The TEAS Test Is the Gatekeeper to Nursing School
If you are applying to a nursing or allied health program in 2026, the ATI TEAS 7 (Test of Essential Academic Skills, Version 7) is almost certainly part of your application. Schools weigh the TEAS heavily because it predicts how well you will handle the science and clinical reasoning load of the first year curriculum. A strong score (typically 75 percent or higher, with many competitive programs looking for 80 to 85 percent) can offset a moderate GPA. A weak score is one of the most common reasons qualified applicants get rejected.
This guide walks through exactly what the exam covers, how it is scored, the most effective way to study for each section, and a 6 week plan that has helped thousands of applicants pass on the first try. Whether you have two months to prepare or you are starting today with a test booked for next week, the material below will help you spend your study hours on the topics that move your score the most.
Table of Contents
- TEAS 7 format and timing
- How TEAS scoring works
- Reading section deep dive
- Math section deep dive
- Science section deep dive (the highest yield section)
- English and Language Usage deep dive
- 6 week study plan
- Mistakes that sink TEAS scores
- Sample questions with answers
- FAQ
TEAS 7 Format and Timing
The TEAS 7 contains 170 total questions, of which 150 are scored. The remaining 20 are unscored pilot questions distributed across sections. Total testing time is 209 minutes (3 hours and 29 minutes). The exam can be taken on a computer at a Prometric testing center or remotely with online proctoring, and many schools also offer an in person paper version.
The four sections appear in a fixed order:
- Reading: 45 questions in 55 minutes
- Mathematics: 38 questions in 57 minutes
- Science: 50 questions in 60 minutes
- English and Language Usage: 37 questions in 37 minutes
Most testing centers and online platforms offer a single optional 10 minute break, which most students take between Math and Science.
How TEAS Scoring Works
You will receive a Total Score as a percentage, plus four section scores (also percentages). ATI also reports a Composite Score on a scale of 0 to 100 that is computed from your scored questions only. Most nursing programs look at the Total Score, but some weight individual sections (especially Science) more heavily.
Score benchmarks to aim for:
- 70 percent: Proficient. Acceptable at many community college nursing programs.
- 75 to 79 percent: Advanced. Competitive at most BSN programs.
- 80 percent and above: Exemplary. Competitive at selective programs and accelerated BSN tracks.
Reading Section Deep Dive
The Reading section tests three skill areas: Key Ideas and Details (15 questions), Craft and Structure (9 questions), and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (15 questions). Passages are short to medium length and cover everyday topics, medical scenarios, and informational texts.
What you actually need to do:
- Identify main ideas and supporting details
- Distinguish between fact and opinion
- Interpret graphics, charts, and labels (very common, often overlooked in prep)
- Follow multistep instructions in passage form (think recipes, lab protocols, medication labels)
- Identify the author’s purpose and point of view
- Compare information across two related passages
Strategy: Read the question stem first when the passage is longer than 200 words. This tells you what to look for. Spend no more than 1 minute 13 seconds per question on average. If a graphic or instruction question is taking too long, mark it and return after answering the easier questions.
Math Section Deep Dive
The Math section has two subsections: Numbers and Algebra (18 questions) and Measurement and Data (16 questions). The test allows a basic on screen calculator, but it is restricted to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square roots. No scientific functions.
Numbers and Algebra topics:
- Arithmetic with fractions, decimals, and percentages (the single highest yield topic)
- Order of operations
- Ratios and proportions (especially for dosage style questions)
- Solving linear equations and inequalities
- Estimation and rounding
Measurement and Data topics:
- Converting between metric and US customary units (the second highest yield topic)
- Reading and interpreting graphs, tables, and charts
- Calculating mean, median, mode, and range
- Probability basics
Strategy: Build absolute fluency with unit conversions. Memorize the metric prefixes (kilo, hecto, deca, base, deci, centi, milli) and the most common US to metric conversions (1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 pound = 0.4536 kg, 1 quart = 0.946 L). Drill these until you can convert without a calculator. Pacing on Math is roughly 1 minute 30 seconds per question.
Science Section Deep Dive (The Highest Yield Section)
Science is the longest section (50 questions) and the section that most nursing programs scrutinize the closest. It also has the widest content range. Skill areas:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: 18 questions
- Biology: 9 questions
- Chemistry: 8 questions
- Scientific Reasoning: 9 questions
Anatomy and Physiology is the single biggest topic on the entire TEAS. Focus your time here. You need working knowledge of the major body systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and immune. For each system, know the major organs, their primary functions, and how the system interacts with others.
Biology covers basic cell biology (organelles and their functions), genetics (Punnett squares, dominant and recessive traits), and macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).
Chemistry covers atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonds, basic chemical reactions, states of matter, and solutions (including pH and molarity).
Scientific Reasoning tests your ability to evaluate experiments, interpret data, identify variables, and recognize valid versus flawed conclusions.
Strategy: Make flashcards for anatomy and physiology terms. Use Anki or a similar spaced repetition tool. Aim for 200 to 300 high yield cards. Cover function before structure (knowing that the medulla controls breathing matters more than knowing where exactly it sits in the brainstem).
English and Language Usage Deep Dive
This is the shortest section. The 37 questions cover:
- Conventions of Standard English: 12 questions on punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure
- Knowledge of Language: 11 questions on word choice, tone, and clarity
- Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing: 10 questions on context clues, prefixes, suffixes, and roots
Strategy: If grammar is a strength, this is your highest scoring section. If it is a weakness, focus on the rules that show up most often: subject verb agreement, comma usage in compound and complex sentences, semicolons versus commas, and apostrophes for possession versus contraction. Pacing is just 1 minute per question, so you cannot deliberate. Practice until the rules are automatic.
6 Week Study Plan
Week 1: Diagnostic and Anatomy Foundation
Take a full length practice test from the official ATI store or a reputable source like Mometrix or Pocket Prep. Record your section percentages. Begin a daily anatomy and physiology review (30 to 45 minutes per day) using flashcards. Cover one body system per day in detail.
Week 2: Math Foundations
Dedicate the first half of the week to fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and unit conversions. Drill these until you can do them under time pressure without a calculator for the simpler problems. Continue daily A and P flashcards.
Week 3: Reading and Graphics
Practice 20 to 30 Reading questions per day. Pay special attention to graphics, charts, and multistep instructions, which are the most commonly missed Reading question types. Begin reviewing Biology and Chemistry concepts in 30 minute blocks.
Week 4: Science Deep Dive and Grammar Rules
Build out your weak Science areas. If genetics is shaky, drill Punnett squares. If chemistry is shaky, drill periodic table trends and basic reactions. Spend 20 minutes per day on the highest yield English and Language Usage rules.
Week 5: Full Length Practice Tests
Take two full length practice tests this week under timed conditions. Review every wrong answer in detail. Build a single page error log organized by section and topic.
Week 6: Targeted Review and Test Day Prep
The final week is for review only. Revisit your error log every day. Take one final practice test 4 to 5 days before the exam. The last 2 days should be light review, plenty of sleep, and confirming your test day logistics (ID, test center directions or remote proctoring setup, scratch paper rules).
Mistakes That Sink TEAS Scores
- Underpreparing for Science. Many students who pass everything else fail to break 75 percent overall because they neglected anatomy and physiology. This is the most common reason for retakes.
- Treating Math as memorization. The Math section rewards conceptual understanding. If you only memorize formulas, novel questions will trip you up.
- Skipping the practice tests. Reading a study guide is not the same as answering 170 questions under time pressure. Build stamina with at least two full length practice tests.
- Ignoring English and Language Usage. Because this is the shortest section, students often deprioritize it. But it is also the easiest section to improve in 10 to 15 hours of focused study.
- Cramming the night before. Sleep matters. Test day fatigue is the most common reason scores drop below practice test averages.
Sample Questions With Answers
Reading Sample
Passage: “Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to prevent the spread of healthcare associated infections. Soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol based hand rubs are appropriate for routine decontamination between patient encounters when hands are not visibly soiled.”
Question: When should a nurse use soap and water rather than alcohol based hand rub?
A) Before entering any patient room
B) When the nurse’s hands are visibly soiled
C) After every patient encounter
D) Only when caring for immunocompromised patients
Answer: B. The passage explicitly states that soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly soiled.
Math Sample
Question: A patient must take 0.25 mg of a medication. The pills available are 0.5 mg each. How many pills should the patient take per dose?
A) One quarter pill
B) Half a pill
C) One pill
D) Two pills
Answer: B. 0.25 divided by 0.5 equals 0.5, or half a pill.
Science Sample
Question: Which of the following best describes the function of the renal system?
A) Production of red blood cells
B) Filtration of blood and excretion of waste
C) Regulation of body temperature
D) Production of digestive enzymes
Answer: B. The renal (urinary) system filters blood through the kidneys and excretes waste as urine.
English and Language Usage Sample
Question: Choose the sentence that uses correct punctuation.
A) The patient who was admitted yesterday is stable.
B) The patient, who was admitted yesterday is stable.
C) The patient, who was admitted yesterday, is stable.
D) The patient who, was admitted yesterday, is stable.
Answer: C. A nonrestrictive clause should be set off by commas on both sides.
FAQ
How many times can I take the TEAS?
ATI allows you to retake the TEAS, but most nursing schools limit retakes to 2 or 3 attempts within a 12 month period, and they often require 30 days between attempts. Check your specific program’s policy before scheduling a retake.
Is the TEAS harder than the SAT or ACT?
The TEAS is more content heavy in Science but generally less verbally complex than the SAT or ACT. The big difference is that the TEAS rewards specific medical and scientific knowledge, whereas the SAT and ACT focus more on reasoning skills.
Can I use a calculator on the TEAS?
Yes, but only the basic on screen calculator provided during the Math section. You may not bring your own calculator. The calculator does not include scientific functions, so practice estimation and mental math.
What is a passing TEAS score?
There is no single passing score. Each nursing program sets its own minimum, which typically ranges from 60 percent for some community college LPN programs to 80 percent or higher for selective BSN and accelerated BSN tracks.
How quickly do I get my TEAS results?
If you take the TEAS at a Prometric or remote proctored session, you typically receive your score immediately after finishing. Paper based exams scored by your school may take a few days.
Take Our Free TEAS Practice Test
The fastest way to know what you need to study is to see your current scores. Take our free TEAS practice test to get a section by section breakdown, then return to the parts of this guide that match your weak spots. We also offer practice tests for the NCLEX RN and several other nursing and allied health entrance exams.
If you are still preparing for a different healthcare pathway, our nursing exams library compares the TEAS, HESI A2, and PAX RN so you can prepare for the right test.