Student FAQs for ATI TEAS Exams

The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a pre-admission assessment used by nursing programs and allied health schools nationwide to evaluate prospective students' academic readiness. The exam measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. The current version is TEAS 7, which was released in 2022.

The TEAS Exam consists of four main sections:

• Reading: 45 questions (53 minutes)
• Mathematics: 38 questions (57 minutes)
• Science: 50 questions (63 minutes)
• English & Language Usage: 37 questions (37 minutes)

There are also 20 unscored pre-test questions distributed throughout the exam. The total testing time is 209 minutes (3 hours and 29 minutes) for 170 questions.

Score requirements vary by institution and program. Generally, a score between 65-75% is considered proficient, while scores above 80% are considered advanced. Many nursing programs require a minimum score of 70% or higher for competitive admission. It's important to check with your specific institution for their score requirements.

The cost of the TEAS Exam varies by institution but typically ranges from $60 to $140. The fee includes the exam and sending your results to one institution. Additional fees may apply for sending results to additional schools. Some schools may include the TEAS Exam as part of their application fee, so check with your intended institution for specific pricing.

TEAS Exam scores are typically valid for 2 to 3 years after the exam date. However, acceptance policies vary by institution, so it's important to check with your intended nursing program for their specific score validity requirements. Some programs may require more recent scores, while others may accept older scores.

Yes, you can retake the TEAS Exam if you are not satisfied with your score. However, most institutions require a waiting period of at least 30 days between attempts, and some may limit the number of times you can test within a specific timeframe (often limiting to three attempts per year). Check with your institution for their specific retake policy.

Effective preparation for the TEAS Exam includes:

• Understanding the format and content of the exam
• Starting preparation well in advance (generally 4-6 weeks prior to your test date)
• Using official ATI study materials and practice tests
• Reviewing subject areas where you need improvement
• Taking timed practice exams to build test-taking stamina
• Managing test anxiety through relaxation techniques

Many students find official ATI study materials to be highly valuable as they are directly aligned with the content and format of the actual TEAS Exam. ATI offers a variety of study resources including study manuals, practice assessments, online tutorials, and mobile apps. These materials provide practice questions that closely resemble what you'll encounter on the actual exam.

Several free resources can supplement your TEAS preparation:

• ATI's official website offers sample questions and study outlines
• Khan Academy tutorials for subject-specific content review
• Nursing school websites and libraries may have free study guides
• Community college adult education programs sometimes offer free preparation classes
• Online forums and study groups with practice questions and strategies

Remember that while free resources can be helpful, they may not accurately reflect the exact format and difficulty of the actual TEAS Exam.

On test day, bring:

• A valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport)
• Your ATI login information
• Arrival confirmation or registration details if applicable

Testing centers will provide scratch paper and pencils. Many items are prohibited, including electronic devices, calculators, food, drinks, and personal belongings including watches and jewelry in some cases. Most testing centers provide lockers for storing prohibited items during the exam.

Plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time. This allows time for check-in procedures, ID verification, and getting settled. Late arrivals may not be permitted to take the exam and may forfeit their testing fee.

The TEAS Exam does not have scheduled breaks. However, if you need to take an unscheduled break, the timer will continue running. Some institutions may offer a short break between sections, but this varies by testing location. If you need accommodations for health conditions that require breaks, you must request these in advance through official accommodation processes.

Yes, ATI offers both in-person and remote (proctored online) versions of the TEAS Exam. The remote version requires a computer with a reliable internet connection, webcam, and microphone, and must be taken in a private room with no interruptions. The content, time limits, and scoring are the same regardless of whether you take the exam in person or online. Not all institutions accept online TEAS scores, so check with your intended school before choosing this option.

You will receive an immediate preliminary score report upon completing the exam. This report shows your overall score and your scores in each section. Official detailed results are typically available within 48-72 hours in your ATI account. These official results provide more detailed performance information including domain-specific breakdowns.

When registering for the TEAS Exam through your ATI account, you can select which institution(s) should receive your results. You can include up to four schools. Results are typically sent electronically within 72 hours of completing the exam. If you need to send results to additional schools later, you can do so through your ATI account for a transcript fee, typically around $27 per transcript.

TEAS score reporting depends on the policy of the institution receiving your scores. Some schools require all TEAS attempts to be submitted, while others may only consider your highest score. When creating your ATI account and registering for the exam, you'll be asked to agree to the transcript release policy which may affect how your scores are reported. Always check with your intended nursing program about their specific score submission policy.

ATI provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Common accommodations include extended time, separate testing environment, and breaks during the exam. To request accommodations, you must submit documentation of your disability and necessary accommodations to ATI and receive approval before scheduling your exam. The request process typically takes several weeks, so apply well in advance of your intended test date.

Accommodations for temporary medical conditions including pregnancy may be available depending on the circumstances. You'll need to provide documentation from your healthcare provider explaining your condition and the specific accommodations needed. These requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Submit your request as early as possible to allow time for processing.

If you experience technical difficulties during a remote (online) TEAS Exam, notify your proctor immediately through the chat function. They will attempt to resolve the issue or may pause the timer while troubleshooting. If the issue cannot be resolved, your session may be rescheduled at no additional charge. ATI typically keeps detailed records of technical issues to ensure fairness.