If you’re looking to apply to nursing schools, quite a lot of them (including California State Universities) require the ‘Test of Essential Academic Skills’ AKA TEAS exam. While test scores and your GPA are not the only factors considered during the nursing school admission, it is often the first things they learn about you.

I took the TEAS exam in September of 2014, and while some things have changed, the general format of the test remains the same.

1.     TEST FORMAT

The test is 170 questions, and 209 minutes (~3.5 hours). There are 4 sections: Reading, mathematics, science and English/Language Usage. The ATI website lists a specific breakdown for the number of questions and time limit in each section below:

2.     REGISTRATION

Registration happens online at the ATI testing website. I would register well in advance (> 3 weeks) in order to ensure you have an ideal test date and testing location. When I took the test, I only had the option to take 8AM exams. If you take the computerized exam, you receive your scores immediately. The deadline for nursing schools starting in Fall semester/quarter is typically November, so I would recommend taking the exam September, or any time before. This will ensure that you will have plenty of time to retake the exam if need be.

3.     TEST DAY

I would recommend arriving to the test site at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam. Depending on the test site, they may or may not have lockers/secured areas to place your items. ATI recommends not bringing any electronics/personal items, but we all know that really isn’t reasonable. I basically only brought my cell phone, pen and water bottle. Calculators and scratch paper will be provided by the testing center. 

ARE THERE BREAKS?

After the mathematics section (halfway), you can choose to take a 10-minute break.

ALAS, the most important part of this blog post:

How did I study for the TEAS?!

1.    Identifying appropriate resources

If you couldn’t already tell, this exam is written by ATI. I’m a firm believer that your best bet is to use the test-makers exam prep materials (P.S. This isn’t sponsored but they really should sponsor me 😂).

ATI offers multiple study packages, and it’s ready up to your readiness level to determine which one to purchase. Personally, I went with the ATI Teas Secret Study Guide which you can get off of amazon for $30. If you know you are taking the computerized exam, I would also recommend getting their online practice tests.

The ATI Teas Secret Study Guide includes a COMPLETE study manual (AKA everything you need to know) as well as full length practice tests. If you completed high school in the United States, I would say that 90% of the content on this exam you have already learned at some point. What I really needed is a refresher and a pointer towards what to focus on, and the ATI Teas Secret Study Guide did just that. This was the only resource I used to study, and let me tell you, the rationales were AMAZING, everything was CLEAR and I felt very, very well prepared.

If you’re on a budget you can also check out your local library because they might have the study guide available to you!

2.    How do I study??

Unlike the NCLEX, the TEAS test is very straight forward, and what it’s asking is EXACTLY what it wants you to answer (Thank GOODNESS). I personally did 3 hour study blocks isolated in a quiet room of a library. I read the study guide, and had a separate notebook to jot down things I found particularly important. Instead of marking down the answers practice questions in the actual book, I wrote it on a separate sheet of paper so that I could go back and re-do the same questions.

Remediation is the one thing that will help you GET A BETTER SCORE.

I kept a remediation notebook where I wrote down all of the questions that I got wrong on the first attempt. At the end of each study session, I would review those questions and identify how not to fall into the same trap next time.

Mimicking your test environment

If you are taking an 8AM test, PLEASE, before you take your practice tests, go to bed early, eat a hefty breakfast, and start your mock exam at 8AM as well. I always put my electronics on do not disturb mode and make sure I am creating an environment that is identical to test day.

3.    How much should I study?!

Again, it depends how confident you are in the different subject matters, but it looks like the general consensus is that you probably need to study about 40 hours for the exam. I would recommend studying 4 weeks out in advance, and testing the waters out for how you feel. You might only need 1-2 weeks, but starting early gives you the time in case you need it.

Save at least one practice test for 2-3 days before your exam so you can get an accurate predictor for how you will score.

I know this blog post is very long overdue! I hope you enjoyed reading it J, and that it’s helpful for some of our future nursing students.

Love,

Miki