What is the ATI TEAS? Test Topics & Best Prep
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What is the TEAS test?
The ATI TEAS test, which stands for Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), is a standardized exam designed to evaluate the academic abilities of individuals who wish to pursue a career in the field of nursing. The score you get on the TEAS is used for consideration during the admissions process of many nursing schools across the United States and Canada. The ATI TEAS test is composed of four sections, namely Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. These sections aim to assess the candidates' knowledge and understanding of fundamental academic concepts that are relevant to nursing practice.
How long is the TEAS test?
The ATI TEAS exam is a computer-based test that consists of 170 (mostly) multiple-choice questions, with a time limit of 3 hours and 29 minutes to complete the exam. The cost to take the ATI TEAS exam varies by location with an average cost of $115 and you can take the TEAS whenever you want at a testing center. It is essential for candidates to prepare adequately for the ATI TEAS test to increase their chances of achieving a high score and gain admission to the nursing program of your liking.
Prerequisites to take the ATI TEAS
There are no prerequisites to take the ATI TEAS test itself; however, the nursing program you may want to apply to will have several prerequisites of its own. The most common prerequisites from nursing programs themselves include a certain GPA level, successful completion of certain college courses such as biology and chemistry, and so on. Each nursing program has its own requirements, so be sure to check with the nursing program itself.
Is the TEAS test required for all nursing programs?
No, not all nursing programs require you to take the TEAS or the HESI. As a general rule of thumb, the TEAS is required for people majoring in nursing at a school that solely focuses on teaching nursing or other health programs and nothing more. It's more common for the TEAS to not be a requirement if one were to major in nursing at a state university that offers many majors in addition to nursing e.g. The University of Tennessee's nursing program does not require the TEAS for admissions but before you can be admitted to their nursing program, you have to be admitted to the university itself first. Sometimes this is easier to do, sometimes it is not.
Ultimately, you should just check with the schools around you to see if they require you to take the TEAS or not.
What are the topics asked on the TEAS test?
The current version of the exam, TEAS V7, was released in June 2022. You have 3 hours and 29 minutes to complete the 170 questions on the exam. Approximately 85% of the questions will be multiple choice and 15% will be alternative-item-types (AIT) which can include multiple-answer, drag n’ drop, fill-in-the-blank, etc. The different topic sections of the TEAS plus how much time you are allowed in each section is shown on the list below as adapted from ATI TEAS Score Report.
Reading (45 questions / 26% of all questions, 55 mins allotted)
Key Ideas and Details (~17 Q’s / 10% of all questions)
- Summarize a multi-paragraph text
- Make inferences and draw conclusions about a text's purpose and meaning
- Demonstrate comprehension of written directions
- Locate specific information in a text
- Analyze, interpret, and apply information from charts, graphs, and other visuals
- Interpret events in a sequence
Craft and Structure (~11 Q’s / 6% of all questions)
- Distinguish between fact and opinion to identify misconceptions and biases
- Interpret the meaning of words and phrases using context
- Evaluate the author's purpose in a given text
- Evaluate the author's point of view or perspective in a given text
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (~17 Q’s / 10% of all questions)
- Use evidence from the text to make predictions, inferences, and draw conclusions
- Compare and contrast the themes expressed in one or more texts
- Evaluate an argument
- Evaluate and integrate data from multiple sources across various formats, including media
See reading questions on these topics >
Mathematics (38 questions / 23% of all questions, 57 mins allotted)
Numbers and Algebra (~20 Q’s / 12% of all questions)
- Convert among non-negative fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Perform arithmetic operations with rational numbers (including positive and negative numbers)
- Compare and order rational numbers (including positive and negative numbers)
- Solve equations with one variable
- Solve real-world problems using one- or multi-step operations with real numbers
- Solve real-world problems involving percentages
- Apply estimation strategies and rounding rules to real-world problems
- Solve real-world problems involving proportions
- Solve real-world problems involving ratios and rates of change
- Solve real-world situations using expressions, equations, and inequalities
Measurement and Data (~18 Q’s / 11% of all questions)
- Interpret relevant information from tables, charts, and graphs
- Evaluate the information in data sets, tables, charts, and graphs using statistics
- Explain the relationship between two variables
- Calculate geometric quantities
- Convert within and between standard and metric systems
See math questions on these topics >
Science (50 questions / 29% of all questions, 60 mins allotted)
Human Anatomy and Physiology (~21 Q’s / 12% of all questions)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the general orientation of human anatomy
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the muscular system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the urinary system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the immune system
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal system
Biology (~10 Q’s / 6% of all questions)
- Describe cell structure, function, and organization
- Describe the relationship between genetic material and the structure of proteins
- Apply concepts underlying Mendel's laws of inheritance
- Describe structure and function of the basic macromolecules in a biological system
- Describe the role of microorganisms in disease
Chemistry (~9 Q’s / 5% of all questions)
- Recognize basic atomic structure
- Physical properties and changes of matter
- Describe chemical reactions
- Demonstrate how conditions affect chemical reactions
- Understand properties of solutions
- Describe concepts of acids and bases
Scientific Reasoning (~10 Q’s / 6% of all questions)
- Use basic scientific measurements and measurement tools
- Apply logic and evidence to a scientific explanation
- Predict relationships among events, objects, and processes
- Apply the scientific method to interpret a scientific investigation
See science questions on these topics >
English and Language Use (37 questions / 22% of all questions, 37 mins allotted)
Conventions of Standard English(~14 Q’s / 8% of all questions)
- Use conventions of standard English spelling
- Use conventions of standard English punctuation
- Use correct sentence structures
Knowledge of Language (~12 Q’s / 7% of all questions)
- Use grammar to enhance clarity in writing
- Evaluate if language meets the needs of an audience for a provided rhetorical context
- Develop a well-organized paragraph
Vocabulary (~11 Q’s / ~6% of all questions)
- Apply basic knowledge of the elements of the writing process to communicate effectively
- Determine the meaning of words by analyzing word parts
See English questions on these topics >
Style of questions asked on the ATI TEAS
Below are some of the style of questions you might see on the test.
Reading
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, from the way we communicate and work to the way we entertain ourselves. While some argue that technology has improved our quality of life, others are concerned about the negative impact it has had on our society. Some experts argue that technology has led to increased isolation, as people spend more time online and less time interacting with others in person. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of technology on mental health, as the constant bombardment of information and stimulation can lead to anxiety and other issues.
According to the passage given above, what is the author's opinion on the impact of technology on modern society?
A) Technology has greatly improved our quality of life and will continue to do so in the future.
B) Technology has had a mostly negative impact on society, leading to increased isolation and mental health issues.
C) The impact of technology on society is complex and multifaceted, with both positive and negative aspects. ✔
D) The author does not express a clear opinion on the impact of technology on society.
See more questions like these >
Math
A car dealership is offering a 12% discount on all cars. If the original price of a car is $25,000, what is the sale price of the car after the discount?
A) $20,083
B) $23,000
C) $22,000 ✔
D) $19,000
See more questions like these >
Science
Select all the answer(s) that is/are true. What is/are the function(s) of the pulmonary valve in the heart?
A) Maintain blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and lungs by regulating the amount of blood that flows through them ✔
B) Prevent pulmonary hypertension
C) Prevent the backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery back into the heart during when the heart is relaxed ✔
D) Send electrical signals that control the heart’s rhythm.
See more questions like these >
English and Language Use
Identify one verb, preposition, noun, and adverb from the following sentence:
Before the arrival of the Romans, Spain was inhabited by various Celtic tribes, and these tribes were able to maintain a unique culture and society.
A) Verb: were, Preposition: by, Noun: tribes, Adverb: various ✔
B) Verb: maintain, Preposition: by, Noun: celtic, Adverb: various
C) Verb: were, Preposition: these, Noun: celtic, Adverb: able
D) Verb: inhabited, Preposition: and, Noun: spain, Adverb: were
See more questions like these >
Is the ATI TEAS test hard?
According to the creators of the TEAS, 40% of students failed the TEAS the first time they took it. And approximately, 30% of applicants to nursing school are rejected. Although you can take the TEAS as many times as you want, technically, most nursing programs have a limit on how many times you can take the test within a 12 month period. We recommend you take the test seriously the first time you take it as you don’t want to waste any opportunity to score higher on the TEAS with a careless low score.
Oftentimes, people think of the ATI TEAS having a difficulty similar to that of the ACT/SAT although the topics are slightly different. For some, it is difficult. For others, the test isn’t too bad. It just depends where your history is with standardized tests. Regardless whether you are a pro at taking standardized tests or it’s not your strong suit, proper preparation can help you achieve the ATI TEAS score you need to get into the nursing school of your dreams. You might just have to work a little harder to make that dream come true, but it is achievable if you put the effort into it.
What is an average score on the TEAS test?
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The mean score on the TEAS V7 is 65.6% for all test takers while for test takers belonging to a BSN program the mean score is 70.4%. Nursing programs also have a minimum score they will accept just for your application to be considered. Let’s say the nursing program you are interested in says you need at least a 72% to apply. Notice this is the minimum score to just apply. Obtaining this minimum score does not mean you will be accepted, it just means they will bother reading your application. You should strive to score much higher than the minimum score to greatly increase your chances of getting accepted by the nursing program of your liking.
Instead of doing A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s and F’s like high school and college classes assign grades, the ATI TEAS labels your test score the following way:
Developmental (0.0% to 40.0%)
Developmental scores generally indicate a very low level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content. Students at this level will require additional preparation for most objectives assessed on ATI TEAS, Version 7.
Basic (40.7% to 58.0%)
Basic scores generally indicate a low level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content. Students at this level are likely to require additional preparation for many objectives assessed on ATI TEAS, Version 7.
Proficient (58.7% to 79.3%)
Proficient scores generally indicate a moderate level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content. Students at this level can require additional preparation for some objectives assessed on ATI TEAS, Version 7.
Advanced (80.0% to 91.3%)
Advanced scores generally indicate a high level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content. Students at this level are not likely to require additional preparation for the objectives assessed on A TI TEAS, Version 7.
Exemplary (92.0% to 100.0%)
Exemplary scores generally indicate a very high level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of health sciences-related content.Students at this level are not likely to require additional preparation for the objectives assessed on ATI TE AS, Version 7.
You will get your TEAS score immediately upon finishing the test if you took the test at a testing center, at a school, or at home. You will be provided with a comprehensive score report PDF that looks something like this:
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What is the lowest TEAS score needed to be accepted?
It pretty much depends where you are located. At a bare minimum, a score of 60% overall is needed for the schools with the least strict admissions requirements. However, location plays a big role in the TEAS score you need to be accepted. For example, people wanting to get into nursing at California schools have to score much higher to get into nursing school than people in a less populated state like Kentucky. It is not rare to see California schools require a TEAS score in the upper 80's or low 90's to be accepted. Scores to get accepted are much lower n other less populated and therefore less competitive states. We recommend you google the average TEAS score of those accepted at the schools you want to apply to in order to get a true feel of what it takes to be accepted.
Should you study? Recommended ATI TEAS Prep Material
You should absolutely study for the ATI TEAS. Yes, it is possible that you can obtain a high enough score on the test that will get you into nursing school without studying…. but what if you don’t? What if the first time you take the TEAS, you bomb it because you didn’t study enough? You just burned one of your ~3 opportunities to score high enough on the test to get you into the nursing program of your liking. In our opinion, the TEAS test is an important stepping stone you must get through to achieve your dream of being a nurse. Why risk it?
Thankfully, there are a variety of highly recommended ATI TEAS prep materials available to help you prepare for the exam. Some of our favorite prep sources include:
TestBeach Online ATI TEAS Prep for busy students
- Hundreds of practice questions with detailed explanations on an interactive online dashboard
- Advanced analytics dashboard. Know what you need to study before the test.
- 64 study guides
- One time purchase. No subscriptions.
TEAS test-day experience - what to expect
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You have the option to take the TEAS at home on the computer or at a local testing center computer lab. We recommend taking the test at a local testing center computer lab, as opposed to taking it at home, as the testing center ensures there won’t be any unexpected distractions or discrepancies that might lead to the cancellation of your test. Below is what you can expect when taking the TEAS at a local testing center.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID, two sharpened #2 pencils w/ attached erasers, comfortable clothing
- Do not bring in pens, notes, blankets, loose clothing e.g. jackets, hats, sunglasses, purses, backpacks, totes, smart watches, any type of electronics, scrap paper, food or drinks, calculators.
- You will check in with the proctor at the computer lab testing center who will guide you through the logistics and rules of taking the test. You will be provided a basic on-the-screen calculator and scratch paper by the testing center.
- You will be assigned a computer station where you will take the test. The test will start with 45 questions pertaining to the reading section of the exam, which you will have up to 55 minutes to complete. Upon completion of the reading section, you will be moved onto the math section of the exam where you will complete 38 questions within a separate 57 minute time period. Note that after completing a section (reading, math, science, english), you will not be allowed to go back to that previous section e.g. once you start the math section, you cannot go back and visit problems from the reading section. However, you are allowed to go back to earlier questions of the same section you are currently on. Also, unused time from one section will not carry over onto the next section.
- After completing the math section, you will have the option to take a 10-minute break. If you opt to not take the break, the time will not add more time to the next section.
- After the 10-minute break, you will have 60 minutes to complete 50 questions pertaining to the science section. And then, you will have 37 minutes to complete 37 questions pertaining to the english and language use section of the TEAS.
- If you require a restroom break in the middle of you taking the test, you will need to raise your hand and the proctor will escort you out of the test area. Do note that the clock on the test will continue ticking while you are away. We recommend you only stick to the allotted 10 minute break after the math section for breaks.
How do I register for the ATI TEAS?
Follow the link above for instructions on how to register to take the test. You can take the test at home (proctored) or a local testing center.
