The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a standardized entrance exam administered by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI).^<!----> It serves as a critical benchmark for students applying to nursing and allied health programs across the country.^<!----> The TEAS Section 1: Reading Comprehension specifically evaluates a candidate's ability to read complex texts, analyze information, and draw logical conclusions.^<!----> Because healthcare professionals must accurately interpret medical charts, patient histories, and clinical literature every day, strong reading comprehension is vital. Achieving a high score on this section demonstrates to admissions committees that you have the academic foundation necessary to succeed in a rigorous healthcare curriculum. <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

Exam Format and Passing Score

The Reading Comprehension section is the first part of the TEAS exam and requires sharp focus and precise time management.^<!----> <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

• Number of Questions: 45 total questions (39 scored items and 6 unscored pre-test items).^<!----> <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

• Time Limit: 55 minutes (giving you approximately 1.2 minutes per question).^<!----> <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

• Question Types: Primarily multiple-choice, along with multiple-select (select all that apply) and ordered response formats.

• Passing Score: There is no single, universal passing grade, as each nursing school sets its own cutoff.^<!----> However, most programs require an overall score in the Proficient range (58.7% to 79.3%).^<!----> Highly competitive Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs typically expect minimum scores of 70% to 80% or higher on the reading section. <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

Core Exam Topics / Categories

The reading subtest assesses your analytical and interpretive skills across three primary categories:

• Key Ideas and Details (15 scored questions): Identifying the main idea of a passage, summarizing complex texts, extracting specific supporting details, making logical inferences, and accurately following multi-step directions.^<!----> <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

• Craft and Structure (9 scored questions): Determining the author's purpose and point of view, distinguishing between objective facts and subjective opinions, understanding text structure, and using context clues to decipher unfamiliar vocabulary.^<!----> <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (15 scored questions): Evaluating the validity of an author's argument, comparing and contrasting themes across multiple sources, and interpreting primary data from charts, graphs, and other visual representations.^<!----> <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

Career Opportunities

Successfully passing the TEAS exam and excelling in the reading section is your first step toward securing a seat in a clinical program and launching a rewarding career in healthcare. Earning your degree or certification opens the door to numerous high-demand roles, including:

• Registered Nurse (RN): Providing direct patient care, administering medications, coordinating treatment plans, and educating patients in hospitals, clinics, or private practices.

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): Assisting with essential patient care, monitoring vital signs, and supporting medical teams under the supervision of RNs and physicians.

• Allied Health Professionals: Depending on your specific educational track, TEAS scores are often required for admission into programs for dental hygiene, occupational therapy assisting, physical therapy assisting, and radiologic technology.

• Advanced Practice Roles: A successful foundation in nursing allows you to pursue advanced degrees later in your career to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

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