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What is the TEAS Exam?
The TEAS Exam, short for the Test of Essential Academic Skills, is a standardized test that many nursing schools ask you to take before you can start their program. If you’re about to start your career in healthcare, this is one of the first big steps on your journey.
The TEAS isn’t designed to confuse or reject you. Instead, it’s there to see if you have a good grasp of the core subjects you’ll rely on in nursing school. Think of it as a check-up for your academic skills.
So, to start your career in nursing, you need to start registering for your TEAS exam.
Steps to Register for the TEAS Exam
To register for the TEAS exam, you must meet the following criteria
Educational Requirements
- Generally, no strict educational prerequisites set by ATI, but many nursing programs expect you to have completed high school biology and chemistry (with lab) within the last 10 years.
- Applicants must be high school graduates or hold a GED(General Educational Development).
Registering for the TEAS Exam
If your nursing school requires the TEAS, they will give you specific instructions on how and where to register. Some programs prefer you to take the exam on their campus, while others may ask you to complete it through ATI or an approved testing center.
Before you register, it’s essential to confirm with the school you’re applying to so you understand their exact requirements. Here are the main options for taking the ATI TEAS exam:
TEAS at the Institution
Take the exam either online from home or in person at your school’s testing center, supervised by school proctors. Some schools have you register on their own website; others direct you to ATI. Always check your school’s process before registering.
TEAS at ATI
This is an online, at-home exam proctored by ATI via Respondus. Register at www.atitesting.com.
- Preliminary Results: Your scores will show as “Preliminary” until finalized.
- Processing Time: About 3 business days (excluding weekends/holidays).
- Submitting Scores: You can request scores to be sent while they are preliminary. Final scores go automatically once processed.
TEAS at PSI
Offered through PSI testing centers across the U.S., you can take it in person or as a remote session. Register at TEAS PSI.
Pay for your TEAS Exam Fee
The fee structure for the TEAS exam is as follows:
Preparation for the TEAS Exam
Passing the TEAS exam takes more than determination; it demands focused preparation and the right guidance. The TEAS can feel overwhelming, even for students who excelled in their nursing prerequisites. Walking in on test day without a clear plan almost always leads to frustration and disappointment.
That’s why it helps to prepare with resources designed specifically for the TEAS. We created TEAS Mastery, a step-by-step system that shows you exactly what to expect and gives you everything you need to study confidently. From realistic practice questions to detailed explanations, TEAS Mastery guides you through every subject you’ll encounter, so nothing catches you off guard.
Trying out a few practice questions is the smartest place to start; they’ll reveal where you’re already strong and which areas need more attention. With the right tools and a little practice, you can walk into your exam knowing you’re prepared to succeed.
TEAS Exam Outline
The TEAS exam has 170 questions and takes about 3 hours and 29 minutes to complete.
To understand exactly how your score is calculated, it helps to know how the questions are structured.
- 150 scored questions – These count toward your final score.
- 20 unscored pretest questions – These don’t affect your score but are mixed in to help ATI (the test maker) gather data on future exam questions.
These unscored questions are randomly placed throughout the test, so you won’t know which ones they are as you work through each section. Here’s a quick look at how the exam is divided:
On The Day of Examination
Before you sit for your TEAS exam, make sure you’ve taken care of all the necessary requirements so you don’t run into any last-minute issues. Here’s what you need to know:
Government-Issued ID Requirements
You must bring an original, physical copy of a valid government-issued ID. The following table represents the list of Valid and invalid IDs.
If your identification doesn’t meet these standards, the ATI proctor will stop your exam immediately, and their no refund/retest policy will apply. This means you won’t receive a refund and will need to register and pay again if you want to reschedule. For more details, visit the official government-issued ID requirements page.
Computer and System Requirements
If you plan to take your TEAS exam remotely (at home), your computer must meet specific technical requirements.
Be sure to review and confirm all system requirements carefully before you register and pay for your exam. This will help avoid technical issues on test day that could prevent you from completing your exam.
School Transcript Policy
Keep in mind that not every nursing school will accept transcripts from a remote (at-home) TEAS exam.
Before you register, verify your school’s policy on accepting TEAS transcripts. If you complete the exam remotely and your school doesn’t accept those results, your attempt will still count, and you will not be issued a refund.
Some programs only accept transcripts from TEAS exams administered on campus or at designated testing centers. Again, it’s critical to check your program’s requirements in advance.
If you are taking the ATI TEAS Version 4 (IV), remember that your scores are only valid at the institution where you tested. These transcripts cannot be transferred to other schools.
Finally, it can take up to three business days for your official TEAS transcript to be sent to your school, so allow extra time for processing when planning your application timeline.
Receiving Your TEAS Exam Results
After you finish the TEAS exam, you won’t have to wait long to find out how you did.
If you test in person, you’ll typically see your unofficial score report right away on the screen before you leave. This gives you an instant snapshot of your performance in each section.
If you take the TEAS remotely (at home), you’ll also get your unofficial results immediately after submitting the test.
These unofficial scores are just for your reference. Your official, final scores are usually processed and available within about 48 to 72 business hours. Once finalized, your results will be released to the school(s) you selected during registration.
It’s important to remember:
- Preliminary (unofficial) results help you understand how you performed, but they cannot be used as official proof for program admissions.
- Your score report will break down your performance in Reading, Math, Science, and English & Language Usage.
- If you need to send transcripts to additional schools later, you can order them through your ATI Testing account.
Allow a few business days for processing, especially if you’re working with tight application deadlines. Once you receive your official scores, you’ll be ready to take the next step in your nursing school journey.
Take Your TEAS Practice Test
On this page, you’ll see 15 ATI TEAS practice test questions, all representative of the type of questions you can expect to see on your real pre-admission examination.
They cover all four content categories that the ATI TEAS tests you on:
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Science
- English and Language Usage
Just choose what you think is the right answer, then enter your email address so we can send you a detailed breakdown of what you got right and wrong on your practice exam.
Then cross your fingers and click through to see your score!
Frequently Asked Questions about the TEAS Exam
The TEAS exam can be challenging because it tests a wide range of academic skills in reading, math, science, and English. With focused preparation and practice, many students find it manageable to achieve a competitive score.
A score of 70 on the TEAS is considered above average and meets the minimum requirements for many nursing programs. However, more competitive schools may prefer scores closer to 80 or higher.
The TEAS and SAT measure different skills, so which one feels harder depends on your strengths. Many students find the TEAS more challenging because it covers specific science and nursing-related content.
Three weeks can be enough time to study for the TEAS if you create a focused study plan and stick to it consistently. Make sure to review all four sections and take practice tests to build confidence.
You can take the TEAS multiple times, but each nursing program sets its limits on retakes. Always check with your target schools about their retake policies and any required waiting periods.
No, not all nursing programs require the TEAS exam for admission. However, many do use it to evaluate applicants’ academic readiness, so check your chosen school’s specific requirements.
Yes, you can use a calculator on the TEAS, but you cannot bring your own. A basic calculator is built into the exam software for you to use during the Math section.
Many students find the Science section the hardest because it covers detailed anatomy, biology, and chemistry concepts. It often requires the most focused review and preparation time.
