Why Rad Tech Programs Use the TEAS
Radiologic technology programs — both associate degree (AAS) and bachelor's level (BS) — are competitive, clinically intensive, and selective. Many programs use standardized entrance exams to rank applicants objectively, and the TEAS 7 has become a common choice alongside or instead of the HESI A2.
Unlike nursing programs, where TEAS requirements are relatively standardized, rad tech programs vary significantly by institution. Some require the TEAS as a hard minimum. Others use it as a ranked admission factor — your score determines your position in the applicant pool, not just whether you qualify.
Typical Score Requirements for Rad Tech Programs
Based on published admissions criteria from radiologic technology programs across the United States, the typical ranges in 2026 are as follows. Community college AAS programs generally require 55–65% composite. Four-year BS programs typically require 65–75%. Competitive programs at university medical centers or programs with limited seats (12–20 students per cohort) often expect 75%+.
The Science section is weighted heavily in many rad tech admissions processes — programs want evidence that applicants can handle the physics, anatomy, and pathophysiology content in the curriculum. Some programs set a Science section minimum separately from the composite.
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How Rad Tech Admissions Differ From Nursing Admissions
Nursing programs are the primary market for TEAS prep, but rad tech admissions have meaningful differences worth understanding. Rad tech cohorts are smaller — typically 15–30 students versus 40–80 for nursing programs. This means competition is more intense per seat. A composite score that gets you into an ADN nursing program may not be competitive for a rad tech program at the same institution.
Rad tech programs also tend to look at the full application holistically — prerequisites GPA, healthcare experience, and letters of recommendation matter alongside the TEAS score. A strong TEAS score with weak prerequisites will not be competitive at most programs.
Science Preparation for Rad Tech Applicants
The TEAS Science section covers content directly relevant to rad tech coursework: anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry. Students entering radiologic technology programs will apply this knowledge immediately — body systems, tissue types, cellular biology, and basic chemistry all appear in the first semester of rad tech curricula.
Prioritize: musculoskeletal anatomy (directly applicable to positioning), cardiovascular and respiratory systems, cell biology and tissue types, and basic chemistry (atoms, compounds, radiation interactions). These are the highest-yield topics for both the TEAS Science section and your first year of rad tech coursework.
Finding Your Program's Exact Requirement
TEAS requirements are updated annually and not always prominently listed on program websites. The most reliable sources are the program's admissions checklist (usually a PDF), the program director's contact email, or a direct call to the allied health admissions office. Do not rely on third-party aggregator sites — requirements change and aggregators are frequently outdated.
Check the requirement early. If your target program requires a 70% and you are currently scoring 63% on practice tests, that gap is closeable with 6–8 weeks of focused preparation — but only if you know about it in advance.