Understanding the TEAS Exam: Your Gateway to Nursing Education at St. Mary’s

What is the TEAS? 

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), provided by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), is a standardized test designed to assess a student’s preparedness for entering a nursing education program. Questions are designed to test the basic academic skills you will need to perform successfully in the areas of reading, math, science, and English and language usage. 

Why do I have to take the TEAS?

The ATI TEAS has been statistically proven to be a valid predictor of early nursing school success. Your score on the TEAS is one measure of academic preparedness that helps St. Mary’s University consider your acceptance into our Nursing Program. 

What does the TEAS exam consist of? 

The ATI TEAS test is comprised of 170 questions formatted as both multiple-choice items with four answer options and alternate-type items. This includes 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. Students have 209 minutes to complete the exam. 

The number of questions in each content section and subsection are as follows: 

Reading – 45 questions (55 minutes) 

Key Ideas and Details – 15 
Craft and Structure – 9 
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas – 15 
Unscored Pretest Items – 6 

Math – 38 questions (57 minutes) 

Numbers and Algebra – 18 
Measurement and Data – 16 
Unscored Pretest Items – 4

Science – 50 questions (60 minutes) 

Human Anatomy and Physiology – 18 
Biology – 9 
Chemistry – 8 
Scientific Reasoning – 9 
Unscored Pretest Items – 6 

English and Language Usage – 37 questions (37 minutes) 

Conventions of Standard English – 12 
Knowledge of Language – 11 
Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing – 10 
Unscored Pretest Items – 4 

ATI TEAS, version 7

How do I register for the TEAS exam?

Step 1: Visit Online remote TEAS@ATI to register for an online proctored exam and select a date/time that work for you. Scroll down the page to continue registration and then proceed to checkout. OR Visit Onsite TEAS@PSI to register for an  In-Person Proctored by PSI. Select PSI Testing Center from the drop down menu under Search by.  Click on Select in the TEAS at PSI Test Center. Select PSI Test Site for TEAS Nursing. Scroll through and read the information then click on Continue to Registration at the bottom of the page then proceed to check out.

Step 2: Upon checking out, you will be prompted to create an ATI student account.

Step 3: Here, you will review all testing information before continuing with your registration, as well as purchase additional transcript credits. Select Continue Registration to proceed.*

Step 4: Review your order and proceed to checkout to complete.

Step 5: Check your email. Following registration, you will receive an email confirmation from ATI. This includes test details, dry run information and more.

*Note: Credit for one transcript is included with your exam registration, and can be sent after you complete your test. To send your transcript to St. Mary’s University, you will need to log into your ATI student account after you finish testing and select Send Transcript and use school code st marys u tx bsn under TEAS activity.  You need to do this even if you want your remote testing transcript sent to the same institution listed in your ATI Testing profile.

How should I prepare for the TEAS exam? 

ATI, the official provider of prep for the exam, recommends that you allow at least six weeks to prepare for the exam.

There are a variety of prep resources available to help you study for the test — all aligned to the ATI TEAS, Version 7, and packed with thousands of practice questions based on the content and format of the actual exam.  Be sure to use the red scroll bar under the prep packages to view all package options.

TEAS pREP
  1. Create a study schedule.
  2. Use your resources.
  3. Understand the format of the exam.
  4. Take practice exams.
  5. Use your time wisely.
  6. Prioritize taking care of yourself.
  7. Review material.
  8. Keep an optimistic mindset.
Steps to TEAS success:

Exam Accommodations

All examination centers are equipped to provide access in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

You are required to submit documentation from the medical authority or learning institution that rendered a diagnosis. Verification must be uploaded to PSI on the letterhead stationery of the authority or specialist and include the following:

  • Description of the disability and limitations related to testing
  • Recommended accommodation/modification
  • Name, title, and telephone number of the medical authority or specialist
  • Original signature of the medical authority or specialist
Requirements for Exam Accommodation Requests
EXAM ACCOMmodations

How can I submit an ATI TEAS transcript?

Please refer to the guide below on how to submit ATI TEAS transcripts to St. Mary’s University once you have completed the exam.

SUbmit TEAS transcripts

  • Contact

    Donna Badowski, DNP, RN, CNE, CHSE
    Founding Director of Nursing and Vice Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology
    dbadowski@stmarytx.edu

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