The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) offered by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), or ATI TEAS, is a standardized test that assesses basic skills in reading, math, science and English in order to measure a student’s readiness for entry into nursing and allied health programs. It is often a requirement for entry into nursing school.

The TEAS test is a standardized test designed to measure what you already know in the areas of reading, math, science and English. Do not plan to cram for this test. Instead, you should plan to review the material that will be tested over time so that you are able to enhance your knowledge in areas where you may not score as well. ATI recommends allowing for at least 6 weeks of preparation prior to taking the TEAS test.

The ATI TEAS exam includes 170 total questions, and you will be allocated 209 minutes to complete the test. Question types include multiple choice, multiple select (select all that apply), fill in the blank, ordered response and hot spots.

Upon completing the ATI TEAS exam, your score report becomes available in your ATI account under the RESULTS tab. The availability of your scores and the process for viewing them depend on your testing method. IF you take the electronic version of the test in a proctored setting, your scores should be available immediately upon completion of the test. If you take the TEAS test on paper, you will need to allow 3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) for scores to be posted.

Each school has different requirements about how many times you can attempt the TEAS test. Be sure to contact the school in which you are applying to understand its important deadlines and the number of attempts allowed to pass the ATI TEAS exam. Each completed and scored TEAS Exam counts as an attempt – even if you do not submit your test results. Schools get updated TEAS attempts with your submission of a TEAS Transcript to that school.