TEAS Reading Practice Test

A TEAS reading practice test is your guide to acing the TEAS reading section of the TEAS test. Unlike the other 3 sections of the exam, this section of the exam has reading passages.

While the TEAS reading passages may seem like a curveball, there is not much to worry about because we are here to teach you the ins and outs of them.

Our reading practice TEAS test was designed by an expert on the exam to look and feel like the actual test. Keep on reading not only to see the best ATI TEAS reading practice tests, but also to learn the general layout of this portion of the exam.

Take the TEAS reading exam below to begin your studies. Make sure to use the answer explanations to learn how to solve certain types of questions you may see on the actual exam.

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TEAS Reading Practice Test

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TEAS Reading

The TEAS reading test assesses your knowledge in a series of 3 sub-topics, these sub-topics are:

  • Key ideas and details
  • Craft & structure
  • Integration of knowledge & ideas

As mentioned earlier, what makes the TEAS reading section special is the use of reading passages. TEAS reading passages are not Shakespearian plays, but are instead passages for you to analyze.

The reading passages are not necessarily difficult, but they can be time consuming, so it is important to learn how to analyze them.

How Many Questions are on TEAS Reading?

All in all, there are 45 questions on the TEAS reading exam, but of those 45 questions only 39 are scored. The 6 questions that aren’t scored are classified as “pre-test questions” and are used for research purposes.

You have 55 minutes to complete the TEAS reading test, and the time limit is mostly due to the TEAS reading passages. While it may seem like you have a lot of time, the TEAS provided this time to for you to analyze the passage.

How to Analyze a TEAS Reading Passage

The reading passages on the TEAS act very similarly to the reading passages on the ACT. The passages are not difficult to read, but they can trip some people up or take a lot of time to read.

When analyzing a reading passage it is best to skim through the passage to get a basic understanding of what the passage is about. The best way to do this is to read the opening and closing sentence of each paragraph and then jot down a key word for what that paragraph was explaining.

After writing down a keyword for each paragraph write a very simple sentence about what you believe the passage was trying to convey.

Next, go on to the questions. Most questions will have a dead giveaway for where to look for the answer. Sometimes this giveaway is as simple as “in lines 39-47 the author most nearly means…” or the question asks for something that looks similar to your keywords that you wrote.

Whatever the case may be, do NOT read the passage word-by-word, as it is time consuming and you will most likely be reading filler information that does not even apply to any of the questions.

What Kind of Questions are on TEAS Reading?

The TEAS test has 5 types of questions that they ask, these types of questions are:

  • Regular multiple choice
  • Multiple choice where more than one answer may be correct. Another name for this question is a “select all that apply question”
  • Fill in the blank questions.
  • Hot spot items: this question includes an image with clickable areas, where the test-taker must click on the right item.
  • Ordered Response: You are given 4-6 options and you must drag them into the correct order.

The most common type of question that you will be asked will be multiple choice questions.

Broad Breakdown of the 3 Sub-Topics on TEAS Reading

As mentioned earlier, the TEAS reading test has 3 sub-topics: key ideas and details, craft & structure, and integration of knowledge & ideas.

These 3 subtopics can be broken down into more general concepts that the TEAS test assesses you on. Some of these general concepts are:

  • Summarize a multi-paragraph text
  • Make inferences and draw conclusions about a text’s purpose and meaning
  • Locate specific information in a text
  • Analyze, interpret, and apply information from charts, graphs, and other visuals
  • Interpret events in a sequence
  • Use context to interpret the meaning of words and phrases
  • Evaluate an author’s purpose in a given text
  • Use evidence from a text to make predictions and inferences and to draw conclusions
  • Compare and contrast the themes expressed in one or more texts
  • Evaluate an argument

How to Use a TEAS Reading Practice Test

The best way to prep for the TEAS reading section is to take a TEAS reading practice test. To use the practice test to its full capacity, utilize the features of the practice test, such as answer explanations, to help prepare you for the TEAS reading section.

It is also best to use a reading practice TEAS test early and efficiently. It is better to take one ATI TEAS reading practice test a day, rather than taking 5 in one day. By taking a practice test a day you are familiarizing your brain with the concepts that the test will be asking of you.

How Do I Do Well on the TEAS Reading Test?

To do well on the TEAS reading test it is necessary to become an expert at analyzing the reading passages.

The reading passages are the most time consuming aspect of the TEAS reading test, so if you are able to analyze them faster you can have more time for answering the questions.

It is also best, as mentioned above, to study early and efficiently. Cramming for 7 hours the night before your test will do you no good. However, studying for 1 hour every day for 2 weeks will help your brain immensely.

The number one way to get better at the TEAS reading test is to take TEAS reading practice tests. However, if you are not obtaining high scores, consider using our TEAS prep course.

TEAS Reading Practice FAQs

How can I get better at the TEAS reading test?

The number one way to get better at the TEAS reading test is to improve your overall reading speed and to master the art of skimming through a passage efficiently. If you can skim through a passage efficiently, then you will have more time to answer the questions.

What is a passing TEAS reading score?

While there is not necessarily a “passing score” for the TEAS reading section, there are scores that are classified as good and exemplary. A good TEAS reading score is 78% to 90%, or a 35-40 out of 45. A good score will get you recognized by nearly all nursing programs.

An exemplary score is classified as a 90.7% to 100%, and these scores will get you recognized by the top nursing programs.

Read our guide to TEAS scores for more information.

How many questions and how long is the TEAS reading section?

There are 45 questions on the TEAS reading section and you have 55 minutes to complete this section. The length of this section is long due to the fact that you have to read through the passages.

Authored By: Denise Lessow
Authored By: Denise Lessow

Denise has been helping students study for 25+ years.

Denise has a wealth of knowledge and has helped students reach scores in the top 10% across all subject areas for the HESI, TEAS, and NLN PAX exams.

Learn more about Denise Lessow.

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