Is the TEAS Hard to Pass?

The TEAS is moderately difficult. Most programs set minimums between 58–70%, which most prepared students can achieve with 4–8 weeks of targeted study. The Science section — covering A&P, biology, and chemistry — is the most challenging for students whose last science course was years ago. Students who identify their weakest section through a diagnostic first and target it specifically pass at much higher rates than students who study all sections equally.

TEAS 7 (the current version) introduced a stronger emphasis on scientific reasoning and A&P compared to earlier versions. Students who passed TEAS 6 and are retaking under TEAS 7 typically find the Science section more demanding. Reading, Math, and English sections are comparable to TEAS 6. Overall, TEAS 7 is considered slightly harder than its predecessor for students with weaker science backgrounds.

ATI does not publish national first-attempt pass rate data. Based on available program-level data and ATI preparedness level distributions, a significant portion of first-time test-takers do not meet their target program's minimum on the first attempt — particularly at programs requiring 70%+. Students who use structured prep materials and take a practice diagnostic before their first attempt pass at substantially higher rates.

Most students need 4–8 weeks of structured preparation. Students with a weaker science background (last took A&P or chemistry more than 2 years ago) typically need 8–12 weeks. The key is not total hours — it is targeted study. A diagnostic test that identifies your weakest section allows you to concentrate preparation where it will have the most impact on your composite score.

They are different tests measuring different things, but the comparison is useful for students who took the SAT recently. The TEAS Science section is harder than SAT Science for most students because it covers A&P, biology, and chemistry at a level not tested on the SAT. TEAS Math is generally easier than SAT Math — no algebra II or trigonometry. TEAS Reading and English are comparable to SAT Reading and Writing. Students who scored well on the SAT Reading and English sections typically find those TEAS sections manageable.

Studying for the TEAS is manageable with the right approach. The most common mistake is treating all four sections equally. The Science section drives the most variation in composite scores — students who focus heavily on A&P, biology, and chemistry typically see the largest score improvements. The Reading and English sections improve quickly with targeted practice. Math is highly learnable if the foundational gaps are identified first.

Science is the hardest TEAS section for most students. It covers human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning — the most content-heavy area on the test. Among students who retake the TEAS, Science is the section most commonly cited as the reason for the retake. A&P alone accounts for a significant portion of the Science section.

If you have taken A&P, biology, and chemistry within the last 2 years, 3–5 weeks of focused preparation is typically sufficient to reach a competitive score. Use the first week for a diagnostic to identify gaps, then concentrate on weak areas. Students with recent science exposure who still struggle typically have gaps in A&P specifically — not biology or chemistry.