Key Takeaways
- Process of elimination is your most powerful test-taking tool — remove clearly wrong answers first
- For vocabulary questions, try substituting each answer choice into the sentence to test which fits best
- Watch for negative stems in questions: "Which is NOT," "All EXCEPT," "The passage does NOT suggest"
- When two answer choices seem similar, re-read the question — one will be more precise or complete
- For main idea questions, the correct answer covers the ENTIRE passage, not just one paragraph
- For inference questions, the correct answer must be logically supported by passage evidence
- Manage your time: spend about 1 minute per word knowledge question and 2-3 minutes per passage + questions set
- If stuck on a question, make your best guess and move on — there is no penalty for wrong answers
Advanced Verbal Practice & Test Strategies
Time Management for the Verbal Section
You have 60 minutes for 58 questions — approximately 1 minute per question. However, not all questions require the same amount of time:
| Question Type | Estimated Time | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Word Knowledge (standalone) | 30-45 seconds | Quick — identify the relationship (synonym/antonym) and choose |
| Vocabulary in Context | 45-60 seconds | Re-read the sentence, substitute answer choices |
| Reading Passage + Questions | 3-5 minutes per set | Read questions first, then passage; answer as you find evidence |
Time checkpoints:
- At 15 minutes: You should have completed about 15 questions
- At 30 minutes: You should have completed about 29 questions
- At 45 minutes: You should have completed about 44 questions
- At 55 minutes: 5 minutes left — answer remaining questions and review flags
Process of Elimination (POE)
The most effective test-taking strategy for multiple-choice questions:
- Read the question carefully — note exactly what is being asked
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers — cross off answers you know are incorrect
- Compare remaining choices — identify subtle differences
- Choose the BEST answer — the most complete, most accurate option
Example: Which word is a synonym for "benign"? A) Malignant ← ELIMINATE (this is an antonym) B) Harmless ← KEEP (this fits) C) Aggressive ← ELIMINATE (this is an antonym) D) Painful ← ELIMINATE (unrelated meaning)
Answer: B) Harmless
Common Traps on Verbal Questions
| Trap | Description | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Partial answer | Answer addresses part of the question but not all of it | Make sure the answer addresses the COMPLETE question |
| True but irrelevant | Statement is true but does not answer the specific question | Re-read the question; does this answer what was ASKED? |
| Too extreme | Answer uses absolute words (always, never, all, none) | Be wary of extremes — most correct answers allow exceptions |
| Outside knowledge | Answer is correct based on your knowledge but not the passage | For reading comprehension, ONLY use passage information |
| Distractor synonym | Two answers seem similar, but one is more precise | Choose the answer that most accurately matches the context |
Analogies and Word Relationships
Some word knowledge questions test your understanding of relationships between words:
| Relationship Type | Example | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Synonym | benign : harmless | Same meaning |
| Antonym | acute : chronic | Opposite meaning |
| Part : Whole | finger : hand | Component of a larger whole |
| Degree/Intensity | warm : hot | Same concept, different intensity |
| Cause : Effect | infection : fever | One leads to the other |
| Category : Example | organ : heart | General category and specific instance |
Practice: High-Frequency NEX Vocabulary
Master these words commonly tested on nursing entrance exams:
The word "exacerbate" is closest in meaning to:
Which word is an ANTONYM of "chronic"?
"The efficacy of the new treatment was demonstrated in clinical trials." What does "efficacy" mean?
"The prognosis for the patient was favorable." What does "prognosis" mean?
A word that has the OPPOSITE meaning of another word is called an _____.
Type your answer below
"The nurse noted the patient was ambulatory after surgery." What does "ambulatory" mean?
Match each vocabulary word to its correct definition.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right
When answering a reading comprehension question about the MAIN IDEA, the correct answer will: