TEAS Reading Practice Test & Study Guide

TEAS Reading Test

The Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS test, is an exam many schools use as a prerequisite for acceptance into nursing programs or other health science programs. The Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) administers the test, and it can be taken at a partnering testing center, at your school or institution, or proctored online. The test determines whether or not candidates have the basic skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a nursing program.

The TEAS test is split into four sections: Math, Reading, Science, and English and Language Usage. The exam lasts 209 minutes and consists of 170 questions. Specifically, the reading portion of the test lasts 64 minutes and consists of 53 questions. Six questions are eliminated, leaving 47 scored questions. Test-takers should still answer every question as if it's scored as they will NOT know which questions are unscored. The TEAS Reading test assesses students' overall reading comprehension. The content on the test includes identifying key ideas and details, understanding structure, using prior knowledge to inform your reading comprehension, and using logic to draw conclusions and predictions.

Knowing what to expect on the TEAS Reading test can prepare you for success. This article breaks down the type of content you'll see on the exam and the registration and testing processes.

TEAS Reading Passages

There are several types of passages on the TEAS that test-takers might encounter. Many consist of traditional written text. For example, you might see them in the form of an article or excerpt from an academic paper. You may also see passages that include memos or directions/instructions to follow.

In addition to demonstrating reading comprehension abilities for traditional written passages, candidates may also have to answer questions based on facts/figures presented as charts or graphs. This skill is relevant to nurses -- it will be essential to identify and understand results and information presented in these formats.

Each passage is followed by one to seven questions assessing the test taker's comprehension. To complete all the questions, candidates should be sure to read thoroughly. If you're a quick reader, reading the passage twice is beneficial. In addition, it's important to retain and recall the information as quickly as possible since reading the passages can take up a significant portion of your allotted time.

TEAS Reading Topics

There are three main categories of questions on the TEAS reading test: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas. The following sections give an overview of each category, as well as their value to the reading test as a whole (denoted by percentages). These categories of questions are not divided into different sections but dispersed throughout the reading test, so candidates should be prepared to see questions from any category paired with all types of reading passages.

Key Ideas and Details

This category of questions requires test-takers to identify the most critical information present in the TEAS reading passage and summarize the entire passage while highlighting crucial information. These questions test your reading comprehension and ability to "read closely." Whether the key idea is explicitly stated or inferred, candidates must be able to identify it. In addition, test-takers should create inferences, understand directions, and recognize evidence presented in written form.

Candidates should take extra care to prepare for the Key Ideas and Details category. It makes up about 22 questions out of the reading TEAS test, which is nearly half of the entire portion of the exam.

Craft and Structure

This section pertains to how the author of a particular TEAS reading passage has chosen to organize and style their writing. Test-takers should be able to identify the structures and literary devices present in passages and demonstrate a complete comprehension of the vocabulary in the context of the passages.

Test-takers must also know the difference between objective and subjective statements, identify the author's stance and overall goal or intention, and recognize ways the author uses language and rhetoric to achieve these goals.

This category makes up just under a third of the reading TEAS test at about 14 questions.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

This section requires test-takers to use evidence and related written sources to analyze information and understand the passage. Some items in this category consist of multiple TEAS reading passages that must be compared and contrasted. Regardless of the passage(s) present, you should be able to identify the purpose of the piece and the argument the author is trying to make and provide evidence for both. Candidates also must be able to identify sources as either primary or secondary.

This category makes up the smallest percentage of the TEAS reading test at about 11 questions.

TEAS Reading Test Scoring

Your TEAS Reading score will be reported along with your Math, Science, and English and Language Usage scores in your ATI TEAS Performance Profile. The individual scores and the overall score are shown, along with your general preparedness level. Infographics also show how your score compares to other students' scores. The score report becomes available immediately following the test for most students.

There is no "pass" or "fail" reported with your scores. Instead, institutions of higher learning set their cutoff scores for their nursing programs. So while your scores might not meet the requirement of one school, they may be well within the acceptable range for another. Candidates should check with their desired school to know what score they need to aim for.

TEAS Reading Test Registration & Cost

Candidates should register for the TEAS test before acceptance into their nursing program since the test is commonly used for admissions purposes. Registration can be completed online through ATI. The cost of the TEAS test ranges from $60-140, depending on the testing center administering the test. The cost of all four TEAS tests is included in the fee.

When registering, candidates must select which type of proctoring they've chosen (or that their university has specified). Then, candidates can select their test date and time after selecting from in-person (at a testing center or your school) or online (proctored by either ATI or your school).

How to Prepare for the TEAS Reading Test

It's essential to prepare for the TEAS test. Don't underestimate the exam just because it doesn't focus solely on nursing topics-your acceptance into a nursing program depends upon it! It's especially critical to prepare for the Reading TEAS since the reading passages take up so much time.

There are helpful study tips you can follow to improve your chances of success on the reading portion of the exam:

• Use study guides. Many students make their own study guides, but many study guides are available for free online. They can help you understand the type of content you'll need to focus on when you study.
• Take online TEAS Reading practice exams. There are many TEAS reading practice tests available online. ATI even offers test preparation packages candidates can purchase to better prepare. Practicing questions in the style of the ones that will appear on the test is one of the best ways you can give yourself an advantage!
• Utilize reading resources. It can be beneficial to practice reading passages under the conditions and time restraints you'll encounter during the actual exam.
• Prepare for test day. The night before the test, get a good night's sleep. Eat a nutritious meal when you wake up. Give yourself ample time to get to your testing location early. Eliminate extra stressors from your day so you can focus on demonstrating all you've learned.

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.