NUXLES Blog

Why is the TEAS Exam Crucial for Nursing School Entrance?

So, you have decided to explore your nursing career, congratulations! You are about to embark on one of the most challenging, yet rewarding and fulfilling career paths. But here is the catch; you will need to be accepted into your prospective nursing or allied healthcare program, study, graduate, and attain licensure as a registered nurse.

But it begins with taking and passing your ATI TEAS exam which is one of the most crucial nursing entrance exams. While not all nursing and allied healthcare programs expect candidates to submit their TEAS test scores alongside their application, many do. That said, prospective nursing school students must take time to understand and prepare for this exam.

ATI TEAS 101

The Test of Essential Academic Skills is a proctored exam nursing schools use to analyze how ready candidates are for the demanding and sometimes overwhelming nursing school. The Assessment Technology Institute (ATI) developed this exam to test candidates’ basic essential skills in English and language usage, reading, math, and science. Many nursing schools believe that there is a link between a candidate’s performance on the ATI TEAS entrance exam and future success in the healthcare field.

Hard but Not Impossible

As empowering as attaining your nursing degree can be, dealing with schools as an adult who likely has other responsibilities can be overwhelming. It calls for adequate planning, dedication, hard work, and importantly, balance. To begin with, getting your application requirements and paperwork can be quite rigorous and the thought of having to take a test on top of it all can overwhelm any prospective nursing student especially if it has been long since you had to sit in class.

Sure, passing the ATI TEAS exam is the first step to getting accepted to your dream nursing school. However, you should not let it scare you. With the basic knowledge about this exam and proper prior preparation, you will not only acquire the score required to get admission but also cultivate the study skills and confidence needed for the academic journey ahead.

Structure and Content of the ATI TEAS Exam

The TEAS exam features four-section, multiple-choice questions, further broken down into timed sub-sections. The exam is structured as follows:

Reading

The reading section is 64 minutes long, and tests concepts such as craft and structure, identifying main ideas and details, integration of various ideas and knowledge, and pretest questions.

Mathematics

This section is 54 minutes long and comprises 21% of the test. It features content on measurement and data, algebra, and pre-test questions.

Science

The Science and Math portions make up 64% of the TEAS exam. This section tests content on scientific reasoning, life and physical sciences, human anatomy and physiology, and pretest questions.

English and Language usage

This section makes up 17% of the exam. The content tested here includes knowledge of the language, conventions of Standard English, vocabulary acquisition, and pre-test questions.

Generally, every section of this exam tests the basic level of the skills and knowledge you will require throughout your nursing school and career. While the passing score for this exam varies with school different nursing schools, the general passing range for most healthcare programs is 55% to 70%. The three components of this exam are the sub-content, content, and total score.

Before you register for the TEAS, decide when and where you want to take the exam. The three available options include: taking the test in person at a verified PSI testing center, through an online computerized test, or at school. If you choose to go the online way, ensure you are in a calm, quiet place with no distractions and with reliable internet access.

Resources to Help You Prepare for the ATI Teas Entrance Exam

Prospective nursing students can take advantage of the wealth of resources available to help them prepare and pass the exam. Some of these resources come from the Assessment Technology Institute, while others are provided by independent test prep organizations such as Nuxles.com.

Nuxles.com offers comprehensive nursing prep courses and TEAS practice tests to help you prepare, ace your exam, and secure a spot at your dream nursing school. We work with a team of experienced instructors who are dedicated to ensuring that our curriculum encompasses all crucial topics equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to excel on the exams and nursing career. Our ATI TEAS practice tests will show you which areas you need to work on and prepare effectively for the main test. Even better, each test contains a section that expounds on every answer option, known as answer rationales. This is a great source of information that gives you more details on why an answer is marked correct while the others are incorrect.

Can I Retake the ATI Teas Exam?

Yes, if you do not pass your exam on the first attempt, you can take the exam again. Note that each nursing school has its specific limits of how many times you can retake your exam and what the passing range looks like. Usually, most schools allow their students to take the exam three times with varying waiting periods between the tests.

Don’t Fret, We Have Your Back!

Whether you are taking the test for the first time or are preparing for a retake, try not to become overwhelmed. Remember that you are not only preparing for this one-time exam but for your future career. Relax, take as many practice tests from Nuxles.com as possible, and give it your best shot. We are dedicated to helping you excel on your exams and progress towards your dream career. Whatever your needs and expectations are, do not hesitate to share them with us. Contact us today and learn more about how we can help.