Entrance Testing for the Nursing Course Sequence

Nurse Entrance Test (NET)

Students are required to take and pass the Nurse Entrance Test (NET) in order to be considered for acceptance into the Nursing Sequence. The minimum score to be considered for the program is a composite score of 64 percent. Students are not required to have completed all of the general education, mathematics and science courses before taking the NET. Students may take the NET at any time during the process of completing the prerequisites. Entrance testing can even be completed before beginning any of the prerequisite courses. It may be beneficial for some students to have taken a few of the prerequisites before taking the NET, especially if this is the first time a student has been enrolled in a college-level course.

The NET evaluates seven areas that are essential for academic success in a college level nursing program, including basic math skills and science reading comprehension. In addition to reading comprehension and math, the NET also assesses critical thinking appraisal, stress levels, social interaction profile, learning styles and test-taking skills.

The composite score is an average of the essential math skills and reading comprehension scores.

To prepare for the mathematics portion of the NET, students should review basic addition, multiplication, subtraction and long division of decimals and fractions, calculating percentages and basic algebra.

The NET is a standardized, timed, multiple-choice computerized test. Students should allow approximately 3 hours for completing the test.

Test locations, payment & scheduling

Home Campus

Entrance testing may be scheduled online. View schedule of test dates.

The entrance tests are given in Buchanan Hall, room 104, unless noted otherwise.

There is a $50 fee charged for the entrance tests. This fee is charged each time a test is taken. Students are expected to pay for the test before the test day and in the same month at the Registration and Financial Services Office (located in Missouri Hall) and bring the receipt and photo identification to the testing room the day of test.

Lake of the Ozarks campus

Entrance testing may be scheduled online. View schedule of test dates.

The entrance tests are given at the Columbia College-Lake of the Ozarks campus, 900 College Blvd., Osage Beach, MO, located behind Hy-Vee and Lowe's.

There is a $50 fee charged for the entrance tests. This fee is charged each time a test is taken. Students are expected to pay for the test at the Columbia College Lake of the Ozarks campus office and bring the receipt and photo identification the day of test.

Study guides for the NET

There is a study guide available for the NET. This study guide can be purchased at the college bookstore or through Educational Resources, Inc. online at www.eriworld.com. Students may review a copy of the study guide at Stafford Library at the home campus as well as Wall to Wall Bookstore at the Lake of the Ozarks nursing office.