- There is no universal KNAT passing score - every nursing program sets its own cutoff.
- Published examples include 62% at Jackson College and 65% at MSU Billings City College.
- Math is the largest section (28 of 91 questions) and often the difference-maker on cumulative score.
- Results appear immediately after testing as per-section percentages plus a cumulative score.
Why There's No Single "KNAT Passing Score"
If you're searching for one universal number that guarantees admission after taking the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test (KNAT), stop looking - it doesn't exist. The KNAT is developed and delivered by Kaplan, but it is administered directly by individual nursing programs, usually at the school's own assessment and testing center rather than through a commercial test center network. Because each program owns its own testing process, each program also sets its own admission cutoff. That means the "passing score" you need depends entirely on which nursing program you're applying to, not on some fixed exam standard.
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the exam, and it's worth understanding before you spend hours prepping for the wrong target. For a broader look at how the exam is structured and why this variability exists, see our What Is KNAT? overview and the full KNAT Requirements 2026 guide.
How KNAT Scoring Actually Works
The KNAT consists of 91 online multiple-choice questions split across four separately timed sections, totaling 165 minutes of testing time:
- Reading - 22 questions in 45 minutes
- Math - 28 questions in 45 minutes
- Writing - 21 questions in 45 minutes
- Science - 20 questions in 30 minutes
Each section is timed on its own, so you can't borrow extra minutes from Reading to finish Math. Once time is up on a section, it locks and you move to the next. An on-screen calculator is built into the testing platform for the Math section, and proctors typically supply scratch paper and pencils - but you're generally not allowed to bring your own calculator, so don't plan on using a personal device.
Results are returned immediately after testing. You'll see a percentage score for each of the four sections plus a single cumulative score that combines them. Programs may use either the cumulative score, individual section minimums, or both when deciding whether you meet their admission bar. This is why understanding the exam's structure matters just as much as understanding the content - for a deeper breakdown of each section's content and weighting, see our KNAT Exam Domains 2026 guide.
Key Takeaway
Because results post immediately, you'll know the same day whether you cleared your program's cutoff - there's no waiting period for scoring, only for retesting if you fall short.
Published Cutoffs: Real Examples
To illustrate just how much cutoffs vary, here are two documented, publicly available examples of institutional passing benchmarks:
| Program | Published Passing Score |
|---|---|
| Jackson College - AAS-N program | 62% |
| MSU Billings City College | 65% |
Notice the three-point spread between these two programs. That gap might seem small, but on a 91-question exam it can represent the difference between a handful of missed questions in your weakest section. Some programs may weight cumulative score more heavily, while others may require you to clear a minimum in every section - always confirm this detail directly with your program rather than assuming.
Fees for taking the exam are also set by the administering program, not by a centralized fee schedule. Documented examples range from $25 at Clayton State University to $50 at the University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson College, up to $70 at Delgado Community College. For a full breakdown of what you might pay and why costs vary, see KNAT Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Section-by-Section Score Targets
Since your cumulative score is built from four separately scored sections, it helps to think about where points are easiest to earn and where you're most at risk of losing them.
Domain 1: Reading (24%)
Tests comprehension and inference skills using passages similar to what you'll encounter in nursing coursework and clinical documentation.
- Practice identifying main ideas versus supporting details under time pressure
- 22 questions in 45 minutes means roughly two minutes per question - pacing matters
Domain 2: Math (31%)
The largest section by question count (28 of 91) and by weight. Covers unit conversions, basic and advanced operations, ratios, percentages, and word problems presented as equations or applied scenarios.
- Because it's the biggest section, even small accuracy gains here move your cumulative score the most
- Practice using the built-in on-screen calculator ahead of test day so its interface doesn't slow you down
Domain 3: Writing (23%)
Assesses grammar, sentence structure, and standard written English conventions rather than open-ended essay writing.
- Review common grammar rules: subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and sentence clarity
- 21 questions in 45 minutes leaves comfortable time to double-check answers
Domain 4: Science (22%)
The only section that tests nursing-adjacent content directly, focused specifically on physiology.
- Covers cardiovascular, renal, hematological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune, sensory, and neurological systems
- Also includes electrolytes and homeostasis - a frequent source of missed points
- 20 questions in 30 minutes is the tightest pacing of any section
For a complete walkthrough of what each domain covers and how to allocate study time proportionally, our KNAT Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 4 Content Areas goes deeper than we can here. And if you're still trying to gauge overall difficulty before committing to a study plan, How Hard Is the KNAT Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 breaks down what makes this test challenging section by section.
Why the Science Section Trips People Up
Most KNAT sections test general academic readiness - reading comprehension, math skills, and grammar you'd need for any college-level program. Science is the exception. It's specifically physiology-focused, covering body systems in real clinical depth: cardiovascular, renal, hematological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune, sensory, and neurological, plus electrolytes and homeostasis.
This matters for your passing score strategy because Science is the one section where prior coursework - anatomy and physiology classes especially - directly predicts performance. Candidates coming straight out of a strong A&P course often find this section more manageable than those testing further out from that coursework. If it's been a while since you studied physiology, budget extra review time here specifically, since generic "test-taking strategy" won't compensate for gaps in system-specific knowledge.
Retake Rules, Waiting Periods, and Score Validity
Because programs administer the KNAT independently, retake policies are also program-set rather than standardized. That said, common published patterns include:
- One or two attempts allowed per application period
- A minimum 30-day waiting period between retests
- Score validity ranging from six months up to three years, depending on the program
This means if you miss your target program's cutoff, you likely won't be able to retest the next day - plan your first attempt as if it's the one that counts, rather than treating it as a low-stakes practice run. It also means that if you tested previously and your score is still within your program's validity window, you may not need to retest at all before applying. Always confirm current policy with your specific program's admissions office, since these details can change between application cycles. For scheduling logistics around testing windows and deadlines, see KNAT Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
There are no formal prerequisites for taking the KNAT beyond your nursing program's own application requirements, though some programs restrict testing to applicants who are in their final semester of prerequisite coursework. Check this detail early, since it affects when you should even schedule your first attempt.
Building a Score-Focused Study Plan
Once you know your program's specific cutoff, work backward from it. If your target is 65%, for example, you don't need to obsess over perfection in every section - you need a realistic plan to clear that bar across all four sections combined (or individually, if your program requires per-section minimums).
Math and Science Foundations
- Drill unit conversions, ratios, and percentage word problems since Math carries the most questions (28 of 91)
- Review physiology systems for the Science section: cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and electrolyte balance first
Reading and Writing Mechanics
- Practice timed reading comprehension passages at roughly two minutes per question
- Review grammar fundamentals for the Writing section: agreement, punctuation, sentence structure
Timed Practice and Pacing
- Take full-length timed practice sessions mimicking the 165-minute, four-section format
- Focus remaining review time on your weakest section relative to your program's cutoff
A structured, section-aware approach like this beats generic "study more" advice because it accounts for how the KNAT is actually weighted and timed. For a more detailed week-by-week plan built around first-attempt success, see our full KNAT Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. You can also build test-day stamina and get comfortable with the timed, section-by-section format using realistic practice questions on our practice test platform before sitting the real exam.
Key Takeaway
Don't split study time evenly across all four sections by default - weight your prep toward Math (largest section) and Science (most content-heavy) while keeping Reading and Writing sharp with lighter, consistent review.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no single passing score for the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test. Each nursing program sets its own cutoff - published examples include 62% at Jackson College and 65% at MSU Billings City College. Confirm your target program's specific benchmark before testing.
This depends on the program. The KNAT produces a percentage score for each of the four sections (Reading, Math, Writing, Science) plus a cumulative score, and programs may require either the cumulative total, individual section minimums, or both. Check with your program's admissions office.
Results are returned immediately after testing, showing your percentage score for each section along with your cumulative score, so you'll know the same day whether you met your program's cutoff.
Attempt limits are set by each program, with common policies allowing one or two attempts per application period and a minimum 30-day wait between retests. Score validity also varies, typically ranging from six months to three years.
Many candidates find Science the most demanding since it's the only section testing specific nursing-adjacent content - physiology across body systems plus electrolytes and homeostasis - within a tight 30-minute window for 20 questions. Math, as the largest section with 28 questions, also requires strong pacing and accuracy since it carries the most weight toward your cumulative score.