The Complete ATI TEAS 7 Study Guide

What Is the TEAS Exam?

The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized admissions exam used by over 1,000 nursing and allied health programs across the United States. It measures academic readiness in four core areas: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage. Most BSN, ADN, and LPN/LVN programs require TEAS scores as part of their admissions process.

The current version — ATI TEAS 7 — was introduced in June 2022 and remains the active test plan through 2026. If you're searching for a "TEAS study guide 2026" or "how to study for the TEAS exam", this guide is your comprehensive, free resource.

ATI TEAS 7 Exam Format and Structure

The TEAS exam has 170 questions across 4 sections, with a total time limit of 209 minutes. Not all questions are scored — 20 are unscored pretest items that ATI uses for research. You won't know which questions are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts.

Section	Scored Questions	Pretest Questions	Total	Time
Reading	45	6	51	55 min
Mathematics	38	4	42	57 min
Science	50	6	56	60 min
English & Language Usage	37	4	41	37 min
Total	150	20	170	209 min

Question format: All multiple-choice with 4 answer options. Some questions may include charts, graphs, passages, or diagrams. There is no penalty for guessing — always answer every question.

Calculator: A basic four-function calculator is provided on-screen for the Mathematics section only. You cannot bring your own calculator.

TEAS Reading Study Guide

The Reading section accounts for 31% of your total TEAS score and is the first section you'll encounter on exam day. It tests your ability to comprehend written passages, analyze arguments, and interpret informational graphics.

Key Content Areas

Key Ideas and Details (~47% of Reading)

• Main idea identification: What is the passage primarily about? Look for the thesis statement or central argument.
• Supporting details: Identify specific evidence the author uses to support the main idea.
• Drawing conclusions and inferences: What can you logically conclude from the information given?
• Summarizing: Condense a passage into its essential points without adding interpretation.
• Following directions: Multi-step instructions — sequence matters.

Craft and Structure (~30% of Reading)

• Author's purpose: Is the author trying to inform, persuade, entertain, or describe?
• Point of view: First person, second person, third person — and how it affects the passage.
• Tone and mood: What feeling does the author convey? Look at word choice (diction).
• Text structure: How is the passage organized? (chronological, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution)
• Fact vs. opinion: Facts can be verified; opinions are judgments or beliefs.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (~23% of Reading)

• Charts, graphs, and tables: Interpret data presented visually — titles, axes, legends, trends.
• Evaluating arguments: Identify logical fallacies, bias, and strength of evidence.
• Comparing texts: Find similarities and differences between two passages on the same topic.
• Primary vs. secondary sources: Original documents vs. interpretations of those documents.

TEAS Math Study Guide

The Mathematics section accounts for 22% of your total TEAS score. It tests fundamental math skills — no calculus, no trigonometry. If you master arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation, you will do well.

Key Content Areas

Numbers and Algebra (~65% of Math)

• Whole numbers, fractions, decimals: Operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide), converting between formats
• Percentages: Calculating percentage increase/decrease, percent of a number, converting fractions ↔ percentages
• Ratios and proportions: Setting up and solving proportions, unit rates
• Order of operations (PEMDAS): Parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction
• Algebraic expressions: Simplifying, evaluating, and solving single-variable equations and inequalities
• Word problems: Translating real-world scenarios into mathematical expressions — this is heavily tested

Measurement and Data (~35% of Math)

• Unit conversions: Metric and standard (inches to feet, grams to kilograms, etc.) — know common conversion factors
• Geometry basics: Area, perimeter, and circumference of basic shapes (rectangles, triangles, circles)
• Data interpretation: Reading bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, scatter plots — identify trends and outliers
• Mean, median, mode, range: Calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency
• Probability: Simple probability (favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes), independent vs. dependent events

TEAS Science Study Guide

The Science section is the highest-weighted section at 31% of your total score and has the most questions (50 scored). It is also the section most students find hardest. A strong science score dramatically boosts your overall TEAS composite.

Key Content Areas

Human Anatomy and Physiology (~32% of Science)

This is the largest sub-area. Focus on:

• Cardiovascular system: Heart chambers, blood flow, cardiac cycle, blood pressure regulation
• Respiratory system: Gas exchange, ventilation mechanics, structures (bronchi, alveoli)
• Nervous system: CNS vs. PNS, neuron structure, reflex arcs, brain regions
• Digestive system: Mechanical vs. chemical digestion, enzymes, absorption, organs
• Urinary system: Nephron structure, filtration, reabsorption, urine formation
• Musculoskeletal system: Bone types, muscle contraction, joint classification
• Endocrine system: Major hormones, glands, feedback loops
• Reproductive system: Male and female anatomy, gamete production, menstrual cycle
• Integumentary system: Skin layers, thermoregulation, wound healing
• Immune & lymphatic system: Innate vs. adaptive immunity, antibodies, WBC types

Biology (~32% of Science)

• Cell biology: Cell organelles, membrane transport (osmosis, diffusion, active transport), mitosis vs. meiosis
• Genetics: DNA structure, Punnett squares, dominant/recessive traits, mutations
• Biological macromolecules: Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids — structure and function
• Metabolism: Cellular respiration (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC), photosynthesis basics

Chemistry (~16% of Science)

• Atomic structure: Protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number
• Periodic table: Groups, periods, element properties, metals vs. nonmetals
• Chemical bonds: Ionic, covalent, hydrogen — how and why they form
• Chemical reactions: Balancing equations, types of reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single/double replacement)
• Acids and bases: pH scale, buffers, neutralization reactions
• Solutions: Concentration, solubility, dilution

Scientific Reasoning (~20% of Science)

• Scientific method: Hypothesis, variables (independent, dependent, controlled), experimental design
• Data interpretation: Reading scientific graphs, identifying trends, drawing conclusions from data
• Reasoning: Cause and effect, correlation vs. causation

TEAS English & Language Usage Study Guide

The English section accounts for 16% of your total score and has the fewest questions (37 scored) with the shortest time (37 minutes). It tests grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and writing conventions.

Key Content Areas

Conventions of Standard English (~55% of English)

• Subject-verb agreement: Singular subjects take singular verbs; compound subjects, indefinite pronouns
• Pronoun usage: Pronoun-antecedent agreement, pronoun case (subjective, objective, possessive)
• Punctuation: Commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes — when to use each
• Sentence structure: Fragments, run-ons, comma splices — identify and correct
• Verb tenses: Past, present, future — consistency within passages
• Commonly confused words: affect/effect, their/there/they're, its/it's, then/than

Knowledge of Language (~20% of English)

• Formal vs. informal tone: Academic writing vs. casual language
• Conciseness: Eliminating wordiness and redundancy
• Clarity: Choosing the most clear and precise expression

Vocabulary Acquisition (~25% of English)

• Context clues: Determining word meaning from surrounding text
• Word parts: Prefixes, suffixes, and root words (especially medical/scientific roots)
• Multiple-meaning words: Words that change meaning based on context

TEAS Scoring: How Your Score Is Calculated

Your TEAS score report includes several numbers. Here's what they mean:

Score Type	What It Measures	Range
Composite Score	Weighted average of all 4 sections (Reading 31%, Math 22%, Science 31%, English 16%)	0–100%
Section Scores	Your percentage correct on each individual section	0–100%
Content Area Scores	Your performance on sub-topics within each section	0–100%
National Percentile	How you compare to all other TEAS test-takers nationally	1–99th
Program Percentile	How you compare to applicants at your specific program (if available)	1–99th

What TEAS Score Do You Need?

Composite Score	Category	Competitiveness
90–100%	Exemplary	Top tier — competitive at all programs
80–89%	Advanced	Competitive at most BSN and ADN programs
70–79%	Proficient	Meets minimum for many programs
60–69%	Basic	Below minimum for most competitive programs
Below 60%	Below Basic	Does not meet minimum requirements

Most nursing programs require a minimum composite score of 60–75%, but competitive programs often look for 78% or higher. Your individual section scores matter too — some programs require minimum scores on each section (commonly 60% or higher).

8-Week TEAS Study Plan

This structured plan allocates study time proportional to each section's weight and difficulty. Adjust based on your diagnostic test results — spend more time on weaker areas.

Weeks 1–2: Science (Anatomy & Physiology Focus)

• Study 2–3 body systems per day: cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, urinary, musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproductive, integumentary, immune
• Use diagrams and labeling exercises — visual learning is most effective for A&P
• Create flashcards for organ functions, hormone actions, and system interactions
• Take a science practice quiz at the end of each week

Week 3: Science (Biology + Chemistry)

• Review cell biology: organelles, membrane transport, mitosis vs. meiosis
• Study genetics: DNA, Punnett squares, inheritance patterns
• Review chemistry: atomic structure, periodic table, bonds, reactions, pH
• Practice scientific reasoning questions (data interpretation, experimental design)

Weeks 4–5: Mathematics

• Week 4: Arithmetic foundations — fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, order of operations
• Week 5: Algebra and data — equations, inequalities, word problems, unit conversions, graphs, statistics
• Practice at least 20 math problems daily
• Focus on word problems — they are the most common question format

Week 6: Reading

• Practice passage-based comprehension questions daily
• Learn to identify main idea, author's purpose, and text structure quickly
• Practice interpreting charts, graphs, and infographics
• Time yourself — you have ~1 minute per Reading question

Week 7: English & Language Usage

• Review grammar rules: subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, verb tenses
• Study punctuation: commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes
• Practice vocabulary — focus on word parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots)
• Do timed English practice sets

Week 8: Full Practice Tests and Review

• Take 2–3 full-length TEAS practice tests under timed conditions
• Review rationales for every question you got wrong
• Focus final review on your 2–3 weakest content areas
• Light review the day before the exam — don't cram

TEAS Test Day Tips

1. Arrive 30 minutes early. You'll need to check in, store personal items, and get seated. Late arrivals may be turned away.
2. Bring valid photo ID. Government-issued ID matching your registration name. No ID = no exam.
3. You cannot bring a calculator. A basic on-screen calculator is provided for the Math section only.
4. Read questions before passages. In the Reading section, knowing what the question asks helps you read with purpose.
5. Don't spend more than 90 seconds on any question. If stuck, eliminate two wrong answers, make your best guess, flag it, and move on.
6. Answer every question. No penalty for guessing. A blank answer is always wrong; a guess has a 25% chance of being right.
7. Watch the clock. Each section has its own timer. When 5 minutes remain, stop deliberating and answer all remaining questions.
8. Eat a good breakfast. The exam is 3.5 hours. Your brain needs fuel. Protein and complex carbs — not sugar.
9. Get 8 hours of sleep. Sleep is when your brain consolidates memories. Cramming the night before hurts more than it helps.

Frequently Asked Questions About the TEAS Exam

How much does the TEAS exam cost?

The TEAS exam costs $100–$120 when taken at an ATI testing center, or varies when taken at a college testing site. Some schools include the fee in tuition. Remote proctored versions are also available.

How many times can I take the TEAS?

ATI allows unlimited retakes, but there is a 30-day waiting period between attempts. Individual nursing programs may have their own retake limits (commonly 2–3 attempts). Each retake costs the full exam fee.

How long are TEAS scores valid?

Most nursing programs accept TEAS scores for 2–3 years from the test date. Some competitive programs only accept scores within the past 12 months. Check your target program's policy.

Can I study for the TEAS in 2 weeks?

It's possible if you have a strong academic background, but 4–8 weeks is recommended for most students. Focus on Science and Reading first (62% of your score), then Math and English. Use practice questions with rationales for the most efficient preparation.

What is the hardest section of the TEAS?

Most students report Science as the hardest section, particularly the anatomy and physiology content. This is also the most heavily weighted section (31% of your total score), so it deserves the most study time.

Is the TEAS harder than the HESI?

Both exams test similar content. The TEAS has more emphasis on science and scientific reasoning, while the HESI has more focus on anatomy/physiology as a separate section. Many students find them comparable in difficulty. Your target school determines which exam you need — you cannot substitute one for the other.

Do all nursing schools require the TEAS?

No — some nursing schools use the HESI A2 instead, and a few use neither. However, the majority of nursing programs in the U.S. require either the TEAS or HESI. Check your target school's admissions requirements.