TEAS Test Prep: A Complete Study Guide for Nursing Students

TEAS Test Prep: A Complete Study Guide for Nursing Students

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is used by nursing and allied health programs as a key admission requirement. It's made up of four sections — Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage — and takes roughly three and a half hours to complete. A solid TEAS score not only strengthens your application but also gives you a head start on the academic skills your program will expect from day one.

Key Points:

• The TEAS exam has four sections: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage.
• The Science section is the largest and most heavily weighted, covering A&P, biology, chemistry and scientific reasoning.
• Total testing time is around 3.5 hours including all sections.
• ATI, the test publisher, provides official study manuals and practice assessments.
• Most programs require a minimum composite score, commonly 60-70% for competitive admission.
• You can retake the TEAS, but many programs limit attempts within a 12-month period.
• The Reading section emphasizes evidence-based reasoning and passage comprehension.
• The English section focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

Understand the Exam Blueprint Before You Start

• Description: Knowing exactly how many questions are in each section and how they're scored helps you allocate study time wisely.
• Tips: Download the official ATI TEAS study manual, review the content outline section by section, and identify which areas need the most attention.

Focus Extra Time on the Science Section

• Description: Science makes up the largest portion of the exam and often determines your overall competitiveness for nursing programs.
• Tips: Review human anatomy systems, basic chemistry concepts, and the scientific method, and use diagrams to reinforce visual memory.

Practice Math Without a Calculator

• Description: Some TEAS math questions must be solved without calculator assistance, which can slow you down if you're not prepared.
• Tips: Practice fractions, ratios, percentages, and conversions by hand, and time yourself on sample problems to build speed.

Use Practice Tests to Track Your Progress

• Description: Regular practice tests show you exactly where you stand and how your score is trending over time.
• Tips: Take a baseline practice test before you start studying, retest every 1-2 weeks, and adjust your study plan based on your weakest sections.

Whether you're aiming for an ADN, BSN or allied health program, a focused TEAS study plan can make all the difference. The Proctored Exam Solutions team can help you build a personalized schedule and work through practice questions section by section.