The TEAS, or Test of Essential Academic Skills, is a comprehensive exam created by ATI Nursing Education and designed to gauge a student's ability to succeed in the health sciences. It is often required as part of an admission application to nursing or applied health schools. The TEAS test consists of 170 multiple choice questions covering topics of Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. There are 45 Reading questions, 38 Mathematics questions, 50 Science questions, and 37 English and Language Usage questions. The test is 209 minutes long, with a 10 minute break in between the Mathematics and Science sections. The test is administered in a proctored environment, either by the school or a third-party testing center. If taking the test online at an on-campus location, your test will be scored immediately upon completion. Otherwise, your scores will become available 24 to 72 business hours after completion.
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Preparation is an important factor in getting a good score on the TEAS. ATI, the creators of the test, recommend spending at least 6 weeks preparing. A review of the fundamentals of each section (Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage) is a good place to start. There are also many resources, both online and in printable form, available through the ATI website. These include study materials and practice tests, both of which are instrumental in effective preparation. Additionally, it is recommended that you take the TEAS a significant period of time before the due date, so that you have time to take it again if you need a higher score. 40% of TEAS test takers have taken the test more than once.
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Create AccountTo register for the TEAS test, you must have an ATI account. To do this, go to the ATI website and click "Create Account" in the upper right hand corner of the screen. There are 7 steps you must go through, the first of which is creating a username and password, and supplying a valid email address. In the next steps you will be asked to provide your name, address, phone number, the institution you are studying at, your student ID, degree, and expected graduation date. You also have the option of selecting "Non-degree seeking." You will be asked to supply answers to three security questions, and finally you will be asked to agree to ATI's terms and conditions.
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If you take the TEAS at a ATI or PSI location, the exam will cost $120. If you take the exam at institutions or testing centers, the fees do vary due to local operating costs. However, most locations will still charge, on average, $120 for the exam. When registering on the ATI website, you will need to supply valid debit card or credit card information to complete your registration for the test. A debit or credit card is the only accepted payment method. Even if you are registering to take the TEAS with an institution, such as your college or university, payment is only accepted on the ATI website. You cannot make payments through your institution.
In addition to the cost associated with registering for the TEAS test, there is also a transcript order fee of $29.99 that you will be required to pay if you need ATI to send your scores to an institution other than the one you took the test at. Given that 40% of prospective nursing and applied health students take the TEAS more than once, there is a possibility that you will need to pay the test fee more than once. If you plan to purchase study materials, a study manual is sold on the ATI website is just $25 for the printed book and $20 for the ebook version.
There are several actions that will result in your test fee being forfeited to ATI, meaning you will not be able to take the test and will not get a refund on your test fee. If you need to cancel your appointment to take the TEAS test, you must do so 2 days before the test date to reschedule, otherwise your test fee will be forfeited. Additionally, if you do not attend a test appointment, if you arrive after the start time of a test appointment, or if you are unable to present proper identification at a test appointment, your test fee will be forfeited.
There are multiple TEAS testing methods. Regardless of what method you choose, the test will be proctored. You can take the TEAS test online or in person. If you wish to take the test in person, you have the choice of taking it on campus at an institution, or on-site at one of many PSI National Testing Centers. If you wish to take the test online, you have the choice of having it proctored by ATI or an institution with a remote proctoring service.
The first thing to do before registering to take the TEAS test at a PSI location is to check with the institution you are applying to, and make sure that they accept tests proctored by PSI. You should also check that there is a PSI testing center near you, with operating hours and dates that work for your schedule. To register to take the TEAS at a PSI location, go to the ATI website and click Exam Registration. Then select In-Person, and select PSI Testing Center as your location.
When registering to take the test through an institution, they will communicate whether the test will be online or in person. When taking the test in person, a four-function calculator will be provided for you by the proctor. You will not be permitted to use your own calculator. To register to take the TEAS test on campus, select the appropriate location after clicking In-Person when registering for the test on the ATI website.
When taking the TEAS test online, a four-function calculator is built into the test. You must have the latest version of Google Chrome and you must download the Proctorio Chrome Extension. You must take the test on a PC or Mac, you cannot use a phone or tablet. You must also have a webcam. To register to take the ATI proctored test, you will select the Online option, and then select ATI Remote Proctor. There is a dry run service available to walk you through the steps of taking the test before your appointment, to make sure there are no technical issues. Technical issues will not be accepted as a reason for a refund or free reschedule.
Similar to taking the TEAS test proctored by ATI, you must have the latest version of Google Chrome and you must download the Proctorio Chrome Extension. You must take the test on a PC or Mac, you cannot use a phone or tablet. You must also have a webcam. To register to take the institution proctored test, you will select the Online option, and then select Institution Remote Proctor.
You must bring a valid form of identification to your TEAS reservation. Valid ID is government issued, includes a photo, signature, and a permanent address. You should bring 2, sharpened No. 2 pencils. You will not be allowed to use other writing instruments. You should not bring food or drink, additional apparel (eg. hats and jackets), personal items (eg. purses and backpacks), or electronics of any kind. A proctor will be present to monitor the behavior of students taking the test. You will be provided with scratch paper, and all paper must be returned to the proctor at the end of the test. You may take a 10 minute break after the Mathematics section, but you may not access personal items during that time.
The TEAS is scored by a process called equating, wherein the number of points a correct answer gets depends on the difficulty of the question. Your score report will contain your total score, the score for each section of the test, and the scores for each sub-content area. Additionally, based on your overall score you will see an Academic Preparedness Level on your score report. Levels range from Developmental to Exemplary. The score report will also give you information about how other students have scored, presenting values such as the national average score, and the percent of students who scored at or below your score. Contact the institution you are applying to for their minimum required score, but be advised that achieving the minimum score will not necessarily guarantee you admission.
If you take the test online, through either ATI or an institution, you will receive your score report immediately after completing the test. If you take the test in person at an institution, the test will be scored within 24 business hours of completion. If you take the test with PSI, the score report can take up to 72 business hours to become available. You can access your TEAS test scores through your ATI Account under My Results.
Yvonne Cook, RN is a Registered Nurse with 6 years of experience as an active-duty U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman and further experience as a School Nurse and Hospice Inpatient RN. She currently assists CNA's obtain and renew their licenses. Yvonne passed the NCLEX on the first attempt and the TEAS test with an above-average score. She holds an Associate's Degree in Nursing from Owens Community College.
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The TEAS test is not free. Depending on what method you use to take the test, the registration fee can range anywhere from 60 to 140 dollars. There are also additional fees for transcript orders and study materials.
You can take the TEAS test as many times as you like. In fact, 40% of prospective students take the TEAS more than once.
There are study materials available for purchase on the ATI website as well as on several third party websites. Study materials and programs range in price from 25 to 250 dollars.