TEAS Practice Test and Flashcards

By FluentFlash Research Team·Updated 2026-04-30

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is the primary entrance exam for nursing and allied health programs across the United States. Developed by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute), the TEAS measures your readiness across four subject areas: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage.

Your TEAS score is critical for nursing school admissions. Many programs use it as the primary differentiator between applicants with similar GPAs. The overall composite score ranges from 0% to 100%, and most competitive nursing programs require a composite score of 70% or higher. Some selective programs set minimums of 80% or above.

FluentFlash's AI-powered flashcards cover every TEAS content area with targeted review of anatomy, chemistry, math, and language concepts. Spaced repetition ensures you retain the substantial science content the TEAS demands.

Key Takeaways

•The TEAS has 4 sections: Reading (39%), Math (16%), Science (24%), and English & Language Usage (21%). Science and Reading carry the most weight in your composite score.
•Most nursing programs require a 70% or higher composite score. Competitive BSN programs often require 80% or above, so aim 5-10 points higher than published minimums.
•The Science section requires actual memorized knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry. Unlike the ACT Science section, you cannot reason your way through questions without studied content.
•Study for 4-6 weeks with 1-2 hours daily. Spaced repetition with flashcards produces 50% better retention than passive review alone.
•Use flashcards organized by body system for Science. This structure mirrors how nursing curricula teach anatomy and helps information stick longer.

TEAS Test Format Overview

The TEAS (currently TEAS 7) is a computer-based exam with 170 questions. Some questions are unscored pretests, but you won't know which ones.

Test Sections and Timing

Each section has a specific number of scored questions and time limit. Understanding the format helps you pace your study and exam day performance.

Reading: 45 scored questions, 55 minutes

Tests key ideas and details from passages
Focuses on craft and structure of text
Requires integration of knowledge from multiple sources
Emphasizes passage-based comprehension and inference questions

Mathematics: 38 scored questions, 57 minutes

Covers numbers, algebra, measurement, and data
Tests fractions, percentages, ratios, and unit conversions
Includes basic statistics and real-world applications

Science: 50 scored questions, 60 minutes

Tests human anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry
Requires memorized content knowledge
The most content-heavy section of the exam
Also includes scientific reasoning and experimental design

English & Language Usage: 37 scored questions, 37 minutes

Tests conventions of standard English grammar
Covers vocabulary acquisition and word usage
Includes spelling and punctuation rules

Term	Meaning
Reading	45 scored questions, 55 minutes, key ideas/details, craft/structure, integration of knowledge. Passage-based comprehension and inference questions.
Mathematics	38 scored questions, 57 minutes, numbers/algebra and measurement/data. Covers fractions, percentages, ratios, unit conversions, and basic statistics.
Science	50 scored questions, 60 minutes, human anatomy/physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning. The most content-heavy section.
English & Language Usage	37 scored questions, 37 minutes, conventions of standard English, knowledge of language, and vocabulary acquisition. Grammar, spelling, and word usage.

Key Topics to Study

The TEAS Science section demands the most preparation. Knowing the highest-frequency topics helps you prioritize your study time effectively.

Human Body Systems

The cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and urinary systems appear most frequently. You must know each system's organs, primary functions, and basic pathologies.

Anatomical Terminology and Concepts

Study directional terms like anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and superior/inferior. Learn body planes (sagittal, coronal, transverse) and body cavities. This terminology appears throughout the Science section.

Chemistry Fundamentals

Master ionic versus covalent bonds, balancing equations, and acid-base chemistry. The pH scale and types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, combustion) are frequently tested.

Math Skills for Nursing

Converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages
Performing operations with each form
Applying conversions to real-world word problems
Metric conversions (mg to g, mL to L)
Converting between metric and standard systems
Essential for nursing dosage calculations

Cell Biology and Genetics

Understand cell organelles and their functions. Study mitosis versus meiosis, DNA and RNA structure, and protein synthesis. These concepts appear in both standalone and applied questions.

Reading and Language Skills

Identifying parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions)
Determining author's purpose (inform, persuade, entertain)
Identifying author's tone and attitude
Understanding main ideas and supporting details

Term	Meaning
Human Body Systems	Functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and urinary systems. The most heavily tested Science topic area.
Anatomical Terminology	Directional terms (anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, superior/inferior), body planes (sagittal, coronal, transverse), and body cavities.
Chemical Bonds and Reactions	Ionic vs. covalent bonds, balancing equations, acids/bases, pH scale, and types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, etc.).
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages	Converting between forms, performing operations, and applying to word problems. The foundational Math skill tested throughout the section.
Cell Biology	Cell organelles and functions, mitosis vs. meiosis, DNA/RNA structure, and protein synthesis. Tested in both specific and applied questions.
Metric Conversions	Converting between metric units (mg to g, mL to L) and between metric and standard systems. Essential for nursing dosage calculations.
Parts of Speech	Identifying nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. Knowing parts of speech helps with grammar rule application.
Author's Purpose and Tone	Determining why a passage was written (inform, persuade, entertain) and identifying the author's attitude. Common Reading question type.

Study Tips for TEAS Success

The TEAS rewards content knowledge more than test-taking strategy. These evidence-based approaches help you prepare efficiently.

Start with a Baseline Assessment

Take the ATI TEAS practice assessment first (available on atitesting.com for around $50). It gives you the most accurate baseline and shows exactly which content areas need work.

Prioritize Science Content

Science carries 24% of your composite score and has the most content to memorize. Spend at least 40% of your study time on anatomy, biology, and chemistry. This concentrated effort yields the highest score gains.

Use Flashcards for Body Systems

Create flashcard decks organized by body system. Memorize the function, major organs, and key pathologies for each system. FluentFlash's spaced repetition ensures you don't forget systems you studied weeks ago.

Focus Math Practice on Real-World Skills

For Math, focus on metric conversions and dosage calculation patterns. These practical nursing skills appear frequently on the TEAS and become automatic with flashcard drilling.

Study for 4-6 Weeks Minimum

Plan for 1-2 hours per day over 4-6 weeks. The TEAS has more raw content to memorize than most standardized tests. Spreading your study over several weeks with spaced repetition is far more effective than cramming the night before.

1
Take the ATI TEAS practice assessment first ($50 on atitesting.com). It gives you the most accurate baseline and shows exactly which content areas need work.
2
Prioritize Science, it carries 24% of your composite score and has the most content to memorize. Spend at least 40% of your study time on anatomy, biology, and chemistry.
3
Create flashcard decks organized by body system. Memorize the function, major organs, and key pathologies for each system. FluentFlash's spaced repetition ensures you don't forget systems you studied weeks ago.
4
For Math, focus on metric conversions and dosage calculation patterns. These are practical nursing skills that the TEAS tests frequently, and they become second nature with flashcard drilling.
5
Study for 4-6 weeks minimum, with 1-2 hours per day. The TEAS has more raw content to memorize than most standardized tests, so spreading your study over several weeks with spaced repetition is far more effective than cramming.

TEAS Scoring and Nursing Program Requirements

TEAS scores are reported as a composite (overall) percentage and individual section percentages. Your composite is a weighted average: Reading contributes 39%, Math 16%, Science 24%, and English 21%.

Most nursing programs publish minimum TEAS score requirements, typically ranging from 58% to 80% or higher depending on program competitiveness. ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) programs often accept scores in the 62-72% range. BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs typically require 70-80%. Accelerated BSN and highly competitive programs may require 80% or above, with some requiring 85% or higher.

Some programs rank applicants by TEAS score, making every percentage point matter for admission. You can retake the TEAS, but policies vary by testing site. Many limit retakes to 2-3 attempts with waiting periods of 30-60 days between attempts. Check your specific program's retake policy before scheduling.

Why Flashcards Are Essential for TEAS Prep

The TEAS is heavily content-driven, especially in the Science section. You need to recall hundreds of specific facts: which organ belongs to which body system, what each cell organelle does, how chemical bonds form, and how metric conversions work.

This discrete, factual knowledge is exactly what flashcard-based active recall excels at encoding. Research consistently shows that testing yourself on material produces 50% better retention than re-reading the same material.

Spaced Repetition Maximizes Study Efficiency

FluentFlash's FSRS algorithm takes active recall further by tracking which facts you know and which ones you keep forgetting. It then adjusts review intervals accordingly. For a content-heavy exam like the TEAS, this means your limited study time is always spent on material that needs the most reinforcement, not on anatomy facts you already know cold.

This approach saves you weeks of wasted study time and builds lasting retention.

Study with AI Flashcards

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TEAS test hard?

The TEAS is moderately challenging, primarily because of the breadth of science content. The Math section tests concepts through basic algebra, which most students find manageable. The Reading and English sections are straightforward if you have solid reading comprehension and grammar skills.

The Science section is where most students struggle. It requires memorized knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry. You either know the material or you don't. Students who haven't taken a science course recently often need 4-8 weeks of dedicated study for Science alone.

With 4-6 weeks of focused preparation, most students can achieve a competitive score. The average composite score is around 65%. Consistent flashcard-based study typically produces scores well above that baseline.

What TEAS score do I need for nursing school?

Required TEAS scores vary significantly by program. Community college ADN programs often accept scores of 58-68%. University BSN programs typically require 70-78%. Competitive BSN programs and accelerated programs may require 80% or higher.

Some programs don't set a strict minimum but rank applicants by TEAS score, making higher scores more competitive regardless of the cutoff. Check the specific requirements for every program you're applying to, as requirements vary even between programs at the same institution.

If a program says "minimum 70%," understand that admitted students often score significantly higher. Aim for at least 5-10 percentage points above the published minimum to be competitive.

How many times can I take the TEAS?

ATI allows you to take the TEAS as many times as you want, but individual testing sites and nursing programs often set their own limits. Many programs allow 2-3 attempts within a 12-month period, with a mandatory waiting period of 30-60 days between attempts.

Some programs only consider your most recent score, while others take your highest score. Check each program's policy before scheduling retakes. The TEAS costs $70-$115 per attempt depending on your testing location (school versus PSI testing center versus ATI online).

If you need to retake, use the waiting period to focus specifically on your weakest section. Your individual section scores on the first attempt tell you exactly where to focus your flashcard-based study for the retake.

What is on the TEAS Science section?

The TEAS Science section covers four content areas. Human anatomy and physiology (about 32 questions) is by far the largest portion, covering all major body systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproductive, urinary, integumentary, and lymphatic.

You need to know each system's organs, functions, and basic pathologies. Biology (about 8 questions) covers cell biology, genetics, and biological classification. Chemistry (about 8 questions) covers atomic structure, chemical bonds, reactions, solutions, acids/bases, and the periodic table.

Scientific reasoning (about 7 questions) tests your ability to interpret experimental design and data. Flashcards organized by body system are the most effective preparation method for this section.

How is the TEAS different from the HESI?

Both the TEAS and HESI A2 are nursing school entrance exams, but they differ in structure and usage. The TEAS (by ATI) has 170 questions across 4 sections with a fixed time of 209 minutes. The HESI A2 (by Elsevier) has variable sections that schools choose to administer, potentially including anatomy, math, reading, grammar, vocabulary, chemistry, biology, and physics.

TEAS scoring is percentage-based (0-100%), while HESI uses a 0-100 point scale per section. Which one you take depends on the programs you're applying to. Most programs require one or the other, not both. Check each school's admissions requirements.

If you're applying to multiple programs, you may need to take both. The content overlap is significant, so studying for one prepares you well for the other.

What is the best practice for a TEAS test?

The best practice for TEAS success combines consistent study with evidence-based techniques. Spaced repetition schedules reviews at scientifically-proven intervals that maximize retention. With FluentFlash's free flashcard maker, you can generate study materials in seconds and review them with the FSRS algorithm.

Research shows spaced repetition is 30% more effective than traditional study methods. Most students see significant improvement within 2-3 weeks of consistent daily practice, even just 10-15 minutes per day.

Whether you're a complete beginner or building on existing knowledge, the right study system makes all the difference. FluentFlash combines evidence-based learning techniques into one free platform designed for exam preparation.

Is TEAS difficult to pass?

Whether TEAS is difficult to pass depends on your goals and current level. With the right study approach, almost any learner can succeed. The key is consistency and using effective methods like spaced repetition rather than passive review.

FluentFlash's AI-powered flashcards make it easy to study material in short, effective sessions throughout the day. Most students who study consistently see meaningful progress within a few weeks. Consistent daily practice, even just 10-15 minutes, is more effective than long, infrequent study sessions.

The FSRS algorithm automatically schedules your reviews at the optimal moment for retention, removing guesswork from your study routine.

Is 3 weeks enough to study for TEAS?

Three weeks is a tight timeline but possible if you study with effective methods. The ideal study period is 4-6 weeks for most students. However, if you're already strong in science and math, three weeks with intense daily practice using spaced repetition can work.

The key is consistency and using evidence-based techniques rather than passive review. Studies in cognitive science show that active recall combined with spaced repetition outperforms passive review by significant margins. This is exactly the approach FluentFlash uses.

If you have three weeks, aim for 1-2 hours daily with focused flashcard drilling on weak topics.

What is the hardest part of the TEAS test?

The Science section is the hardest part of the TEAS for most students. It carries 24% of your composite score and requires memorized knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry. Unlike other sections, you cannot reason your way to correct answers if you don't know the content.

Within Science, human anatomy and physiology is the largest and most challenging subsection. You must memorize the organs, functions, and pathologies of 10+ body systems. This is where FluentFlash's spaced repetition flashcards excel, turning memorization into an efficient daily habit.

Most learners find that after 2-3 weeks of consistent daily practice, the material becomes much easier to recall. The key is starting small and building a daily habit rather than trying to learn everything at once.