Nursing is an incredibly important job that requires extensive training and dedication. One of the first things an aspiring nurse needs to do in order to begin their journey is taking the “Test of Essential Academic Skills”, otherwise known as the “TEAS”.
This exam is designed to test a potential nursing student’s skills so that nursing schools can decide who to give admission to. It also assesses a person’s critical thinking skills to determine whether they have what it takes to make a good nurse.
Since this is such an important test, potential students need to take some time to learn everything they can about the TEAS and work on test prep. This will help ensure that they are adequately prepared for the exam so they can get into the nursing program of their choice. Now that you’ve decided to pursue a career in nursing, here is everything you need to prepare yourself for the TEAS:
On The Exam
The TEAS is broken up into 4 sections, each with their own time limit. The sections are:
- English and Language Usage (28 questions in 28 minutes)
- Mathematical Equations (36 questions in 54 minutes)
- Basic Scientific Theory (53 questions in 63 minutes)
- Reading Comprehension (53 questions in 64 minutes)
The key to good TEAS preparation is practicing conforming to time limits. This is an area that many students struggle with as they need to move from question to question fairly quickly while maintaining their mental stamina.
One way to prepare for this is through regular practice tests taken during your study prep time. You can find a practice exam through a TEAS tutor, and use your results to determine what sections you should dedicate the most time to.
Scoring
Your score will be given per section in addition to a total score so that potential schools can analyze each student’s skills. There is no pass/fail score determined by the creators of the TEAS, though many nursing schools will have a target score they prefer from their students.
During your study prep, take a look at the schools you plan on applying to in order to find out the average test score of their students. This will help give you a target score to work towards during your prep or when working with your TEAS tutor.
How To Study
It is suggested that students planning on taking the TEAS dedicate at least a couple hours a day for about 6 months to study prep. This depends on your experience and prior skill level, but it is important to give yourself enough time to thoroughly cover every section that will be on the exam.
During this prep time, you should take multiple practice tests, create a study schedule, and work with a TEAS tutor or prep program to cover all of the necessary material.
It is important to take this time very seriously as your exam results will determine what program you get into. You are beginning on a very exciting journey into a very valuable field, so getting off to the right start can set the tone for the rest of your career. Through hard work and determination, you are sure to be successful.
