The TEAS exam is a multiple-choice standardized test designed to assess a student’s knowledge and readiness for nursing school. It is typically required for admission to nursing school and becoming a nurse.

In this article, we’ll go over the complete guide to taking the TEAS exam, as well as some study tips to help you ace it!

Table of Contents

• What is a TEAS Exam?
• What is on the TEAS Exam?
• What is the difference between TEAS 6 and TEAS 7
• What is a passing TEAS Exam score?
• How long does the TEAS Exam take?
• What should I bring to the Exam?
• Helpful Tips to Ace the TEAS Exam
• After the TEAS Exam
• FAQs About The TEAS Exam

What is a TEAS Exam?

The TEAS exam is not required for all nursing programs. Most people, including prospective nursing students, must understand what it is. However  If you are considering attending nursing school, you would almost certainly be required to take a standardized exam known as the Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS exam. 

The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a multiple-choice standardized test intended to evaluate a student’s knowledge and preparedness for nursing schools, and it is usually a prerequisite for admission to nursing school and becoming a nurse. Nursing has become a highly in demand career path in recent years.

Prerequisites

All test takers who want to take the TEAS exam must meet the basic application and registration prerequisites. The TEAS exam is administered in a controlled environment, typically at predetermined testing centers in nursing training schools or national test centers.

A proctor or invigilator supervises the exam and ensures the testing process’s integrity. ATI, PSI, nursing schools, and allied health schools are typical TEAS test proctors.

There are four ways to register for the ATI TEAS exam:

1. Online TEAS exam with an ATI proctor
2. Online TEAS exam with institution/nursing school proctor
3. In-person TEAS examination with an Institution Proctor
4. PSI proctored TEAS exam in person

Exam Dates and Deadlines

It is recommended that students take the TEAS test early in their college careers, preferably during their freshman year. ATI recommends that you study for the TEAS for at least six weeks. It is critical that you prepare thoroughly for your exam.

Most nursing programs ask students to complete the TEAS test by a certain date. If you plan to start a program in the fall, you should take the test at least a semester ahead of time.

Late registration for the TEAS may cause you to miss the deadline and therefore be unable to enroll in a program, or it may force you to wait until the following semester. To prevent this regret, plan for the TEAS at least two months before the test dates.

Exam Registration

When registering for the TEAS exam, test takers should inquire about the date of the test and the location with their desired nursing school or nursing program. An ATI TEAS test costs about $95; you can take it up to three times in a year. 

Some nursing programs offer two ways to take the exam: either remotely at an institution, nursing school, or PSI testing center, or online using remote proctoring.

Exam Testing Centers

You have several options for registering for and taking your ATI TEAS Exam.

• TEAS at your university. This can take place either on campus (in person) or online from home, with a remote proctor supervising your exam.
• TEAS at ATI is a remote-proctored online (at-home) exam. ATI will proctor your exam remotely using ATI proctors.
• PSI TEAS in Person at a PSI Testing Center PSI has testing centers across the United States where the TEAS exam is administered. You can visit the PSI website for a complete list of testing centers.

Exam Cost

For more information, you should contact the nursing school to which you are applying. However, the testing fee to take the TEAS test is generally, though the cost varies depending on where you take the test. 

It is usually around $100. The cost of sending the results to one school is included in the test fee, but if you would like them sent to more than one, it will cost $27 per school.

What is on the TEAS Exam?

It is now time to learn about the exam’s content. The TEAS will assess students on a variety of subjects to determine whether they are academically prepared to pursue an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor Degree of Nursing (BSN) program.

The test includes four general subjects: reading, math, science, and English and language usage.

Reading

There are 53 questions about reading.

Questions on knowledge and idea integration are included.

• It can help if you read a variety of materials before the exam, such as articles, books, and academic papers. This can save you a lot of time on the exam.
• Beware of “logical conclusions”: It is common to see questions begin with “logically conclude,” which is a trap! Make no assumptions about the text depending on the personal understanding all logical deductions must be derived on what is written in the passage.
• Pay attention to bold and italics: these indicators may be attempting to draw your attention to important information during the test.

• The text determines its own reality: when answering questions, it is critical that you accept the passage as fact and do not let your prior knowledge interfere with the test.

For example, if the passage states that an elephant is a small animal, treat this as fact when answering the passage-related questions.

• Question before passage: It is beneficial to read the questions first, followed by the passage. This will help you focus your attention when reading the passage.

Mathematics

There are 36 questions in math.

Measurements, numbers, and algebra are among the topics covered in the questions.

• PEMDAS: The sequence of operations is critical! To help you remember it, use the mnemonic PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction).
• Make sure you understand how the US Standard and Metric measurement systems work and how to convert between them.
• Partial number expressions: Recognize that decimals, fractions, and percentages are all different ways of expressing the same thing.
• Understand what is permitted. Understand what you can and cannot do in the testing room. The ATI TEAS, for example, allows the use of a calculator. Take practice tests with a real calculator, not your phone or computer.
• Fundamental concepts: Review common mathematical rules; for example, when adding fractions, they must have the same common denominator.

Science

There are 53 questions in science.

It consists of human anatomy and physiology, life sciences, and scientific reasoning.

• Human anatomy and physiology account for roughly 30% of this section, so make sure you understand and remember the various systems (such as the immune and skeletal systems) and their functions.
• Population shifts: Make sure you understand the basics of population growth and decline, as well as birth and fertility rates.
• Reasoning: In addition to factual questions, you will be asked scientific reasoning questions. They may present you with an experiment and request various interpretations and explanations.
• Examine the periodic table: If you’re anything like me, you erased that from your memory a long time ago, but you’ll need it now.
• Biology and chemistry: When reviewing these topics, make sure you understand the fundamentals, such as DNA structure, atom structure, and the distinctions between states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma).

English and Language Usage

There are 28 English and language usage questions.

It includes language and vocabulary knowledge.

• Study your nouns, pronouns, conjunctions, and verbs to ensure you understand how to use them.
• Study the rules of spelling, capitalization, and punctuation: Make a list of the main rules for yourself.
• Understand the definitions of common prefixes and suffixes.
• Context clues: In this section, these are your friends. If you’re unsure about the meaning of a word, look at the context and use the process of elimination.

What is the Difference Between TEAS 6 and TEAS 7?

The primary distinction between the two is that TEAS Version 6 allows you to complete 53 questions in 63 minutes, whereas TEAS Version 7 allows you to complete 50 questions in 60 minutes. which means that the contents of TEAS no. 6 have changed to TEAS no. 7.

Fewer questions will focus on your understanding of craft and structure, as well as key ideas and details, while more questions will evaluate your integration of knowledge and ideas.

However, TEAS 6 will no longer be administered; ATI Testing has decided that TEAS 6 will be replaced by TEAS 7 starting in June 2022. Every few years, ATI Testing updates the exam to ensure that it lines up with changing Common Core State Standards as well as nursing and allied health program standards.

The following are the major changes:

• The science section of the ATI TEAS Exam 7 now includes chemistry and biology subsections.
• The “vocabulary acquisition” subsection in the English and Language Usage section has been replaced with “using language and vocabulary.”
• Other minor adjustments include the number of questions in each section.

Furthermore, unlike the TEAS 6, which only had multiple choice questions, the TEAS 7 has brand new question types. Examples include:

• Supply answer: Because there are no answer choices for this type of question, you simply write your answer in the blank space.
• Multi-select questions: Have four or more answer options from which you must choose all of the correct answers, as there may be more than one.
• Hot spot: In this type of question, an image with clickable areas is displayed, and you must click on the area that you believe is correct.
• Ordered response: This type of question presents several response options that must be dragged and dropped into place in a specific order.

What is a Passing TEAS Exam Score?

The average TEAS score varies depending on the nursing program and school. The average TEAS score, on the other hand, is between 65% and 75%. This is in the “proficient” TEAS score range.

Remember that this is a national average TEAS score. This will differ according to your program. So, what constitutes a good TEAS score? “Any score that allows you to be admitted to your nursing program”

This score should normally be greater than 70%. A TEAS score of more than 80% is considered advanced or exemplary.

How Long Does the TEAS Exam Take?

The time varies; for example, if you take the TEAS exam on campus, you may receive your score and report right away. Take note that your university may decide not to reveal exam results to students. In that case, you should check with your school to see when you will receive your score. Candidates who take the ATI TEAS exam on paper will receive their results within 24 hours.

What Should I Bring to the Exam?

In terms of what to bring to the exam, your institution will communicate whether your in-person TEAS exam will be online or on paper and pencil.

If you are taking the online version, the exam includes a four-function drop-down calculator (multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division). The proctor will provide you with a four-function calculator if you take the TEAS on paper.

Photo ID: You must present government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or green card, in order to be admitted to your testing session.

Please bring two sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers if you are taking a paper-and-pencil exam. Other types of writing instruments are not permitted.

Please refer to the confirmation email you received following your ATI TEAS registration for any additional items required by your school. Some schools require students to bring extra items with them to their exams.

If you are taking an online exam, please bring your ATI log-in information with you. You must create a student account. Prior to test day at www.atitesting.com, have your log-in information with you. Test takers without their ATI username and password will be unable to take the exam.

Helpful Tips to Ace the TEAS Exam

Now that you’re prepared to take the exam, here are five pointers to help you succeed.

The first step is to devise a strategy and ask yourself the following questions:

• How much time do I have before taking the TEAS?
• What kind of study environment do I prefer?
• What are my primary concerns?
• What resources do I have at my fingertips?
• What else do I need to do besides study for the TEAS?

This allows you to anticipate some of your challenges and better prepare for the exam. It also allows you to set aside time to complete all tasks in case something unexpected arises.

The second suggestion is to take a practice exam.

While you can study for various subjects on your own, you should think about taking a practice exam. You will not only see what types of questions may appear on the exam, but you will also become familiar with the question format. 

You could very well find it useful to set a timer while taking your practice exam to get a sense of how much time you have for each section.

The third piece of advice is to practice time management.

Time management is essential in the run-up to and during the TEAS exam. Because you only have a limited amount of time for each section, use proper time management. Don’t ponder a question for too long if you don’t know the answer. 

You must allow yourself some extra time at the end of the exam to assess your answers and make any necessary corrections.

The fourth tip is to answer every question.

If you are a perfectionist, you may want to extensively and precisely answer each question. Unfortunately, you may be unable to answer a question or may run out of time near the end of the exam. But do not be alarmed if this occurs. 

To save time, consider moving on to the next question and then answering questions you left blank near the end of the test. You will not be penalized for incorrect answers on your exam, so make sure to answer all of them.

The final and probably most important tip is to take care of yourself.

Try not to be overly stressed. Although this is a major exam, you should be confident in yourself because you have prepared yourself as thoroughly as possible. On the night before the exam, fight the urge to study all night and instead do something fun and relaxing. When studying for an exam, make sure to get a good night’s sleep and to take care of yourself.

After the TEAS Exam

If you’ve finished the exam and are wondering about the status of your exam, the best advice we can give you is to relax and recognize that you did prepare for this, so worrying about your exam score will not help you.

When Will I Get my TEAS Exam Results?

You will receive your score report immediately if you take the TEAS test electronically. If you take the exam on paper, you will receive your TEAS score within 48 hours. Students may prefer to take the exam electronically in order to receive their TEAS scores as soon as possible.

Where Can I Get the TEAS Exam Results

You should receive your TEAS score immediately after completing your exam. If you are testing in-person or remotely at a school or testing center, after the completion of the ATI TEAS test, your test will be scored immediately, and you will be able to view your ATI TEAS score report under the MY RESULTS tab in your ATI Account.

What Happens if I Fail the TEAS Exam? 

Failing grades can differ between schools. You must contact your school to find out what their failing grade is. You can, however, retake the exam if you want to try for a higher score.

FAQs About The TEAS Exam

How long is the TEAS Exam results good for?

How long are TEAS scores valid? TEAS scores are normally valid for two years. However, because this is a school policy, you must verify with the school(s) where you intend to apply. TEAS Exam results are typically valid for two years.

Can you retake the TEAS?

The good news is that if you are dissatisfied with your exam score, you can always retake it. You will only have to wait 30 days or so, depending on the school, to retake your exam.

How many times can I take the TEAS Exam?

A student can take the test on average three times per year. Although each school has its own requirements regarding the number of times you can take the test and the time period in which you must wait to retake the exam.

Can I reschedule my TEAS Exam?

Yes, you may cancel or reschedule your exam, but depending on when you do so, you may be charged a forfeit fee. If you are unable to attend the exam, you may reschedule; however, try not to miss the exam date as much as possible.