TEAS scores explained: what is a good TEAS score?

What your score report shows

Your TEAS score report, which ATI calls the Individual Performance Profile, shows a total score, a score for each of the four content areas (Reading, Math, Science, English and Language Usage), and scores for each sub-content area, such as key ideas and details or chemistry. It also shows how you compare nationally, your academic preparedness level, and a list of Topics to Review: the objectives you missed.

All of these are reported as percentages from 0.0% to 100%. ATI notes that the total and content-area scores are equated: they start from the share of questions you got right and are adjusted for small differences in difficulty between test forms, so a score on one form means the same as on another. Sub-content-area scores are plain percent-correct and are not equated, so ATI says not to compare them across forms. ATI also points out that you cannot rebuild the total from the section scores, so do not try to average them.

The five academic preparedness levels

Your report places your total score in one of five academic preparedness levels. ATI names them, from lowest to highest:

The exact percentage ranges for each level are printed on your report. ATI's sample reports show slightly different ranges from one version of the report to another, so read the ranges on yours instead of trusting a number from a forum post. Keep in mind that the levels describe readiness for health-science coursework; they are not an admission decision.

So what is a good TEAS score?

A good TEAS score is one that clears the requirement of every program on your list, with some margin. ATI states plainly that each school sets its own requirement. Programs differ in what they look at:

• Some set a minimum total score.
• Some set minimums for particular sections, often reading and math.
• Some ask for a minimum preparedness level, such as Proficient.
• Some rank applicants, so the cutoff is really "higher than the other applicants this year".
• Some review only certain sections. Western Governors University, for example, says that science is graded but not used in its admissions review and that only the required sections are reviewed.

Because the bar moves from school to school, the most useful thing you can do before you study is write down, for each program, the score it needs, the sections it weighs, how recent the score must be, and how many attempts it allows. Then aim above the highest of those numbers.

How to find your program's cutoff

1. Open the program's admissions page and search it for "TEAS". Requirements are usually listed with the prerequisites or the application checklist.
2. Look for the details as well as the number: total or section scores, which test versions they accept, how old a score can be, and whether they take your best attempt or your most recent one.
3. If the page does not say, email the admissions office. Ask the same questions in one short message.
4. Check how they want the score sent. ATI sends official results as TEAS transcripts, and a program may only accept a transcript sent through ATI.

Turning a score into a study plan

The most valuable part of the report is not the number but the Topics to Review list, because it shows which objectives cost you points. Group those topics by sub-area and compare them with the scored counts in the TEAS format: a weak spot in anatomy and physiology (18 scored items) is worth more than one in chemistry (8).

Before your real test, take a timed practice test in the app. It reports your result by section and sub-area, so you can see the same shape a TEAS report would show.