Ebook Nursing school extrance exam (4/E): Part 1

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CONTENTS
CHAPTER1NursingSchoolEntranceExamPlanner
CHAPTER2TheLearningExpressTestPreparationSystem
CHAPTER3PracticeExamI
CHAPTER4VerbalAbility
CHAPTER5ReadingComprehension
CHAPTER6MathReview
CHAPTER7BiologyReview
CHAPTER8ChemistryReview
CHAPTER9GeneralScienceReview
CHAPTER10PracticeExamII
CHAPTER11PracticeExamIII

ADDITIONALONLINEPRACTICE


CHAPTER1
NURSINGSCHOOLENTRANCE
EXAMPLANNER
CHAPTERSUMMARY
Inthischapter,youwilllearnaboutcareeropportunitiesinnursingand
whattoexpectonthejob,aswellasessentialinformationabout
choosingandgettingintothenursingschoolofyourchoice.Youwillalso
findoutaboutthetypesofentranceteststhatnursingschoolsuseto
selectstudents.

I

fyouenjoycaringforothersandinteractingwithawiderangeofpeople,
andifyoucopewellwhenconfrontedwithchallenges,nursingisagreat
careerchoice.Nursingisalsoasecureprofessionwithexcellentstarting
salariesandverygoodjobprospects.Jobopportunitiesinnursingabound—registeredandlicensedpracticalnursesfillmorethan3.9millionjobs,making
upthelargesthealthcareoccupationinthenation.Andtheneedfornursesis
likelytocontinuetosoar—manyoftoday’snursesarebeginningtoretire,
leavingthousandsofjobopenings.TheU.S.populationasawholeisagingtoo,
andbecauseolderpeoplerequiremorenursingcare,thedemandforskilled
nurseswillingtoworkonthefrontlinesofpatientcarewillalsoincrease.
Technologicaladvancesinmedicalcare,whichallowmoremedicalconditionsto
betreated,andanemphasisonpreventivecarealsocreateagreaterdemandfor
nurses.Asyouconsideryourfutureinnursing,thinkaboutthesefacts:
•Morenewjobsarelikelytobecreatedforregisterednursesthanforany
otheroccupation.
•Employersinsomeareasofthecountryreportanursingshortage,spurring

effortstoattractandkeepnursesonstaff.
•Hospitaloutpatientfacilities—likesame-daysurgerycentersor
rehabilitationcenters—offerthemostrapidgrowthinnursingjobs.


Tobecomeanurse,youneedtopursueoneofthreeeducationalroutes—a
bachelor’sdegree,anassociate’sdegree,orahospitaldiploma.Youmayalso
considerbecomingalicensedpracticalnurse(LPN),whichrequiresonlyone
yearoftraininginavocationalortechnicalschoolandcanbeasteppingstoneto
becomingaregisterednurse.Mostnursingprogramsrequirethatyoutakean
entrancetest,andthat’swherethisbookcomesin.NursingSchoolEntrance
Examwasdesignedfromrealtests,includingtheadmissionstestyouwillfaceto
getintotheprogramofyourchoice.Bytailoringyourstudyplanusingthe
informationinthisbook,youcanachieveyourbestscoreandbeginthepathof
yourdesiredcareer—trainingtobecomeanurse.

CareerOpportunitiesinNursing
Registerednurses(RNs)providedirectpatientcareandserveashealtheducators
topromotewellnessandpreventdisease.Ingivingcare,theymonitorandrecord
patients’symptomsandprogress,givemedications,assistinrehabilitation,and
teachpatientsandfamiliesaboutpropercarepractices.Theyassistphysiciansin
everythingfromroutineexamsandtreatmentstosurgery.Therearelimitsto
whatanursedoes,determinedbystateregulations.Butthefactorthatmost
influencesanurse’sdailyworkloadisthetypeofhealthcarefacilityinwhichhe
orsheworks.Nursesworkinarangeofsettings:hospitals,doctor’soffices,
outpatientsurgicalcenters,nursinghomes,schools,orworksites.Homehealth
nursesevenworkinpatients’homes.Thefollowingisanoverviewofwhatyou
canexpectonthejob,dependingonyourworksetting.
•Hospitalnursesmakeupthelargestgroupofnurses.Theyprovidebedside
careforhospitalizedpatients,observeandrecordsymptoms,and

administertreatmentsandmedications.Theyoftenworkinaspecific
hospitaldepartment,suchaspediatrics,emergencycare,oroncology.
•Officenursesworkindoctorsoffices,clinics,outpatientsurgicalcenters,
andemergencymedicineclinics.Theirjobtasksincludeassistingwith
examsandminorsurgeries,givingmedications,anddressingwounds.


Theymayalsodoofficeworkandmaintainpatientrecords.
•Nursingfacilitynursesprovidecareforresidentsinnursinghomesorlong-termrehabilitationcenters.Theymonitorresidents’progress,develop
treatmentplans,andoverseenursingaidesandlicensedpracticalnurses.
•Homehealthnursesworkinthepatients’ownhomes.Theygive
medications,checkthepatient’sconditionandenvironment,andinstruct
patientsandcaregiversaboutcareandtreatment.Theymaysupervise
homehealthaides.
•Publichealthnursesworkonthecommunitylevelinschools,government
agencies,retirementcommunities,orothersettings.Theyeducatethe
publicabouthealthpromotionanddiseasepreventionstrategiesinareas
likenutrition,smokingcessation,orchildcare.
•Occupationalhealthnursesprovidecaretoemployeesatworklocations,
givingemergencytreatments,providinghealthcounseling,oridentifying
potentialhealthproblemsintheworkenvironment.
MostRNsearnbetween$47,000and$68,000annually,withthehighestpaid
receivingmorethan$80,000annually.Nurseswhoearnedthehighestaverage
salariesworkedinemploymentservices,followedbyhospitals,homehealthcare
services,physicians’offices,andnursingcarefacilities.
Licensedpracticalnurses(LPNs)careforpatientsunderthesupervisionofa
physicianorregisterednurse.Theyprovideroutinebedsidecare,suchastaking
vitalsigns,preparinginjections,applyingdressings,orcollectingtesting
samples.Theyalsoaidpatientswithfeeding,dressing,andbathing.Innursing
facilities,LPNsmayevaluatetheneedsofresidentsandoverseenursingaides.

Inprivateofficesorclinics,theymayberesponsibleforsomeadministrative
work,suchasmakingappointmentsormaintainingrecords.Theaverageyearly
salaryforLPNsisbetween$28,000and$50,000.ThehighestpayingLPN
positionswerefoundinemploymentservices,followedbyhomehealthcare
services,nursingcarefacilities,hospitals,andphysicians’offices.
Workingconditionsfornursesdependonthetypeofhealthcarefacility.For
example,workhoursvaryaccordingtoworksetting.Innursinghomesorlong-termrehabilitationcenterswhereresidentsneedaround-the-clockcare,nurses


mayworknightorweekendshifts.Publichealthnursesandnurseswhoworkin
officesoronindustrialworksitesarescheduledduringregularbusinesshours.
Risksfornursesinhospitalsandclinicsincludecomingincontactwith
patientswhohaveinfectiousdiseases.Nursesmustfollowastandardsetof
precautionstoreducetheirrisksfordiseasesorotherkindsofdanger,like
radiationorchemicalexposure.Nursesarealsosusceptibletobackinjuriesfrom
movingpatients.

WhichNursingProgramIsRightforYou?
Youmayneedtoconsidermanyfactorsinselectingthenursingprogramthatis
rightforyou.Ifyourfinancialsituationistight,youmightchoosetoearnatwo-yearassociate’sdegree,landajobasanurse,andthenusetuitionbenefitsthat
comewithyouremploymenttotakeadditionalcoursesandworktowarda
bachelor’sdegree.Whetheryouareenteringtheworkforcefromhighschoolor
makingamid-careerchangemaybeanotherconsideration.
Oftheprogramsdescribedinthefollowinglist,thebachelor’sdegreeof
scienceinnursing(BSN)offersthemostjobopportunities.Nurseswithbachelor-leveleducationcanmoreeasilyadvanceintheirjobs,andsomepositions—likeadministrativeworkorthoserequiringaclinicalspecialty—may
requireabachelor’sdegreeorevenanadvanceddegree.

CHECKYOURBASICSKILLS
Nursingrequiresarangeofskillsandabilitiestoperformthejobwell.
Nursesfacemanychallengesonthejob—fromheavyworkloadsto

longhoursontheirfeet.Reviewthischecklisttoseeifyoufitthesejob
characteristics.Nursesmust:
•showcaringandsympathy
•lookforwaystohelpothers
•demonstrateemotionalstabilityinstressfulsituations
•havegoodobservationalskills


•havephysicalstamina
•communicateeffectively—talkingandlistening
•beabletodirectandsupervise(RNs)
•beabletofolloworders(LPNs)
•usejudgmentandmakedecisions
•knowhowtosolveproblems
Nursingprogramscombinehands-on,supervisedclinicalexperienceata
healthcarefacilitywithtraditionalcoursework.Inadditiontogeneraleducation
requirements,studentscompletecoursesinanatomy,physiology,microbiology,
chemistry,nutrition,psychology,andnursing.Aftercompletinganursing
program,studentsmustpassalicensingexamtobecomeanurse.Hereisan
overviewofthedegreeprogramsthatpreparestudentsforentry-levelnursepositions:
•DiplomaProgramsarerunbyhospitalsandusuallytakethreeyearsto
complete.Theseprogramsarefewandtheirnumbersaredeclining.To
broadentheirjobopportunities,nursesfromdiplomaprogramsmaylater
opttoearnabachelor’sdegreebycompletingcourseworkinanRN-to-BSNprogram.Staffnursepositionsoftenoffertuitionreimbursement
programstohelpallaythecostofadditionaleducation.
•Associate’sDegreeinNursing(ADN)programsareofferedby
communitycollegesandlastfromtwotothreeyears.Thereareabout750
associate-levelnursingprogramsthroughoutthecountry.ADN-schooled
nursesmayalsolaterchoosetoearnabachelor’sdegreetoincreasetheir
jobchoices.

•ABachelor’sofScienceDegreeinNursing(BSN)takesfouryearsto
completeatacollegeoruniversity.Morethan670programsofferthis
degree.Forpeoplewhohaveearnedabachelor’sdegreeinanotherfield
andareinterestedinbecominganurse,acceleratedBSNprogramsare
available;theygrantcreditfortheliberalartsrequirementsyouhave
alreadycompleted.Theytakefromoneyearto18monthstocomplete.


Tobecomealicensedpracticalnurse(LPN),youmustcompleteastate-approved,one-yeartrainingprogramatatechnicalorvocationalschool,
communitycollege,orhighschool.Youmustalsopassalicensingexam.Ifyou
wanttobecomeanLPNfirst,butwishtocontinueyoureducationtobecomean
RN,youcanenrollinanLPN-to-RNprogram.Theseprogramsgiveyoucredit
foryourLPNcoursework,soyoucanbuilduponyourtrainingtobecomeanRN.
Ontheotherendoftheeducationalspectrumisamasterofscienceinnursing
(MSN).Thesetwo-yearprogramsgivenursestheopportunitytospecializein
clinicaltrainingorresearch.PeopleseekingthisdegreetypicallyhaveaBSNor
anRNlicense.

SelectingaProgramThatMeetsYourNeeds
Someconsiderationsforfindinganursingprogramareobvious.Forexample,
mostapplicantslimittheirsearchbygeographicarea.Somepeopleneedtofind
aschoolwithindrivingdistance;othersarewillingtorelocatetoattendschool.
AnInternetsearchorapublishedlistingofnursingschoolswillhelplocate
schoolsintheareaofyourchoice.
Tuitionisanotherfactorinchoosinganursingschool—costcanvary
dependingonwhethertheinstitutionisprivateorpublic,orwhetheryouqualify
asanin-statestudent.Financialaidavailabilityalsodiffersbyinstitution.When
youresearchschools,collectasmuchinformationaspossibleconsideringthe
factorslistedhere.
•Isitapprovedbythestate?Eachstatedeterminesthestandardsfor

nursingschoolsandapprovesthem.Yourschoolmustbestate-approved.
However,stateapprovaldoesnotmeanthattheinstitutionisaccredited—formoreaboutaccreditation,seethefollowingparagraph.
•Isitaccredited?Accreditationmeansthatanationalaccrediting
organization,suchastheAccreditationCommissionforEducationin
Nursing(ACEN)ortheCommissiononCollegiateNursingEducation
(CCNE),hasdeterminedthatthenursingschoolhasmetcertain


educationalcriteria.Earningyourdegreefromanaccreditedschoolcan
giveyouanedgeinthejobmarket—whenemployersreviewyour
educationalbackground,theyknowyouweretrainedaccordingtoan
establishedsetofstandards.Attendinganaccreditedschoolalsoallows
youtocontinueyoureducationatagraduate-levelaccreditedschool.To
findoutifyourpreferredschoolisaccredited,contactaschool
representativeorgototheACEN’swebsiteatacenursing.org.
•Passrate.Whatpercentageoftheschool’sstudentspassedthenursing
licensingexamaftergraduating?Askaschoolrepresentativefor
informationaboutpassratesfromthelastfiveyears.
•Whatisitsfocus?Considerwhatkindofnursingprograminterestsyou
(forexample,areyouinterestedinaparticularclinicalspecialty?)before
youbeginyourschoolsearch.Afteryouchoosewhatkindofprogram
interestsyou,lookfortheinstitutionsthatareknownforthoseprograms.
•Schoolsizeandclasssize.Doyouwanttheclose-knitcommunityofa
smallschoolorthewidermixofstudentsyouwillfindatalargeschool?
Makesuretoresearchthestudent-to-teacherratiosatprospectiveschools.
Smallerclasssizesoftenmeanmoreattentionfromfaculty.
•Clinicalexperience.Whatkindofclinicalplacementsdoestheschool
offer?Howmuchtimedoesitallotforclinicalexperience?Youcanfind
thisinformationbytalkingtocurrentstudents.

FinancingYourNursingEducation
Planninghowyouaregoingtopayforyournursingeducationisessentialto
yourpreparationprocess.Thecostofnursingeducationcanbeconsiderable—afour-yearprogramatastateuniversitycanbe$14,000ayear,andprivate
schoolscanbemorethantwiceasmuch.Fortunately,manyresourcesoffer
financialassistancetonursingstudents.Financialaidmaybeawardedbasedon
financialneedoronmeritandcomesinthreebasicforms—scholarships,loans,
orstudentemployment.Besuretofilloutafinancialaidformwhenyouapplyto
nursingschool—thisformhelpsschoolsdetermineyourfinancialneed.Planon
visitingthefinancialaidofficeattheschoolofyourchoiceorsearchingthe


Internetforfundingpossibilitiesfromavarietyofsources,suchasthefollowing:
•Government:TheU.S.DepartmentofEducationoffersarangeofloans
andscholarships.TheU.S.militaryalsooffersfinancialaidforservice
people.Stategovernmentsoftenprovideaidforstudentsattendingschool
intheirhomestate.
•Yourprospectiveschool:Checkwiththeschoolofyourchoiceaboutits
scholarships.Inadditiontoaidbasedonyourfinancialneed,youmay
qualifyforamerit-basedgrant,scholarship,orfellowship.
•Youremployer:Findoutifyouremployeroffersscholarshipsortuition
reimbursementbenefitsforeducation.
•Nursingassociations:Statenursingassociationsandnationalprofessional
organizationsareotherpossiblesourcesforfinancialaid.

HowThisBookCanHelpYou
NursingSchoolEntranceExamwillhelpyoumaximizeyourchancesofscoring
highonyourupcomingexam.Preparingforthisimportantadmissionstestdoes
nothavetobeoverwhelming—thisbookwillhelpyouorganizeyourpreparation
processandbreakitdownintomanageablesteps.Notonlydoesitinclude
hundredsofpracticequestionsandanswers,itexplainsstudystrategies,sothat

youcanbetterutilizeyourtimeandmasterthekeyconceptsthatwillappearon
yourexam.Italsoofferstest-takingtips,astudyplanner,andpracticetests
designedfromactualentranceexamsusedbynursingschoolstoday.The
explanatoryanswersthatfollowthesimulatedtestsareastudyguideoftheirown—helpingyouunderstandandreviewessentialideasandterms.The
followingisanoverviewofwhatyoucanexpectineverychapter.
InChapter2,youwilllearnimportanttest-takingstrategies,suchashowto
paceyourselfduringtheexam,whentoguess,andhowtocombattestanxiety.
Thischapterpresentsspecificstudytechniques,givingyouseveralstudy
methodsthatwillhelpincreaseyourunderstandingandretentionofmaterial.
Varyingyourstudymethodswillhelpyouavoidboredominyourstudysessions
andmakeiteasiertolearncomplicatedordifficulttopics.Youwillalsolearn


howtoavoidlast-minutestudying.Besuretoreviewthehelpfulstrategiesinthis
chapterbeforeyoutakethepracticetestsandbegintheself-evaluationprocess
describedlateroninthischapter.

WEBRESOURCES
Formoreinformationaboutfundingsources,checkouttheseWeb
resources:
U.S.DepartmentofEducation
www.ed.gov
Thiswebsitehasanonlinefinancialaidformandoffersfederal
scholarshipinformation.
NationalHealthServiceCorps(NHSC)
/>AdivisionofU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,the
NHSCoffersscholarshipsandloansforstudentswhoagreeto
practiceinamedicallyunderservedarea.
FedMoney.org
www.fedmoney.org

ThisisanonlineguidetoallU.S.federalgovernmentfinancialaid
programs.
AmericanAssociationofCollegesofNursing(AACN)
www.aacn.nche.edu
Inadditiontogivinginformationaboutscholarshipsofferedbythe
AACN,thiswebsitehaslinkstoothergovernmentfundingsourcesas
wellastoothernursingorganizationsthatofferscholarships.
NationalStudentNurses’Association(NSNA)
www.nsna.org
TheNSNAoffersascholarshipprogramfornursingstudentsata
rangeofdegreelevels.


Chapter3containsthefirstofthreepracticeexams.Usethefirstpractice
examasaself-evaluation.Onceyoucompletethispracticetestandscore
yourself,youcandiagnoseyourstrengthsandweaknesses—thoseareasinwhich
youneedmorepreparation.Youcangreatlyincreasetheeffectivenessofyour
preparationbytargetingyourweakestsubjectsandallottingyourstudytimeaccordingly.
Chapters4–9coverthesubjectareasfoundonmostnursingschoolentrance
exams:“VerbalAbility,”“ReadingComprehension,”“Math,”“Biology,”
“Chemistry,”and“GeneralScience.”Eachchapterbreaksdownandorganizes
eachreviewtopic,highlightingimportantterminologyandconceptsthatyou
needtoknowforyourexam.Thebiology,chemistry,andgeneralscience
chapterspresentmaterialinaclear,conciseoutlineform,soyoucaneasily
peruseeachsubtopicandfocusyourattentionwhereyouneeditmost.Atthe
conclusionofeachchapter,youwillfindalistofadditionalresourcestohelp
youreviewtopicscomprehensively.
Eachofthesechaptersalsoprovidesanoverviewofthekindsofquestions
youwillencounterontheexamandhowtotacklethem.Inaddition,youwill
findpracticequestionsthroughout,soyoucanhoneyourtest-takingskillswhile

yourevieweachtopic.
Chapters10and11containthelasttwopracticetests.Thesesampleexams
usemultiple-choicequestionsjustliketheonesyouwillencounteronexamday.
Bytakingthesesimulatedtestsandreviewingtheanswerexplanations,youwill
familiarizeyourselfwiththequestiontypes,testformat,andsubjectmatterso
thatyou’llfeelmorepreparedandconfidentontestingday.Readonformore
aboutdevelopingyourownstudyplan,withsuggestionsaboutwhentotakethe
practicetestssothatyoucancheckyourscoresandstillhaveenoughtimeto
focusontheareasinwhichyouneedtoimprove.

TestOverview
Tobeginpreparingforthetest,youneedanoverviewofthetypeofexamyou
arefacing,andsometipsonhowtousethisbooktoachieveyourbesttestscore.
Schoolshavedifferentrequirementsforadmission,dependingontheinstitution,


yourchoiceofstudy,andwhetheryouareapplyingforaone-yearLPNdegree,a
two-yearRNdegree,afour-yearBSNdegree,ahospitaldiplomaprogram,ora
graduateprogram.Manyaccreditednursingschoolsaskcandidatestopassthe
RegisteredNursingSchoolAptitudeExam(RNSAE),ortheNursesEntrance
Test(NET),ortheEvolveReachAdmissionAssessmentExam(HESIA2),or
theTestofEssentialAcademicSkills(TEAS).CommunitycollegeLPN
programsmayrequireapplicantstotaketheAptitudeforPracticalNursing
Exam(APNE)ortheNationalLeagueofNursingPre-AdmissionExam(PAX).
However,eveniftheschoolofyourchoiceusesanotherexam,youwillmost
likelyneedtodemonstratetheessentialskillscoveredinthisbook.Youmust
showthatyoucancommunicateeffectively,readandunderstandcollege-level
materials,andutilizebasicmathskills.Youmayalsobeaskedtodemonstrate
thatyouhavefundamentalknowledgeofbiology,chemistry,naturalscience,
anatomy,andphysiology.

Contacttheschoolofyourchoiceimmediatelytolearnaboutitsadmissions
requirementsandtestdatesandsitesinyourarea.Thedateswhenthetestis
offeredinyourareamaydeterminewhenyoutaketheexam.However,ifyou
haveachoiceoftestdatesandhavenotalreadyappliedtotaketheexam,donot
applyuntilyouhaveconductedtheself-evaluationoutlinedinthischapter.The
resultsofthatself-evaluationcanhelpyoudecidewhentotaketheexam.
Thefollowingprovidescontactinformationforandanoverviewofthe
commonnursingaptitudetests—theNET,RNSAE,andAPNE.Ifyouknowyou
willneedtotakeoneofthesetests,contactthetestingagenciesineachsection
formoreinformationaboutregistration,testinglocations,anddates.

RegisteredNursingSchoolAptitudeExam(RNSAE)
Nursingprogramsthatofferdegreesrangingfromthebachelor’sleveltoa
master’sdegreemayrequirethatapplicantstaketheRNSAE.Developedbythe
PsychologicalServicesBureau,Inc.,thisexamconsistsoffiveparts,360
questions,andtakesabouttwoandahalfhourstocomplete.Thefirstsectionis
dividedintothreesubsections.
•Part1:AcademicAptitude


Verbal,30questions
Math,30questions
Nonverbal,30questions
•Part2:Spelling,50questions
•Part3:ReadingComprehension,40questions
•Part4:NaturalSciences(Chemistry,Biology,Health),90questions
•Part5:VocationalAdjustment,90questions

AptitudeforPracticalNursingExam(APNE)
ThePsychologicalServicesBureautestforpracticalnursingvariessomewhat

fromtheexamforregisterednursing.Manycommunitycollegeswithpractical
nursingprogramsusetheAPNE.Thisexamalsoconsistsoffiveparts,buthas
370questionsandtakesabouttwohoursandfifteenminutescomplete.
•Part1:AcademicAptitude
Verbal,30questions
Math,30questions
Nonverbal,30questions
•Part2:Spelling,50questions
•Part3:NaturalSciences(Chemistry,Biology,Health),90questions
•Part4:JudgmentandComprehensioninPracticalNursingSituations,50questions
•Part5:VocationalAdjustment,90questions
ToregisterfortheRNSAEortheAPNE,ortolearnabouttestingsites,
contacttheschoolofyourchoice,or:
PsychologicalServicesBureau,Inc.
HealthCareersAptitudeTests
977SeminoleTrail
PMB317
Charlottesville,VA22901
434-293-5865


www.psbtests.com
Email:

NurseEntranceTest(NET)
ManyRNandLPNnursingprogramsusetheNETasapre-admissionstest.This
approximatelytwo-and-a-half-hourtestmeasuresyourabilityintwogeneral
academicareas:yourcriticalreadingabilityandyourknowledgeofbasicmath.
Thetestincludestwoacademicsections:
•Mathematics,60questions

•ReadingComprehension,33questions
Someschoolsrequireadifferentversionofthistestthatincludesawritten
expressionsection.Findoutfromthetrainingprogramofyourchoicewhether
thisisrequired.Ifitis,youwillhaveanadditionalhourtocompletethissection.
Inadditiontoreadingcomprehensionandmathquestions,thebasicNET
includesquestionsthatevaluateyourlearningstyle,stress,andsocialskills.
Thesenonacademicsectionsincludethefollowing:Test-TakingSkills(30
questions);StressLevel(45questions);SocialInteractionProfile(30questions);
andLearningStyle(50questions).Thesesectionsarenotusedtodetermine
whetheryouwillbeacceptedintoanursingschool.Thepurposeofthese
sectionsistohelplearninginstitutionsafterastudenthasbeenacceptedtotheirprogram—itaidstheschoolinconsideringhowastudentwillbestlearn—andto
increasethelikelihoodthatastudentwillcompletetheprogramsuccessfully.

NationalLeagueforNursingPre-AdmissionExamination(NLN
PAX)
TheNationalLeagueforNursing(NLN)pre-admissionexaminationfor
practical/vocationalnursing(PAXPN/VN)isarequirementformanypractical
orvocationalnursingprograms.You’rerequiredtohaveahighschooldiploma
orGED®testequivalentinadditiontoapassingscore.Eachsectionlastsfor
onehour,andyoushouldplan31/2–4hourstocompleteit.Theexammayalso
containextraquestionsbeingdevelopedforfuturetests.


Verbalskills:80questions
Mathematics:54questions
Science:80questions
TheVerbalsectionincludesworkingknowledge,grammar,vocabulary,and
readingcomprehension.TheMathsectionincludesarithmetic,basicalgebra,
geometry,graphs,anddatainterpretation.TheSciencesectionincludeshighschoollevelbiology,chemistry,anatomyandphysiology,andEarthscience.The
exammayalsoincludeasectiononhealthandfirstaid.

Formoreinformation,contacttheNationalLeagueforNursing:
NationalLeagueforNursing
TheWatergate
2600VirginiaAvenue,NW
Eighthfloor
Washington,DC20037
800-669-1656
www.nlnonlinetesting.org/PAX
IfyouknowyouneedtotaketheNET,contacttheschoolyouareapplyingto
orthetestingagencyformoreinformationaboutthetest:
EducationalResources,Inc.
7500West160thStreet
Stilwell,KS66085
800-667-7531

EvolveReachAdmissionAssessmentExam(HESIA2)
TheHESIA2testisoftenrequiredasanentranceexaminationtoanaccredited
nursingprogram.Eachschoolrequiresthespecificsectionsitwouldlikeits
applicantstocomplete.Thisguidewillhelpyouprepforthebasicskillsportions
oftheHESI,alongwiththebiology,chemistry,andanatomyandphysiology


content.
TheacademicportionoftheHESIA2examconsistsofthefollowing:
•Mathematics,50questions
•ReadingComprehension,47questions
•VocabularyandGeneralKnowledge,50questions
•Grammar,50questions
•Chemistry,50questions
•AnatomyandPhysiology,25questions

•Biology,25questions
•Physics,25questions(radiographystudentsonly)

TestofEssentialAcademicSkills(TEAS)
NursingschoolssometimesrequirethatstudentstaketheTEAS,whichcan
predictwhetherornotstudentshavetheskillsrequiredfornursingschooland
NCLEX-RNorPNsuccess.DevelopedbyATINursingEducation,thisexamis
amultiple-choiceassessmentofbasicacademicknowledgeinreading,
mathematics,science,andEnglish.
TheTEASconsistsofatotalof170questions:
•TheMathsubtest,45questions
•TheSciencesubtest,30questions
•TheEnglishsubtest,55questions
•TheReadingsubtest,40questions


CHAPTER2
THELEARNINGEXPRESSTEST
PREPARATIONSYSTEM
CHAPTERSUMMARY
Takinganursingschoolentranceexamcanbetough,andyourcareerin
nursingdependsonyourpassingtheexam.TheLearningExpressTest
PreparationSystem,developedexclusivelyforLearningExpressby
leadingtestexperts,givesyouthedisciplineandattitudeyouneedto
succeed.

F

irst,thebadnews:Takingthenursingschoolentranceexamisno
picnic,andneitherisgettingreadyforit.Yourfuturecareerdependson

passingthetest,butthereareallsortsofpitfallsthatcankeepyoufrom
doingyourbestonthisall-importantexam.Herearesomeoftheobstaclesthat
canstandinthewayofyoursuccess:
•Beingunfamiliarwiththeformatoftheexam
•Beingparalyzedbytestanxiety
•Leavingyourpreparationtothelastminute
•Notpreparingatall!
•Notknowingvitaltest-takingskills:howtopaceyourselfthroughthe
exam,howtousetheprocessofelimination,andwhentoguess
•Notbeingintip-topmentalandphysicalshape
•Arrivinglateatthetestsite,havingtoworkonanemptystomach,or
shiveringthroughtheexambecausetheroomiscold
What’sthecommondenominatorinallthesetest-takingpitfalls?Oneword:
control.Who’sincontrol:youortheexam?
Nowthegoodnews:TheLearningExpressTestPreparationSystemputsyou
incontrol.Injustnineeasy-to-followsteps,youwilllearneverythingyouneed


toknowtomakesurethatyouareinchargeofyourpreparationandyour
performanceontheexam.Othertesttakersmayletthetestgetthebetterof
them;othertesttakersmaybeunpreparedoroutofshape—butnotyou.You
willhavetakenallthestepsyouneedtotaketogetahighscoreonthenursing
schoolentranceexam.
Here’showtheLearningExpressTestPreparationSystemworks:Nineeasy
stepsleadyouthrougheverythingyouneedtoknowanddotomasteryour
exam.Eachofthestepslistedbelowincludesbothreadingaboutthestepand
oneormoreactivities.Itisimportantthatyoudotheactivitiesalongwiththe
reading,oryouwon’tbegettingthefullbenefitofthesystem.
Step1.GetInformation
Step2.ConquerTestAnxiety

Step3.MakeaPlan
Step4.LearntoManageYourTime
Step5.LearntoUsetheProcessofElimination
Step6.KnowWhentoGuess
Step7.ReachYourPeakPerformanceZone
Step8.GetYourActTogether
Step9.DoIt!
Ifyouhaveseveralhours,youcanworkthroughthewhole LearningExpress
TestPreparationSysteminonesitting.Otherwise,youcanbreakitupanddo
justoneortwostepsadayforthenextseveraldays.Itisuptoyou—remember,
youareincontrol.

Step1:GetInformation
Activities:ReadChapter1,“NursingSchoolEntranceExamPlanner,”and
usethesuggestionstheretofindoutaboutyourrequirements.
Knowledgeispower.Therefore,first,youhavetofindouteverythingyoucan
aboutthenursingschoolentranceexam.Onceyouhaveyourinformation,the


nextstepswillshowyouwhattodoaboutit.

PartA:StraightTalkabouttheNursingSchoolEntranceExam
Whydoyouhavetotakethisexam,anyway?Becauseanincreasingnumberof
peopleneedthekindofcarethatonlyanursecanprovide.And,sincemoreand
morepeopleneedtheseservices,thereisgrowingconcernaboutthequalityof
carethepatientsreceive.Onewaytotrytoensurequalityofcareistotestthe
peoplewhogivethatcaretofindoutiftheyhavebeenwelltrained.Andthat’s
whyyourstateortheagencyyouwanttoworkformayrequireyoutotakea
writtenexam.
Itisimportantforyoutorememberthatyourscoreonthewrittenexamdoes

notdeterminehowsmartyouareorevenwhetheryouwillmakeagoodnurse.
Thereareallkindsofthingsawrittenexamlikethiscan’ttest:whetheryouare
likelytoshowuplateorcallinsickalot,whetheryoucanbepatientwitha
tryingclient,orwhetheryoucanbetrustedwithconfidentialinformationabout
people’shealth.Thosekindsofthingsarehardtoevaluateonawrittenexam,
thoughmanyexamshavesectionsthatattempttoassessyourpersonalitytraits
andlifestylehabits.
Thisisnottosaythatcorrectlyansweringthequestionsonthewrittenexam
isnotimportant!Theknowledgetestedontheexamisknowledgeyouwillneed
todoyourjob,andyourabilitytoentertheprofessionforwhichyouhave
traineddependsonyourpassingthisexam.Andthat’swhyyouarehere—to
achievecontrolovertheexam.

PartB:What’sontheTest
Ifyouhaven’talreadydoneso,stophereandreadChapter1ofthisbook,which
givesyouanoverviewofthewrittenexam.Later,youwillhavetheopportunity
totakethesamplepracticeexamsinChapters3,10,and11.

Step2:ConquerTestAnxiety
Activity:TaketheTestAnxietyQuiz.


Havingcompleteinformationabouttheexamisthefirststepingettingcontrol
oftheexam.Next,youhavetoovercomeoneofthebiggestobstaclestotest
success:testanxiety.Testanxietycannotonlyimpairyourperformanceonthe
examitself;itcanevenkeepyoufrompreparing!Inthisstep,youwilllearn
stressmanagementtechniquesthatwillhelpyousucceedonyourexam.Learn
thesestrategiesnow,andpracticethemasyoucompletetheexamsinthisbook
sothattheywillbesecondnaturetoyoubyexamday.

ManagingTestAnxiety
Thefirstthingyouneedtoknowisthatalittletestanxietyisagoodthing.
Everyonegetsnervousbeforeabigexam—andifthatnervousnessmotivates
youtopreparethoroughly,somuchthebetter.Manywell-knownpeople
throughouthistoryhaveexperiencedanxietyornervousness—fromperformers
suchasactorSirLaurenceOlivierandsingerArethaFranklintowriterssuchas
CharlotteBrontëandAlfredLordTennyson.Infact,anxietyprobablygavethem
alittleextraedge—justthekindofedgeyouneedtodowell,whetheronastage
orinanexaminationroom.
StophereandcompletetheTestAnxietyQuiztofindoutwhetheryourlevel
oftestanxietyissomethingyoushouldworryabout.

StressManagementBeforetheTest
Ifyoufeelyourlevelofanxietygettingthebestofyouintheweeksbeforethe
test,hereiswhatyouneedtodotobringtheleveldownagain:
•Prepare.There’snothinglikeknowingwhattoexpectandbeingprepared
forittoputyouincontroloftestanxiety.That’swhyyouarereadingthis
book.Useitfaithfully,andremindyourselfthatyouarebetterprepared
thanmostofthepeopletakingthetest.
•Practiceself-confidence.Apositiveattitudeisagreatwaytocombattest
anxiety.Thisisnotimetobehumbleorshy.Standinfrontofthemirror
andsaytoyourreflection,“I’mprepared.I’mfullofself-confidence.I’m
goingtoacethistest.IknowIcandoit.”Ifyouhearitoftenenough,you
willcometobelieveit.


•Fightnegativemessages.Everytimesomeonestartstellingyouhowhard
theexamisorhowitisalmostimpossibletogetahighscore,starttelling
themyourself-confidencemessagesabove.Ifthesomeonewiththe
negativemessagesisyoutellingyourselfyoudon’tdowellonexamsor

youjustcan’tdothis,don’tlisten.
•Visualize.Imagineyourselfreportingfordutyonyourfirstdayasanurse.
Thinkofyourselfhelpingpatientsandmakingthemmorecomfortable.
Imaginecominghomewithyourfirstpaycheck.Visualizingsuccesscan
helpmakeithappen—anditremindsyouofwhyyouareworkingsohard
topasstheexam.
•Exercise.Physicalactivityhelpscalmdownyourbodyandfocusyour
mind.Besides,beingingoodphysicalshapecanactuallyhelpyoudowell
ontheexam.Goforarun,liftweights,orgoswimming—anddoit
regularly.

TESTANXIETYQUIZ
Youneedtoworryabouttestanxietyonlyifitisextremeenoughto
impairyourperformance.Thefollowingquestionnairewillprovidea
diagnosisofyourleveloftestanxiety.Intheblankbeforeeach
statement,writethenumberthatmostaccuratelydescribesyour
experience.
0=Never
1=Onceortwice
2=Sometimes
3=Often
___IhavegottensonervousbeforeanexamthatIsimplyputdown
thebooksanddidn’tstudyforit.
___Ihaveexperienceddisablingphysicalsymptoms,suchas
vomitingandsevereheadaches,becauseIwasnervousaboutan
exam.
___IhavesimplynotshowedupforanexambecauseIwasscaredto