The TEAS Exam: What Nursing Students Need to Know 2026
The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized admissions exam required by most nursing programs before enrollment. It covers reading, math, science, and English. There’s no universal passing score. Each school sets its own minimum. The current version is the TEAS 7, administered by Assessment Technologies Institute.
Sponsored School(s)
Most nursing programs don’t admit students based on GPA alone. The TEAS is designed to measure baseline academic readiness for healthcare coursework, and schools use the results to evaluate an applicant’s preparedness before they’ve set foot in a clinical setting. It’s not a nursing exam. It tests the foundational skills that make nursing school manageable.
What Is the TEAS Exam?
The TEAS is developed and administered by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). Schools use it to predict which applicants are most likely to succeed in nursing programs. It’s one component of the nursing school admissions requirements process, not the whole picture, but it carries real weight at most programs.
The current version, the ATI TEAS 7, has 170 total questions across four sections. Of those, 150 are scored, and 20 are unscored pretest items. Applicants won’t know which questions are unscored during the exam. The full test takes about 3.5 hours, including a 10-minute break between the math and science sections.
The exam can be taken at a PSI testing center, at a participating nursing school’s testing facility, or online with remote proctoring. ATI recommends at least six weeks of preparation before sitting for the test.
TEAS 7 Sections and Format
The four sections of the TEAS 7 test different academic skill areas. Each is timed separately, and once a section is closed, it can’t be revisited.
- Reading: 45 questions, 55 minutes. Tests comprehension, inference, and the ability to evaluate sources and arguments.
- Mathematics: 38 questions, 57 minutes. Covers numbers, algebra, measurement, and data interpretation. An on-screen calculator is provided for designated math questions.
- Science: 50 questions, 60 minutes. The longest section. Covers human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning.
- English and Language Usage: 37 questions, 37 minutes. Tests grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
A short break is built in between the math and science sections. The test clock pauses for that break, so it doesn’t count against exam time.
How the TEAS Is Scored
Scores are reported as percentages from 0% to 100%, both overall and for each section. ATI assigns each composite score to one of five academic preparedness levels:
- Developmental: below 40.7%
- Basic: 40.7% to 58.0%
- Proficient: 58.7% to 79.3%
- Advanced: 80.0% to 91.3%
- Exemplary: 92.0% to 100%
These levels provide a general picture of academic readiness, but they don’t determine admission on their own. Individual schools set their own minimum composite scores, and many also set section-level minimums. A program might require a 65% composite and a 60% minimum on the science section specifically. Meeting the composite minimum without hitting the section floor can still disqualify an application at those programs.
Many nursing programs accept applicants with Proficient-level scores, though more selective programs may expect scores in the Advanced or Exemplary range. Some selective programs set higher floors. The score report breaks down performance by section and sub-area, which helps applicants identify where to focus if they need to retest.
Scores are often available immediately after online testing, though reporting timelines can vary by testing method and institution. When taken at a school’s own testing facility, the score is forwarded automatically. Scores taken at PSI centers or online must be sent separately and may involve a fee.
Retesting and Score Validity
ATI allows retesting, but individual schools set their own retake policies. Most programs allow at least two attempts, and the average number of permitted attempts across programs is around three. Some programs impose waiting periods between attempts, typically 30 to 45 days. Others limit the number of times an applicant can sit for the TEAS within a 12-month window.
How schools handle multiple scores also varies. Some use the highest score, some average all attempts, and some consider only the most recent score. Checking a specific program’s policy before scheduling a retake matters, particularly if application deadlines are tight.
Score validity periods vary by program, but one to two years is common. Scores older than a program’s validity window won’t be accepted for that application cycle.
Exam fees vary by testing method and institution, but many test-takers pay roughly $65 to $140.
Preparing for the TEAS
ATI offers official preparation materials directly, including practice assessments and a study guide aligned to the TEAS 7 content areas. These are available at atitesting.com. Third-party prep resources are available from Mometrix, Kaplan, and other test prep publishers, many of which include full-length practice tests.
Many applicants report that the science section is the most challenging because it covers anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning. Math and reading are generally more approachable, but reward consistent practice with timed conditions.
ATI’s recommendation is six weeks of structured study before testing. Applicants who’ve recently completed coursework covering the tested subjects may need less time. Those who’ve been away from formal study for several years may need more. For a broader look at what programs expect before enrollment, see getting into a nursing program.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TEAS required for all nursing programs?
Most associate and bachelor’s degree nursing programs require the TEAS as part of admissions, but not all. Some programs accept other standardized tests, and a small number don’t require any entrance exam. Check directly with the programs you’re applying to for their specific requirements.
What is a good TEAS score for nursing school?
There’s no single answer, because each program sets its own minimum. Many programs accept applicants with Proficient-level scores (58.7% to 79.3%), though more selective programs may expect scores in the Advanced or Exemplary range. ATI’s score report includes a national percentile so you can compare your score to other test-takers.
How many times can you take the TEAS?
ATI doesn’t set a hard limit on lifetime attempts, but individual schools do. Most allow two to three attempts per application cycle, with a required waiting period between attempts. Some programs also have annual attempt limits. Check each program’s policy before scheduling a retake.
How long does the TEAS take?
The four timed sections total about 209 minutes of testing time, plus a 10-minute break between math and science. Plan for the full testing session to run around 3.5 to 4 hours, including check-in and administrative time at the testing site.
Can you take the TEAS online?
Yes. ATI offers remote proctored testing for applicants who can’t test at a PSI center or school facility. Online testing has specific system and environment requirements that must be met before scheduling. Details are available through ATI’s website.
Key Takeaways
- The current version is the TEAS 7 — 170 questions across four sections: reading, math, science, and English. 150 are scored.
- No universal passing score — Each program sets its own minimum composite and section-level requirements. Verify the specific cutoff for each program you’re applying to.
- Retake policies vary — Most programs allow two to three attempts with a waiting period between them. Some average scores; others take the highest. Check before retesting.
- Six weeks of prep is ATI’s recommendation — Official ATI materials are aligned to the TEAS 7; third-party resources from Mometrix and Kaplan are also widely used.
- Scores are valid for one to two years — Most programs won’t accept scores older than their validity window, which varies by institution.
Use the tool below to find nursing programs in your state, compare options, and review admissions requirements.