TEAS
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What is the TEAS Exam?
The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized entrance exam used by nursing and allied health programs to measure prospective student’s readiness.
The exam covers four areas:
- Math
- Reading
- Science
- English and Language Usage
The current version (ATI TEAS 7) contains 170 total questions and take 209 minutes to complete.
The exam is administered by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI).
Who Takes the TEAS Exam
Prospective Nursing School Applicants
Nursing programs administer the TEAS exam to their prospective applicants. Many Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs require applicants to take the exam before they are admitted.
Nursing programs use the exam to measure whether or not a student is ready for the rigors of nursing school. A strong score can help strengthen your application.
Each school sets their own score requirements, retake rules, and deadline policies, so make sure to check with your program before registering.
Allied Health & Other Health Science Programs
The TEAS is not only used for nursing school admissions. Some allied health and health-science programs may also require the exam. Examples of those programs could include:
- Medical Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Radiography
- Respiratory Therapy
- Practical Nursing Programs
Again, the exact requirement depends on the school and program, so make sure to check with your specific school or program.
What is on the TEAS Exam
Math (38 Questions, 57 Minutes)
The math section has 38 total questions with a 57 minute time limit. Of those 38 questions, only 34 are scored.
Math is split into 2 sub-topics:
- Numbers and Algebra: 18 Questions
- Measurement and Data: 16 Questions
- Unscored: 4 Questions
Some common topics on this section include fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, equations, word problems, graphs, and measurement conversions.
Science (50 Questions, 60 Minutes)
The science section has 50 total questions with a 60 minute time limit. Of those 50 questions, only 44 are scored.
Science is split into 4 sub-topics:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: 18 Questions
- Biology: 9 Questions
- Chemistry: 8 Questions
- Scientific Reasoning: 9 Questions
- Unscored: 6 Questions
Some common topics on this section include body systems, anatomy and physiology, cells, genetics, chemical reactions, scientific method, experiments, and data interpretation.
Reading (45 Questions, 55 Minutes)
The reading section has 45 total questions with a 55 minute time limit. Of those 45 questions, only 39 are scored.
Reading is split into 3 sub-topics:
- Key Ideas and Details: 15 Questions
- Craft and Structure: 9 Questions
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 15 Questions
- Unscored: 6 Questions
You will be asked to read short passages, charts, directions, or information texts and answer questions based on what is stated or implied.
English and Language Usage (37 Questions, 37 Minutes)
The English and language usage section has 37 total questions with a 37 minute time limit. Of those 37 questions, only 34 are scored.
English and Language Usage is split into 3 sub-topics:
- Conventions of English: 12 Questions
- Knowledge of Language: 11 Questions
- Using Language and Vocabulary: 10 Questions
- Unscored: 4 Questions
Some common topics on this section include sentence structure, revising sentences, recognizing parts of speech, and choosing the best word based on context given.
TEAS Exam Format, Length, and Types of Questions
TEAS is 170 Questions and Takes 209 Minutes
The ATI TEAS 7 exam consists of 170 total questions and will take 209 minutes to complete. Of those 170 questions, 150 are scored and 20 are unscored.
The exam is divided into 4 sections (all timed):
- Math: 38 questions in 57 minutes
- Science: 50 questions in 60 minutes
- Reading: 45 questions in 55 minutes
- English and Language Usage: 37 questions in 37 minutes
The unscored questions are mixed into the exam and you will not know which questions count towards your score and which ones do not.
TEAS 7 Uses Five Question Types
The exam uses 5 question types:
- Multiple-Choice: You will be given 4 answer choices and asked to select the correct option.
- Multiple-Select: You will be given 4 or more answer choices and asked to select all of the correct answers. Also known as “select all that apply.”
- Fill-In-The-Blank: You will not be given an answer choice. You have to fill in the answer yourself.
- Hot Spot: You will be given an image with clickable areas. You need to select the correct area of the image.
- Ordered Response: You will be given 4 to 6 responses and asked to drag the options into the correct order. All responses need to be ordered correctly for the question to be scored as correct.
Multiple-choice is the most common question type on the exam.
How the TEAS Exam is Scored
The TEAS is scored as a percentage. You will receive the following after completing your exam:
- Total Composite Score: Your overall score.
- Subject Score: Your overall score for each of the 4 subjects.
- Sub-Content Score: Your score for each sub-content area within the 4 main subjects.
In addition, ATI provides “preparedness” levels on the score report. These levels include:
- Developmental (0 – 40%)
- Basic (40.7 – 58%)
- Proficient (58.7 – 79.3%)
- Advanced (80 – 91.3%)
- Exemplary (92 – 100%)
You will also see your score as a national percentile rank and a program percentile rank.
What Counts as a Good TEAS Score
It is important to remember there is not universal passing score for the TEAS exam. Every school / program sets their own passing standards.
Competitive nursing programs may expect stronger scores, especially if they receive many applications. We recommend checking with your school or program on their minimum passing requirements. Some schools even release average accepted score data, which is helpful and can give you a target score.
How to Register for and Schedule the TEAS Exam
Before registering, check your school’s requirements for taking the exam. There are 4 different options when registering:
- Online: Proctored by ATI
- Online: Proctored by Institution
- In-Person: Proctored by Institution
- In-Person: Proctored by PSI
Once you confirm the methods your school accepts, you can register for the exam by visiting the official ATI website.
Two other important things to keep in mind when registering and scheduling the exam are:
- Deadline for submitting exam scores
- Whether your scores must be sent directly through ATI
The cost of the exam varies by testing method and location. Exams administered through ATI or PSI are typically $120.
How to Prepare for the TEAS Exam
The best way to prepare for the exam is by starting with a free TEAS practice exam. A practice exam will help you identify weak areas and establish a baseline for where you stand.
After taking a practice exam, identify the areas you struggled with the most (science, math, reading, or English). For example, if science was your weakest area, you should start there.
A strong study plan should include:
- A practice exam to start with
- Learning content that explains high-yield concepts
- Full-length exams that mimic the actual exam and include detailed answer explanations
- Study tools to make studying an efficient and smooth process
Our ATI TEAS 7 prep course includes all of the above and more.
TEAS Exam FAQs
Q: What does TEAS stand for?
A: TEAS stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills. It is an entrance exam used by many nursing, allied health, and health-science programs.
Q: Is the TEAS only for nursing?
A: No, while the TEAS is most commonly associated with nursing programs, it is also used by allied health and health-science programs.
Q: Is the TEAS exam hard?
A: The TEAS exam can be challenging (especially if you do not prepare properly for it). It is a challenging exam because it covers so many subjects (math, reading, science, and English). Many students find science or math to be the most challenging.
Q: How many questions are on the TEAS?
A: There are 170 total questions. Of the 170 total questions, 150 are scored.
Q: How long is the TEAS?
A: The exam lasts for a total of 209 minutes.
Q: What subjects are tested on TEAS?
A: There are 4 subjects tested on the exam. The 4 subjects are math, science, English and language usage, and reading.
Q: Can I use a calculator on the TEAS?
A: Yes, you will be provided with a calculator for the math section of the exam. You will not be permitted to bring or use your own calculator.
Q: What is a passing score on the TEAS?
A: There is no universal passing score. Every program sets their own passing requirements.
Q: How many times can you retake the TEAS?
A: Every program sets their own retake policy. Some programs will limit the number of times you can retake the exam and may require you to wait a certain period of time before you can retest.