How to Prepare for the TEAS Exam: Best Study Tips & Strategies for Success

Written by: Nathalie Turotte Date: March 13, 2025
6 Simple Tips to Prepare for the TEAS Exam, nursing students in the classroom

nursing students in classDreaming of a nursing career? Before you put on your scrubs and start making a difference, you’ll likely need to pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam first — a crucial entrance exam required by many nursing schools, including the newly established Westcliff University College of Nursing in Corona, California. Many prospective nursing students might feel nervous about the idea of taking the TEAS exam, but with the right TEAS exam prep, you can get a score that sets you apart from other nursing program applicants. A strong score not only enhances your application but also showcases your proficiency in science, math, and critical reading — key skills for effective patient care and clinical decision-making.

Westcliff University’s College of Nursing is dedicated to training the next generation of nurses to make an impact in their communities. Find our TEAS exam tips below.

What Is the TEAS Exam?

The TEAS exam is a timed, 170-question test that uses various formats, including multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, ordered response, and hot-spot questions (identifying a particular point of a visual). You will be allowed 209 minutes to complete the exam, which is broken down into four sections:

  • Reading (45 questions; 55 minutes allocated) – Assesses how well you understand written material, identify main ideas, and analyze presented information.
  • Mathematics (38 questions; 57 minutes allocated) – Focuses on your skills in algebra, measurement, and interpreting numerical data—essential for performing nursing-related calculations.
  • Science (50 questions; 60 minutes allocated) – Tests your grasp of subjects like anatomy, biology, chemistry, and the basics of scientific reasoning.
  • English and Language Usage (37 questions; 37 minutes allocated) – Measures your command of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary to support clear and accurate communication in medical environments.

Since the TEAS exam is designed to assess academic readiness for nursing school, a well-structured TEAS exam prep strategy is essential for success.

Does a High TEAS Exam Score Matter for Nursing Schools?

A strong score on the TEAS exam demonstrates to admissions staff that you have a strong foundation in science, math, and critical reading—all key skills for effective real-world patient care and decision-making. This will make your application stand out and help you get accepted into the nursing program of your choice. With the demand for nurses at an all-time high, more students are entering the nursing field. Admission to nursing schools is competitive, especially in programs such as Westcliff’s that emphasize the benefits of small class sizes.

Many schools, including Westcliff, require a minimum TEAS score for acceptance. Westcliff’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program requires a composite score of 58 or better to be considered (this is generally around the 50th-65th percentile, depending on the year). While you can retake the TEAS exam, some schools restrict the number of retakes they will allow. {Insert Westcliff rules on this}. In general, the safest strategy is to prepare as best as you can for your first attempt with a solid TEAS exam prep strategy.

How to Create a Study Plan for the TEAS Exam

The Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), the administrator of the TEAS exam, recommends that you allow at least six weeks to study for the test. To begin your TEAS exam prep, determine how long you have until the test, and then draw up a schedule, evenly distributing your prep time into organized segments. 

Numerous studies have shown that cramming is not an effective strategy for deeply understanding material and that this information is quickly forgotten. Invest in your long-term success and spare yourself a lot of stress by giving yourself at least a couple of weeks to prepare. Here’s an example schedule:

  • Weeks 1-2: Focus on Reading and English
  • Weeks 3-4: Focus on Math and Science
  • Weeks 5-6: Practice tests and comprehensive review

Now that you have an idea of how to organize your studying, we’ll look at how to prepare for the TEAS exam.

How to Prepare for the TEAS Exam

nursing student smiling on campusScoring well on the TEAS exam takes strategy, consistent practice, and thorough preparation — cramming the night before won’t cut it. Follow these top prep tips for the TEAS exam​ to ensure you maximize your study time and do your best on the exam.

1. Utilize Official ATI Resources

Before you start planning your studying schedule, it can be helpful to take practice tests to assess your strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to prioritize the areas where you need additional study time. Then you can retake practice tests to chart your progress and reassess your strategy. Practice tests also give you a feel for what kinds of questions you should expect on the exam and allow you to practice answering them in the time allotted.

ATI offers a free online TEAS practice test comprising 60 questions with rationales, providing a realistic preview of the exam format. In addition to ATI’s official practice tests, there are also free TEAS exam prep options available online.

2. Engage with Interactive Platforms

Websites like Quizlet offer free flashcards and practice questions specifically designed to help you master the TEAS exam. Creating a free Quizlet account gives you access to even more in-depth study resources.

3. Leverage Video Tutorials

YouTube can be a valuable resource for TEAS exam tips, but it can also be a little overwhelming with all the available content. However, a safe place to start is with a popular test prep company like Mometrix or NurseHub, which offer study guides and full test walkthroughs explaining the thought process behind answering test questions. You can also find videos from practicing nurses and educators, such as Nurse Cheung.

Smart Edition Academy also offers a full-length TEAS exam prep video with detailed explanations to help you better understand the material.

4. Participate in Online Communities

Engaging with forums like Reddit’s r/StudentNurse – or others – can provide valuable insights, study tips and moral support from fellow nursing students who have successfully taken the TEAS test.

5. Check Your Local Library

Many public libraries offer TEAS prep books like “ATI TEAS Study Manual”, “Kaplan’s TEAS Prep Plus”, and “McGraw-Hill Education TEAS Review”, which you can borrow for free.

Check your library’s online catalog or ask a librarian for availability.

6. Paid TEAS Prep Resources

Looking for more structured guidance? While there are many free resources available online, their quality can vary. You might find it worth the investment to sign up for TEAS exam prep from a trusted source. ATI Testing offers an official TEAS Study Manual, full-length TEAS practice tests, and customizable study packages designed to closely mirror the actual exam. Other options include Varsity Tutors, Mometrix, or Udemy. 

These online courses can provide a structured approach to studying and often incorporate multiple modes, including videos, digital flashcards, and sample questions.

7. Find a Study Schedule and Stick to It

When are you most alert: first thing in the morning or when the day is winding down? Maybe you have a window of free time at lunch. Do you prefer a comfortable spot on the sofa, or do you need to sit up straight at a table? Whatever time and environment work best for you, commit to them.

Then set a manageable length for your study sessions that won’t burn you out or make you resistant to following through. Just like cramming isn’t an effective strategy to prepare for the TEAS exam, studies have shown that we also learn better in shorter, consistent sessions rather than a marathon weekend session. Find a one- to two-hour window three times a week to get the most out of your TEAS exam prep time.

8. Practice time management

The TEAS exam is timed, with specific allocations for each section: Reading is 55 minutes, 

Mathematics is 57 minutes, Science is 60 minutes, and English and Language Usage is 37 minutes. Your TEAS exam prep should include timed practice tests, whether online or from a book, to get a feel for the timing of each section. Is there a particular section you find yourself rushing to complete? In addition to possibly devoting more study time to that section, you should also practice good test-taking techniques. 

For example, don’t take too long on questions you’re unsure about. Move on to the questions that you’re more likely to get right. When you have reached the end of the exam, you can revisit skipped questions and check your answers.

9. Mix It Up

How do you learn best—flashcards? Videos? Often, the best TEAS exam prep strategy is to use many different study aids rather than solely falling back on your favorite. Books from the library, YouTube videos, homemade flashcards, and online practice tests can all give you a different approach to the material and keep you engaged, especially if you plan to prepare over several weeks.

10.  Set a Goal for Each Study Session

One important aspect of preparing for the TEAS exam that is often overlooked is setting a concrete goal for each practice session. A session goal focuses your efforts and allows you to measure your progress. 

For example, set a goal to work through 20 math practice problems on ratios and proportions and review your mistakes. Or read and summarize two science chapters on the respiratory and digestive systems, then quiz yourself with flashcards to reinforce key concepts. Or flip through your flashcards and don’t consider yourself done until you get them all correct in one round.

Having a study session goal ensures that you are using your time in a way that works toward your larger goal (a great score!) and can give you a rewarding boost for hitting your daily goals.

11. Practice Test-Taking Strategies

Just as you should practice time management, you should also hone your test-taking skills. You aren’t penalized on the TEAS exam for wrong answers, so be sure to answer every question. Don’t get hung up overthinking any particular question. Instead, go with your first impression. 

  • One way to do this for multiple-choice questions is to read the question without looking at the possible answers. Come up with your answer first and then compare it to your choices. 
  • Remember to slow down and read every word carefully. Small but important words like “not,” “except,” or “most likely” can completely change the meaning of a question. 
  • Similarly, look for red-flag words like always/never or all/none — absolutes like this are rarely true. If you find them in a true-or-false question, it is probably false.

12. Avoid Burnout

When students research how to prepare for the TEAS exam, the focus is usually on the subject matter itself. However, an important part of learning is being healthy enough to retain information. Remember to get plenty of sleep and avoid relying too much on caffeine to keep you alert. Stick to a reasonable schedule and take plenty of breaks. It can be difficult between work, studying, and other commitments to find time for yourself, but it is just as important to recharge by going outside, exercising, and spending time with friends. This will give your brain a chance to process what you’ve learned and be receptive to new information.

Best TEAS Study Resources & Where to Find Them

Ready to dive deeper? The resources below will help you prepare for TEAS exam success.

Best Free TEAS Study Resources

Beyond exam tips and practice tests, you can prepare for the TEAS exam with organized lessons through paid TEAS exam prep courses.

Best Paid TEAS Prep Courses

Beyond exam tips and practice tests, you can prepare for the TEAS exam with organized lessons through paid TEAS exam prep courses.

TEAS Prep Books Worth Buying

Online resources can be great for TEAS exam tips, but to find a more comprehensive and organized study guide, a good old-fashioned book is sometimes the most straightforward route. There’s even an official study manual published by ATI, the TEAS administrator. 

Westcliff University College of Nursing: Your Next Step

At Westcliff University’s College of Nursing, you’ll receive an innovative, career-focused education that prepares you for the fast-paced world of healthcare. The TEAS exam is an essential part of the admissions process for students entering the Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) and Entry-Level Master’s in nursing (ELM) programs. These programs emphasize hands-on learning, critical thinking, and leadership in nursing practice.

Located in Corona, Calif., the Westcliff University College of Nursing offers:

  • State-of-the-art simulation labs that replicate real healthcare settings
  • Clinical placements with top healthcare providers to gain real-world experience
  • A student-centered approach designed to foster success at every stage of the program.

Through cutting-edge curriculum and strong faculty support, Westcliff University’s College of Nursing equips students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in patient care, healthcare leadership, and beyond.

From TEAS to RN: Your Journey Begins

Preparing for the TEAS exam is a crucial step in your journey toward becoming a nurse. A strong performance can set you apart from other applicants, proving that you have the academic foundation needed to thrive in nursing school. But beyond just getting into a program, your TEAS score reflects your readiness to handle the challenges of nursing education — ensuring that you’re prepared for the rigorous coursework ahead.

If you’re serious about nursing, now is the time to take action. Start your TEAS prep early, take TEAS practice tests, and develop a study plan that works for you. The effort you put in now will pay off when you step into your first nursing class — and ultimately, when you step into your future career as a nurse.

For more details on the TEAS exam, admissions, and nursing programs, visit Westcliff University’s College of Nursing.

Your nursing future starts today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the TEAS Exam

How long is the TEAS exam?

The TEAS exam lasts 209 minutes (3 hours and 29 minutes), covering four subject areas.

Which sections does the TEAS exam have?

The exam consists of four sections: Reading (53 questions), Mathematics (36 questions), Science (53 questions), and English & Language Usage (28 questions).

What is the cost of the TEAS exam?

The TEAS exam typically costs between $65 and $140, depending on the testing location and format.

Can I retake the TEAS exam?

Yes, but policies vary by school. Some allow only one or two retakes, while others may permit more. Check with your nursing program for specific retake rules.

What is a good TEAS exam score?

There is no universal passing score, but most nursing programs require 60% or higher. Some schools may have specific score requirements for different sections.

Where can I find practice test questions?

There are several great resources for free and paid TEAS practice tests, including:

Final Thoughts: Pass Your TEAS Exam with the Right Approach

While the TEAS exam is an important part of applying to nursing school, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with the pressure. You can always re-take the test and benefit from having been through it once before. Just be sure to check with the program you are applying to about their retake rules.

By giving yourself at least a month to prepare, scheduling your study sessions, setting goals, and remembering to take care of yourself, you can be confident that you will do well on the TEAS exam.

Ready to start your TEAS prep today? Download our free TEAS Study Plan PDF to help you get started!