Date Published: April 18, 2019
You’re excited to apply to nursing or allied health school but first, you have to pass the ATI TEAS Exam! What is this exam standing between you and the school of your dreams? It’s 170 questions and 209 minutes of Reading, Mathematics, Science and English and Language usage.
We explain it a little more in depth by answering the top ten questions that we receive from students!
- Do I need to bring a calculator to the test? A four-function calculator will be provided. If you are taking the test on a computer, it will be a drop-down calculator embedded in the test. If you are taking a paper- pencil test, the proctor will provide you with a calculator.
- What score do I need to get on the TEAS? Ask the schools in which you are applying. The schools are in charge of setting their own cut-score. It really varies school-by-school. For example, one school that you are applying to may have a higher required score than another one that you are applying to.
- When will I get my TEAS test results? This depends on the permissions set by the school. Most students will get their scores immediately following the test. However, some schools have their settings at 2 business days following the test. Be sure to check with the school or the testing center where you will be taking the test.
- How is the TEAS test graded? Your TEAS score is calculated by a system called equating, which means some questions are worth more points than other questions. You will not know which questions have more weight, but there are easier and harder questions that make up the entire test.
- How close are the online practice test scores to the actual TEAS exam? The Online TEAS Practice Assessments are patterned as closely to the actual exam as possible. However, because you aren’t testing in a secure environment and could be referring to other sources, we can’t compare the scores officially. But, if you are taking the online exams like the real test, without interruptions or referring to other sources, you should feel pretty confident in your score.
- How many times can I take the TEAS test? The average number of times a student can take the TEAS in a year is three times. Each school sets their own requirements on how many times you can take the TEAS test and how long you have to wait in between attempts. Be sure you are aware of the school’s requirements so that you are giving yourself enough time to take the exam a second or third time, if allowed, and still submit your application on time.
- How many versions of the TEAS Test are there? ATI has several different versions of the TEAS test. You will most likely not get the same test twice. But don’t worry, they all follow the same breakdown. You can learn more about the ATI TEAS Exam breakdown, here.
- How long should I study for the TEAS? ATI recommends allowing at least 6 weeks of preparation prior to taking the TEAS test. So what would that look like broken down? We’re sharing a helpful TEAS study guide here. One thing to note is that it is best to pair it with SmartPrep.
- What’s the biggest mistake students make on the TEAS? Did you know that 40% of students take the TEAS test more than once? The biggest mistake students make on the TEAS is not taking the time to review the concepts properly. But don’t just take our word for it, hear from students who took the exam.
- Can I reschedule my test? That depends. If you scheduled your test through the school, you will most likely not be able to reschedule once you have registered for the exam. Some testing centers will let you reschedule. Please check with the school and/or the testing center prior to registering to know what parameters have been set.
For more information about the TEAS visit our website!
