Is the TEAS test hard? It can be if you don’t prepare properly. Learning how to study for the TEAS exam is helpful, such as by using the official study guide and other available resources available. In addition, set aside six weeks or more for studying and take practice exams.
An accelerated nursing school program can be a great option for people interested in making a career switch. At the University of St. Thomas, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program enables you to graduate in as few as 12 months. First, however, you must gain admission.
One of the admissions requirements for UST and many other nursing schools is a good score on the TEAS test, a commonly used nursing school admissions exam. Here, you can get the answers to frequently asked questions about the test, such as, “Is the TEAS test hard?” and “When do you take the TEAS test for nursing school?” You’ll also get some actionable tips on how to pass the TEAS test.
What Is the TEAS?
So, what is the TEAS? This acronym refers to the Test of Essential Academic Skills, a standardized exam many nursing schools use to evaluate applicants. Performing well on this exam may indicate that you’re prepared to tackle the rigors of higher education. The test was created and is administered by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI).
It's important to note that while your score on the TEAS exam is a factor in determining your admissions decision, it's not the only one. The admissions office will also consider your transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay and application.
When Do You Take the TEAS Test for Nursing School?
Before learning how to study for the TEAS exam, it can be helpful to know a bit more about it. For example, you’ll need to take the TEAS before officially applying to nursing school. It’s considered part of your application process.
Check in with your admissions advisor before registering for the TEAS with ATI. About half of all schools that use the TEAS require students to register for the exam through their school using a provided ATI username and password.
In some cases, students will take the test online at home while being proctored by the institution. In other cases, you can take the test online at home while being proctored by ATI (you’ll be responsible for submitting your results to the school). Sometimes, students take the exam at a school or testing center.
What Is the Format of the TEAS Test?
Is the TEAS test hard? One clue lies in the format of the exam. Since the exam is used to determine nursing school admissions, it’s sometimes thought that it focuses on medical science — but actually, much like the name behind the acronym, the exam tests basic academic skills across different subject areas. If you’re a well-rounded student, you can be confident about the exam.
The format of the TEAS test is as follows:
- 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
How Many Questions Are on the TEAS Test?
Another common question prospective nursing school students have is, “How many questions are on the TEAS test?” The exam is rather extensive, with a total of 170 questions. You will have 209 minutes to answer those questions. You can take a 10-minute break following the math section.
What Is on the TEAS Test?
As previously noted, the TEAS test has four main sections: reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. Within these sections, what is on the TEAS test in terms of content area? Let’s take a closer look:
Reading
You’ll have nearly an hour to complete the reading section. This content area asks questions on:
- Key ideas and details
- Craft and structure
- Integration of knowledge and ideas
Mathematics
You’ll have a couple more minutes to complete the mathematics section than the reading section. Not to worry — you won’t be asked to do advanced calculus. Instead, the mathematics section asks questions on:
- Numbers and algebra
- Measurement and data
Science
The science section is the longest one on the TEAS. You'll need to answer 50 questions in just 60 minutes, so it's essential to manage your time wisely. This content area asks questions on:
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Scientific reasoning
English and Language Usage
This is the shortest section, but again, time management is absolutely crucial because you'll be asked to answer 37 questions in just 37 minutes. This content area tests:
- Conventions of standard English
- Knowledge of language
- Using language and vocabulary to express ideas in writing
Now that you're familiar with the content areas, you're probably wondering just how hard is the TEAS test? Let’s take a look.
How Hard Is the TEAS Test?
Everyone has varying academic strengths and weaknesses, so everyone will have their own opinion regarding exactly how hard the TEAS test is. In general, the TEAS test will probably not be the easiest test you’ve ever taken, but it’s also not impossibly difficult. It may be more challenging for people who have been out of school for a long time.
If you take the time to prepare for the exam, you should be able to answer questions confidently. To that end, let’s take a closer look at studying techniques and how to pass the TEAS test.
How to Study for the TEAS Exam
First, know that it’s possible to retake the TEAS if you don’t score as well as you’d hoped the first time. The TEAS test can be taken as many as three times each year. However, it’s customary for nursing schools to limit how many times applicants can retake the exam. Ask your admissions advisor about the limit and then dive into TEAS test prep.
Begin Test Prep Early
Everyone is a little different, academically speaking, but the creators of the TEAS test recommend prepping for six weeks before taking the test. You should spend at least a few hours each day studying during those six weeks.
Create a Study Plan With Specific, Measurable Goals
It’s best to head into your prep time with a study plan. ATI has created a six-week study plan for test-takers. The ATI study plan will walk you through each content area in a consecutive fashion. However, you may want to tweak it a bit to fit your own needs, such as spending more time on content areas you struggle with.
Whether you use the ATI study plan or create your own, you should head into each week with specific and measurable goals. This way, you’ll know if you’re still on track for success as you head toward the exam date.
Take Advantage of Free Resources Online
There are plenty of free resources available online for TEAS prep, as well as some paid resources. Take some time to review your options before finding the ones you feel would work best for you.
Consider the following:
Whichever resources you choose, be sure they will prepare you for the current version of the TEAS test. At the time of publication of this blog, the current version is the TEAS 7.
Take Multiple Practice Tests
In the above list of TEAS test prep resources, you'll notice that those websites offer practice questions and full-length practice exams. It's a good idea to take multiple practice tests during your prep weeks. In fact, you may want to take your first full-length exam right away to assess your content area strengths and weaknesses and create your study plan accordingly.
Sharpen Your Time Management Skills
Another compelling reason to take multiple practice exams is to get a sense of how long it takes to complete each section. Always take full-length practice tests under timed conditions. If you run out of time and still have questions, you’ll need to strengthen your time management skills.
Do a High-Level Review a Few Days Ahead of Time
Even if you decide to work through each content area consecutively during your prep weeks, it’s a good idea to set aside a few days immediately prior to the exam. Use these days to complete a high-level review of each content area, touching on the concepts you struggled with the most.
Get Plenty of Sleep the Night Before
The night before the TEAS exam, it’s crucial to get enough sleep. Follow your usual bedtime routine instead of trying to stay up late for last-minute cramming.
Ready to Begin Your Nursing Journey?
The University of St. Thomas welcomes inquiries from future nurses eager to tackle the challenges of nursing school. When you’re ready, we’re here to support you. Our ABSN program offers a hybrid learning model with online coursework and in-person experiential learning components. Plus, our curriculum emphasizes values-based education. Graduate in as few as 12 months, ready to sit for the NCLEX and pursue your first nursing job.
Contact an admissions advisor at UST today to find out if our ABSN program is the right fit for you.