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

“Although the hiking trail was steep and rocky, the view from the top made the climb worthwhile.” What does the author suggest?

  1. AThe hikers decided not to reach the top.
  2. BThe trail was easy and flat all the way.
  3. CThe view was disappointing after the climb.
  4. DThe view was worth the difficult climb.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard

“Discharge note: Walk for 10 minutes three times a day in week 1. Increase to 20 minutes three times a day in week 2. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 kg (about 11 lb) for 6 weeks.” Which activity is allowed in week 2?

  1. AWalking 60 minutes without a rest
  2. BCarrying a 10 kg bag of shopping
  3. CLifting a 7 kg box onto a shelf
  4. DWalking 20 minutes three times a day
3.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Medium

Solve for x: 3x + 8 = 17.

3x + 8 = 17
x =
4.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)Hard
6 1/2022 3/137 9/401 3/5

Work out 3 2/5 × 2 1/8. Click the answer in lowest terms.

3 2/5 × 2 1/8
  1. 16 1/20
  2. 222 3/13
  3. 37 9/40
  4. 41 3/5
5.Human anatomyMedium

Which artery is most commonly used to feel the pulse at the wrist?

  1. ABrachial artery
  2. BRadial artery
  3. CAxillary artery
  4. DUlnar artery
6.Human anatomyHard

A stroke affecting the left middle cerebral artery in a right-handed person most likely causes:

  1. ARight-sided weakness and left visual neglect
  2. BRight-sided weakness and aphasia
  3. CIsolated loss of balance
  4. DLeft-sided weakness and aphasia
7.Human physiologyMedium

Which hormone increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts of the kidney?

  1. AAtrial natriuretic peptide
  2. BAldosterone
  3. CParathyroid hormone
  4. DAntidiuretic hormone (ADH)
8.Human physiologyHard

A patient with small-cell lung cancer has low plasma sodium and low plasma osmolality but inappropriately concentrated urine. What is the most likely explanation?

  1. AAddison's disease with high aldosterone
  2. BPrimary hyperaldosteronism
  3. CSyndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
  4. DCranial diabetes insipidus
9.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium

What do the spindle fibres do during cell division?

  1. AThey attach to chromosomes and move them to the poles
  2. BThey digest the old cell membrane
  3. CThey copy the DNA of each chromosome before the cell divides
  4. DThey make the new nuclear envelope
10.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard

Fertiliser washes from farmland into a lake. Algae grow rapidly, then die, and later many fish die. What is the main cause of the fish deaths?

  1. ABacteria decomposing the dead algae use up the oxygen
  2. BThe fish eat too many algae and become ill
  3. CThe algae release carbon dioxide that poisons fish
  4. DThe fertiliser is directly poisonous to fish
11.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium

When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, how do its mass number and atomic number change?

  1. AMass number falls by 2 and atomic number falls by 4
  2. BMass number stays the same and atomic number rises by 1
  3. CMass number falls by 4 and atomic number falls by 2
  4. DNeither changes
12.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard

In the equation N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃, how many grams of ammonia (17 g/mol) can be made from 1 mol of N₂ with excess hydrogen?

  1. A28 g
  2. B51 g
  3. C17 g
  4. D34 g
13.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium

Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly?

  1. AThe nurse said “Please take a seat.
  2. BThe nurse said, “Please take a seat”.
  3. CThe nurse said, “Please take a seat.”
  4. DThe nurse said, Please take a seat.”
14.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb in a list of past actions?

  1. AShe checked the vitals, records them and called the doctor.
  2. BShe checks the vitals, recorded them and call the doctor.
  3. CShe checked the vitals, recorded them and called the doctor.
  4. DShe checked the vitals, recording them and calls the doctor.
15.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium

Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The nurse noted a deficit in the patient’s memory.”

  1. AA surplus
  2. BA strength
  3. CA low score on a written memory test
  4. DA shortfall or loss of ability
16.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard

Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The tumour had metastasised to the liver.”

  1. AShrunk after treatment
  2. BTurned into a cyst
  3. CBeen removed by surgery
  4. DSpread from its original site

3Solutions

1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Answer: D · The view was worth the difficult climb.

Why this is the answer

The sentence admits the trail was hard but says the view made it worthwhile, so the reward outweighed the effort.

Answer

D · The view was worth the difficult climb.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)

Answer: D · Walking 20 minutes three times a day

Why this is the answer

In week 2, walking 20 minutes three times a day is advised. Lifting more than 5 kg is not allowed for 6 weeks, and one 60-minute walk goes beyond the plan.

Answer

D · Walking 20 minutes three times a day
3.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: x = 3

Solving equations: do the same thing to both sides until x stands alone. Undo operations in reverse order: first undo addition or subtraction, then multiplication or division. Clear parentheses with the distributive property, a(x + b) = ax + ab, and collect the x terms on one side. Check the answer by substituting it back.

Subtract 8 from both sides.

3x = 9

Divide both sides by 3.

x = 3

Check

3·3 + 8 = 17

Answer

x = 3
4.Pre-nursing math (entrance exam)

Answer: 7 9/40

Multiplying and dividing fractions: first turn mixed numbers into improper fractions (2 1/3 = 7/3). To multiply, multiply the numerators and the denominators. To divide, keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, and flip the second fraction (multiply by its reciprocal). Cancel common factors and write the result in lowest terms as a mixed number.

Improper fractions

3 2/5 = 17/5
2 1/8 = 17/8

Multiply

17/5 × 17/8 = 289/40

Simplify

289/40 = 7 9/40

Answer

7 9/40
5.Human anatomy

Answer: B · Radial artery

Why this is the answer

The radial artery lies superficially on the thumb side of the wrist, against the radius, which makes the pulse easy to feel.

Answer

B · Radial artery
6.Human anatomy

Answer: B · Right-sided weakness and aphasia

Why this is the answer

The left MCA supplies the left motor cortex (face and arm of the right side) and Broca's and Wernicke's areas, so right hemiparesis with aphasia is typical.

Answer

B · Right-sided weakness and aphasia
7.Human physiology

Answer: D · Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Why this is the answer

ADH (vasopressin) from the posterior pituitary inserts aquaporin-2 channels, making the collecting duct permeable to water and concentrating the urine.

Answer

D · Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
8.Human physiology

Answer: C · Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion

Why this is the answer

In SIADH excess ADH makes the kidneys retain water, diluting the plasma while urine stays concentrated. Small-cell lung cancer can secrete ADH.

Answer

C · Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
9.Biology for nursing entrance exams

Answer: A · They attach to chromosomes and move them to the poles

Why this is the answer

Spindle fibres are microtubules that attach to the centromeres. They line chromosomes up at metaphase and then pull sister chromatids (or homologous chromosomes in meiosis I) to opposite poles.

Answer

A · They attach to chromosomes and move them to the poles
10.Biology for nursing entrance exams

Answer: A · Bacteria decomposing the dead algae use up the oxygen

Why this is the answer

This is eutrophication. Extra nutrients cause an algal bloom. When the algae die, bacteria decompose them and use large amounts of dissolved oxygen, so fish suffocate.

Answer

A · Bacteria decomposing the dead algae use up the oxygen
11.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Answer: C · Mass number falls by 4 and atomic number falls by 2

Why this is the answer

Losing 2 protons and 2 neutrons lowers the mass number by 4 and the atomic number by 2, so a new element forms two places earlier in the periodic table.

Answer

C · Mass number falls by 4 and atomic number falls by 2
12.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams

Answer: D · 34 g

Why this is the answer

The mole ratio N₂ : NH₃ is 1 : 2, so 2 mol × 17 g/mol = 34 g of ammonia.

Answer

D · 34 g
13.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Answer: C · The nurse said, “Please take a seat.”

Why this is the answer

A direct quotation is enclosed in a pair of quotation marks, introduced by a comma, and in American style the period goes inside.

Answer

C · The nurse said, “Please take a seat.”
14.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)

Answer: C · She checked the vitals, recorded them and called the doctor.

Why this is the answer

All three verbs should be in the simple past to keep both the tense and the structure consistent.

Answer

C · She checked the vitals, recorded them and called the doctor.
15.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Answer: D · A shortfall or loss of ability

Why this is the answer

A deficit is a lack or impairment, such as a neurological deficit after a stroke.

Answer

D · A shortfall or loss of ability
16.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)

Answer: D · Spread from its original site

Why this is the answer

To metastasise (US: metastasize) is for cancer to spread from where it started to another part of the body.

Answer

D · Spread from its original site

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