So, you've finally decided to pursue that nursing course. Yet, you still have the TEAS to pass as part of your chosen school's mandatory admission requirements. This test will assess your readiness for the nursing study. A great review course, TEAS practice test and TEAS study guide will certainly help you achieve a good TEAS test score. In this guide, we will help you choose the best TEAS study guide.
What is a TEAS Test and What to Expect?
Currently, on its 6th version, the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized admission test used by nursing schools in the United States. This test is administered by the ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute).
The TEAS exam is divided into four sections: reading, mathematics, science, and lastly, English and language usage. All of these sections contain multiple-choice test questions and is a timed exam.
What to Expect on Exam Day
The TEAS test comes with a fee of around $100. Pay an additional fee of $27 for every school you would like to receive your TEAS exam results.
The TEAS test is offered in both an electronic and paper-and-pencil version. The advantage of taking an electronic test is that you can get the results 48 hours after the completion of the test. While for the other option, you will have to wait for quite a period to know your score.
ATI's TEAS test contains 170 questions, but only 150 of said test questions will be scored. The examinees will have 209 minutes or approximately three and a half hours to complete the exam. However, the time limit will vary for the different sections.
Breakdown of the TEAS Exam Sections
1. Reading (53 test questions in 64 minutes)
This section is designed to measure one's reading comprehension level. It can also measure a person's ability to interpret and analyze charts, maps, and directions. It can also define your vocabulary level.
2. Math (36 test questions in 54 minutes)
This section determines a candidate's knowledge of mathematical operations, algebra, measurements, and data analysis.
3. Science (53 test questions in 63 minutes)
The most challenging part of the exam, it assesses your knowledge of human anatomy, life sciences, and scientific reasoning.
4. English and Language Usage (comprises of 28 test questions in 28 minutes)
The English section assesses grammar correctness, subject-verb agreement rules, tenses, spelling, capitalization, and other language use abilities.
TEAS 6 Test Grading
A significant aptitude exam will determine your success rate throughout your nursing study. However, the test scoring does not follow the conventional pass or fail criteria, and it will depend on the school you are applying to. Most schools require a passing rate of at least 60% to 70%, but this may differ from school to school.
The TEAS exam uses a point value grading system known as equating. Not all test questions have the same points though examinees will have no way of knowing which questions will score higher. Thus, it is wise to treat all exam questions equally.
Aptitude Score and Interpretation (Overall Academic Preparedness)
For first-timers, you should verify the registration process with your desired school of choice. To take the TEAS exam, register at ATI's testing site, create an account, and check for the recommended testing location. This location can either be at your nursing school or a dedicated testing site.
How to Pass the TEAS Test
We all get a little nervous whenever we take major exams. But with adequate test prep and the right TEAS study guide which includes TEAS practice test, you will surely get your desired passing score on your TEAS testing.
To pass the TEAS test, especially if you want to pass it during the first take, you should include the following in your exam review plans:
- Don't take your exam review lightly. Have a detailed test prep plan and make sure to follow through with it.
- Improve your reading speed so that you can finish the sections in a lesser time. Doing this will ensure you have additional time to review your exam answers.
- Get familiar with the actual test prep through the many available TEAS practice tests online.
- If you still have adequate review time, devote it to more TEAS practice tests.
All these are helpful tips that may help you ace that TEAS test for nursing and get on with your plans right on schedule.
The 7 Best TEAS Test Study Guides
Preparing for the TEAS test and getting review courses can be time-consuming and expensive. Enrolling in a test prep course is best if you want a higher success rate. As an alternative, you may go for self-study with an effective ATI TEAS study manual that is within your budget.
If you opt to choose the latter, we are here to guide you on your journey. You will find this guide helpful as we cover the best TEAS test study guides and practice tests available to ace that exam.
Below, we featured our ultimate top picks for the best TEAS study guides available in the market. An ATI TEAS study manual may include online reviews, flashcards, TEAS practice tests, and even strategies to be successful in your TEAS exam. Are you ready to pass that test? Read on and find the TEAS study guide that will suit your study style best to help you achieve a high TEAS score.
1. ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide
This study book could be your best test prep in acing that TEAS exam. It is a great test prep as it has complete coverage of all the sections and is the closest thing you can get to the TEAS.
We say this because it is even better than ATI's official prep tests. It contains a practice TEAS test that resembles the actual TEAS exam and may even be more challenging than the real one.
One trick we suggest, if you lack a bit of test prep time, is to take the TEAS practice test and go deeper into areas where you failed. This way, you won't have to review all of the 400 pages of this book.
The only flaw we found in this book is the science section review. You can resolve this issue by purchasing a review material specific to the science section only.
2. ATI TEAS Prep Plus by Kaplan
Kaplan's ATI TEAS Prep Plus could also easily pass as the best ATI TEAS study guide. This book has an intensive coverage of all four sections and contains strategies and tutorials on how to master difficult areas for review. It also has two tests with over 300 TEAS practice questions that will help you prepare for the actual exam.
It has two full-length ATI TEAS tests, where practice questions are answered with a comprehensive explanation.
This ATI TEAS prep also contains experts' advice to boost your confidence and get into your chosen school's nursing program. The review and its practice tests are tailored to TEAS 6 and contain up-to-date information.
3. TEAS Audio Study Guide
For those who do not have enough test prep time, we found the best option for you. The best thing about this test prep is that it comes in an audio format. This is great as you can use it even when you are out for a long commute. Or even when you are out for a stroll in the park.
It covers all four sections of the ATI TEAS exam. You can easily finish the test prep in one day. What's great about this reviewer is that it also comes with a PDF format guide if you need a visual and in-depth review.
4. ATI TEAS 6 Full Study Guide
Next on our list is the ATI TEAS 6 Full Study Guide. Like the ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide, it also has TEAS practice questions that are harder than the actual exam.
A huge bonus to getting this test prep guide is that it is bundled with online flashcards already.
5. ATI TEAS Strategies by Kaplan
Another Kaplan book also makes a great exam review. As mentioned earlier, the ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide book lacks quite a bit of its science section review. This book could be a useful supplement for this issue.
Like the first two exam guides, it also contains TEAS practice test questions that resemble the actual TEAS exam. If you want extra practice, you may consider this as relevant.
6. ATI TEAS Test Study Guide (Latest Edition)
Another great reviewer is the ATI TEAS Test Study Guide. Not only does it offer a comprehensive review of the TEAS exam, but the test prep contents are also veryorganized.
Plus, it contains tried-and-tested tips that you can apply when taking the TEAS 6 exam. It also comes with a bonus app that you can access online for an additional practice test for the TEAS and review supplements.
This ATI TEAS Practice Assessment is the closest you can get to the TEAS exam. The answers to each practice question will also be discussed in detail. You can try this practice test after some time reviewing your TEAS 6 manuals. The resulting score on your practice tests will guide you on what areas you need to improve.
With ample practice questions, from simple to hard, you will surely be adequately prepared to answer the actual TEAS questions.
The only downside to this practice test is that it is expensive. Try this practice assessment if you want to have a feel of the exam, and improve your weak areas.
7. ATI TEAS Flashcards (6th Edition by Trivium Test Prep)
One of the best pick for flashcards is the ATI TEAS Flashcards which contain over 400 cards of major terms and topics.
These flashcards may greatly contribute to mastering significant terms for the TEAS exam.
TEAS Study Guides to Avoid
Reviewing for your TEAS is a very crucial part of aspiring nursing professionals. We highly hope for a successful TEAS result. Thus, we also wanted to include some of the ATI TEAS study manuals that you should avoid.
ATI TEAS Review: 6th Edition (Revised)
This study manual has a solid foundation on the ATI TEAS as it already reached its 6th edition. However, it offers a non-in-depth guide on most crucial information as it would mention readers to refer to another source either online or on a different study guide. An excellent study guide would not do that and would likely contain almost complete information that you will need.
Another big flaw of this guide is its practice question. There are quite a few featured questions, and most of them do not even come close to actual TEAS questions.
Study Manual for the TEAS
This one is certainly another book to avoid if you are looking for an ultimate study guide. This is mainly because it is obsolete and is patterned to old TEAS exams. You may still find it useful if you plan to use it in addition to other newer reviews.
We certainly do not recommend using old reviewers created for the TEAS 5 as you will risk missing important questions and pointers for review.
How To Study For The TEAS Test
- If you work well with a study buddy or a study group, then go ahead and find yourself one. Sometimes learning techniques from other people may also help you improve your own. It is also beneficial as a study partner may remind you of some missed term and vice versa.
- Take advantage of free study online. There are tons of practice tests on the internet, and you may save money just by being resourceful.
- Take a full-length interactive practice test and work within the time limit. Go over the questions you missed and read more content on this area.
- Print downloadable study guides and practice tests. This method may work great for you if you are a visual person and want to highlight relevant items to memorize.
- Always make sure to find reputable sources and up-to-date information.
- Take the practice test over and over until you've improved and met your goals.
- Take a break. Do not be too hard on yourself and practice self-care during the review.
Recommendation
The TEAS test is one of the essential exams that you may need to accomplish when entering your school's nursing program. It is crucial to allow enough time for the review and practice tests to optimize your success potential.
We recommend the ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide as the best TEAS study guide because it is the most comprehensive review manual that you can find. What we love about this review guide is that it has three TEAS practice tests. Successful candidates who passed the exam can attest that the practice questions were very similar to the actual Test of Essential Academic Skills.
To have the best exam results, we also strongly recommend having an adequate review time of at least six weeks or more. This is to avoid cramming and being rattled on the exam date. We sincerely hope that you find this guide helpful and that you may find the best TEAS test study guide to help you pass on your first take. Good luck!