For students who want to help other people, the process to do so isn’t as simple as just signing up for the program. Students need to meet specific standards for admission, take necessary classes, and demonstrate that they’re academically prepared for the rigorous work of becoming a nurse. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) provides one metric for nursing schools to measure how well a candidate might be able to succeed in the academic side of nursing school. For students considering the best online nursing programs in Florida, this exam isn’t the only thing that could sway the decision, but it certainly does matter to some extent-and preparing early puts a student in control of their chances, rather than behind the curve when it counts.
What Is the TEAS Exam and What Does It Measure?
The TEAS exam is a standardized test created by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). It is used by many nursing schools as part of their application process for practical nursing, associate degree nursing, and other prelicensure programs. The test evaluates skills that students will rely on during their coursework, including reading, math, science, and the language used in English. These topics are very basic, but the nursing education will not be. Applicants need to read a fair amount of clinical information, interpret numbers, remember the names and functions of the various body parts, and speak coherently and concisely. The test gives admissions teams a way to compare how applicants’ skills line up in these categories, although it isn’t a test of how much they know about nursing.
How TEAS Scores Influence Nursing School Admissions
A TEAS score can influence an applicant’s admission to a program, especially if a nursing school has to choose between several candidates for a limited number of spots. Some programs have a cutoff TEAS score that applicants need to reach to be considered for a spot. Other programs factor the exam score into a comprehensive ranking system that also considers the overall grade point average, grades in other required courses, and the number of prerequisite courses completed. In both situations, having a high TEAS score will give an applicant an advantage, and a low one makes gaining a spot more difficult. But come on, there is no one TEAS score that will get you in the door everywhere. You need to look at the application requirements for each school you are applying to see if there is a required TEAS score, and if so, whether higher scores improve an applicant’s odds of gaining a place.
TEAS Test Four Sections Breakdown
Once you understand the structure of the exam, you will be able to plan your preparation. The Reading exam questions evaluate if applicants are able to answer questions based on the main point of the paragraph, or use the passage to conclude, make inferences, or locate information. Areas covered in math include fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions, measurements, and algebra. These are important to review because nursing applicants work with a lot of numerical information and are also expected to do medication calculations later in their studies. The Science section tests knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning. This section tends to be the most difficult to review because there is quite a bit of content to memorize. The English and Language Usage section tests punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and language conventions. The format of the test, how many questions are scored, and the time per question may vary between versions, so try to use updated ATI TEAS practice questions rather than relying on out-of-date information. It can be helpful to identify what you find most difficult to start your study plan.
Studying for the TEAS Exam Efficiently and Effectively
A simple plan does not have to be complex. Needs to be doable. Students should start by completing a test or a set of practice questions to identify areas for improvement. Investing three weeks in science without covering reading or math and treating science as its own entity at that point isn’t always the best approach, especially if it drags down the overall score. Block out time for study, even if that is just 45 minutes at a time. Focus on one subject and do questions. Review the incorrect answers and understand why they were not the answer. Using official ATI study guides, official practice exams, and a few good books and websites can teach students the types of questions that will come up. Working in a timed environment can also be helpful for students. Students with jobs or family commitments will need to take their time over several weeks – that’s OK. A steady pace usually works better than one late-night cram session.
Selecting a Program and Verifying TEAS Requirements
Know where you actually want to go before taking the exam. This can be a time and money saver if you find that a testing location is offering a school which you are not interested in, or vice versa. Not every school requires the same testing score. Some may require a particular score in each section, while others can be all about the overall score. You may be able to get away with a previous testing score at a different school, but every college has restrictions on how old the test scores are. How many retests can you do? How long do you have to wait between tests? These rules can vary by school. Students seeking online nursing programs will also want to pay attention to another key factor: They may still have to go to campus for clinicals or labs. The TEAS requirement will depend on the school, not on how far away from campus they are, online or not. Check out the accreditation, state approval if necessary, clinicals or local testing requirements, tuition, and application deadlines before you apply, although a flexible schedule is an advantage; it shouldn’t mean sacrificing quality.
Common TEAS Preparation Mistakes Students Should Avoid
One of the most common pitfalls is believing that a good GPA means the test will be a breeze. Results on schoolwork and standardized tests don’t measure the same things, and students might also be surprised by the time limits and multiple-choice style of the test. A second mistake is not confirming that the content in practice tests is identical to what is going to be on the TEAS. There are countless free quizzes online, but the better ones don’t include irrelevant information or skip important subjects. Applicants should also make sure not to schedule an exam date before checking a prospective school’s deadline and score requirement. The date may be appealing, but if it is an hour away and the candidate ends up needing a repeat, he or she might not make it in time. A final potential pitfall is discomfort during the test. Staying well rested, arriving early, reading the regulations, and practicing with timed questions will help make the experience less stressful. And most of all, a bad practice score doesn’t mean the student can’t be a nurse – it simply identifies an area for improvement.
What Happens After You Receive Your TEAS Score?
When the results are released, students will need to compare the score with college admission expectations of the programs they seek to attend. If the scores are sufficient, students will then need to ensure their application is complete, which could include transcripts, prior courses, application forms, or any other items needed by the college. If the score is not the anticipated level, students can still reach out to the admissions center to make sure they understand when to retake the test and when the next application deadline is. There’s no point in speculating about what a school’s policy might be when the answer is easily obtained. And, they should remember, admission is only the first step.
Conclusion: Incorporate the TEAS Exam into Your Nursing Admission Strategy
The TEAS can be a valuable part of the admissions process to nursing schools because it provides universities with a way to assess the academic skills of future students. It assists admissions staff in comparing candidates, determining if minimum requirements are satisfied, and selecting students when a program has limited space. Yet, the TEAS is only one consideration. It may be weighed alongside grades, prerequisite coursework, application deadlines, and program requirements. When exploring different options for a career in nursing, students should research early, establish a reasonable study plan, and make sure they understand precisely how various nursing colleges utilize TEAS scores. This is especially important when comparing colleges in USA for nursing, as admission policies and testing requirements can vary between institutions. That applies whether students are exploring local nursing schools, online degree programs, or colleges with different admissions policies. The long and short of it is, take the exam purposefully, study for the portions you are weaker in, and do not assume every school has the same policies. Taking these steps can help you put yourself in the best position to succeed and make the path toward a nursing career easier and less stressful.
