NLN PAX-PN entrance exam

mb1949 · Jul 18, 2008

I took the pax 2 years ago, applied to both Beth Israel and Bronxcommunity college. I am going into my 3rd clinical semester at BCC/ The Pax wasn't hard, the math is basic stuff, percentage, fractions, etc. no algebra. The vocabulary and reading was easy but time consuming. The science on my test was mostly physics, honestly, I just did the best I could and did great. There is a book I got at Barnes and nobles with reviews for the math and science and practice tests. It really helped alot as I knew what to expect and had more than enough time for the readings.

Good luck, where are you applying? Let us know how it goes.

mich9385 · Jul 20, 2008

I'm going trying to go to Farmingdale State College in NY. But if I can't get in there, I'll be going to Chattahoochee Tech College in GA. I have to re-take A&P1 this semester because I got a C the first time around and I want to get higher. I'm really nervous about taking the NLN PAX-PN also.

mb1949 · Jul 20, 2008

Do you have family in GA, what made you pick GA. That's what I love about nursing, it opens up so many opportunities. You can work and live anywhere.

mich9385 · Jul 21, 2008

My family has a house in Georgia and Chattahoochee Tech is about 5 minutes away from my house down there. It's a really nice school and their requirements aren't bad at all. And there isn't a waiting list and I'm not completely sure, but I don't think they're require any entrance exams because I don't see anything on the school's website about any kind of entrance exam. No NET, no TEAS, no anything. But I have to call them to be sure.

FutureRNelizabeth · Jul 21, 2008

Yes, Seems kinda Odd. No test, No waiting List. Good Luck! :yeah:

emdee511 · Apr 25, 2009

Hi. I just took the NLN PAX-RN and did very well.

The way I would describe the verbal is that you know what you know. There isn't really a good way to "study" but using the Jones & Bartlett book can help prepare.

There certainly was algebra in the exam, so brush up on it. Lots of precentages and ratios, which you'll need to learn for medical dosage anyway.

Science was a good mix of earth science, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, and quite a lot of physics.

There will be 80 verbal, 60 math, and 80 science. There are 20 in each that won't count, but you won't know which ones. You'll get an hour for each section, with a five minute break in between. It is all computerized, and you'll be able to go back to any question (in the current section) to check your answers.

Best of luck, and most importantly, RELAX! Stress is your worst enemy.

Ebeyan29 · Mar 6, 2010

Hi. I just took the NLN PAX-RN and did very well.
The way I would describe the verbal is that you know what you know. There isn't really a good way to "study" but using the Jones & Bartlett book can help prepare.
There certainly was algebra in the exam, so brush up on it. Lots of precentages and ratios, which you'll need to learn for medical dosage anyway.
Science was a good mix of earth science, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, and quite a lot of physics.
There will be 80 verbal, 60 math, and 80 science. There are 20 in each that won't count, but you won't know which ones. You'll get an hour for each section, with a five minute break in between. It is all computerized, and you'll be able to go back to any question (in the current section) to check your answers.
Best of luck, and most importantly, RELAX! Stress is your worst enemy.

i know im super late posting but hopefully you can help me. I just took the test yesturday and I am so nervous to get my score back. I think i did good on the verbal and math but the problem is the hour was not enough at all. i did not finish any of the section except for the science. so basically my question is did you finish every section? And do you think that me not finishing lowers my chances of passing?

Streamline2010 · Mar 10, 2010

It's one of those tests where the number or correct answers is what counts. So if you think you won't finish, start marking boxes the rest of the way through to help your chances of getting some extra points.

I took the PAX on Mar 6, so I haven't gotten scores back. But I finished the English and math sections with ease and loads of time to spare. I used all but 5 minutes on the science and that included re-checking my answers.

A few weeks ago I took a HESI exam that was broken into 7 sections: vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, math, chemistry, biology, A&P. It took me 2.5 of the allowable 3 hours to complete it, and I did finish the whole test. I thought it much more difficult than the PAX, and I scored a 94.3% composite. No physics on that test.

PAX had a problem about transport of material through cells. Has CO2, H2O, and some N compound in the sell and outside. Asks what happens next. I think it was material covered by the urinary system, but I haven't studied that yet.

The math had a figure-out-the angle prob. A set of 2 parallel horizontal lines and one line diagonally interesting them. Gives you one angle and asks what some other angle is. Know triangle geometry and complementary angles from geometry. I had forgotten what that stuff even was, lol.

Both tests had those problems like "Bill paints a house in 2 days, Sally in 5 days, and Ira works twice as slow as Sally. If all work on the same house, how long will it take them to paint it?" See online sites for algebra word problems. Like http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/algebra-work-problems.html

I studied from:

HESI admission assessment book from evolve/reach company, and I think that book pretty well covered the PAX material, too. The language skills stuff in PAX and HESI is almost identical. I relied on the chemistry & science stuff in there, too. I think their book is one of the best out there for the really difficult science & health prep. ISBN 978-1-4160-5635-5 WWW.ELSEVIERHEALTH.COM

TEAS and nursing pretest samples here: http://www.testprepreview.com/teas_practice.htm

this http://www.mo-media.com/teas/ TEAS Secrets but what I got out of it that wasn't duplicated elsewhere was test-taking strategies and shortcuts to analyze the questions and cut some time off choosing answers. My years of engineering experience help me loads there, too. :-) If you buy the TEAS Secrets from them, the set of bonuses included 2 practice tests, a list of vocabulary, a handy reference table of muscles, their origins, actions, and insertions (very good to have for A&P. Get a jump start on all that memorization before you take A&P. Know bones names, and their features, too. Memorize, memorize.)

Cliff's TestPrep Nursing School Entrance Exam, ISBN 978-0-7646-5986-0, Wiley a good reference for $16

Cliff'sStudySolver Biology ISBN 0-7645-5842-0. Paid $3.99 for it at some discount outlet store here. Good reference because it covers both plants and animals and I never had any general biology so I had to fake whatever wasn't covered in A&P or Micro in college, lol.

Streamline2010 · Mar 10, 2010

also see PAX comments in this thread https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/taking-nln-pax-371489-page2.html

Says some of the questions in each section apparently don't count.

Ebeyan29 · Mar 10, 2010

also see PAX comments in this thread https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/taking-nln-pax-371489-page2.html
Says some of the questions in each section apparently don't count.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I get my PAX results on friday. im still terrified but theirs nothing i can do soooo im just trying to be humble about it. I take the HESI on wednesday so im definately going to take your advice about the study option. again Thank you.

Streamline2010 · Mar 18, 2010

I got my scores letter today. I got a 99, which the school said is "the highest you can get."

verbal = 59 of 60

math = 30 of 40 (Rolled in there after a 2.5hr drive with a 5AM departure. Must have not had eoungh coffee, LOL! I can do math better than that.)

science = 51 of 60

There's a chemistry question with an element, N, I think, that had electron dots around it. There's one or two of those types of things in the McGraw Hill general nursing pre-exam, too. It's from freshman chemistry or HS chem.

That McGraw Hill book, as it turns out, is pretty similar to the others. I still think that HESI book is the best reference overall. The subject material in that guide is more advanced than the others I listed.

Good luck! Admissions is a dog-eat-dog world. (bark, bark, woof, woof, woof, SNAAAP! ) Go get 'em!

Correction to previous post" The math had a figure-out-the angle prob. A set of 2 parallel horizontal lines and one line diagonally INTERSECTING them.