School of Nursing Entrance Examination: The Exact Topics That Repeat Every Year – What Successful Candidates Wish They Knew Earlier

You have registered for the School of Nursing entrance examination. You have told your family, your friends, and your pastor. You have bought past questions from that woman at the exam centre who sells them for “special price.” You have been reading aimlessly for weeks. But deep down, you are still afraid. Why? Because you do not know exactly what to focus on.

I understand that fear. As a senior journalist at Akahi News, I have interviewed successful nursing students across Nigeria – from the School of Nursing, Calabar, to the School of Nursing, Ibadan, to the School of Nursing, Irrua, and many others. I have asked them a simple question: “If you could go back, what would you tell your past self about preparing for the entrance exam?” Over and over, the answer was the same: “I wish I knew the topics that repeat every year.”

This article is the answer to that prayer. I have analysed entrance examination past questions from multiple Schools of Nursing across Nigeria. I have identified the exact topics that appear year after year, sometimes with the same questions worded slightly differently. I have organised them by subject. I have given you the key areas to focus on.

Rhetorical question: Why would you spend three months reading everything when you can spend three weeks mastering the topics that actually appear on the exam?

That is not laziness. That is strategic preparation. And that is what separates successful candidates from those who keep rewriting the exam year after year.

Let me be clear: this article is not a substitute for thorough study. But it is a roadmap. Follow it, and you will walk into that examination hall with confidence while others are still guessing.

Before we go deep, remember that structured coaching can make the difference between “almost passed” and “admitted.” Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, specialises in preparing candidates for School of Nursing entrance examinations, as well as WAEC, NECO, JAMB, Post-UTME, GCE, JUPEB, and Pre-degree. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

The Structure of School of Nursing Entrance Examinations

Before we dive into repeating topics, let me explain how the exam is structured. Most Schools of Nursing in Nigeria conduct a Computer-Based Test (CBT) or a paper-based objective examination with four subjects:

• English Language – 30 to 40 questions
• Mathematics – 20 to 30 questions
• Biology – 30 to 40 questions
• Chemistry or Physics – 15 to 25 questions (depending on the school)

The total examination is usually 100 to 120 questions, and you have between one hour and ninety minutes to answer them. That means speed is just as important as knowledge.

Rhetorical question: Have you ever spent five minutes on a single difficult question while forty easy questions waited behind it?

Time management kills more candidates than difficult content. Focus on mastering the repeating topics so you can answer quickly.

At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, we run timed mock examinations that simulate the real CBT environment. Our students learn to manage speed without sacrificing accuracy. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

English Language – The Repeating Topics

Do not spend months reading Shakespeare or literary criticism. School of Nursing English is practical, not literary. Focus on these repeating topics.

1. Lexis and Structure (Vocabulary in Context)

This is the biggest section. You will be given a sentence with a blank and four options. Choose the word that best fits. Repeating topics include:

• Synonyms (words with similar meanings) – e.g., “abundant” means “plentiful”
• Antonyms (words with opposite meanings) – e.g., “advanced” is opposite of “retarded”
• Commonly confused words – e.g., “accept” vs “except,” “advise” vs “advice”
• Prepositions – “interested in,” “capable of,” “responsible for”
• Idiomatic expressions – “kick the bucket” (die), “spill the beans” (reveal a secret)

Strategy: Memorise 100 common synonyms and 100 common antonyms from any WAEC English textbook. That alone will cover 70% of lexis questions.

2. Comprehension Passages

You will read a short passage (usually medical or general) and answer 5 to 10 questions. Repeating patterns include:

• Main idea of the passage – what is the author primarily talking about?
• Supporting details – what did the author say about X?
• Vocabulary in context – what does a particular word mean as used in the passage?
• Inference questions – what can you conclude from the passage?

Strategy: Do not read the passage first. Read the questions first, then scan the passage for answers. This saves precious time.

3. Spelling

You will be asked to identify the correctly spelled word from a list. Common traps include:

• Accommodation (not accomodation)
• Necessary (not neccessary)
• Separate (not seperate)
• Definitely (not definately)
• Pharmacy (not farmacy)

Strategy: Memorise the 50 most commonly misspelled English words. They repeat frequently.

4. Grammar (Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses)

Repeating question patterns:

• Singular subjects take singular verbs – “He runs,” not “He run”
• Collective nouns – “The team is playing” (singular), not “are playing”
• Past tense of irregular verbs – “begin-began-begun,” “drink-drank-drunk”
• Reported speech – changing tenses when reporting what someone said

Strategy: Master the 50 most common irregular verbs in present, past, and past participle forms.

Rhetorical question: Have you ever lost a mark because you wrote “she go” instead of “she goes”? That is not a vocabulary problem. That is a grammar problem. Fix it.

Mathematics – The Repeating Topics

Do not panic. School of Nursing Mathematics is not JAMB Mathematics. It is simpler. Focus on these repeating topics.

1. Basic Arithmetic (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division)

This sounds too simple, but many candidates lose marks here because they rush. Expect questions like:

• What is 15% of 200? (Answer: 30)
• Simplify ¾ + ⅔ (Answer: 17/12 or 1 and 5/12)
• Divide 120 by 0.5 (Answer: 240, not 60 – note the decimal!)

2. Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

Repeating questions:

• Converting fractions to decimals and percentages
• Profit and loss – “A nurse bought a stethoscope for N5,000 and sold it for N6,500. What is the percentage profit?” (Answer: 30%)
• Discount – “A drug priced at N4,000 is sold at 10% discount. What is the selling price?” (Answer: N3,600)
• Tax and simple interest – “If simple interest on N10,000 for 2 years is N2,000, what is the rate?” (Answer: 10%)

These appear frequently. Example: “In a hospital ward, the ratio of nurses to patients is 2:15. If there are 30 nurses, how many patients are there?” (Answer: 225 patients)

Very common. Example: “The ages of five patients are 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40. What is the mean age?” (Answer: 30)

Simple equations like: “Solve for x: 2x + 5 = 15” (Answer: x = 5). Also, simple word problems requiring you to form and solve equations.

Conversions are common. Example: “How many millilitres are in 2.5 litres?” (Answer: 2500ml). Also, conversions between grams and kilograms, centimetres and metres, minutes and hours.

Rhetorical question: Have you memorised that 60 minutes make one hour, that 1000ml make one litre, and that 1000g make one kilogram?

If not, start today. These are free marks.

At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, we drill mathematics fundamentals daily. Our students do not fear numbers. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Biology – The Repeating Topics (Most Important)

Biology is the heart of the School of Nursing entrance examination. Expect the most questions from Biology. These topics repeat every single year.

1. Cell Biology (Structure and Function)

Repeating questions:

• Parts of a cell (nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, ribosomes)
• Differences between plant and animal cells (plant cells have cell wall, chloroplast, large vacuole)
• Functions of organelles – “Which organelle is the powerhouse of the cell?” (Mitochondria)
• Cell division – mitosis vs meiosis (mitosis for growth and repair, meiosis for gamete production)

2. Human Anatomy and Physiology (Heaviest Topic)

This is where you must invest most of your time. Repeating systems include:

Circulatory System: Parts of the heart (atria, ventricles, valves), function of arteries vs veins vs capillaries, composition of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma), blood groups (A, B, AB, O) and compatibility, the pumping action of the heart.

Respiratory System: Parts (nose, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli), mechanism of breathing (inhalation vs exhalation), gas exchange at the alveoli (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out), diseases like asthma and pneumonia.

Digestive System: Parts of the alimentary canal (mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine), functions of each part, enzymes (amylase, pepsin, lipase) and what they digest (carbohydrates, proteins, fats), absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, role of the liver and pancreas.

Excretory System: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; function of the kidney in filtering blood and producing urine; role of the skin and lungs in excretion.

Nervous System: Brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata), spinal cord, neurons, reflex action.

Reproductive System (Male and Female): Parts and functions – testes, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, sperm and egg production; menstruation cycle; fertilisation; pregnancy and development (embryo, foetus).

Endocrine System (Hormones): Insulin, adrenaline, oestrogen, testosterone, thyroxine – what each hormone does and which gland produces it.

Rhetorical question: If you cannot name the four chambers of the heart or the function of the kidney, are you really ready for nursing school?

Nursing is about the human body. Master these systems. They will appear on your exam, and they will appear in your nursing career.

3. Health Education and Hygiene

Repeating topics:

• Personal hygiene (bathing, oral care, handwashing)
• Environmental sanitation (clean water, waste disposal)
• Nutrition – classes of food (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water) and their functions
• Deficiency diseases – scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), rickets (vitamin D deficiency), anaemia (iron deficiency), kwashiorkor and marasmus (protein deficiency)
• Immunisation schedule for children (BCG, polio, measles, DPT vaccines)

4. Microorganisms and Disease

Repeating questions:

• Types of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa)
• Common diseases caused by each – malaria (protozoa/plasmodium), tuberculosis (bacteria), HIV/AIDS (virus), ringworm (fungus)
• Modes of transmission (airborne, waterborne, direct contact, vector-borne)
• Prevention and control (vaccination, sanitation, hygiene, insecticide-treated nets)
• The immune system – antigens and antibodies, how vaccines work

5. First Aid (Basic Nursing Knowledge)

Expect questions on:

• Contents of a first aid box
• Management of bleeding, burns, fractures, choking, poisoning
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – basic steps
• What to do in an emergency before professional help arrives

At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, our Biology tutors break down human anatomy and physiology into simple, memorable diagrams and notes. Students master the repeating topics through targeted drills. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Chemistry – The Repeating Topics

Some Schools of Nursing include Chemistry. Others include Physics. Check the specific requirements of your chosen school. If Chemistry is included, focus on these repeating topics.

1. Basic Concepts (Atoms, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures)

• Definition of atom, element, compound, mixture
• Symbols of common elements (O for oxygen, H for hydrogen, Na for sodium, etc.)
• Differences between compounds and mixtures

2. States of Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas)

• Properties of each state
• Changes of state (melting, boiling, freezing, condensation, sublimation)

3. Acids, Bases, and Salts

• Properties of acids (sour taste, turns blue litmus red, corrosive)
• Properties of bases (bitter taste, turns red litmus blue, slippery feel)
• pH scale (acidic below 7, neutral at 7, basic above 7)
• Examples – hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• Neutralisation reaction – acid + base → salt + water

• Oxygen – relights a glowing splint
• Hydrogen – pops with a lighted splint
• Carbon dioxide – turns limewater milky
• Chlorine – bleaches damp litmus paper

• Filtration (solid from liquid)
• Evaporation (dissolved solid from liquid)
• Distillation (separating two liquids with different boiling points)
• Magnetism (iron from non-iron materials)

Physics – The Repeating Topics (If Included)

If your chosen School of Nursing includes Physics, focus on these repeating topics.

1. Units and Measurements

• Basic SI units (metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin)
• Measuring instruments (ruler, measuring cylinder, stopwatch, thermometer, weighing scale)

• Motion (distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration)
• Force (push or pull; examples – gravity, friction, magnetic force)
• Work, Energy, and Power – definitions and simple calculations (Work = Force × Distance)
• Machines (lever, pulley, inclined plane) – mechanical advantage

• Definition – force per unit area (Pressure = Force/Area)
• Application – why sharp knives cut better than blunt ones (smaller area = higher pressure)
• Atmospheric pressure – simple barometer, why you cannot suck a straw in a vacuum
• Pressure in liquids – increases with depth

• Difference between heat (energy) and temperature (measurement of hotness)
• Thermometers and scales (Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin)
• Expansion of solids, liquids, and gases when heated
• Methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) – examples of each

• Properties of light (travels in straight lines, reflection, refraction)
• Mirrors and lenses – how they form images
• Sound – production by vibration, how sound travels through solids, liquids, and gases; cannot travel in vacuum

Akahi News has compiled a complete revision guide covering all these topics with past question practice. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328 to enquire.

The Secret Weapon – Past Questions Analysis

Let me share what successful candidates told me. The same questions appear across different Schools of Nursing. Year after year. Sometimes with the same wording. Sometimes with changed numbers. But the patterns are identical.

Example from Biology: “Which of the following is NOT a function of the liver?” appears in various forms in almost every School of Nursing entrance exam. The answer options vary, but the liver’s functions are fixed – production of bile, detoxification of poisons, storage of glucose as glycogen, synthesis of blood proteins. The question repeats.

Example from Mathematics: “A patient is to take 15ml of medicine three times daily. How many ml will the patient take in one week?” This appears everywhere. Answer: 15 × 3 × 7 = 315ml.

Example from English: “The nurse advised the patient to ________ smoking.” Options: (a) stop (b) quit (c) cease (d) all of the above. The answer is usually “all of the above.”

Rhetorical question: If the questions repeat, why are you not studying past questions as your primary textbook?

Successful candidates do at least five years of past questions from multiple Schools of Nursing. They don’t just read the answers. They study the patterns. They ask why a particular answer is correct. They identify the topics behind each question. Then they master those topics.

At Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife, we have a database of past questions from Schools of Nursing across Nigeria. Our students practise with real exam questions, not just general textbooks. Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

Two-Week Intensive Revision Plan

If your exam is two weeks away, follow this day-by-day plan.

Week One (Biology Focus): Day 1: Cell biology (complete) Day 2: Circulatory and respiratory systems Day 3: Digestive and excretory systems Day 4: Nervous and endocrine systems Day 5: Reproductive system and development Day 6: Health education, hygiene, nutrition Day 7: Microorganisms and disease

Week Two (Mix of Subjects): Day 8: English Language – lexis, structure, comprehension Day 9: Mathematics – arithmetic, fractions, percentages, ratio Day 10: Chemistry or Physics (depending on your school) Day 11: Past questions – Biology (five years) Day 12: Past questions – English and Mathematics (five years) Day 13: Past questions – Chemistry/Physics (five years) Day 14: Full mock exam, timed. Review mistakes. Rest.

Frequently Asked Questions from Nursing Candidates

Q: Is the School of Nursing entrance examination very difficult? A: Not if you focus on the repeating topics. It covers WAEC-level content. Many successful candidates are those who failed JAMB but focused properly on nursing entrance patterns.

Q: How many past question years should I practice? A: Minimum five years. But more importantly, practice from multiple Schools of Nursing – Calabar, Ibadan, Irrua, Lagos, Zaria. The patterns are similar.

Q: Do I need to read my SS1 to SS3 textbooks completely? A: No. Focus only on the repeating topics listed in this article. Reading everything is a waste of time.

Q: Can I pass without a tutor? A: Yes, if you are disciplined. But a good tutor compiles materials, saves you time, and corrects your mistakes before they become habits. Akahi Tutors specializes in this.

Q: Which School of Nursing is the easiest to gain admission into? A: All are competitive. But some have lower cut-off marks because they are less known. Apply to multiple schools to increase your chances.

Q: What is the pass mark? A: Typically 50% to 60%, but the cut-off depends on the number of applicants. Higher scores give you better chances.

Final Words from Joseph Iyaji, Akahi News

Dear nursing aspirant, I know you are eager. I know you want to wear that white uniform. I know you dream of helping the sick, comforting the dying, and making a difference in your community. That dream is noble. But the first gate is the entrance examination. And the key to that gate is not random reading. It is focused, strategic preparation on the topics that repeat every year.

Rhetorical question: Why would you spend months reading everything when successful candidates have already shown you the shortcut?

This is not about cutting corners. It is about working smart. Master the topics in this article. Practice past questions. Take timed mocks. And walk into that examination hall knowing what to expect.

If you need structured guidance, if you need access to compiled past questions, if you need a tutor who will drill you until you are confident, Akahi Tutors, Ile-Ife is ready for you. We prepare candidates for School of Nursing entrance examinations, as well as WAEC, NECO, JAMB, Post-UTME, GCE, JUPEB, and Pre-degree. Our students gain admission into top universities like OAU, UNN, UNILAG, UNICAL, UI, and UNILORIN, and into Schools of Nursing across Nigeria.

Call 08038644328 or WhatsApp wa.me/2348038644328.

If this article gave you clarity, do not keep it to yourself. Share it with every nursing aspirant you know. Share it in your nursing WhatsApp groups. Share it with friends who are rewriting the exam for the second or third time.

Follow Akahi News daily for more examination tips, admission strategies, and educational content that works.

Your nursing career starts with this exam. Master the repeating topics. Pass with confidence. And join the noble profession of healing.

Go and become a nurse. Nigeria needs you.