The ATI TEAS 7 Exam: Complete Guide for Nursing School Applicants

The TEAS exam — administered by ATI Nursing Education — is the entrance test most US nursing programs use to evaluate whether applicants have the academic foundation needed to succeed in nursing school. The current version (TEAS 7) launched in mid-2022 and replaced TEAS 6. It is computer-based, multiple-choice (with a small number of multi-select and ordered-response items new to v7), and timed strictly by section.

Your TEAS score is one of the most heavily weighted parts of your nursing application — at many competitive BSN programs it is weighted equal to or above GPA. Walk in with the right preparation and the exam is very passable; walk in cold and it is one of the most common reasons applicants are rejected.

Need a fast win? Start with our free TEAS practice test to get a baseline score in under 30 minutes.

The TEAS 7 has four sections taken back-to-back, 170 items total (some are unscored pretest items), 209 total minutes:

• Reading — 45 questions, 55 minutes (key ideas, craft & structure, integration of knowledge). Practice reading →
• Mathematics — 38 questions, 57 minutes (numbers & algebra, measurement & data). Practice math →
• Science — 50 questions, 60 minutes (anatomy & physiology dominate ~50% of items, plus biology, chemistry, scientific reasoning). Practice science →
• English & Language Usage — 37 questions, 37 minutes (conventions, knowledge of language, vocabulary). Practice English →

Science is the longest section and the one most students score lowest on — over half the items pull from anatomy & physiology.

You'll receive five scores: a composite score (weighted across the four sections) plus an individual percent for each section. ATI also reports your proficiency level:

• Developmental (0–40%)
• Basic (41–58%)
• Proficient (59–77%)
• Advanced (78–91%)
• Exemplary (92–100%)

Most ADN programs want at least Proficient (60–65%). Competitive BSN programs typically want Advanced (78%+). Use our TEAS score calculator to project your composite from individual section scores.

The honest answer is 6–8 weeks of consistent study for someone starting from a Basic or weak Proficient baseline. Strong students with recent science coursework can succeed in 3–4 weeks. The single best predictor of pass rate is the number of real-format practice questions you complete with full rationale review — not hours read in a textbook.

Our recommended sequence: diagnostic test → study guide → daily section drills → full-length mock exams in the final 2 weeks. Read the long-form version: How to pass the TEAS 7 on your first try.

You register for the TEAS through your nursing program or directly at atitesting.com. The exam costs $115 per attempt as of 2026, with some schools charging additional proctoring fees. Most programs allow 3 attempts per admissions cycle with a 30-day waiting period between attempts. Always check your specific school's policy before scheduling — some programs only consider your most recent attempt, others your highest.

Use these as your weekly study targets. Each link goes to a focused practice page:

• Anatomy & physiology — cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine
• Biology — cells, genetics, macromolecules
• Chemistry — atomic structure, reactions, solutions
• Math — fractions, percentages, ratios, basic algebra, data interpretation
• English — conventions of standard English, sentence structure, vocabulary in context