What Is the TEAS 7 Exam?

The TEAS 7 (Test of Essential Academic Skills, Version 7) is a 170-question standardized exam required for admission to most nursing and allied health programs in the United States. Developed by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute), it tests Science, Reading, Mathematics, and English and Language Usage. Total testing time is 209 minutes. Competitive scores range from 75–85% depending on program type.

What does the TEAS 7 test?

The TEAS 7 measures academic preparedness across four domains. Unlike the HSRT, which tests reasoning ability, or the NCLEX, which tests clinical judgment, the TEAS 7 tests academic content knowledge — the science, math, reading, and English skills a student brings to nursing school.

Science (50 questions, 63 minutes)

The largest section and the one most students find hardest. Human Anatomy and Physiology accounts for approximately 31% of Science questions — the single highest-weighted topic on the entire exam. Biology, Chemistry, and Scientific Reasoning make up the remainder. Students who score well in Science almost always achieve a competitive composite score.

Reading (45 questions, 55 minutes)

Tests comprehension of written passages: identifying main ideas, making inferences, evaluating author purpose and tone, and interpreting visual information. Passages are drawn from academic and professional contexts, not nursing-specific topics. Strong readers who practice passage analysis consistently outperform students who rely on background knowledge alone.

Mathematics (38 questions, 54 minutes)

Covers numbers and algebra (arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, basic algebra equations), measurement and data (unit conversions, interpreting tables and graphs), and statistics and geometry. A four-function calculator is permitted. Students who drill the question types methodically — rather than reviewing math theory broadly — improve fastest.

English and Language Usage (37 questions, 37 minutes)

Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary in context. The shortest and lowest-weight section. Students who focus here first are usually misallocating study time — Science has 3.5× more questions and a much larger impact on composite score.

“Science carries 50 questions on the TEAS 7. Students who score well in Science almost always hit a competitive composite — and those who don’t almost never recover.”

— StudyBuddy Doctoral Faculty

How is the TEAS 7 scored?

Your composite score is a weighted average of all four section scores, reported as a percentage. ATI places each composite into one of five preparedness levels: Developmental (below 41.3%), Basic (41.3\u201358%), Proficient (58.7\u201377.3%), Advanced (78\u201390%), and Exemplary (above 90%). Most nursing programs require Proficient or Advanced level; competitive BSN programs typically require Advanced or above.

Section scores are also reported individually. Some programs \u2014 particularly those with science-heavy curricula \u2014 set section-specific minimums in addition to the composite cutoff. Always check whether your target program specifies a minimum Science score.

Who is required to take the TEAS 7?

The TEAS 7 is required by most ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) programs at community colleges and most BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs at four-year universities. It is also required by many radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, dental hygiene, and other allied health programs. A small number of elite programs have dropped standardized entrance exams in favor of holistic review \u2014 University of Texas Austin and Texas Tech among them \u2014 but these are exceptions.

Some programs in Minnesota and Texas have shifted to the HSRT instead of or in addition to the TEAS 7. Before studying, confirm which exam your specific target program requires. See TEAS 7 score requirements by school for verified requirements.

How to prepare for the TEAS 7

TEAS 7 preparation is fundamentally different from HSRT or NCLEX prep because it requires content knowledge that must be built or reactivated. Students who have recently completed college-level Biology and Chemistry are at a significant advantage; students who have not taken science in several years should plan for a longer preparation timeline.

  1. Take a diagnostic test first. Your section scores determine your study sequence. A student weak in Science needs a different plan than one weak in Math.
  2. Prioritize Science above all other sections. It has the most questions and the widest difficulty range. Students who master Human A&P almost always achieve a competitive composite.
  3. Study Math with timed drills, not textbook review. The math on the TEAS 7 is rule-based and finite. 30\u201340 timed practice questions daily is more effective than passive reading.
  4. Practice Reading passages under exam conditions. Reading Comprehension rewards active practice over passive reading.
  5. Take two full-length practice exams before test day to calibrate pacing and simulate conditions.

Questions about the TEAS 7

What does TEAS stand for?
TEAS stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills. The current version is TEAS 7, developed by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute). It is the most widely required nursing entrance exam in the United States, used by ADN, BSN, and allied health programs at hundreds of institutions.
How many questions are on the TEAS 7?
The TEAS 7 contains 170 questions total: 150 scored and 20 unscored pretest items. You will not know which questions are unscored, so treat every question as scored. The four sections are Science (50 questions), Reading (45 questions), Mathematics (38 questions), and English and Language Usage (37 questions).
How long is the TEAS 7?
The TEAS 7 has a total testing time of 209 minutes (3 hours, 29 minutes). Each section is separately timed: Science 63 minutes, Reading 55 minutes, Mathematics 54 minutes, English and Language Usage 37 minutes.
What is a good TEAS 7 score?
Most ADN programs require 60–70%. Competitive BSN programs expect 75–85%. Top-tier programs such as those at UCLA, UCSF, and Johns Hopkins typically look for scores above 82%. The national average is approximately 65–68%. A practical target: identify your program’s published minimum and aim 7–10 points above it.
How many times can you retake the TEAS 7?
ATI allows retakes, but most programs set their own policies — typically 2–3 attempts with a 30-day waiting period between attempts. Always check your specific program’s retake policy before scheduling. Some programs average multiple scores; others use only the highest.
What is the hardest section of the TEAS 7?
Science is the most challenging section for most students — it has the most questions (50) and covers the widest range of topics: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, and Scientific Reasoning. Students who score well in Science almost always achieve a competitive composite. Students who score poorly in Science rarely compensate enough in other sections.
How long should I study for the TEAS 7?
Most students need 6–12 weeks of consistent preparation at 10–15 hours per week. Students with recent science coursework may need less time. Students who have not taken science in several years should plan for the full 12 weeks, focusing heavily on Anatomy and Physiology.

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