- Largest, strongest heart chamber?
- The left ventricle — it pumps oxygenated blood out the aorta to the whole body.
- What does the mitochondria do?
- It is the cell's 'powerhouse' — the site of cellular respiration, where most ATP (energy) is made.
- Affect vs. effect?
- Affect is usually a verb (to influence); effect is usually a noun (a result). RAVEN: Affect = Verb, Effect = Noun.
- What is the order of operations?
- PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right).
- What is the main idea of a passage?
- The single most important point the whole passage makes — broader than any one supporting detail.
- How many questions are on the KNAT and how long is it?
- 91 multiple-choice questions across 4 timed sections, about 165 minutes total.
- What are the four KNAT sections?
- Reading (22 Qs), Writing (21 Qs), Math (28 Qs), and Science (20 Qs).
- Which KNAT section has the most questions?
- Math, with 28 questions in 45 minutes — the largest section.
- How is the KNAT scored?
- A percentage for each of the 4 sections plus a composite (average) score; programs set their own required scores.
- Is there a single passing KNAT score?
- No. Each program sets its own; a passing composite commonly falls around 65% (roughly 60–70%), some require 70%.
- Evaluate: 6 + 3 × 4 - 2
- 16. Multiply first (3 × 4 = 12), then 6 + 12 - 2 = 16.
- Convert 3/4 to a decimal and percent.
- 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75 = 75%.
- Convert 1/5 to a percent.
- 1 ÷ 5 = 0.2 = 20%.
- Convert 2/3 to a decimal.
- 0.667… (about 66.7%).
- Convert 1/3 to a percent.
- About 33.3% (1 ÷ 3 = 0.333…).
- Convert 0.25 to a fraction.
- 25/100 = 1/4.
- How do you turn a fraction into a percent?
- Divide numerator by denominator to get a decimal, then multiply by 100.
- How do you turn a percent into a fraction?
- Write it over 100, then reduce to lowest terms (e.g. 40% = 40/100 = 2/5).
- Add 1/4 + 1/6.
- Common denominator 12: 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12.
- How do you divide fractions?
- Multiply by the reciprocal: 1/2 ÷ 3/4 = 1/2 × 4/3 = 2/3.
- How do you multiply fractions?
- Multiply straight across (numerators, then denominators) and simplify.
- What is a proportion?
- An equation setting two ratios equal, a/b = c/d; solve by cross-multiplication.
- Solve 3/4 = x/100.
- Cross-multiply: 4x = 300, so x = 75.
- How do you cross-multiply a proportion?
- Multiply diagonally: a/b = c/d ⇒ ad = bc.
- What is the percent-change formula?
- fracnew - oldold × 100; divide by the ORIGINAL value.
- A value rises from 40 to 50. Percent change?
- 50 - 40/40 × 100 = 25% increase.
- What is the 'part = percent of whole' formula?
- part = (percent ÷ 100) × whole.
- What is 20% of 150?
- 0.20 × 150 = 30.
- 12 of 50 is what percent?
- 12/50 = 0.24 = 24%.
- Solve 3x + 5 = 20.
- 3x = 15, so x = 5.
- How do you solve a one-variable equation?
- Undo operations with inverses to isolate the variable (subtract, then divide, etc.).
- Translate: '5 more than twice a number is 17.'
- 2n + 5 = 17, so n = 6.
- Negative times a negative equals?
- A positive. (-3 × -4 = 12).
- Negative times a positive equals?
- A negative (-3 × 4 = -12).
- Convert 1 kg to pounds.
- 1 kg = 2.2 lb.
- Convert 165 lb to kilograms.
- Divide by 2.2: 165 ÷ 2.2 = 75 kg.
- How many mL are in 1 L?
- 1 L = 1000 mL.
- How many mg are in 1 g?
- 1 g = 1000 mg.
- Convert 1 inch to centimeters.
- 1 in = 2.54 cm.
- Convert 2 kg to grams.
- 2 kg = 2000 g (move the decimal 3 places right).
- What is the metric-ladder mnemonic?
- King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk: Kilo-Hecto-Deca-base-Deci-Centi-Milli.
- Moving DOWN the metric ladder, do you multiply or divide?
- Multiply (move the decimal right): kg → g → mg.
- Fahrenheit to Celsius formula?
- ° C = (° F - 32) × 5/9.
- Celsius to Fahrenheit formula?
- ° F = (° C × 9/5) + 32.
- How many minutes are in 1 hour?
- 60 minutes (and 60 seconds in a minute).
- What is military (24-hour) time for 1 p.m.?
- 1300 — add 1200 to PM hours.
- Area of a rectangle?
- A = length × width.
- Perimeter of a rectangle?
- P = 2(length + width).
- Area of a triangle?
- A = 1/2 × base × height.
- What is the mean (average) of a data set?
- Add all values and divide by how many there are.
- What is the median?
- The middle value when the data are in order (average the two middle values if even count).
- What is the mode?
- The value that appears most often in a data set.
- Round 0.748 to the hundredths place.
- 0.75 (the thousandths digit 8 rounds the 4 up).
- What is 4/5 as a decimal and percent?
- 0.8 = 80%.
- Multiply 0.5 × 0.2.
- 0.10 (count two decimal places in the answer).
- What is 1/2 as a percent?
- 50%.
- Why convert to a common unit before a proportion?
- Matching units in matching positions avoids the top math error — a mismatched setup.
- A negative exponent means what?
- Take the reciprocal: x⁻¹ = 1/x.
- What does a fraction bar represent?
- Division — the numerator divided by the denominator.
- Simplify the fraction 8/12.
- Divide top and bottom by 4: 2/3.
- What is the reciprocal of 3/4?
- 4/3 (flip numerator and denominator).
- What percent is 1/8?
- 12.5% (1 ÷ 8 = 0.125).
- Solve for x: x/6 = 4.
- Multiply both sides by 6: x = 24.
- What does 'of' usually signal in a percent word problem?
- Multiplication ('20% of 150' means 0.20 × 150).
- First step in any math word problem?
- Read carefully to identify what's given and what's asked, and decide which operation to use.
- What is a supporting detail?
- A specific fact or example that backs up the main idea — it covers just one part, not the whole passage.
- What is an inference?
- A conclusion the passage logically supports but does not state outright; it must stay close to the text.
- The classic Reading trap on 'main idea' questions?
- A true supporting detail dressed up as the main idea — pick the choice that covers the whole passage.
- How far should a valid inference go beyond the text?
- Only one small step — reject any choice that adds a new fact the passage never stated.
- What are the five common author's purposes?
- To inform, persuade, entertain, describe, or instruct.
- What is most KNAT informational passages' purpose?
- To inform — so beware reading a neutral, factual passage as persuasive.
- What is tone?
- The author's attitude toward the subject, judged from word choice (neutral, critical, enthusiastic, etc.).
- Fact vs. opinion?
- A fact can be verified true or false; an opinion is a judgment, often marked by 'best,' 'should,' or 'unfortunately.'
- Where is the main idea often located?
- In the first or last sentence of a paragraph.
- Best strategy for detail questions?
- Scan the passage for keywords from the question to find the exact sentence.
- Signal words for cause and effect?
- Because, therefore, so, as a result.
- Signal words for contrast?
- However, unlike, but, on the other hand.
- Signal words for sequence?
- First, next, then, finally.
- Signal words for illustration/example?
- For example, for instance, such as.
- What is a context clue?
- A hint in the surrounding sentence — definition, contrast, example, or restatement — that reveals a word's meaning.
- How do you answer 'vocabulary in context' questions?
- Use the surrounding sentence's clue and charge, not the dictionary's first definition.
- How should you handle 'EXCEPT/NOT' questions?
- Find the three options the passage DOES support; the odd one out is the answer.
- Why distrust extreme words like 'always' or 'never'?
- They're usually wrong unless the passage is equally absolute.
- The #1 KNAT Reading trap overall?
- Using outside knowledge — every answer must be supported by the passage itself.
- Efficient KNAT Reading approach?
- Read the question first, then scan the passage for the relevant spot (about 2 minutes per question).
- What is the topic of a passage (vs. the main idea)?
- The 1–2 word subject; the main idea is the full point the passage makes about that topic.
- How do you eliminate wrong reading answers?
- Cut choices that are too broad, too narrow, not stated, or contradicted by the text.
- What is the purpose of a transition word in a passage?
- To signal the relationship between ideas (contrast, cause, sequence, example).
- Can the right inference be traced to a line?
- Yes — if you can't point to supporting text, don't pick it.
- What does it mean to over-infer?
- To choose a reasonable-sounding answer that adds information the passage never provided.
- How do you find an unstated main idea?
- Ask what single point all the details together support.
- What are common KNAT passage topics?
- Health, science, and general-interest informational passages.
- Author's attitude is conveyed mainly through what?
- Word choice (connotation) — positive, negative, or neutral language.
- What is a summary question asking for?
- The choice that best captures the whole passage — not one detail and not outside facts.
- What is subject-verb agreement?
- A verb must match its subject in number — a singular subject takes a singular verb.
- 'The box of supplies (is/are) here.' Which verb?
- 'Is' — the subject is 'box' (singular); ignore the phrase 'of supplies.'
- Are indefinite pronouns like 'each' and 'everyone' singular or plural?
- Singular — they take a singular verb.
- What is a sentence fragment?
- An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought ('Because she studied.').
- What is a comma splice?
- Two independent clauses joined by only a comma; fix with a period, semicolon, or conjunction.
- What is a run-on sentence?
- Two independent clauses jammed together with no punctuation or conjunction.
- Three ways to fix a comma splice?
- Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
- What is an independent clause?
- A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- Its vs. it's?
- Its = possessive (its color); it's = it is / it has.
- Their vs. there vs. they're?
- Their = possessive; there = a place; they're = they are.
- Than vs. then?
- Than = comparison (taller than); then = time or sequence (and then).
- Accept vs. except?
- Accept = to receive; except = to exclude / leave out.
- Your vs. you're?
- Your = possessive; you're = you are.
- Fewer vs. less?
- Fewer = countable items (fewer pills); less = uncountable amount (less water).
- Principal vs. principle?
- Principal = main/chief or a school leader; principle = a rule or belief.
- When do you use an apostrophe?
- For possession (nurse's) and contractions (don't) — never for plain plurals.
- When do you use a semicolon?
- To join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.
- Subject vs. object pronoun in 'between you and ___'?
- 'Me' — it's the object of 'between,' so use the object pronoun.
- Who vs. whom?
- Who is a subject; whom is an object (he/who, him/whom).
- What is faulty parallelism?
- Mixing forms in a series ('reading, writing, and to study'); fix to matching forms ('…and studying').
- What is a dangling/misplaced modifier?
- A modifier placed far from what it describes, making the sentence unclear; move it next to the right word.
- What is a topic sentence?
- The sentence stating a paragraph's main point, usually first; the rest support it.
- What is a transition word?
- A word/phrase (however, therefore, for example) that signals the relationship between ideas.
- On a passage-editing item, which answer wins?
- The clearest, most concise version that fixes the error without adding a new one.
- Active vs. passive voice — which is usually preferred?
- Active voice (the subject does the action) — clearer and more concise.
- Can 'no change' be the correct answer?
- Yes — don't invent an error that isn't there.
- Order to check 'find the error' items?
- Agreement first, then pronoun case, then confused words, then punctuation.
- What is a comma's job after an introductory phrase?
- It separates the intro from the main clause ('After the exam, she rested.').
- Affect vs. effect (memory hook)?
- RAVEN — Remember, Affect is a Verb; Effect is a Noun.
- What makes a sentence complete?
- It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
- How do you fix a run-on with two ideas?
- Split into two sentences, add a semicolon, or use a comma + conjunction (FANBOYS).
- What are the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)?
- For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
- Singular subject 'everyone' takes which verb in 'Everyone (is/are) here'?
- 'Is' — everyone is singular.
- What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?
- A pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender.
- When is a list 'parallel'?
- When every item uses the same grammatical form (all nouns, all -ing verbs, etc.).
- Where does a quotation's period usually go?
- Inside the closing quotation mark in American English.
- What does conciseness mean in writing?
- Saying it clearly in as few words as needed — cut redundancy and wordiness.
- Capitalize what kinds of words?
- The first word of a sentence and proper nouns (names, places, days, titles).
- What is a colon used for?
- To introduce a list, an explanation, or a quotation after a complete sentence.
- How do you keep verb tense consistent?
- Don't shift tense without reason — keep the same time frame across a sentence or paragraph.
- Trace blood flow through the heart.
- Body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonary valve → lungs → left atrium → mitral → left ventricle → aorta → body.
- What does LAB RAT stand for?
- Left = Bicuspid, Right = Tricuspid — the heart valve mnemonic.
- How many cusps does the tricuspid valve have?
- Three — it's the right atrioventricular valve.
- What is the mitral valve?
- The bicuspid (two-cusp) left atrioventricular valve (the L in LAB RAT).
- Which artery carries deoxygenated blood?
- The pulmonary artery — it carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
- Which vein carries oxygenated blood?
- The pulmonary veins — they carry blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
- Do arteries carry blood toward or away from the heart?
- Away from the heart; veins carry blood toward the heart.
- What does the sagittal plane divide?
- The body into left and right.
- What does the frontal (coronal) plane divide?
- The body into front (anterior) and back (posterior).
- What does the transverse plane divide?
- The body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior).
- Anterior vs. posterior?
- Anterior = toward the front (ventral); posterior = toward the back (dorsal).
- Medial vs. lateral?
- Medial = toward the midline; lateral = away from the midline.
- What is homeostasis?
- The body's maintenance of a stable internal environment (temperature, pH, glucose) despite outside change.
- What is negative feedback?
- A control loop that reverses a change to restore balance, like insulin lowering high blood glucose.
- Which hormone lowers blood glucose?
- Insulin (from the pancreas); glucagon raises it.
- Where does gas exchange occur in the lungs?
- In the alveoli (tiny air sacs).
- What muscle drives breathing?
- The diaphragm.
- What organs make up the central nervous system?
- The brain and the spinal cord.
- Path of urine from kidney to outside?
- Kidney → ureter → bladder → urethra.
- How many bones are in the adult human body?
- 206.
- What is the function of the nucleus?
- It holds the cell's DNA and controls the cell's activities.
- What do ribosomes do?
- Build proteins (protein synthesis).
- What does the Golgi apparatus do?
- Packages, modifies, and ships proteins — the cell's 'post office.'
- What do lysosomes do?
- Digest waste and worn-out cell parts.
- What is the cell membrane made of?
- A phospholipid bilayer; it is selectively permeable.
- Prokaryote vs. eukaryote?
- Prokaryotes (bacteria) lack a nucleus; eukaryotes (animal/plant) have a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.
- What is diffusion?
- Movement of particles from high to low concentration — passive, no ATP needed.
- What is osmosis?
- The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
- What is active transport?
- Moving substances from low to high concentration — requires ATP.
- Mitosis vs. meiosis (output)?
- Mitosis → 2 identical diploid cells (growth/repair); meiosis → 4 unique haploid gametes (reproduction).
- How many chromosomes in a human body cell?
- 46 (diploid); gametes have 23 (haploid).
- What is the central dogma of biology?
- Genetic information flows DNA → RNA → protein.
- DNA base pairs?
- A pairs with T, and G pairs with C.
- What does RNA use instead of thymine?
- Uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).
- Phenotype ratio of a Bb × Bb cross?
- 3:1 (dominant : recessive).
- Genotype vs. phenotype?
- Genotype = the genetic makeup (Bb); phenotype = the observed trait.
- What does the atomic number tell you?
- The number of protons — it defines the element.
- What are valence electrons?
- Outer-shell electrons that drive chemical bonding.
- What is an ionic bond?
- A bond formed by transferring electrons, usually between a metal and a nonmetal (e.g. NaCl).
- What is a covalent bond?
- A bond formed by sharing electrons, usually between nonmetals (e.g. H₂O).
- What is the range of the pH scale?
- 0 to 14: below 7 acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 basic.
- What does an acid donate?
- Hydrogen ions (H+); a base supplies hydroxide ions (OH-).
- What is the pH of pure water?
- 7 — neutral.
- pH + pOH equals?
- 14.
- How do you balance a chemical equation?
- Change coefficients (the big numbers), never subscripts — required by conservation of mass.
- Balanced combustion of methane?
- CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.
- Equation for cellular respiration?
- C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP.
- Equation for photosynthesis?
- 6CO₂ + 6H₂O →[light] C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
- Where does cellular respiration occur?
- Mainly in the mitochondria (glycolysis starts in the cytoplasm).
- Where does photosynthesis occur?
- In chloroplasts (in plants and algae).
- What is a hypothesis?
- A testable prediction proposed to explain an observation.
- What is the independent variable?
- The one factor a scientist deliberately changes in an experiment.
- What is the dependent variable?
- The factor measured; it depends on the independent variable.
- What is a control group?
- The group that gets no experimental treatment, used as a baseline for comparison.
- What are controlled variables?
- Factors held constant so they don't affect the experiment's outcome.
- Steps of the scientific method?
- Observe/question → hypothesis → experiment → collect data → analyze → conclude.
- What is ATP?
- Adenosine triphosphate — the cell's main energy-carrying molecule.
- Which heart side carries deoxygenated blood?
- The right side (right atrium and right ventricle).
- Which heart side carries oxygenated blood?
- The left side (left atrium and left ventricle).
- What are the four heart chambers?
- Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.
- What is an isotope?
- Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
- Mass number equals?
- Protons + neutrons.
- What charge does a proton carry?
- Positive (+1); neutrons are neutral and electrons are negative (−1).
- What is positive feedback (example)?
- A loop that amplifies a change, such as the surge of contractions during childbirth.
- Skeletal vs. smooth vs. cardiac muscle?
- Skeletal = voluntary; smooth = involuntary (organs); cardiac = the heart.
- What system uses ductless glands and hormones?
- The endocrine system.
- Why is balanced study important for the KNAT?
- It reports a composite plus 4 section scores, so one weak section can drag the composite below a cutoff.
- How long is the KNAT Science section?
- 20 questions in 30 minutes — the tightest clock on the test.
- How long is the KNAT Math section?
- 28 questions in 45 minutes — the largest section.
- How long is the KNAT Reading section?
- 22 questions in 45 minutes.
- How long is the KNAT Writing section?
- 21 questions in 45 minutes.
- Who publishes the KNAT?
- Kaplan — it's the Kaplan Nursing Admission Test.
- What is a composite score on the KNAT?
- The average of your four section percentages, reported alongside each section score.
- Should you rely on a calculator for KNAT Math?
- No — be ready to work arithmetic, fractions, and conversions by hand; memorize key equivalents.
- Heaviest topic in KNAT Science?
- Anatomy & physiology.
- What format is the KNAT delivered in?
- A proctored, computer-based, multiple-choice test.
- What is 1/4 as a percent?
- 25%.
- What is glucagon's effect?
- It raises blood glucose (insulin lowers it).
- What does selectively permeable mean?
- The membrane lets some substances pass while blocking others.
- Are diffusion and osmosis active or passive?
- Passive — they need no ATP.
- A good experiment changes how many variables at once?
- One — the independent variable, while controlling the rest.
- What is the strongest acid behavior?
- Fully dissociating in water (e.g. HCl).
- A semicolon can replace what?
- A period between two closely related independent clauses.
- Which word signals an opinion?
- Evaluative words like 'best,' 'should,' or 'unfortunately.'
- What is the strongest heart valve mnemonic to memorize first?
- LAB RAT (Left-Bicuspid, Right-Tricuspid) — heart questions appear on nearly every form.
- What is 3/5 as a percent?
- 60% (3 ÷ 5 = 0.6).
- What is 15% of 200?
- 0.15 × 200 = 30.
- What is the greatest common factor used for?
- Reducing a fraction to lowest terms.
- What is a prime number?
- A whole number greater than 1 with exactly two factors: 1 and itself.
- What is an adverb?
- A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb ('She did well').
- What is a preposition?
- A word showing relationship in time or space (in, on, between, after).
- What is connotation?
- The emotional or implied meaning of a word, beyond its dictionary definition.
- What is the purpose of a passage's conclusion?
- To restate or wrap up the main idea, sometimes with a final implication.
- What is an enzyme?
- A protein that speeds up (catalyzes) a biochemical reaction without being used up.
- What is the smallest unit of an element?
- The atom.
- What does DNA stand for?
- Deoxyribonucleic acid — the molecule that stores genetic information.