What is the TEAS Exam?
Are you looking to enter a nursing program? If you’re an aspiring nurse then you may have heard of the TEAS exam. If you haven’t heard of it, then you may be asking yourself, what is the TEAS exam? Many aspiring nursing students are required to take a standardized test called the TEAS exam in order to be accepted into the program. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to know what the TEAS exam is, the subjects and content that is covered, the time limit, and any other important information. Regardless if you’re looking to become a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse, you’ll need to take the exam. In this blog we’ll cover the details you need to know.
What is the TEAS Exam?
The TEAS exam is an entrance exam a majority of nursing schools use to determine eligibility of being accepted into their nursing program. TEAS stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills and is distributed through ATI. Nursing schools in NY and NJ use this entrance exam as a way to test students’ readiness and is often a part of the application process. The exam covers multiple different areas of content, and each section is timed. The total amount of time you are given for the exam is 209 minutes or 3 hours and 29 minutes for a total of 170 questions. While some nursing schools use the TEAS exam, there are other schools that use a similar entrance test called the HESI A2 exam.
What is on the TEAS Exam?
Since the TEAS exam is an entrance exam for nursing programs, there are no nursing questions. This is a standardized test covering the following subjects: reading, writing, math, science, and English and language usage. According to the ATI TEAS website, the exam is broken down into the following sections:
- Reading
- Subjects covered: key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas
- Questions: 45 questions total, 6 unscored questions
- Time limit: 55 minutes
- Mathematics
- Subjects covered: numbers and algebra, measurement and data
- Questions: 38 questions total, 4 unscored questions
- Time limit: 57 minutes
- Science
- Subjects covered: Biology, chemistry, scientific reasoning, human anatomy and physiology
- Questions: 50 questions total, 6 unscored questions
- Time limit: 60 minutes
- English and Language Usage
- Subjects covered: convention of standard English, knowledge of language, using language and vocabulary to express ideas in writing
- Questions: 37 total questions, 4 unscored questions
- Time limit: 37 minutes
How to Prepare for the TEAS Exam
To prepare for the TEAS exam, you should give yourself an ample amount of time to study. Crunching in time to study the last second will only work against you. Allow yourself to take at least 6 weeks to break down and study the different subjects. There are numerous paid and free online resources you can use to your advantage. ATI offers an official study guide that is written by the creators of the exam and other materials you can purchase online. Consider purchasing the official guide from ATI as it will give you the most accurate information and increase your chances of passing the exam. According to the ATI website, about 40% of students end up taking the exam twice.
Conclusion
Start your nursing career off strong by being well prepared for the TEAS entrance exam. It may feel overwhelming starting your journey towards becoming a professional nurse, but it’s a pathway towards a fulfilling career. Whether you’re aiming to become a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse, these exams ensure that you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. The demand for skilled and qualified RNs and LPNs in New Jersey and New York is continuing to grow, making now the perfect time to take that first step.
