The ATI TEAS 7 is the entrance exam many nursing and allied health programs require: 170 questions in four timed sections (Reading, Math, Science, and English) over 209 minutes, with no single passing score.
- Questions
- 170
- Scored
- 150
- Minutes
- 209
- Sections
- 4
Chapter 1 · The valley · 3,900 ft
About the ATI TEAS 7
What the exam is, how it’s built and what’s on it.
ATI TEAS 7 at a glance
| Full name | Test of Essential Academic Skills, version 7 |
|---|---|
| Made by | Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) |
| Used for | Admission to nursing and allied health programs |
| Current version | TEAS 7, in use since June 3, 2022 |
| Questions | 170 (150 scored, 20 unscored) |
| Testing time | 209 minutes (3 hours 29 minutes) |
| Sections | Reading, Math, Science, English and Language Usage |
| Question types | Multiple choice, multiple select, fill in the blank, hot spot, ordered response |
| Break | One 10-minute break, after Math |
| Calculator | Built into the exam; you can’t bring your own |
| Where to test | At home with an ATI remote proctor, through a school, or at a PSI testing center |
| Passing score | None; each program sets its own minimum |
| Results | A preliminary score right away on ATI-proctored exams, final after four business days |
What is the ATI TEAS?
The Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS, is a standardized exam from Assessment Technologies Institute, better known as ATI. Nursing schools and many allied health programs use it during admission to check that applicants have the reading, math, science and English skills their courses build on.
The TEAS measures academic readiness, not nursing knowledge. Everything on it comes from subjects most students meet in high school, from reading a chart and working out a percentage to the basics of how the body works.
The current version, the ATI TEAS 7, replaced the TEAS 6 on June 3, 2022. It kept the same four sections and added new question formats, such as choosing every correct answer or putting steps in order.
Good to know: programs decide which TEAS versions they accept and how old a score can be. Two years is common, but check every school on your list.
TEAS 7 exam outline
You take all four sections in one sitting, in this order. Each section has its own time limit.
| Section | Questions | Scored | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 45 | 39 | 55 min |
| Math | 38 | 34 | 57 min |
| Science | 50 | 44 | 60 min |
| English and Language Usage | 37 | 33 | 37 min |
| Total | 170 | 150 | 209 min |
That works out to about 73 seconds per question in Reading, 90 in Math, 72 in Science and 60 in English. The 20 unscored questions are mixed into the sections and look like all the others, so treat every question as if it counts.
Question types
Most TEAS questions are multiple choice. The TEAS 7 also uses four other formats, so practice all of them before test day.
| Format | What you do |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice | Pick the one correct answer from four options. |
| Multiple select | Choose every correct answer from four or more options. |
| Fill in the blank | Type the word or number yourself. There are no options. |
| Hot spot | Click the part of an image that answers the question. |
| Ordered response | Put a set of items or steps in the right order. |
Chapter 2 · Cabin · 4,100 ft
Free TEAS practice questions
Five questions in the style of the real exam, each with a full explanation.
Five questions, one from each kind of section, written like the real exam. Choose an answer to see whether it’s right and why.
Want more? Take the free 10-question TEAS practice test. Every answer comes with an explanation.
Chapter 3 · Campfire · 4,600 ft
The four TEAS sections
Every sub-area, and how many scored questions it has.
What each section covers, sub-area by sub-area, with the number of scored questions in each one. The counts come from ATI’s published exam details.
Reading
45 questions in 55 minutes. 39 are scored and 6 are unscored.
Short passages, charts and everyday documents such as directions, labels and memos. The questions check whether you can pull out what matters and judge how a text is put together.
Key ideas and details: 15 scored questions
- Summarize a passage that runs several paragraphs
- Draw conclusions about what a text means and why it was written
- Follow written directions step by step
- Find a specific fact in a text, chart, map or diagram
- Put events in the order they happened
Craft and structure: 9 scored questions
- Tell facts apart from opinions
- Work out a word or phrase from its context
- Identify the author’s purpose and point of view
- Recognize how a text is organized
Integration of knowledge and ideas: 15 scored questions
- Use evidence to make predictions and draw conclusions
- Compare themes and ideas across two texts
- Evaluate an argument and the claims behind it
- Combine information from text, charts and other formats
Math
38 questions in 57 minutes. 34 are scored and 4 are unscored.
Arithmetic, simple algebra and reading data, mostly set in real situations such as doses, budgets and recipes. A calculator is built into the exam.
Numbers and algebra: 18 scored questions
- Convert between fractions, decimals and percentages
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers
- Compare and order numbers
- Solve equations with one variable
- Solve word problems with percentages, ratios, rates and proportions
- Estimate and round
- Turn words into expressions, equations and inequalities
Measurement and data: 16 scored questions
- Read tables, charts and graphs
- Use mean, median, mode and range
- Describe how two variables relate
- Find perimeter, area and volume
- Convert units within and between US and metric systems
Study Math formulas with flashcards
Science
50 questions in 60 minutes. 44 are scored and 6 are unscored.
The largest section. Anatomy and physiology alone accounts for 18 scored questions, more than any other sub-area on the exam, so it deserves the biggest share of your study time.
Human anatomy and physiology: 18 scored questions
- Directional terms, body planes and body cavities
- How each body system is built and how it works: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, muscular, skeletal, endocrine, immune, urinary, integumentary and reproductive
Biology: 9 scored questions
- Cell structure, function and organization
- DNA, genes and how they relate to proteins
- Mendel’s laws and patterns of inheritance
- Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
- How microorganisms cause disease
Chemistry: 8 scored questions
- Atomic structure
- Physical properties and changes of matter
- Chemical reactions and what affects them
- Solutions
- Acids and bases
Scientific reasoning: 9 scored questions
- Measurements and laboratory tools
- Using evidence and logic to explain results
- Predicting how events and processes relate
- Designing and reading experiments
Study tip: start with the heart and lungs. Our free study guide How blood moves through the heart walks through the path step by step.
English and Language Usage
37 questions in 37 minutes. 33 are scored and 4 are unscored.
Grammar, punctuation, spelling and word choice. With one minute per question, this is the fastest-paced section on the exam.
Conventions of standard English: 12 scored questions
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Sentence structure
Knowledge of language: 11 scored questions
- Grammar that makes writing clearer
- Formal and informal language for an audience
- Organizing a well-built paragraph
Using language and vocabulary: 10 scored questions
- Meaning from context
- Prefixes, roots and suffixes
- The writing process
Chapter 4 · Tent · 6,700 ft
TEAS scores and test day
How the TEAS is scored, how to book it and what to expect on the day.
How the TEAS is scored
Your score report lists a total score, a score for each of the four sections and a score for each sub-area, all as percentages. Only the 150 scored questions count.
The report also shows national and program averages and percentile ranks, so you can see how your scores compare with other test takers, both overall and in your program area.
Academic preparedness levels
Your total score also places you in one of five levels, which some programs use in place of a number.
| Level | Name |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Developmental |
| Level 2 | Basic |
| Level 3 | Proficient |
| Level 4 | Advanced |
| Level 5 | Exemplary |
What’s a good TEAS score?
There is no universal passing score. A good score is one that clears the minimum of every program you apply to, with room to spare when admission is competitive. Some schools also set minimums for single sections, such as Science or Reading, so check those as well as the total.
Registration, test dates and cost
You can take the TEAS in four ways. Which ones you can use depends on your program, so check its admission page before you book.
| Format | Where | Proctored by |
|---|---|---|
| TEAS Online, ATI | At home | ATI remote proctor |
| TEAS Online, school | Remote, through your school | Your school |
| In person, school | On campus | Your school |
| In person, PSI | A PSI testing center | PSI |
How much does the TEAS cost?
Fees depend on where you test and change over time. St. Philip’s College, for example, lists ATI’s remote exam at $115 plus tax, and Valencia College charges $85 per attempt for on-campus testing. Check the exact fee when you register.
Test dates and rescheduling
Remote sessions run throughout the year, while schools and PSI centers set their own calendars. If you have an application deadline, book early. To change your date, do it through your ATI account at least two days before the test. A rescheduling fee applies.
Test-day rules
Read these before your test day, so nothing at check-in takes you by surprise.
| Rule | What to know |
|---|---|
| ID | A physical, current, government-issued photo ID with the same first and last name as your ATI account. |
| Scratch paper | One blank sheet or a small whiteboard, and two writing instruments. No phone, notes, food or drinks on the desk. |
| Calculator | Built into the exam on screen. You can’t bring your own. |
| Break | One 10-minute break, after the Math section. |
| Testing at home | A quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk. You show the room on camera and stay in view the whole time. Public places aren’t allowed. |
| Start time | In-person exams start together, with no grace period. Remote exams proctored by a school allow 30 minutes. |
Results, transcripts and retakes
When you get your score
On exams proctored by ATI, a preliminary score appears as soon as you finish and becomes final four business days later. Schools usually post scores right away, though some turn that off. PSI results can take up to 48 hours.
Sending your score
If you test with ATI or at PSI, one transcript is included; send it from the Results tab of your ATI account. If you test through a school, your score goes to that school automatically. Sending it to more schools costs extra.
Retaking the TEAS
ATI doesn’t require a waiting period between attempts. Programs set their own limits. Valencia College, for example, accepts up to three attempts in 12 months, taken at least 30 days apart.
Chapter 5 · Lake · 5,300 ft
How to prepare for the TEAS
A checklist, a study method and a plan for your test date.
Your TEAS checklist
Eight steps, from your first search to test day.
- Find out which TEAS score each program requires.
- Check each program’s retake rules and how old a score can be.
- Create your ATI account and book a test date.
- Take a timed practice test to find your starting point.
- Study your two weakest sections first.
- Take a full-length timed practice test.
- Make sure your ID matches the name on your ATI account.
- Rest the day before your test.
How to study for the TEAS
ATI recommends at least six weeks of preparation. The order you study in matters as much as the hours.
- Start with a timed practice test. It shows which sections and sub-areas need the most time, before you spend a week on something you already know.
- Review every miss, and every guess. A lucky guess hides a gap. Mark the questions you weren’t sure about and treat them like misses.
- Read the explanations. A good explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others aren’t. That is where most of the learning happens.
- Study ideas, not questions. The exam won’t repeat your practice questions. Learn the idea behind each one, such as how blood moves through the heart, and new questions start to look familiar.
- Practice your pace. English gives you about a minute per question and Math about a minute and a half. Time yourself section by section, then take a full test in one sitting.
TEAS study plans
Pick the plan that matches the time you have before your test.
If your test is in 2 weeks
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Take a timed practice test before you study anything. Your section scores decide where the next twelve days go. |
| Days 3–6 | Science and Reading. Start with anatomy and physiology, then one set of reading passages a day. |
| Days 7–10 | Math and English. Ratios, percentages, conversions and equations, then grammar, punctuation and word meaning. |
| Days 11–13 | Take a second timed test. Rework every missed question until you can explain the right answer. |
| Day 14 | Rest. Light flashcard review only. Check your ID, testing location and start time. |
If your test is in 4 weeks
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | A timed practice test on day one, then body systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine. |
| Week 2 | Reading and English. Main idea, inference and comparing sources, then grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary. |
| Week 3 | Math and the rest of Science. Numbers and algebra, measurement and data, then biology, chemistry and scientific reasoning. |
| Week 4 | Two full-length timed tests, each followed by a review of every miss. Rest the day before. |
If your test is in 8 weeks
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | A timed practice test, then one body system every two days, with flashcards for the vocabulary. |
| Weeks 3–4 | Reading and English. A passage set and a grammar set each day. Keep a list of the rules you miss. |
| Weeks 5–6 | Math and the rest of Science. Untimed practice first, then timed sets once you’re accurate. |
| Week 7 | Each section under its real time limit. Drill the two weakest topics from your score breakdown. |
| Week 8 | Two full-length timed tests and their reviews. Nothing new in the last two days. |
Before you start, read the seven most common TEAS mistakes. Each one has a simple fix.
TEAS vs. HESI A2
Some programs accept either exam, and many students compare them before choosing. The biggest difference is flexibility: every TEAS has the same four sections, while each school picks which HESI A2 sections its applicants take.
| ATI TEAS 7 | HESI A2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | ATI | Elsevier |
| Sections | Reading, Math, Science, English and Language Usage, always all four | Chosen by each school, from subjects such as math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry and anatomy |
| Questions | 170 | Depends on the sections your school picks |
| Testing time | 209 minutes | Depends on the sections your school picks |
| Where | At home, at a school or at a PSI center | Through your school or a testing center |
| Retakes | Set by your program | Set by your program |
Chapter 6
ATI TEAS 7 FAQs
Short answers to the questions people ask most.
How many questions are on the ATI TEAS 7?
170 questions: 45 in Reading, 38 in Math, 50 in Science and 37 in English and Language Usage. 150 of them are scored. The other 20 are unscored pretest questions, mixed in so you can’t tell which they are.
How long is the TEAS 7?
209 minutes of testing time, or 3 hours and 29 minutes, plus one 10-minute break after the Math section. Plan for a longer appointment, since check-in also takes time.
What is a passing score on the TEAS?
There isn’t a universal one. Each nursing or allied health program sets its own minimum, and some also set minimums for individual sections.
Can I use a calculator on the TEAS?
Yes, for Math. A calculator is built into the exam on screen. You can’t bring your own.
Can I use scratch paper on the TEAS?
Yes. You can have one blank sheet of scratch paper or a small whiteboard, and two writing instruments. Nothing else is allowed on the desk.
Is there a break during the TEAS?
Yes. There is one 10-minute break, after the Math section, whether you test at home, at a school or at a testing center.
How much does the TEAS cost?
It depends on where you test. St. Philip’s College, for example, lists ATI’s remote exam at $115 plus tax, and Valencia College charges $85 for on-campus testing. Check the fee when you register.
How many times can I take the TEAS?
ATI doesn’t set a waiting period between attempts. Your program decides how many attempts it accepts and how far apart they must be. Valencia College, for example, allows up to three attempts in 12 months, at least 30 days apart.
When will I get my TEAS results?
For exams proctored by ATI, a preliminary score appears right away and becomes final four business days after your test. Schools usually post scores immediately, and PSI results can take up to 48 hours.
How long are TEAS scores valid?
Each school decides. Two years is common, but policies vary, so check every program you apply to.
Can I take the TEAS at home?
Yes. ATI offers the TEAS online with a remote proctor. You need a quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk, and you stay on camera for the whole exam.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the TEAS?
No. Only correct answers count toward your score, so answer every question.
How long should I study for the TEAS?
ATI recommends at least six weeks of preparation. Start with a timed practice test to see which sections need the most time.
Sources and how we check this page
We check every number on this page against ATI’s published exam details and update it when they change. Last checked October 24, 2026. Prep in the Mountains isn’t affiliated with ATI.
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Everything for the TEAS in one place
Every study guide, the full question bank, all the flashcards and full-length timed tests.