100+ Free NLN NEX Math Practice Questions
Pass your National League for Nursing Nursing Entrance Exam - Mathematics Section exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A nurse works 12-hour shifts. If she worked 4 shifts this week, how many total hours did she work?
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Key Facts: NLN NEX Math Exam
The NLN NEX Mathematics section is a 45-item, 60-minute, calculator-allowed multiple-choice test covering numbers and operations, measurement and conversions, algebra, and data interpretation at a Grade 6 to Algebra I level for nursing-program applicants.
Sample NLN NEX Math Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NLN NEX Math exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What is the place value of the digit 7 in the number 4,752?
2What is 3,510 divided by 26?
3What is 7,236 + 5,971?
4Which of the following numbers is the smallest?
5What is the sum of the distinct prime factors of 28?
6Which of the following is equivalent to 45%?
7A nursing class has 250 students, and 40% of them made it to a clinical placement. How many students did NOT get a placement?
8What is 3/4 expressed as a decimal?
9What is 7/9 minus 1/4?
10A recipe requires 3/4 cup of sugar, but a nurse making a dietary sample wants to triple it. How much sugar is needed?
About the NLN NEX Math Exam
The Mathematics section of the National League for Nursing Nursing Entrance Exam (NLN NEX) measures the basic quantitative skills nursing-program applicants need for success in coursework such as dosage calculation and data interpretation. It contains 45 multiple-choice items, 40 of which are scored and 5 unscored, to be completed in 60 minutes with a calculator permitted. Content is drawn from roughly Grade 6 through Grade 10 Algebra I and is organized into four content areas: Numbers and Operations (30%), Measurement (35%), Algebra (17.5%), and Data and Information (17.5%). About 63% of items are problem-solving or word problems and about 38% are direct computation. Scores are reported as percentile ranks against a national norming group, and each nursing program sets its own admission cut score.
Questions
45 scored questions
Time Limit
60 minutes for the Mathematics section
Passing Score
No fixed national cut score; scores are reported as percentile ranks and each nursing program sets its own minimum requirement.
Exam Fee
Included in the full NEX fee of about $59 on campus or $73.50 to $80 virtually (2026); optional Math prep materials are about $38. (National League for Nursing (NLN) Assessment Services)
NLN NEX Math Exam Content Outline
Numbers and Operations
Place value, integer and whole-number operations, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, order of operations, exponents, square roots, and rational versus irrational numbers.
Measurement
Metric and US customary units, unit and dimensional-analysis conversions, dosage-style proportions, temperature conversion, rates, area, and perimeter.
Algebra
Solving linear equations and inequalities for one variable, simplifying and evaluating expressions, exponent rules, translating word problems, and slope of a line.
Data and Information
Interpreting tables, bar graphs, and pie charts, computing mean, median, mode, and range, percent change, and basic probability.
How to Pass the NLN NEX Math Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed national cut score; scores are reported as percentile ranks and each nursing program sets its own minimum requirement.
- Exam length: 45 questions
- Time limit: 60 minutes for the Mathematics section
- Exam fee: Included in the full NEX fee of about $59 on campus or $73.50 to $80 virtually (2026); optional Math prep materials are about $38.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NLN NEX Math Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the NLN NEX Math section and how long is it?
The Mathematics section has 45 multiple-choice questions, of which 40 are scored and 5 are unscored pretest items. You have 60 minutes to complete it, which is about 1.3 minutes per question.
Can I use a calculator on the NLN NEX Math test?
Yes. A calculator is permitted on the Mathematics section of the NLN NEX, so you can focus on setting up problems correctly rather than on long hand computations.
What topics does the NLN NEX Math section cover?
It covers four content areas: Numbers and Operations (30%), Measurement and conversions (35%), Algebra (17.5%), and Data and Information (17.5%), at roughly a Grade 6 through Algebra I level.
What score do I need to pass the NLN NEX Math section?
There is no fixed national passing score. Math scores are reported as percentile ranks, and each nursing program decides its own minimum acceptable score for admission.
How is the NLN NEX Math section scored?
Each item is scored as correct or incorrect with no penalty for guessing, and unanswered items count as incorrect. Your raw score is converted to a percentile rank based on a national norming group.
How much does the NLN NEX exam cost?
In 2026 the full three-section NEX costs about $59 for on-campus testing and roughly $73.50 to $80 for virtually proctored testing. Optional Math prep study materials cost about $38 for 90-day access.