TEAS Ready🧭 How the TEAS works · How the TEAS Works · Lesson 3 of 5 · 4 min
Question types, the calculator and flagging
🖱️ Not every TEAS item is a plain four-choice question. Know the formats and tools ahead of time so nothing slows you down.
💡 Key idea
Five item types, an on-screen calculator in every section, and free movement only until you submit the section.
🧠 The idea
The TEAS uses five ITEM TYPES. MULTIPLE CHOICE: pick one answer. MULTIPLE SELECT (select all that apply): choose every correct option; read each option as its own true-or-false question. FILL IN THE BLANK: type your answer, such as a number, so check units and rounding. ORDERED RESPONSE: put steps or items in the right order. HOT SPOT: click the correct area of an image, such as a part of a diagram. A built-in on-screen CALCULATOR is available in every section, so you don't need to bring one; use it to check arithmetic, but set up the problem yourself first. Within an open section you can move back and forth and FLAG items to revisit. Once you SUBMIT a section, you cannot go back to it. When a section's time runs out, it closes and any unanswered items count as wrong.
✏️ Worked example
A Science item asks you to select all signs of dehydration from six options. Treat each option alone: "dry mouth" true, select; "dark yellow urine" true, select; "increased urine output" false, skip; and so on. You are unsure about one option, so you flag the item and continue. With 4 minutes left you return, decide, and then submit the section. After submitting, Science is closed for good, so make sure flagged items are resolved first.
📌 Takeaways
- Multiple choice, multiple select, fill in the blank, ordered response, hot spot.
- The on-screen calculator is there in every section.
- Resolve flags before you submit; you can't go back.
✅ Check yourself
Question 1 of 3
A TEAS item shows a diagram of the heart and asks you to click the left ventricle. Which item type is this?
- Hot spot
- Multiple select
- Ordered response
- Fill in the blank
Show the answer and rationale
Answer: A
Clicking an area of an image is a hot spot item. Ordered response asks you to arrange things in sequence, fill in the blank asks you to type an answer, and multiple select asks you to choose several options.
Question 2 of 3
You submit the Reading section and then remember a flagged question. What can you do?
- Change the answer at the end of the test
- Return to Reading during the break
- Nothing; a submitted section is closed
- Ask to reopen the section after Math
Show the answer and rationale
Answer: C
Once a section is submitted, you cannot go back to it, so flagged items must be resolved first. The break, the end of the test and later sections do not reopen an earlier section.
Question 3 of 3
What is true about the calculator on the TEAS?
- An on-screen calculator is built into every section
- Students must bring an approved hand-held calculator
- A calculator is allowed only in the Math section
- No calculator of any kind is allowed on the test
Show the answer and rationale
Answer: A
A built-in on-screen calculator is available in every section. You do not bring your own, it is not limited to Math, and the test does allow calculator use.
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