KNAT Study Guide

Comprehensive review for all 4 sections of the Kaplan Nursing Admission Test

📐 Math 📖 Reading ✍️ Writing 🔬 Science 🗂 Flashcards 📄 Cram Sheet 📝 Practice Test

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Math Section (20 Questions)

Fractions — Operations

Adding/Subtracting: Find a common denominator first, then add/subtract the numerators.
Example: 1/4 + 2/3 → LCD = 12 → 3/12 + 8/12 = 11/12
Multiplying: Multiply numerator × numerator and denominator × denominator.
Example: 2/3 × 3/5 = 6/15 = 2/5
Dividing: Flip the second fraction and multiply (KFC: Keep, Flip, Change).
Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6
Simplifying: Divide numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF).

Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

Fraction	Decimal	Percentage
1/2	0.5	50%
1/4	0.25	25%
3/4	0.75	75%
1/3	0.333…	33.3%
2/3	0.666…	66.7%
1/5	0.2	20%
1/8	0.125	12.5%
3/8	0.375	37.5%

Percent formula: Part = Percent × Whole
To find percentage: Part ÷ Whole × 100
To find the whole: Part ÷ Percent

Ratios and Proportions

A ratio compares two quantities. A proportion states that two ratios are equal.

Cross-multiply to solve proportions:
a/b = c/d → a × d = b × c

Example: If 2 cups flour makes 12 cookies, how many cups make 30 cookies?
2/12 = x/30 → 12x = 60 → x = 5 cups

Basic Algebra — Solving for x

Goal: isolate the variable (x) on one side
Whatever you do to one side, do to the other
Order: remove addition/subtraction first, then division/multiplication
For parentheses: distribute first, then solve

Example: 2(x + 4) = 18
Step 1: 2x + 8 = 18
Step 2: 2x = 10
Step 3: x = 5

Measurement Conversions

Metric Prefix	Meaning	Example
Kilo- (k)	× 1,000	1 km = 1,000 m
Centi- (c)	× 0.01	1 cm = 0.01 m
Milli- (m)	× 0.001	1 mm = 0.001 m
Micro- (µ)	× 0.000001	1 µg = 0.000001 g

Conversion	Value
1 kilogram	1,000 grams
1 gram	1,000 milligrams
1 liter	1,000 milliliters
1 kilometer	0.621 miles
1 mile	5,280 feet
1 pound	16 ounces
1 gallon	4 quarts = 8 pints = 128 oz
°C to °F	°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
°F to °C	°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9

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Reading Comprehension (22 Questions)

Main Idea vs. Supporting Details

Main idea: The central point the author wants to communicate — usually the broadest statement that encompasses the whole passage
Supporting details: Specific facts, examples, or evidence that back up the main idea
Tip: The main idea is often in the first or last sentence of a paragraph, but not always. Always read the full passage before choosing.
Watch out for: Answer choices that are too specific (just one detail) or too broad (goes beyond the passage)

Strategy: After reading, ask yourself: "What is this passage mostly about?" Your answer is likely the main idea.

Inference Questions

Inference questions ask what the passage implies — what you can logically conclude even though it's not stated directly.

The answer must be supported by the text — don't go beyond what's reasonable
Eliminate answers that require outside knowledge not in the passage
Look for cause-and-effect relationships, contrasts, and implied conclusions

Example: If a passage says "compliance rates are below 50%," you can infer that "many people are not following the recommended practice" — even if those words don't appear.

Vocabulary in Context

Focus on how the word is used in the sentence, not just its dictionary definition
Look at surrounding sentences for clues
Try substituting each answer choice and see which makes the most sense
Watch for words with multiple meanings — the context determines which meaning applies

Strategy: Cover the word, re-read the sentence, and think about what word would fit. Then find the closest match in the answer choices.

Author's Purpose

Inform/Explain: Presents facts or information without bias — look for neutral language
Persuade: Tries to convince the reader — look for one-sided language and opinions
Describe: Creates a picture through sensory details
Entertain: Uses narrative elements to engage the reader

Eliminating Wrong Answers

Too extreme: Answers with "always," "never," "all," "none" are often wrong unless the passage explicitly says so
Out of scope: Information that isn't mentioned in the passage cannot be an answer
Opposite meaning: Watch for answers that say the opposite of what the passage states
Half right, half wrong: An answer that's partially correct but includes one wrong element is still wrong

✍️

Writing / Grammar Section (22 Questions)

Subject-Verb Agreement

Singular subjects → singular verbs (she runs)
Plural subjects → plural verbs (they run)
Tricky cases: "Either/or" and "neither/nor" → verb agrees with the nearest subject
Collective nouns (team, committee, class) → usually singular in American English
Indefinite pronouns: everyone, someone, nobody, each → singular

"Neither the doctor nor the nurses were available." (verb agrees with 'nurses' — closest to verb)

Pronoun Agreement

Pronouns must agree in number (singular/plural) with their antecedents
Singular: he, she, it, his, her, its
Plural: they, their, them
Indefinite antecedents: each, everyone, someone → formally singular (use "his or her" or rewrite)

Correct: "The committee presented its report."
Incorrect: "The committee presented their report." (committee is singular)

Commonly Confused Words

Word	Meaning	Example
affect (verb)	to influence	Stress can affect your health.
effect (noun)	a result	The effect was immediate.
their	possessive (belonging to them)	Their exam is tomorrow.
there	a place	Go over there.
they're	they are	They're ready to start.
its	possessive (belonging to it)	The dog wagged its tail.
it's	it is	It's a warm day.
your	possessive (belonging to you)	Your score is high.
you're	you are	You're doing well.
fewer	countable nouns	Fewer students failed.
less	uncountable nouns	Less time remained.
then	time or sequence	Study first, then test.
than	comparison	Higher than average.

Sentence Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices

Fragment: An incomplete sentence — missing a subject, verb, or complete thought.
Wrong: "Because she studied." | Fix: "Because she studied, she passed."
Run-on (fused sentence): Two independent clauses with no punctuation between them.
Wrong: "She studied she passed."
Fix: "She studied; she passed." or "She studied, and she passed."
Comma splice: Two independent clauses joined with only a comma.
Wrong: "She studied, she passed."
Fix: Add a conjunction (and, but) or change comma to semicolon

Comma Rules

After an introductory phrase: "After the exam, she celebrated."
Before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so): "She studied, and she passed."
To separate items in a series: "Math, reading, writing, and science."
Around non-essential clauses: "Dr. Smith, who is an expert, reviewed the case."
Do NOT use a comma between a subject and its verb.

Apostrophes and Semicolons

Apostrophe for possession: one owner → 's (John's book); multiple owners → s' (the nurses' station)
Apostrophe for contraction: it's = it is; they're = they are; don't = do not
Semicolon: connects two independent clauses (replaces period); never before a conjunction like "and"
Correct: "She studied; she passed." | Incorrect: "She studied; and she passed."

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Science Section (20 Questions)

Cell Biology — Organelles and Functions

Organelle	Function
Nucleus	Control center; contains DNA and directs cell activities
Mitochondria	Produces ATP (energy) through cellular respiration — "powerhouse"
Ribosome	Synthesizes (makes) proteins
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)	Rough ER: makes proteins; Smooth ER: makes lipids and detoxifies
Golgi Apparatus	Packages and ships proteins — "post office of the cell"
Lysosome	Digests waste and cellular debris
Cell Membrane	Controls what enters and exits the cell
Cell Wall (plants only)	Provides structural support
Chloroplast (plants only)	Site of photosynthesis
Vacuole	Stores water, nutrients, waste (large in plant cells)

Body Systems — Overview

System	Main Function	Key Organs
Cardiovascular	Circulates blood, oxygen, nutrients	Heart, blood vessels
Respiratory	Gas exchange (O₂ in, CO₂ out)	Lungs, trachea, alveoli
Digestive	Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients	Stomach, small intestine, liver
Nervous	Coordinates body via electrical signals	Brain, spinal cord, nerves
Endocrine	Regulates hormones (metabolism, growth)	Thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, pancreas
Urinary	Filters blood, removes waste as urine	Kidneys, bladder, ureters
Skeletal	Support, protection, movement, blood cell production	Bones, cartilage, joints
Muscular	Movement, posture, heat generation	Skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscle
Immune/Lymphatic	Defends against pathogens	Lymph nodes, white blood cells
Reproductive	Produces gametes for reproduction	Ovaries, testes

Basic Chemistry

Atom: smallest unit of an element that retains its properties. Contains protons (+), neutrons (neutral) in the nucleus, and electrons (−) orbiting outside.
Element: A pure substance made of one type of atom (e.g., oxygen, carbon, hydrogen)
Compound: Two or more different elements chemically bonded (e.g., H₂O, NaCl)
Molecule: Two or more atoms bonded together (can be same or different elements)

pH Scale

Scale runs from 0 to 14
pH 7 = neutral (pure water)
pH below 7 = acidic (lower = more acidic)
pH above 7 = basic/alkaline (higher = more basic)

Substance	Approximate pH	Type
Battery acid	~0–1	Strongly acidic
Stomach acid (HCl)	~1.5–3.5	Acidic
Vinegar	~2.5–3	Acidic
Coffee	~5	Weakly acidic
Pure water	7	Neutral
Blood	~7.35–7.45	Slightly alkaline
Baking soda	~9	Basic
Bleach	~12	Strongly basic

DNA, Mitosis, and Cell Division

DNA: Double-stranded helix in the nucleus; contains genes that code for proteins
Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait or protein
Chromosome: Tightly coiled DNA; humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs)
Mitosis: Cell division producing 2 identical daughter cells (for growth/repair)
Meiosis: Cell division producing 4 genetically unique cells (for sexual reproduction)
Photosynthesis equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

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