The reading comprehension section tests your ability to understand written passages and answer questions based on what you've read. Success requires mastering five core skills that work together to help you comprehend complex medical and scientific texts.
The main idea is the central point or primary message of a passage. Supporting details are facts, examples, and explanations that develop and prove the main idea.
Inference means drawing a logical conclusion based on stated information and what you already know. Implied meaning is information the author suggests without directly stating it.
Words often have multiple meanings. Context clues help determine which definition applies in a specific passage.
Purpose answers "Why did the author write this?" Tone reflects the author's attitude toward the subject.
Understanding how a passage is organized helps you locate information and understand relationships between ideas.
| Organization Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Chronological | Events presented in time order |
| Problem-Solution | Issue presented, then solutions explained |
| Cause-Effect | Why something happened and what resulted |
| Compare-Contrast | Similarities and differences between ideas |
| Descriptive | Details about a topic without narrative flow |
Test Strategy: Skim the passage first to identify its organization, then read carefully while taking brief notes. This approach saves time and improves comprehension on complex medical material.
Rule: The verb must agree in number with its subject (singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs).
Key rules: Pronouns must agree with their antecedent (the noun they replace) in number and gender. Use objective pronouns (him, her, them) as objects and subjective pronouns (he, she, they) as subjects.
| Punctuation | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Comma | Separate independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions; list items; set off introductory phrases | The patient was admitted, and the nurse documented vital signs. |
| Semicolon | Join two independent clauses; separate items in complex lists | The procedure was successful; the patient recovered quickly. |
| Colon | Introduce lists, explanations, or quotes | The patient reported three symptoms: fever, nausea, and fatigue. |
| Apostrophe | Show possession or contractions; NOT for plurals | The nurse's assessment; the patients' rooms (plural possession) |
Avoid run-on sentences: Join independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions, semicolons, or subordinating conjunctions. Avoid fragments: Ensure each sentence has a subject and complete verb.
Select words that convey exact meaning. Avoid redundancy, vague language, and commonly confused words (their/there/they're; affect/effect; complement/compliment). Use active voice when possible: "The nurse administered medication" rather than "Medication was administered by the nurse."
Strong mathematical skills are essential for nursing practice, particularly in medication administration and patient care calculations. The math section of nursing entrance exams tests your ability to solve practical problems using fundamental mathematical concepts.
These three formats are interconnected and frequently appear on entrance exams. Key conversions:
Example: 3/4 = 0.75 = 75%. When adding or subtracting fractions, find a common denominator. For multiplication, multiply numerators together and denominators together, then simplify.
Ratios compare two quantities, while proportions state that two ratios are equal. Use the cross-multiplication method to solve proportion problems: if a/b = c/d, then ad = bc.
Practical example: If a medication concentration is 5 mg/2 mL, how many mL are needed for a 15 mg dose? Set up: 5/2 = 15/x, then cross-multiply to get 5x = 30, so x = 6 mL.
Nursing requires converting between measurement systems (metric, household, apothecary). Essential conversions:
| Metric | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 kilogram (kg) | 2.2 pounds (lbs) |
| 1 liter (L) | 1000 milliliters (mL) |
| 1 gram (g) | 1000 milligrams (mg) |
Use dimensional analysis for conversions: write the known value, then multiply by conversion factors arranged so units cancel.
Solve for unknown variables by isolating the variable on one side of the equation. Use inverse operations: addition/subtraction for additive terms and multiplication/division for multiplicative terms.
Entrance exams include graphs, tables, and charts requiring you to extract and analyze data. Practice reading bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts. Calculate percentages, averages, and rates from presented data. Pay close attention to axis labels and legends to avoid misinterpretation.
Test-taking tip: Always double-check unit labels in dosage calculations and ensure your answer makes practical sense in a clinical context.
All living organisms are composed of cells, the fundamental units of life. The two main cell types are prokaryotic (bacteria, lacking a nucleus) and eukaryotic (animals, plants, fungi, with a membrane-bound nucleus).
Key cell structures:
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries genetic instructions. It consists of four nucleotide bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). A pairs with T; G pairs with C. During DNA replication, the double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template for a new strand.
Matter is composed of atoms—the smallest units of an element. Atoms contain protons (positive charge), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negative charge) in electron shells.
Key chemistry concepts:
Force, motion, and energy are central to physics on the nursing exam.
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Force | Push or pull; measured in Newtons (N). F = ma (mass × acceleration) |
| Motion | Change in position; velocity is speed with direction |
| Energy | Capacity to do work. Kinetic (motion) and potential (stored) energy |
| Pressure | Force per unit area; P = F/A. Important in blood pressure |
Know the major organ systems: circulatory, respiratory, nervous, digestive, endocrine, immune, muscular, and skeletal. Understand how organs work together to maintain homeostasis.
Pathogens include bacteria (single-celled prokaryotes), viruses (require host cells), fungi, and parasites. Bacteria reproduce through binary fission; viruses cannot replicate independently. Understanding infection control and disease transmission is essential for nursing practice.
Critical thinking is the foundation of safe nursing practice. On the entrance exam, you'll demonstrate your ability to analyze information, identify patterns, and make sound decisions in clinical scenarios. This skill set directly predicts success in nursing school coursework and clinical competency.
Nursing decisions follow predictable logical structures. Understanding these patterns helps you work through complex problems systematically.
Assumptions are unstated beliefs underlying an argument. Strong critical thinking requires recognizing what is assumed versus what is proven.
| Element | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assumption | Unstated belief accepted as true | "Patient education improved compliance" assumes the patient understood the education |
| Evidence | Observable, measurable facts | Blood pressure readings, lab values, patient statements |
| Bias | Prejudgment affecting objectivity | Assuming elderly patients cannot learn new technologies |
Apply this systematic approach to clinical scenarios on the exam:
Nursing rarely offers perfect information. Develop comfort with reasonable decision-making despite incomplete data by prioritizing patient safety, consulting evidence-based guidelines, and seeking additional information when time permits. When multiple answers seem correct, choose the option that best addresses the most critical patient need or represents the safest intervention.