How I Studied for the TEAS

This is a breakdown I did of all the important topics I see in the book. I WILL NOT POST TEST QUESTIONS. I hope this helps someone. Nursing Students TEAS Article

I also posted my study "techniques" and websites that might be helpful if you do not have the ATI book or any book for that matter. I guess any book will do as long as you study what is below. I still suggest getting it if you can. Whatever works.

Science

  • General heart anatomy: follow blood flow through the heart in order, and know if the blood is oxygenated or not, know the valves
  • General vascular anatomy(veins, arteries, etc)
  • Respiratory System: general functions and structure
  • Nervous System: Know the subcategories, their functions, and know the anatomy of a neuron and the synapse WELL
  • Digestive System: Just follow a bolus down to the orifice and know generally what is happening to it. Like where the digestion of fat occurs first and where the absorption of water occurs, etc.
  • Immune System: Cell-mediated immunity, Humoral immunity; interferons; know the response to inflammation
  • General Biology: taxonomy(King Phillp Came Over For Granny's Soup); purines and pyrimidines; DNA functions; RNA functions; Transcription & translation; Cellular Organelles: mitochondria, ribosomes, rough/smooth ER, etc etc and their functions; Know plant cells too!!!!! ; prokaryotes vs eukaryotes; mitosis and meiosis stages: know their outcomes; mutations; punnet squares & alleles; difference between protozoa, bacteria, viruses, algae, and helminths AND their basic components(like what do they eat? how to they reproduce?)
  • Chemistry: Again, know your heterotrophs and autotrophs... who uses cellular respiration and whatnot; mass numbers and atomic weights; know what isotopes are, how to find the number of protons in them; know what catalysts are... what decomposition and synthesis reactions are; chemical bonds; know which elements are your metals PLEASE!; acids and bases... know which accept protons and know the logarithmic scale; balancing chemical equations.

English & Language Usage

  • Parts of Speech: Subject, verbs, article, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, etc. They'll make you read sentences and know which word is what.
  • First person, second person, third person verbs, pronouns, in singular and plural forms.
  • Active and Passive voice
  • Context Clues: Synonyms and Antonyms; Compare and contrast
  • Know common prefixes like un-, re-, in-, and dis-.
  • Know common suffixes like -ia, -ic, -ism, -ology, etc.
  • Know common root words like geo, cardio, ped, ortho, bio, psych, etc.
  • Know commonly misspelled words and common homophones.

Math

  • Add, subtract, multiply, divide decimals and fractions (lots of paycheck, rent, and menu questions)
  • Add, subtract, multiply, divide mixed numbers
  • Convert decimals, percents, and fractions
  • The probability of something occurring
  • Dependent & independent variables... can you find which is which in a word problem?
  • Read charts, graphs, tables etc.
  • Know to find the LCD
  • Order of operations & FOIL
  • Solving for x
  • Roman numerals to Arabic numerals... M=1000 D=500 C=100 L=50 X=10 V=5 and I=1.
  • So they can ask you what's 2011 in Roman numerals and you'd choose MMXI.
  • Know PERIMETER because there appear to be lots of "fencing" word problems.

Reading

  • Know more or less how to read nutrition labels & recipes
  • Be able to read directions clearly
  • Be able to identify the summary of a short story.
  • Read movie times, schedules, and invitation letters.
  • Be able to read line graphs, temperature, simple maps, and blood pressure screens
    • Can you find the main idea of an essay, letter, or story?
    • Can you find the supporting details?
    • Can you tell if the writer is trying to explain, entertain, or persuade?(Author's purpose)
    • Can you identify the different supporting details in each paragraph?

How I Study

I take test #1 for each separate section to know where to focus my study.

I use the ATI book and underline the important keywords, directions, or numbers. I look over EACH answer even if I think I know the answer. NEVER think you know because there might be another answer better than the one you chose!

If I think I need more practice, I use websites online. I will go over the ATI notes again, do all the practice questions, and will take the second test for the section (let's say, math). If I don't get AT LEAST 15 points higher, I'll do it all over again, going over similar questions online.

Resources

Science:

Math:

English, Reading, etc.

I passed the Science Section (and everything else) but not the math. The school is going to let me retake that portion over. This is a huge load off my shoulders. Good luck everyone

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Math was my worst score as well, but I felt like I was getting them all correct while taking the test so I must have missed some subtle nuances. My advice would be to read the questions carefully.

I felt the exact same way, I thought most of my answers were correct but I did worse in Math than all the other sections.

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Hi

I was wondering, do they provide you certain equations for the math and science sections when given problems or do u have to memorize them?

Like Boyles Law, Physics (force, acceleration, momentum equations), conversions of temperatures (Celcius, Kelvin, F) etc.?

Thanks!

I'm taking my exam EXactly in 1 week for the very first time! I'm super nervous, i don't know what to expect!

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Specializes in OR Circulator - Neurosurgery.
Hi

I was wondering, do they provide you certain equations for the math and science sections when given problems or do u have to memorize them?

Like Boyles Law, Physics (force, acceleration, momentum equations), conversions of temperatures (Celcius, Kelvin, F) etc.?

Thanks!

I'm taking my exam EXactly in 1 week for the very first time! I'm super nervous, i don't know what to expect!

Yes, all those formulas are a possibility as well as Molarity, and knowing how to change grams to moles (vice versa).

No they are not provided on the test.

You will also need to know hydrogen bonding, covalent and ionic bonds. Which are stronger and the behavior of water vs. polar and nonpolar solvents.

Lastly, you will need to know base pairing in DNA and the number of hydrogen bonds in each. The cell biology is basic freshman level cell bio.

The math is variable. Conversion from metrics to English equivalents is tested. Word problems involving rates. Most notable type of problem was division an multiplication of fractions and decimals. This makes sense because understanding how to divide and multiply fractions/decimals is required in pharmacology.

As I posted before if you have time take the ATI online tests. And, using Learning Library Express LLC. http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/general

This site has multiple types of tests in various disciplines, including nursing. And, it is free if you have a library card in your city.

Good Luck!

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AddisonLawrence03:

Which sections of the science and math should I concentrate on. I have basic/general idea about each topic but I'm not sure what to memorize or steps/stages to know...such as the hierarchy of the structure of the human body?? The organ systems and each of their functions throughout the body?? Are there any labling problems? what about cellular organelles, punnett square, any balancing chemicals questions? My weakness is science and I'm worried because there's a lot to cover in the study guide(ati version v). Help! thanks a lot!:bugeyes::bugeyes:

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Which sections of the science and math should I concentrate on. I have basic/general idea about each topic but I'm not sure what to memorize or steps/stages to know...such as the hierarchy of the structure of the human body?? The organ systems and each of their functions throughout the body??
You have to know all the systems. Know the organs associated with each system and the purpose/function of each organ. Know how blood flows through the heart. Know the chambers and valves. Know general anatomy of the major organs.

Are there any labling problems? No. At least I didn't have any.

what about cellular organelles,Yes! Know the organelles and the function of each

punnett square, Yes

any balancing chemicals questions?Yes. Tip-If you are having trouble balancing, look at the answers provided and try to figure out which one is balanced.

My weakness is science and I'm worried because there's a lot to cover in the study guide(ati version v). Yes, there is a lot in the study guide but it gives you a good idea of what is on the test. There is a lot of information to know. No way to get around it but to study. Also, make sure you know mitosis/meiosis very well. Also, you can get a very good idea of what kinds of questions are asked by doing the practice tests. If you get something wrong or don't understand something on the practice test, try to learn it. Even though you will not see the exact question asked on the test, you will most likely see the material on the test or the question asked in a different way. Good luck!

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AddisonLawrence03:

Which sections of the science and math should I concentrate on. I have basic/general idea about each topic but I'm not sure what to memorize or steps/stages to know...such as the hierarchy of the structure of the human body?? The organ systems and each of their functions throughout the body?? Are there any labling problems? what about cellular organelles, punnett square, any balancing chemicals questions? My weakness is science and I'm worried because there's a lot to cover in the study guide(ati version v). Help! thanks a lot!:bugeyes::bugeyes:

For the math know basic geometry like how to find the circumference of a circle, the area of a triangle/square/circle, etc The McGraw book shows you how to do all of that. If you can try to learn how to find the square root of a number without a calculator. My math portion asked me what was the square root of 7. I still have no idea on how to find that without a calculator. Maybe someone can come in and show me:) Know how to solve work rate problems.

For the Science, memorize the function of the connective tissue, nerve tissue, muscle tissue and epithelial tissue.(this is in the ATI study guide) Know DNA/RNA. Translation/Transcription. Kinetic/Potential energy. Mitosis/Meiosis(I only had one question on this). Know the forumula for photosynthesis. Know whether photosynthesis and cellular respiration is anabolic or catabolic. Know the parts of the digestive system and where digestion and absorption occurs. Memorize the parts and functions of prokaryotes, eukaryotes and plant cells--compare and contrast all three. The chemistry was basic, just know what protons, neutrons, and electrons are and where they are located in the nucleus. Know how to find the mass number, know the atomic number of an element. Know punette squares. Pretty much just learn everything in the ati science portion because any of it can end up on the exam.

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Ugh, I feel so dumb I have the McGraw hill book and The secrets to the teas and I took the practice test and did horrible on the science.

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Ugh, I feel so dumb I have the McGraw hill book and The secrets to the teas and I took the practice test and did horrible on the science.

Are you taking the TEAS on a computer?

I think the TEAS V paper version is much easier (the science portion) than the computer version. My friends' who took it on the computer said that many of the questions were random while I found the paper version to be consistent with the ATI study guide

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I haven't taken it yet,I have the two books pdf on my phone.I'm just taking the practice tests in the book

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I have two kids and I dont work so its hard for me to get the money for the ati book :(

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have you thought about getting the book cheap off of craigs list??

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