How I Studied for the TEAS

[on eagles wings]

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.

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Resources

Science:

• Anatomy Study Sets and Flashcards | Quizlet
• Physiology Study Sets and Flashcards | Quizlet
• Chem1 Online Textbook Main Menu
• General Chemistry Online: Companion notes
• UH Biochemistry -Tutoring

Math:

• Roman Numerals Conversion and Chart
• Homeschool Math - free math worksheets, lessons, ebooks, curriculum guide, and more

English, Reading, etc.

• English Grammar Revolution: Grammar Made Easy
• Context Clues pdf
• Advanced English lessons
• Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences

[fionas32]

Hello everyone!! Thank you soooo much for ALL of this informative information!!! It will help me out for sure!! I just got accepted into a nursing program, and they scheduled me to take the TEAS V in just 2 weeks I'm trying to figure out what is best for me to study in such a short period of time. I ordered the Mcgraw book with 5 tests, and after found out they had another book with 8 tests. Does anyone the difference between the 2? I hope I got the right one. Also if anyone around Orange County or Corona area has the ATI study manual that I can buy PLEASE let me know. I would gladly buy it from you!! Any extra tips that would help me study with the amont of time I'm working with is greatly appreciated. I'm trying not to get too freaked out

[fionas32]

Oh one more question, does anyone know if it possible to change the date of my scheduled exam? Just wondering because I seen another post on this site about someone doing that. Thank you!

[tikyut]

wow...I just want to say thank you for this sticky thread. I collected a lot of info that I will put in good use.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

do not post asking for pdfs or any other copyrighted material!!!!!! this is academic dishonesty and cheating.

[mitch_26]

Hello everyone I was also wondering if the TEAS V manuel & ati online pratice test is enough or is there other books that everyone recommends. I have been hearing about the Mc Graw-Hills 5 Teas Pratice Tests wanted to know if that book helps as well. Can anyone reply thank you.

[LexiMena]

How can you find out if it will be a paper or computer version???

[sealford]

These websites are a blessing for those of us who have to take the TEAS V soon...I have to take it next month, so I'm going all over this site for advice!

[Bchung5]

You making this thread is... a life saver. I was studying and did have a firm grip on things but this made everything concrete. Thank you for making this thread, giving me confidence, and making me happy and hopeful to get into my nursing program at UMB. :) you truly are a good person. yayyy for eagle!

[Amygrace84]

I just took the TEAS V and I wouldnt really panic. i thought it was going to be much worse then it was! I am terrible at math (like D's in it in school) yet I got a 94% in the Math section. I have only ever taken biology (no anatomy and physiology, no Chem etc) and got a 74% in that section. Reading comprehension is common sense and the grammar part just takes like an hour of studying beforehand. I found out I had to take it a week before the test. I got the study guide from ATI and it really is all you need. I read the whole thing, did the 2 practice tests and got in the 94th percentile. I think I freaked myself out way more then I needed to! Just get the study guide and read through the science to a point of understanding it and do the math stuff and youll be fine. Just make sure you know the basics, order of operations, a lot of fractions (multiplying dividing simplifying etc), FOIL, how to find perimeter and area and how to calculate roman numerals. I spent a long time trying to memorize conversions (mili to centi etc) all of the conversion values are provided to you on the test you just need to know mathmatically what to do with them.I had nothing on rocks or clouds or any random thing like that. Mainly know parts of the cell and what they do, DNA, RNA, mitosis, Meiosis, what goes on in the radom S and other phases, how many cells result from each, just basic understanding type stuff. Know the different organ systems, photosynthesis (what it uses and creates), know which kind of graph to use in which situation, all the stuff on how to do a good scientific experiment (control groups, whats a hypothesis etc.) Know how to apply that stuff. Then basic chem stuff. Understand the periodic table in terms of what the numbers mean, know how to balance an equation, know about the different shells and about different types of bonds. Reading comprehension is a given, just be sure to take your time when reading articles because there are some kinda trick questions.Know types of writing (persuasive, narrative, expositional etc) Grammar just be sure you know rules of capitilization and punctuation (commons, quotes, semicolons etc), know VERY well how to define a simple sentence vs complex sentence, I had a few questions on "what is the correct spelling of the word" so know commonly mispelled words, make sure you know subject verb agreement etc. Basically everything the study guide says you need to know is what you need to know. No suprises for me.

[pm28]

so helpful!!! quick question!! do you think is crucial to memorize metric conversions to english & vise versa

[XYnurse9999]

About me: I can't get too detailed here because I am currently applying to programs and am a very unique applicant. I can say that I have extensive knowledge of all of the basic sciences (including cell biology) but that I haven't had chem or physics in 7 years and the high school sciences in longer than that.

I recently took the paper TEAS V and scored 99 percentiles in all categories. I will not post individual questions. I studied maybe 15-20 hours for it because I wanted to dominate it. If I were to design a study plan, this is how I'd do it:

APPROACH AND ATTITUDE: EGO REPLACES FOCUS.

You can do this, but study wisely. Get over the fact the most of this material and testing coverage is completely irrelevant to whether or not you can or will be a good nurse. The same can be said for medical school admissions exams. Check your ego at the door, wherever you lie on the scale of confidence. This is about your doing the best you can. No more, no less. Education is an investment only if you put your best foot forward. This includes your study time and on test day. Otherwise, you are wasting both your time and money (and likely those of someone else, too). The test really isn't very hard at all.

WHAT TO USE: YES, YOU SHOULD SPEND SOME MONEY.

- The ATI Study Manual and the two online tests. You can sell it back on Half.com for what you paid, anyways. Buy and take the two practice tests online so you are used to the scope of the material. There are mistakes in both, most of which do not matter, and most of which you will be able to recognize. I have uploaded the errata (that ATI has conveniently NOT included on their website): ATI Study Guide Errata

I had bought a 2010 edition so my book had mistakes. There are a few in the online questions, as well.

- The McGrawHill book circulated here. Superior in physical sciences. It is a quick read. The MGH book is a nice addendum where you can find some additional information. It is, honestly, one of the only other sources I used in addition to the ATI book. I looked at Chem and Bio books as needed, but most of the time I was confident that the ATI+MGH=Success equation would be enough. It was.

- You will see random questions. Some of these will count, but in my experience, if a question seems off the wall, it will be an experimental one. Since ATI as a company blows, I wasn't surprised to find that their experimental questions were so poorly written and transparent. For example, know the function of cerumen. DO NOT LET THESE QUESTIONS THROW YOU. I encountered a lot of stupid crap on the exam (and this includes a lot of real questions). Answer well and move on.

STUDY APPROACH: YOU DON'T DO YOURSELF ANY FAVORS BY STUDYING THINGS YOU KNOW.

Keeping in mind that everyone learns differently, I'll stay general. I am lucky to know how I learn. I took one of the comprehensive practice tests in the back of the book before even looking at the ATI manual. I reviewed the concepts I was weak on or missed questions on. Then, I targeted my study. You never do yourself any favors by studying things you know. Due to my strong language background, that meant that I hardly studied anything but science I didn't remember since it contained some high school level material that I hadn't had in, well, many, many years. Took my first online exam. Rinse, lather and repeat until you are done with both comprehensive practice exams at the back of the book and both online exams. Be aware that most of the explanations for the online exams suck. Usually there aren't any, just that "This doesn't explain X concept." when explaining a wrong answer choice. Remember that you learn as much from wrong answers as from right ones. If you don't know why wrong is wrong, you need to. I used the really good longer posts here, made a study sheet, and added in information in the areas I didn't know. That, combined with reading the ATI book, reviewing my flashcards on some of the rote memorization stuff, and taking all the exams, was enough. My initial study guide was made by copying in pasting from these forms and it took about an hour. I then added info into tables by science category as I missed questions and reviewed concepts along the way. I also love online flash cards like Quizlet, Flashcardexchange, etc. FCE, in particular, gives you data on your performance and it's very helpful.

COVERAGE OF MATERIAL: EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID

I can't speak specifically here, of course, but the few posts in here have it SPOT ON. Use those as your resource, especially if you are low on time. There were very few questions that I was surprised to see. What I can tell you is this. Know the ATI book cold. I mean cold. Don't know that difference in embryonic cell layers? You should. All of them. For example, everyone can understand why the ectoderm forms what it does, but do you know the Meso from the Endoderm? For Math, I always calculate everything, but if you want to use the answer choices and go backwards on some problems, that is a completely valid approach. One thing I would like to remind people about percentages is that you can always divide by 10 and another time and then add or subtract the 1%s from there For example, instead of multiplying 0.17 x 57 if the test asks "What is 17% of 57?", you can also solve it by taking 10% of 57 (5.7), multiplying it by 2 (11.4) to get 20% and subtracting 3%(1.71) to get back to the 17% to find your answer. I did a lot of estimation in my head to get close to the answers, but this is dangerous if you don't know where this can bite you in the ass. If this doesn't make any sense, just calculate on paper, but I like to ballpark answers or completely solve them before looking at answer choices. The same goes for any questions. Answer the question yourself before looking at the choices. In the question above, I would just have taken 15% and 20% in my head and found an answer in between and gone from there.There are cases, however, where the TEAS offers answer choices very closely together, but I found this to be the exception rather than the rule and it was always on questions where you would expect them to do so (What's 8.0x10^-3? and every answer has an 08 of some kind in it). Use the MGH book if need be - know the different types of bonds and be able to apply them to chemical formulas, and you may have one question on the application of PE/KE concepts.

TIMING: YOU ARE LIKELY OKAY

I have never had timing issues whatsoever on standardized tests of any level, including those taken for professional and graduate school. That said, please be aware that the reading passages are a bit longer. If you get nervous and you think that will bog you down, or you are a slow reader, consider starting at the first reading question that does not require a passage (I'm talking about the "Choose the lowest price/unit" type of stuff) and come back to the passages. Otherwise, I finished substantially early on everything else after checking all of my answers, and this appeared to be true for a good number of people in the room. Reading literally took me 10 minutes and I couldn't believe someone exited the room more quickly than I. Don't worry about what other people are doing. This is your time to shine and your opportunity to do the best you can. DO NOT RUSH. UNLESS YOU HAVE CHECKED ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS OVER, YOU ARE NOT DONE WITH THE SECTION. IF YOU COMPLETE A SECTION AND HAVE TIME, REVIEW ALL CIRCLED QUESTIONS. DO NOT CHANGE AN ANSWER UNLESS YOU HAVE A *VERY* GOOD REASON TO DO SO. DO NOT GET BOGGED DOWN ON QUESTIONS THAT ARE TROUBLING YOU. MARK THEM, MOVE ON, AND COME BACK TO THEM. They read out time left at 15 minute increments, but that isn't standard across the different testing centers, apparently. Don't forget to rest your eyes. Look away at something for 5 seconds here and there that isn't your paper test or computer screen.

TEST DAY

I took the paper version. Show up early and bring a snack, as you'll have one 10 minute break between the second (Math) and third (Science) sections. One of my pet peeves is sitting in an exam room for a long time prior to taking the test. I can't stand the way other people can't handle stress, so I removed myself until the minute before they were going to close the room. If this is you, I'd recommend the same thing. I also reviewed some last minute concepts that I had had some trouble with.

Lastly, I'd really just reemphasize not rushing unless you have severe timing problems and making sure you have a valid reason to cross out every wrong answer, especially if you are reviewing a question and change an answer. This is an important approach to use. I truly believe anyone with enough time on his or her hands and a dedicated and targeted study approach can do very well on the TEAS V. Godspeed.

[XYnurse9999]

Absolutely not. Conversions are given, though actually, I think a question had an oz to lb conversion and then they asked how many oz in 3 lbs without telling you 16oz to a lb.