Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam Study Guide & Prep Tips 2026 October
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What Is the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam?
The Kaplan Nursing Admission Test — sometimes called the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam — is a standardized admissions assessment used by nursing schools to evaluate applicants' academic readiness. It's not the same as the HESI or TEAS. It's Kaplan's own exam, and schools that use it do so specifically because they trust its scoring to predict nursing school success.
If you're applying to a school that requires the Kaplan exam, you need to understand what's on it, how it's scored, and how to prepare. This guide covers all of that — including how to study for the Kaplan nursing entrance exam efficiently so you're not wasting time on the wrong material.
What's on the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam?
The exam tests four primary subjects. You need to prepare for all of them, though the relative weight varies:
- Reading Comprehension: Passages followed by questions testing your ability to identify main ideas, make inferences, and understand relationships between ideas. No prior content knowledge required — the answers are in the passage.
- Writing: Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraph organization. You'll need to identify errors and select corrections.
- Math: Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, basic algebra, and some applied math problems. Calculator use may or may not be permitted — check with your school.
- Science: Biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology at a general college level. This is the section most applicants need the most preparation on.
Some versions include a Critical Thinking section as well. Ask your school which version of the Kaplan exam they administer — the content outline can vary slightly between versions.
Where to Take the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam
The Kaplan exam is administered either at your nursing school directly or through a Kaplan testing center. Most schools proctor it on-site. Contact your admissions office to find out the testing dates, registration process, and whether you can take it remotely or in-person only.
Registration typically goes through your school's admissions process — you don't usually register directly through Kaplan's website. Your school will provide the exam access code or scheduling link after you apply for admission.
Key Takeaway: NEX certification demonstrates expertise in this field. Most candidates spend 4-8 weeks preparing with practice tests before taking the exam.
How to Study for the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam
The most effective prep approach depends on which sections are your weakest. Here's how to approach each one:
Reading Comprehension
You don't study content for reading comprehension — you study technique. Practice reading dense, clinical passages quickly and identifying the main point. Work on distinguishing what the passage says from what you infer. Timed practice is essential here; many students run out of time on this section despite finding the material accessible.
Writing
Grammar rules matter. Focus on subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, comma usage, and common sentence structure errors. If grammar isn't your strength, go back to basics — a grammar review workbook covers exactly what you need. Don't assume you know this section because English is your first language; the questions are designed to trip up native speakers on edge cases.
Math
The math is high school level, but if you haven't done it recently, it needs practice. Fractions, percentages, ratios, and unit conversions show up consistently. If you're applying to a nursing program, you'll also encounter dosage calculation concepts — brush up on those specifically. Work through problems without a calculator first so you're not dependent on one during the actual exam.
Science
This section takes the most prep time for most applicants. Biology and A&P are the heaviest hitters. Cell structure, organ systems, metabolic processes, and basic chemistry (atomic structure, chemical bonds, reactions) all appear. Review your college-level bio and A&P notes if you have them. If you don't, a good A&P review book covers the major systems efficiently.
How to Pass the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam
Most nursing schools set their own minimum score requirements for the Kaplan exam — there's no universal passing score. Common minimums are in the 65–75% range overall, but competitive programs may require higher. Ask your school what score is needed for consideration and what score puts you in the accepted range.
A few key strategies:
Take a diagnostic first. Before you start studying, take a full practice test under real conditions. It tells you where you are right now and which sections to prioritize. Studying without a baseline is guesswork.
Study in chunks, not marathons. Three focused 45-minute sessions beat one 3-hour grind. Consistent daily review over several weeks produces better retention than cramming.
Use practice tests as study tools. When you get a question wrong, figure out why — not just what the right answer is. Understanding your reasoning errors is how you actually improve.
The nursing entrance exam section on this site covers the broader landscape of nursing admissions tests. If your school uses the Kaplan specifically, focus your prep there — the content overlaps somewhat with HESI and TEAS but the format and weighting differ enough to matter.
Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam vs. HESI vs. TEAS
These three exams are the main nursing entrance assessments. The TEAS (ATI) is the most widely used nationally. The HESI is common at hospital-affiliated programs. The Kaplan exam is used by schools that have specifically partnered with Kaplan.
If your school accepts multiple exams, pick the one you can score highest on given your strengths. The Kaplan exam tends to have a slightly shorter science section than the TEAS, but its reading and writing components are comparable. Check the specific version your school administers before making that call.
For nursing school admissions prep more broadly, the underlying content — biology, A&P, algebra, reading comprehension — transfers across all three exams. Build that content foundation and you'll be in good shape regardless of which test you sit.
The NEX exam uses a multiple-choice format with questions covering all major domains. Most versions allow 2-3 hours for completion.
Questions test both knowledge recall and application skills. A score of 70-75% is typically required to pass.
NEX: Pros and Cons
- +NEX exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains
- +Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients
- +Study materials and practice tests are widely available
- +Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers
- +Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it
- −Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date
- −Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods
- −Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials
- −Testing center availability may require advance scheduling
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| NEX exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains | Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it |
| Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients | Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date |
| Study materials and practice tests are widely available | Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods |
| Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers | Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials |
| Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively | Testing center availability may require advance scheduling |
Sample Nursing Entrance Exam Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free Nursing Entrance Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What is one key benefit of creating a study schedule when preparing for a nursing entrance exam?
- A. It allows for last-minute cramming
- B. It helps allocate specific time slots for different subjects and ensures balanced preparation
- C. It eliminates the need for practice tests
- D. It reduces the amount of material to study
Answer: B. It helps allocate specific time slots for different subjects and ensures balanced preparation
A well-structured study schedule is essential for comprehensive exam preparation. It allows candidates to systematically cover all required subjects, dedicating appropriate time to each based on their strengths and weaknesses. This balanced approach prevents neglecting certain topics, ensures consistent progress, and helps manage time effectively, leading to more thorough and less stressful preparation.
What is the recommended study timeline for preparing for a nursing entrance exam?
- A. 1-2 days before the exam
- B. 4-8 weeks of structured preparation
- C. At least one full year of study
- D. No preparation is needed if you completed prerequisites
Answer: B. 4-8 weeks of structured preparation
Most experts recommend 4-8 weeks of structured, consistent study to adequately prepare for nursing entrance exams, allowing time to review content, practice questions, and address weak areas.
A nurse manager argues, 'We should switch to 12-hour shifts because a study at City General Hospital showed it improved staff morale and reduced overtime costs.' Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken the manager's argument?
- A. City General Hospital is in the same city as our hospital.
- B. Our hospital's nurses have also reported low morale.
- C. City General Hospital is a private hospital, while ours is a public one.
- D. City General Hospital has a much lower nurse-to-patient ratio than our hospital.
Answer: D. City General Hospital has a much lower nurse-to-patient ratio than our hospital.
The manager's argument relies on the assumption that what worked at City General will work at their hospital. If City General has a significantly different and more favorable nurse-to-patient ratio, it introduces a critical variable that could account for the positive results, making the comparison invalid and weakening the argument.
Which of the following is the LEAST effective study method for nursing entrance exam preparation?
- A. Creating concept maps linking related topics
- B. Passively rereading textbook chapters multiple times
- C. Teaching concepts to a study partner
- D. Completing practice questions with answer explanations
Answer: B. Passively rereading textbook chapters multiple times
Passive rereading creates an illusion of familiarity without deep processing or genuine understanding, making it the least effective method compared to active strategies like concept mapping, teaching, and practice questions.
Start Your Kaplan Nursing Exam Prep Now
The Kaplan nursing entrance exam is a gatekeeper — but a manageable one. You don't need to be a science genius or math wizard to score well. You need consistent preparation, honest self-assessment, and targeted practice on your weak spots.
Use our practice tests to work through nursing entrance exam content across all sections. Take timed tests to simulate real exam conditions. Review every wrong answer. Then revisit your weak areas before test day.
Nursing school is demanding — but getting in is the first challenge. Put in the prep work now, walk into the exam confident, and take that next step toward your nursing career.
About the Author
Educational Psychologist & Academic Test Preparation Expert
Columbia University Teachers CollegeDr. Lisa Patel holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and has spent 17 years researching standardized test design and academic assessment. She has developed preparation programs for SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, UCAT, and numerous professional licensing exams, helping students of all backgrounds achieve their target scores.
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