Is the NET (nursing entrance test) hard?

Published

Hello everyone,

I am preparing to enter vocational school to become an LPN.

I am scheduled to take the NET (nursing entrance test) next week.

I have no idea what is on the test; only that I am allowed three chances to pass it.

Background: I have a bachelors degree in English and many years of professional experience in non-medical fields....

Can anyone give me a hint as to the nature of the test? Is it about nursing vocabulary or situations? Or is it a general test that determines whether you have basic reading and math skills?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Transplant, Trauma, Surgical.

I didn't think it was hard at all. It was on the computer so the format was different than I was used to for testing. I think you have to get a 45 or something to pass, and I got an 80. I went on a website (don't remember the url sorry) and printed out some practice questions. They test you over math, reading (speed and vocab) and then there are some personality and problem solving tests (if I remember right). All I can say is practice math, if you have an English background.

I'm sure you'll do great, don't stress over it, it was truely much easier than I anticipated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You will need to be able to select main ideas and inferences from a paragraph, multiple choice style. I'd get a review book from the library and start practicing the test paragraphs. Your English background should help immensely.

The math is roughly 6th-7th grade level math....percent, fractions, light algebra, ratio. Most people seem to stumble on the reading comprehension portion rather than the math. I had a daughter in the 6th grade when I took the NET, so all that homework assistance I gave her all year came in handy.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello,

Can anyone tell me about the science questions on the NET. I'm confident in the math and reading sections but am concerned about the science portion, which is weighed heavily by the program to which I am applying.

The NET also has basic science questions on it. I'm not talking about the 'science reading' section. Rather, I'm referring to the 'basic science' section. I have taken chem, bio, micro bio and some a&p, however it was 15 years ago.

Does anyone recall the types of 'basic science' questions on the test? I already know about testprep.com, but I'm interested in knowing about the test questions from someone who has actually taken the test.

Thank you to anyone who can advise on this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello,

Can anyone tell me about the science questions on the NET. I'm confident in the math and reading sections but am concerned about the science portion, which is weighed heavily by the program to which I am applying.

The NET also has basic science questions on it. I'm not talking about the 'science reading' section. Rather, I'm referring to the 'basic science' section. I have taken chem, bio, micro bio and some a&p, however it was 15 years ago.

Does anyone recall the types of 'basic science' questions on the test? I already know about testprep.com, but I'm interested in knowing about the test questions from someone who has actually taken the test.

Thank you to anyone who can advise on this.

We didn't have science questions on our test. All we had were math and reading comprehension.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

Hi busylady,

Here is a breakdown of the NET test that I took. I did have science questions on my test, but it didn't affect my grade any. The math part of the test is very basic, but the reading part is what is so hard for most people. Reading/writing is my best subject and I still only made a mid 80 on it.

There are various sections on the NET that you will be tested on. Most schools, though, ONLY look at the Reading and Math portion, not any of the rest. Why the rest is on there, I have no clue, but it is. So, here are the portions that you will test over, and what they contain:

  • Critical Thinking Appraisal


    Inferential Reading
    Main Idea of Passage
    Predicting of Outcomes



  • Learning Style


Auditory

Oral

Social

Solitary

Visual

Writing

  • Math Skills


    Algebra Equations
    Decimal Operations
    Fraction Operations
    Number Systems Conversions
    Percentage Operations



  • Reading


Reading Rate per Minute

Reading Percentile Rank

Reading Level

  • Stress Level Profile


    Academic
    Family
    Money/Time
    Social
    Work Place



  • Topics (Science)


    Anatomy & Physiology
    Biology
    Cellular Biology
    Chemistry
    Testtaking Skills



  • Written Expression


    Capitalization
    Pronoun Case and Principle Parts of Irregular Verbs
    Punctuation
    Correct Sentence Structure
    Relative Pronouns of Standard Usage
    Spelling Demons
    Subject & Verb Agreement


Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

The difficulty and depth of knowledge required on the test is akin to, from my personal experience and what I recall reading, a 5th grade standardized reading and math test. If you're competent in the basics including fractions you should be golden.

Note: my experience was based on the entrance test for my program at the time, which only required the verbal and math sections. I am not familiar at all with the other sections, and my program has since switched to an entrance test by HESI.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The guide is patterned after the test...The guide writers are the test writers....I passed on the first try...Some of the study questions were on the test...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Plastic surgery and Med/surg.

I felt the NET was pretty straight forward, but I did have a friend that failed it 3 times before she finally passed it. She did well on the math portion, but it was the reading that did her in. Picking out the main idea of a passage and such, she just couldn't do it. At our school you only can take it 3 times in 3 months, then you have to wait like 6 weeks and take it again. Well on the 4th time she made it. I felt so bad for her because I passed on the first try and didn't know what to say to her. If you ever had to take a state test in the state you live in in grade school, then just remember those and that is what got me through the NET. They seemed to very similar. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thought the NET was really easy. The hardest part for me was the algebra which I am terrible at. The minimum was a 65 for my school. Somehow, I got a 79 on the algebra on the first try with no calculator. That doesn't sound so great but believe me it was SHOCKING for everyone that knows me. I took algebra 3 TIMES in highschool before I passed it!!!! So if I passed first try...trust me, that means it's easy!!

I've been told that for most people, the English part is the hardest part and usually the reason that people have to retake the test but for me english is my absolute best subject and I got even 100's on that part of the test. Seeing as you have a bachelors in English, you should have no problem at all!! I wouldn't worry too much about it seeing as I went in on a whim and took the test (no preparations, not even knowing the name of the test I would be taking!! Only that I needed it in order to be admitted!!) and I managed to do pretty well. But if you really want to give yourself the best possible shot, you can google "Practice NET test" and a lot of different websites will come up that give you the option to take different versions of it online.

Good Luck!! Let us know how you do!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow !!!!!!!!! I just wrote all of that (and so did the rest of you!!) and just realized that this post is from DECEMBER 2006!! Whoever did this....please stop digging up these dead and buried threads from their graves and just let them rest in peace!!! LOL!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

is there not a science portion on the test? i have the kaplan study guide and i'm going through it, currently on the life science portion. there is too much information, some i have not reached yet and i feel that the science part might slow me down. i've looked over some of the science practice questions and i dont have the slightest clue about the answers. is there anyway i could do better?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion