Post-UTME for Nursing: Subjects, Format and Practice

Nursing is one of the most applied-for health courses in Nigeria, and the screening process can look confusing because there is more than one route. This guide explains the routes, the subjects that usually appear, the typical format, and how to prepare. It also includes original practice questions to test your readiness.

Two routes to nursing, two kinds of screening

1. University nursing science (BNSc). You write the UTME with Use of English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry (the 2026 combination reported by BusinessDay). Then the university screens you, often in a post-UTME exercise whose rules are in its own notice.
2. Nursing colleges and schools of nursing. These often run their own entrance or screening exercise, sometimes a computer-based test followed by an interview. Reports of 2026 notices from several schools describe this pattern.

For the 2026 cycle, reports of the JAMB policy meeting said the minimum admissible score for colleges of nursing sciences was 150, with schools allowed to set higher marks. The rules for 2027 had not been announced when we checked on 29 October 2026.

Subjects you are likely to meet

There is no national syllabus for nursing post-UTME, so read your school's notice. Reports describe the following patterns:

Notices also vary on length. Reports mention papers of roughly 50 to 100 questions within a window of about 30 to 60 minutes, but those are examples, not a rule. Check your own school.

Format to expect

Many recent notices describe computer-based screening. That means a timer, on-screen questions, and no way to flip back easily if the system locks a section. Practise on screen. If your school adds an interview, prepare short, honest answers about why you want to nurse, how you handle pressure, and what the job involves.

Sample questions (original, for practice)

These are written by us and are not from any real exam.

1. Which part of the cell contains the genetic material? A. Cytoplasm B. Nucleus C. Cell wall D. Vacuole Answer: B. DNA is housed mainly in the nucleus.

2. Which organ produces insulin? A. Liver B. Kidney C. Pancreas D. Stomach Answer: C. The pancreas releases insulin, which helps regulate blood glucose.

3. A solution has a pH of 3. It is best described as: A. strongly alkaline B. neutral C. acidic D. weakly alkaline Answer: C. A pH below 7 is acidic, and 3 is clearly on the acidic side.

4. A force of 20 N moves an object 5 m in the direction of the force. How much work is done? A. 4 J B. 25 J C. 100 J D. 400 J Answer: C. Work = force × distance = 20 × 5 = 100 J.

5. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The nurse's quick response _____ the patient's condition from worsening." A. prevented B. prevent C. preventing D. prevents Answer: A. The past-tense verb fits the sentence.

Use sets like these to test how fast and accurately you can work, then move to bigger sets from the real question bank.

How to prepare

1. Start with your notice. Note the subjects, the format, the dates and any age or credit rules.
2. Rebuild your Biology. It is usually the heaviest subject for nursing. Focus on human systems, cell biology, genetics, nutrition and disease.
3. Strengthen Chemistry and Physics basics. Learn the formulas and units; many mistakes come from unit slips.
4. Do not neglect English. A calm reading pace and a strong grammar base help in every part of the test.
5. Practise on screen in timed sets. Short daily sets plus a weekly longer test.
6. Review every miss. Group mistakes by topic and revisit them.

Our post-UTME preparation guide gives a general schedule, and how to pass JAMB Biology helps with the biggest nursing subject.

Which schools?

We do not list nursing schools here, because each school publishes its own dates, fees and rules, and they change every session. Look at your target school's official website for the current notice, and treat any post that asks you to pay a third party for "guaranteed admission" as a scam.

For subject combination and cut-off details specific to nursing, see our pages on the subject combination for Nursing and the cut-off mark for Nursing. To understand how scores might be combined, read the post-UTME aggregate calculator guide.

Avoid shortcuts

Do not pay for "leaked" nursing questions. Screening questions are not for sale, and anyone who sells them is a scammer. A candidate caught with malpractice can lose an opportunity entirely.

If your school adds an interview

Some nursing schools follow the test with an oral interview. You cannot memorise your way through one, but you can prepare. Think about why you want to be a nurse, a moment when you helped someone, how you cope under pressure, and what you understand about the profession's duties. Speak clearly, be honest, and keep answers short. Practise with a friend or relative who can ask follow-up questions. Dress neatly, arrive early and bring the documents the notice lists. Confidence comes from preparation, not from rehearsed lines.

Practise now

ExamPadi has 46,182 practice questions across JAMB, WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, with free daily practice and a Pro tier for full timed mocks. Start with Biology, then add Chemistry, Physics and English. No platform can promise admission, but regular practice in the right subjects is the best preparation you can give yourself.