The Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills, commonly known as the TEAS, is a standardized test used by nursing and allied health schools across the United States. It is a critical component of the admissions process, serving as a reliable predictor of a student’s readiness for the academic rigors of a health science program.
The TEAS 7 version is specifically designed to evaluate foundational knowledge in four key academic areas: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage.
This guide focuses on the Science section, which is often considered the most challenging. This exam is designed for prospective students looking to enter nursing (RN or LPN/LVN) programs, as well as allied health fields such as dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, and occupational therapy.
Passing this exam is often the first major hurdle on the path to a rewarding healthcare career.
The TEAS 7 Science section is not a general science test; it is a focused assessment of four specific subdomains that are highly relevant to medical and clinical education.
The first and largest domain is Human Anatomy and Physiology. This section assesses your understanding of the structure and function of the major human body systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, muscular, reproductive, integumentary, endocrine, urinary, immune, and skeletal systems.
You must have a strong grasp of how these systems work both independently and together to maintain homeostasis.
The second domain is Biology. This covers cellular structure and function, protein synthesis, genetics (including Mendel’s laws of inheritance), and the role of microorganisms in disease.
The third domain is Chemistry. This section evaluates your knowledge of atomic structure, physical and chemical properties of matter, chemical reactions, the properties of solutions, and the concepts of acids and bases.
The final domain is Scientific Reasoning. This section assesses your ability to apply the scientific method, interpret scientific measurement and data, and critically analyze experimental results. You must be able to distinguish between a hypothesis and a theory and understand how variables are controlled in scientific experiments.
On exam day, you will encounter the ATI TEAS 7, which is a computer-based, proctored assessment. While the primary format is multiple-choice, the TEAS 7 introduced newer question types designed to assess critical thinking skills more effectively.
These "alternate-item format" question types include select-all-that-apply, supply-the-blank (fill-in-the-blank), hot spot (where you identify a location on a diagram), and ordered response (dragging items to rank them).
For the Science section specifically, you will have 60 minutes to complete 50 questions.
It is important to know that of these 50 questions, only 44 are scored. The remaining six are pretest items that are unscored and are being evaluated for inclusion in future exams.
There is no standard "passing" score for the TEAS at the national level. Instead, each individual nursing or allied health program sets its own minimum required scores, which can vary widely.
Competitive programs often require scores in the "Advanced" or "Exemplary" categories. It is crucial to verify the specific score requirements for the institutions to which you are applying.
Preparing for the TEAS 7 Science section requires a dedicated study plan that prioritizes high-yield topics.
Your first step must be a complete and thorough review of Human Anatomy and Physiology. This domain constitutes the largest percentage of questions, so your time investment here will yield the highest returns on your score.
Focus on understanding functions rather than just memorizing labels.
Do not neglect Chemistry and Biology fundamentals. Create digital flashcards for key terms, definitions, periodic table trends, and biological formulas. You must be comfortable with the nomenclature of chemical compounds and basic genetic squares.
The single best study strategy is to take multiple full-length, timed practice tests. This not only builds your scientific knowledge but also trains your time management skills.
Pay close attention to the rationales provided for incorrect answers, as they often contain the key to understanding how ATI structures its questions.
When you are ready to take the final exam, you have several options. You may take the exam in person at a designated school location or at an authorized Pearson VUE testing center. Pearson VUE offers standardized testing environments across the globe.
Alternatively, ATI offers a remote-proctored online testing option. This allows you to take the exam from a secure location, such as your home, while being proctored through your webcam by an ATI proctor or an institution proctor.
Registration for all testing formats must be completed through the official ATI Testing website.
A competitive score on the ATI TEAS 7 exam is your passport into the healthcare educational system. Passing this exam allows you to gain admission into the programs that unlock a vast array of secure, high-demand, and rewarding careers.
Once you have successfully completed your resulting nursing or allied health program and achieved your professional licensure, a wide spectrum of career paths becomes available.
Specific job titles unlocked by the programs that require the TEAS include:
Registered Nurse (RN), working in diverse settings such as hospitals (ICU, ER, Oncology), clinics, schools, or public health organizations.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
Dental Hygienist.
Respiratory Therapist.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).
Radiologic Technologist (X-ray/MRI Technician).
Surgical Technologist.
Veterinary Technician.
Nurse Educator (after gaining clinical experience).
Travel Nurse (RN or LPN).
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