP
  2. BATP is stored in large amounts in fat tissue
  3. CATP can be made only in plants
  4. DATP contains no energy in its bonds, so it cannot be stored
11.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium

A bag of 5% (w/v) glucose solution (called 5% dextrose in the US) contains 5 g of glucose per 100 mL. How many grams of glucose are in 1 L?

  1. A0.5 g
  2. B5 g
  3. C500 g
  4. D50 g
12.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard

What is the percentage by mass of nitrogen in ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃ (N = 14, H = 1, O = 16; molar mass 80 g/mol)?

  1. A35%
  2. B17.5%
  3. C28%
  4. D60%
13.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium

Which sentence punctuates the city and state correctly?

  1. AShe moved to, Dallas Texas last year.
  2. BShe moved to Dallas Texas, last year.
  3. CShe moved to Dallas, Texas last year.
  4. DShe moved to Dallas, Texas, last year.
14.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard

What is the function of the underlined clause? “The nurse who trained me retired last year.”

  1. AAn independent clause
  2. BAn adjective clause describing “nurse”
  3. CAn adverb clause showing reason
  4. DA noun clause acting as the object
15.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium

Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The nurse delegated the bed bath to a nursing assistant.”

  1. AAssigned it to another person
  2. BCompleted it alone
  3. CRefused to do it
  4. DPut it off until later in the shift
16.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: “The nurse ___ the patient’s concerns and arranged a meeting with the doctor.”

  1. Aexaggerated
  2. Bdismissed
  3. Cconcealed
  4. Dacknowledged

3Solutions

1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Answer: A · To hide from predators and to sneak up on prey

Why this is the answer

The passage names hiding from predators and approaching prey unseen.

Answer

A · To hide from predators and to sneak up on prey
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Answer: D · To show the results are more trustworthy

Why this is the answer

A large sample and controls for other factors make the result more reliable. They do not prove sleep is the only cause.

Answer

D · To show the results are more trustworthy
3.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: 12/25

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

0.48 = 48/100

Simplify

48/100 = 12/25
0.48 = 12/25

Answer

12/25
4.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: x = 22 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

12/6 = x/11

Cross-multiply and solve

6·x = 132
x = 132/6 = 22 cups

Answer

x = 22 cups
5.Human anatomy

Answer: B · Subscapularis

Why this is the answer

SITS: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Teres major is close by but is not part of the cuff.

Answer

B · Subscapularis
6.Human anatomy

Answer: A · Between the left gastric vein and the oesophageal tributaries of the azygos vein

Why this is the answer

At the lower oesophagus, portal blood in the left gastric vein meets systemic blood in the oesophageal veins draining to the azygos system. High portal pressure dilates these veins.

Answer

A · Between the left gastric vein and the oesophageal tributaries of the azygos vein
7.Human physiology

Answer: D · Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves

Why this is the answer

S1 ("lub") is caused by closure of the atrioventricular valves at the start of systole. S2 ("dub") is closure of the semilunar valves.

Answer

D · Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
8.Human physiology

Answer: B · Inulin

Why this is the answer

Inulin is filtered freely and is not reabsorbed or secreted, so its clearance equals GFR exactly. Creatinine is slightly secreted, so it overestimates GFR a little.

Answer

B · Inulin
9.Biology for nursing entrance exams

Answer: B · The same codons mean the same amino acids in nearly all organisms

Why this is the answer

A codon such as AUG means the same thing in bacteria, plants and humans. This shared code is evidence of common ancestry and allows bacteria to make human proteins such as insulin.

Answer

B · The same codons mean the same amino acids in nearly all organisms
10.Biology for nursing entrance exams

Answer: A · Cells hold only a little and constantly recycle it from ADP

Why this is the answer

Cells keep only a small amount of ATP and remake it all the time from ADP and phosphate using energy from respiration. Long-term energy is stored as glycogen and fat.

Answer

A · Cells hold only a little and constantly recycle it from ADP
11.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Answer: D · 50 g

Why this is the answer

% w/v means grams per 100 mL. 1 L = 1000 mL = 10 × 100 mL, so it contains 10 × 5 g = 50 g of glucose.

Answer

D · 50 g
12.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Answer: A · 35%

Why this is the answer

NH₄NO₃ contains 2 N atoms: 2 × 14 = 28 g per 80 g. 28 ÷ 80 × 100 = 35%. Counting only one N gives 17.5%.

Answer

A · 35%
13.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Answer: D · She moved to Dallas, Texas, last year.

Why this is the answer

A comma separates the city from the state, and another comma follows the state when the sentence continues.

Answer

D · She moved to Dallas, Texas, last year.
14.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Answer: B · An adjective clause describing “nurse”

Why this is the answer

A clause starting with who, which or that that describes a noun is an adjective (relative) clause. Here it identifies which nurse retired.

Answer

B · An adjective clause describing “nurse”
15.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Answer: A · Assigned it to another person

Why this is the answer

To delegate is to give a task to another person while staying accountable for the outcome.

Answer

A · Assigned it to another person
16.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Answer: D · acknowledged

Why this is the answer

To acknowledge is to accept or recognise that something exists or is important.

Answer

D · acknowledged

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