How to Prepare for a Nursing Entrance Exam: 10 Tips

Are you preparing for a nursing entrance exam but not sure where to start? Whether you’re taking the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI), or a Kaplan admission test, nursing entrance exams require thorough preparation.

If you’re aiming to study smarter, not harder, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up 10 must-know tips and resources, including study guides and practice tests, to set you up for success on your path to nursing school.

Nursing Entrance Exam: Snapshot

Whether you’re prepping for the HESI vs. TEAS exams or another nursing entrance test, you need to get familiar with what’s ahead. Here’s a quick look at the HESI, TEAS, and Kaplan admission tests.

10 Tips for Acing Your Nursing School Entrance Exam

Success on these exams requires a clear strategy, effective resources, and plenty of practice. Let’s dive into some tools to boost your chances of getting into your chosen nursing school. Just be careful when picking resources that aren’t officially endorsed by your testing organization, as not all of them are reliable.

1. Study the Content Outline for Your Test

Start with the content outline — it’s basically a list of everything your test will cover. Whether it’s the HESI, TEAS, or Kaplan, these outlines list specific topics you’ll see on your exam and show how many questions are focused on each study section, so you can focus on what matters most.

Here are the content outlines from common nursing school entrance exams:

• HESI study outline (varies by school)
• TEAS study outline
• Kaplan Nursing Admission Test study outline

2. Invest in a Study Book

A good study guide will break down the material in a clear, structured way and offer practice questions, helping you reinforce what you’ve learned. Choose one that’s designed for your specific nursing entrance test and ensure it’s the latest edition to get the most current content and strategies.

Here are some study books you might want to consider for your test prep:

• Admission Assessment Exam Review by HESI
• TEAS Study Guide by ATI
• Nursing School Entrance Exams by Kaplan

3. Take Practice Tests

Taking a nursing entrance exam practice test is one of the best ways to assess your readiness, build confidence, and familiarize yourself with the exam format. These tests simulate the real exam, helping you adjust to the timing, question types, and structure. They also highlight areas where you need more focus, allowing you to target your studies effectively.

Here are some examples of practice exams you can use to assess your readiness:

• HESI A2 practice test by Mometrix
• TEAS practice test by ATI
• Kaplan practice test by Smart Edition

4. Use Flashcards

Flashcards are powerful tools to help you memorize key concepts and improve your critical thinking skills. Create flashcards for the topics that challenge you most — this can help you boost your knowledge in the areas you need improvement. You can either create your own or use premade cards.

Here are examples of flashcards you can use to level up your study game:

• HESI flashcards
• TEAS flashcards
• Kaplan nursing entrance exam flashcards

5. Review Sample Questions

Unlike timed practice exams, sample questions let you pace yourself and even look up information to think through your answers. They help you get a feel for the format, difficulty, and types of questions — like multiple choice, true/false, or case scenarios. Plus, some study guides include explanations of answers to show you the reasoning behind each choice. Also, apps like Quizlet make it easy to have access to plenty of nursing school entrance exam questions and answers for free.

Here are a few options for nursing entrance exam questions you can use during your study sessions:

• HESI sample questions
• TEAS sample questions
• Kaplan sample questions

6. Take an Exam-Preparation Course

If you need extra help or want a structured study plan, consider enrolling in a nurse entrance exam–preparation course. These courses offer in-depth reviews of each subject area, expert tips, and personalized feedback. Many courses also provide additional practice questions, timed mock exams, and strategies to help you tackle tricky questions.

Here are a few options to consider:

• HESI preparation course by Elsevier
• TEAS preparation course by Mometrix
• Kaplan nursing entrance exam preparation course by BoostPrep

7. Explore Video Walk-Throughs

If you’re a visual learner, YouTube can be a goldmine for nursing entrance exam preparation. Many experienced educators and test-prep experts have created video tutorials covering topics you’ll encounter on the HESI, TEAS, and Kaplan exams. You can find content ranging from full-length review sessions to quick, focused lessons on specific topics like math, anatomy, or reading comprehension.

Here are a few examples of YouTube channels to consider:

• Smart Edition Nursing
• All Healthcare Careers
• Nurse Cheung

8. Use Online Resources and Apps

To complement your study materials, consider using online tools and mobile apps designed for nursing entrance exam preparation. These platforms provide interactive learning experiences, real-time practice, and personalized study plans to help you stay organized.

Here are some examples of helpful apps that can boost your study prep:

• PocketPrep provides a huge bank of practice questions tailored to the HESI, TEAS, and Kaplan exams.
• Khan Academy offers free tutorials on many subjects covered in nursing entrance exams, like math and science.
• Study Together is a virtual study platform with a coworking aspect that includes timers, goal setting, and group study rooms.
• ATI TEAS Prep App includes practice questions, quizzes, and a study plan to help you stay organized as you review essential concepts.
• HESI A2 Practice Test Mastery offers a variety of practice questions, quizzes, and study reminders. It provides step-by-step explanations and performance tracking to help you identify and target weak areas.

9. Develop a Study Schedule

Consistency is key when preparing for a nursing entrance exam. It’s better to study a little bit every day than to cram everything in at the last minute. Create a study schedule that includes all the topics you need to cover and stick to it.

Here are some resources to help you boost your time management skills:

• StudySmarter is designed to help students create custom study plans. You can set goals, create flashcards, and track your study progress.
• Evernote helps you keep all your information in one place. You can create to-do lists, take notes during meetings or training sessions, and set reminders.
• Forest helps you stay focused on tasks. You set a timer to study, and as the timer runs, a virtual tree grows. If you leave the app, the tree dies, encouraging you to stay on task.
• TikTik has a built-in Pomodoro timer, habit tracker, and calendar. It helps you plan study sessions and stay organized with reminders.

10. Take Care of Yourself

Here’s how to prioritize self-care during exam prep and stay in top shape for studying: :

• Sleep: Aim for at least 7–8 hours of rest each night. Sleep is critical for memory retention and overall brain function.
• Maintain a healthy diet: A diet packed with vegetables, fruits, fish, healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, herbs, and seeds improves the brain’s memory functioning.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity boosts brain health and improves your mood.
• Prioritize mental health: Take breaks when needed, practice relaxation techniques like meditation, and make time for activities you enjoy. (Did you know that meditation can improve memory and focus?)

Discover Nursing Jobs at IntelyCare

Now that you’re ready to tackle your nursing entrance exam, it’s time to think about which jobs you’ll want to pursue after nursing school. Tell us what you want, and we’ll match you with the best-fitting nursing jobs that complement your school schedule and long-term career plans.