My experience with the TEAS V

Boiler85 · Mar 8, 2012

Hey Mama... My experience was pretty much the same... I thought the science portion was so much more difficult than what i had prepared for.... and I prepared by studying the ATI, taking their online practice exams, and using other books. There was so little physiology questions, etc, and so many chemistry questions... obscure chemistry, at that... thankfully, I have one more opportunity to get another one in, as I took it at the end of February. Boiler...

Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one who thought the chem questions were out in obscurity land! I was telling my husband and he said he felt bad cause he didn't do more to help me study. I told him, I didn't think there was anything more I could have done because those chem questions were just unreal!

aka640, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

What type of chem questions were on the test? Is it more balancing equations or organic chem, etc.? I'm taking mine on the 19th and would love to know.

Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

I don't even know how to describe the chem questions. They were all over the place. Some of them seemed really out there. I even looked in my daughter's chemistry book afterwards (she's a sophmore in HS) and couldn't find the answers.

I don't remember any balancing questions. And to be honest, I have no idea what is considered organic chemistry.

aka640, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

Sorry!! I meant where there questions like on alkanes, alkenes, etc or stuff like ph, acids and bases, enzymes, catalysts? Not sure if I'm explaining it better. Also was there anything on physics like momentum, work, force?

One thing, did you have a periodic table? Some people say there is and others say there aren't.

Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

I didn't have any questions with a periodic table, at least none that I remember. I know it's horrible that I can't remember more, but I was so ticked off at how "out there" the questions were.

There were a few physic questions, and ones that I can't really classify what they were. I can say for sure that the ATI study guide did absolutely NOTHING to help me prepare for the science portion of the exam.

jhgp23 · Mar 12, 2012

You're right about the science portion!! It was crazy!! I've had A&P I and A&PII... and there were still some questions I didnt understand on there that delt with A&P... Chemistry was what my science portion MOSTLY consisted of...however, my friend beside me said her's did not have that much chemistry. Mine also had a lot of scientific reasoning which was difficult too. I would say for the most part study: balancing equations, protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic #, MITOSIS & MEOSIS was BIG on there-- know the difference between the two!! Know DNA & RNA and difference between the two. Know how to read the DNA chart (they will give you the chart on the test). You will also need to know Classifications & Taxonomy (Kingdom, Phylum, Class...etc...) I got at 63 on the science portion (terrible!) but when compared to national and program, I scored in the 71 percentile. I do not remember having ANY physics on mine, nor hydrocarbons (alkene, alkyne). Enzymes & catalyst u really need to know. My overall score was a 78.7- i thought this was bad and was kinda disappointed BUT apparently this is a good score- it was in the 87th percentile for my program type (ADN). I would highly reccomend the ATI book I studied this book (not thoroughly but i skimmed thru it a few times answering the practice questions)... I wish I would have studied it thoroughly because I definately would have gotten a better score if i did!!

dreamer10 · Mar 13, 2012

Today I took my TEAS V, and it was horrible! I have also taken the TEAS IV and I have to say, that one was WAY easier.
The science portion on the TEAS V was just insane. I studied the offical study guide for a month and once I started that portion I felt like I hadn't looked at a thing. There were things on there that were NOT covered in the study guide. I had also gotten a few other books to help with the science section and even with the extra help, I felt like a complete idiot. I have never felt so defeated in my life.
What really sucks is my school uses a points system to figure out who gets into the program. They have 4 courses that are pre-reqs, and you are assigned points based on how you did in those courses. I have all A's in those classes so that's not a problem. Then they convert your section scores to points. The two language arts sections are 25% each, math is 20% and the science section is 30%. So the section worth the most points, I bombed.
To say I am heart broken, would be an understatement. I can't retake, because applications have to be turned in by April 1st, and you have to wait 30 days between testings.
Here's my suggestion for people taking this exam. Make real sure you study chemistry(I would say it accounted for over 1/2 of the exam) forwards, backwards, upside down, and loop-de-loop. Also know everything you can about cells and everything that deals with them.
I was shocked that a test that is used for entrance into a nursing program had so little A&P related questions on it.
Good luck to everyone who still has to take this exam and wish me luck that I can still get into the ADN program I am applying.

Hello,I have to agree with you. Science was the worst that was my lowest score. There was a lot of chemistry in my testing. maybe 2 or 3 about A&P which makes no sense why there wasn't more. but I have heard that it may not be the same test there's different versions. so, keep your hopes up, thats what I'am hoping for I'am taking the test in two weeks.

Good luck!!

LovetheER · Mar 22, 2012

I took Teas V and scored 69% - the Admission rep for my school that's an incredibly good score considering the Teas V is so much harder than the Teas IV. I thought it was nuts - I had questions like "What is the molar mass of Neon?" and "If an elastic ojbect is dropped from the top of a ladder, what is the force upon descent and what is the force upon return?". Ummm, I don't know! The English, comprehension etc is what saved my score. I didn't have ONE Physiology question, not ONE Anatomy question, and only two Micro questions. I didn't think it was representative of what the nurses I work with deal with in terms of science.

PrayToTheUnicorn · Mar 28, 2012

The questions about force are more in the realm of physics, but if not covered in the TEAS V study guide they are definitely covered in the McGraw Hill Nursing Entrance Exams book. I used both and remember seeing things about potential and kinetic energy, heat, mass/speed/momentum, etc. My version of the TEAS did not have a lot of chemistry, though it did have a few basic questions on Boyles/Charles laws, pressure, volume, temp. Know your gases and density. Also know the basics of population growth and decline, birth rates, how to read charts, which is all in the study guides.

Also know how to balance equations, alkanes/kenes/kynes, p/n/e of elements, know the heart and valves and blood flow, know your enzymes and proteins, carbs, fats, again all this is in the study guides.

nursetatty · Mar 28, 2012

Yup, same here. I studied my butt off and had recently taken Chemistry, Math, and Biology--the requirements for my nursing program--and did terrible. My school also uses a merit system and the TEAS is a tie breaker. I passed by 1%. But I took it early enough to retest and I scored very high the second time.

I also felt the test was harder than what the study guide prepared me for. Same as you, there were questions not related to the study content. I also feel it's inappropriate to have little A&P and other biological questions. I think there should be the majority of human and natural biology and math with some language arts and reading for the ability to read and understand English and writing papers. Why geology and astronomy?

My advice...take the test early so you can retest if needed. Try to take the TEAS as close as possible to finishing Chemistry, Math, Biology, and English. If possible take A&P before. Study more than the study guide especially in A&P, Algebra, and Chemistry. By the way I was accepted into my program. Good luck everyone!