TEAS Nursing Test Overview
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) evaluates future nurses to determine their initial skillset and readiness prior to entering a professional nursing program. The TEAS nursing test was developed by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) and is administered by colleges and universities as part of the admissions process for prospective students. Future nurses are tested on four sections: Reading, English and Language Usage, Mathematics, and Science.
The TEAS has 170 questions, and test-takers are given 209 minutes to complete the exam. Minimum admission scores vary according to the nursing program, so future nursing students must check their prospective programs to determine what scores are required to be considered for admission. Entrance to some programs can be quite competitive, so it is essential that future nurses prepare extensively through test prep or practice exams and be aware of what to expect on the test in advance to achieve the best results.
TEAS Test Sections and Content
Since scores on the TEAS can determine admission, future nursing students should ensure a high score by becoming familiar with the test's content. The TEAS is divided into four sections with 170 multiple choice questions that offer 4 choices. Each section has its own time allotment and some unscored practice test questions designed to improve future test versions. The table below summarizes what to expect from each section.
| |
Reading |
Science |
Mathematics |
English and Language Usage |
| Time Limit |
64 minutes |
63 minutes |
54 minutes |
28 minutes |
| Questions |
53 (6 practice questions) |
53 (6 practice questions) |
36 (4 practice questions) |
28 (4 practice questions) |
| Content |
Tests reading comprehension, such as reading for details, structure and understanding key concepts |
Tests knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, physical and life sciences and the scientific method |
Tests knowledge of algebra, measurements, data, and numbers |
Tests vocabulary, grammar, and basic English language skills. |
TEAS Exam Practice and Preparation
TEAS exam practice can make the difference between performing well and retesting. While retesting can be stressful, it can also draw out the admissions process. Many schools have retake policies that limit the number of attempts to three times in a year with a mandatory 30-day waiting period after taking the test before reattempting it. For these reasons, completing sufficient ATI TEAS test prep and passing the TEAS is vital to streamlining the admissions process on the path to nursing.
There are various methods for studying for a test, but every method requires time, patience, and effective study aids. The test developer, ATI, suggests taking 6 weeks to prepare for the test before taking it. Future nursing students may want to draw up a 6-week study plan with concrete goals identified by taking a TEAS nursing practice test to target weaknesses. The study plan should focus on areas that need improvement most. Test takers may find that using flashcards for vocabulary words, setting short study periods, and frequently retaking TEAS exam practice questions can help to master the test.
Importance of the TEAS Practice Test
One of the most helpful methods of test prep for the TEAS is taking and retaking a TEAS practice test. An effective ATI TEAS practice test helps familiarize test takers with the typical question format and content from the test. Around 40% of test-takers pass the test on the first take. Test takers who are relaxed and prepared perform better than those who are not. Future nursing students who have become comfortable with typical test questions may experience less anxiety while taking the exam. An LPN TEAS practice test can also be used as a diagnostic tool. Test takers may choose to take a practice test to find areas that need work and then target them through a study plan. After studying, test takers may retake the practice test to track their improvement.
Free Online TEAS Practice Test
Test takers have many options to choose from in taking a TEAS practice test. Preparation courses and study guides with practice tests can be found online or ordered for delivery to take at home. Comprehensive study plans may range in price from $25 for a study guide with practice tests for each section to $249 for a preparatory course, online access to practice test questions, and detailed explanations of the correct answers. Many providers also offer a free online TEAS practice test. Free resources for TEAS practice tests can be found online through test prep providers. Whether free or paid, test takers should be sure to self-assess with TEAS practice test tools to guide studying.
TEAS Test Practice Questions
Answering TEAS exam practice questions can help future nursing students identify which sections they may need to take more time on and where to focus their study time. With a study plan that gives test-takers more time on the areas that most need improvement, test takers can expect to see improvement on TEAS test practice questions with each study session.
Some examples of typical TEAS questions to expect in each section are listed below. All sections will have a practice test question section and all questions are multiple-choice.
- Reading: Test takers will answer questions in three categories (Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas). Test takers will read passages, identify details, identify important arguments and evidence from the text, choose the correct summary and follow directions.
- English and Language Usage: The English language section has three categories (Conventions of Standard English, Knowledge of Language, and Vocabulary Acquisition). Test takers will use suffixes and prefixes to choose word meanings, identify errors in grammar and punctuation, and choose whether writing samples are formal or informal based on language.
- Mathematics: Questions are divided into two categories (Numbers and Algebra, and Measurement and Data). Test takers will solve math problems that include algebra, ratios, proportions and percentages, as well as use graphs or charts to interpret data.
- Science: The science section has three categories (Human Anatomy and Physiology, Life and Physical Sciences, and Scientific Reasoning). Questions will cover natural sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics, basic scientific knowledge, and basic anatomy questions, such as identifying areas of the body.
Expert Contributor
Christina Flores
Christina Flores, BSN has 4 years of experience in nursing. She has worked as both an RN and as a Prenatal Care Coordinator. To earn her certification, Christina passed the NCLEX and TEAS exams. Christina obtained her BSN from Valparaiso University.
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The TEAS includes multiple-choice questions on math, science, reading, and the English language. Test takers should expect to see algebra, data measurement, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, reading comprehension, anatomy, and life sciences questions. Answering TEAS test practice questions can improve the test taker's comfort level with the TEAS.
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The best TEAS exam practice method is to set aside a window of time and create a study plan with regular, short study sessions targeting areas that need improvement. Taking a TEAS practice test can help test takers target sections that are more challenging.
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There are 170 question on the TEAS nursing test in four sections, Reading, Mathematics, English and Language Usage, and Reading. A TEAS nursing practice test can help test takers develop their skills in each section.
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TEAS practice tests may seem easier to test takers because they are less worried about the results. Preparing for the TEAS, knowing what to expect from each section, and becoming comfortable with the test format can decrease the anxiety of taking the TEAS and improve results.
