What Is a Good TEAS Score?
A good TEAS score depends on your target program. For ADN programs at community colleges, 68–75% is competitive. For BSN programs, aim for 75–82%. For selective programs, 82%+. Published minimums are floors — admitted students typically score 5–10 points higher.
The most important benchmark is your specific program's published minimum — then add 7–10 points to that number as your actual target. Programs with limited seats fill them with the highest-scoring applicants first, not the applicants who just cleared the minimum.
Is my score good enough?
Meets minimums only
Passes some programs. Not competitive when seats are limited. Retake if your target requires 65+.
Good for ADN
Solid community college ADN score. Below competitive range for most BSN programs.
Competitive
Exceeds nearly all published minimums. Strong ADN position. Lower range for selective BSN.
Strong for BSN
Competitive at selective BSN programs. Exemplary tier at most ADN programs.
TEAS score benchmarks by program type
ATI's official preparedness levels, with real-world context added.
| Score | ATI level |
|---|---|
| 88–100% | Exemplary |
| 78–87% | Advanced |
| 68–77% | Proficient |
| 58–67% | Developing |
| Below 58% | Below minimum |
Does 60% pass you on the TEAS?
There is no universal TEAS passing score. ATI does not set a national cutoff — every program sets its own minimum independently. A 60% meets the published minimum at programs with a cutoff of 60 or below, but does not pass you at programs requiring 65, 70, or higher.
More importantly: meeting the minimum is not the same as being competitive. Programs that receive 200 applications for 40 seats fill those seats with the highest-scoring applicants. A 60 that clears the minimum still puts you at a significant disadvantage against applicants who scored 70–75.
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Target scores by program type
Community college ADN
Minimum
58–70%
Competitive
68–75%
Strong
76%+
Most common program type. Scores used as ranking factor — higher is better even above the minimum.
State university BSN
Minimum
65–75%
Competitive
75–82%
Strong
82%+
Four-year nursing programs. Science section score often weighted separately.
Selective BSN (UCLA, UCSF, JHU, UPenn)
Minimum
78%+
Competitive
82–87%
Strong
88%+
Highly competitive. Published minimums are lower than actual admitted averages.
Allied health (rad tech, dental hygiene)
Minimum
60–68%
Competitive
68–74%
Strong
75%+
Requirements vary by discipline. Some TX dental hygiene and respiratory programs now use HSRT instead.
Related TEAS resources
Frequently asked questions
What is a good TEAS score?
A good TEAS score depends on your target program type. For ADN programs at community colleges, a score of 68–75% is competitive. For BSN programs at state universities, aim for 75–82%. For selective BSN programs, 82–88%+ is the competitive range. A score of 70% is a reasonable starting benchmark — it meets most minimums and positions you competitively at community college ADN programs.
Is 60 a good TEAS score?
A 60 meets the minimum at some community college ADN programs, but it is not a competitive score at most programs. Many programs that list a minimum of 60 see applicant pools where the average admitted score is 68–74%. A 60 may get your application reviewed but is unlikely to be competitive when seats are limited.
Is 70 a good TEAS score?
A 70 is a solid score for ADN programs at community colleges. It meets most minimums and positions you near the middle of admitted cohorts at average-competitiveness programs. It is below the competitive range for most BSN programs, where 75%+ is expected. If your target is a BSN program, retake preparation is advisable.
Is 78 a good TEAS score?
A 78 is a competitive score at most ADN and many BSN programs. It exceeds the minimum at nearly every program that has published a cutoff. At selective BSN programs, 78 puts you at the lower end of the admitted range — 80–82+ is a stronger target for those programs.
Does 60% pass you on the TEAS?
A 60% meets the published minimum at some programs, but "passing" is program-specific. ATI — the company that makes the TEAS — does not define a universal passing score. Each program sets its own minimum. A 60 passes you at programs with a minimum of 60 or below, but does not pass you at programs requiring 65, 70, or higher. Always check your specific program's published requirement.
Is it hard to get a 90 on the TEAS?
A 90 on the TEAS is a high score that relatively few test-takers achieve. ATI's preparedness levels classify scores above 78 as "Exemplary" — the highest category. Reaching 90+ typically requires strong mastery of all four sections (Science, Reading, Math, English) with particular strength in the Science section, which covers A&P, biology, and chemistry. Most students who achieve 90+ prepare for 8–12 weeks with structured, targeted study.
What is the average TEAS score?
ATI does not publish real-time national average data. Based on available program data and ATI's preparedness level distributions, the majority of first-time test-takers score between 60–75%. Students who use structured prep materials typically score higher than the population average.
What TEAS score do I need for an ADN program?
Most community college ADN programs require a minimum TEAS score of 58–70%. Competitive programs see admitted cohorts averaging 68–76%. Target 72–75% for a strong position at community college ADN programs.
What TEAS score do I need for a BSN program?
State university BSN programs typically require 65–75% minimum. Competitive programs expect 75–82%. Top-tier programs (UCLA, UCSF, JHU, UPenn) see admitted averages above 85%. Target 78%+ for BSN programs and 82%+ for highly selective programs.
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