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.

Specializes in SDU, Tele.
I am taking the TEAS next week and I am wondering how you felt the practice test online was compared to the actual test? I have taken test A so far and I plan on taking test B later this week. Thanks!

I did awful on the online one--like 67% or so. I felt it was harder. On the real one, I got upper 80s. Perhaps I just took my studying more seriously after the practice one... but I think it prepares you well for the real exam.

Thanks for all the great info!

For anyone that's taken it, for the Math section, was wondering, do you need to memorize the metric scales/systems and conversions?

No, you do not need to memorize the metric system, if there is a question that needs a conversion of the units, they will give you the conversions, you just need to solve it.

Thanks so much for this post on_eagles_wings!! I really appreciate it! I took the TEAS V on June 2nd and they said that my score was just okay...neither good nor bad. I guess that was a good thing to say. Nevertheless, they wanted me to take it again. After looking at your post and the people who responded, it helped me out tremendously! Everything that you had in your post was right on the money for the topics that you want to study a little more. It was all on the test more than once. I took it again this past Saturday and they told me that I was ACCEPTED this past Monday for the upcoming fall semester!!! Yyaaayyyyyy!! :D:D :nurse: :nurse: I'm so so excited and cannot wait to get started and get this journey started!

Thank you so much again on_eagles_wings!!!

Specializes in SDU, Tele.
Thanks so much for this post on_eagles_wings!! I really appreciate it! I took the TEAS V on June 2nd and they said that my score was just okay...neither good nor bad. I guess that was a good thing to say. Nevertheless, they wanted me to take it again. After looking at your post and the people who responded, it helped me out tremendously! Everything that you had in your post was right on the money for the topics that you want to study a little more. It was all on the test more than once. I took it again this past Saturday and they told me that I was ACCEPTED this past Monday for the upcoming fall semester!!! Yyaaayyyyyy!! :D:D :nurse: :nurse: I'm so so excited and cannot wait to get started and get this journey started!

Thank you so much again on_eagles_wings!!!

yippee! congrats!!! i am glad i could help. a lot of people here have posted their experiences and i am also thankful they have given their :twocents:! nursing school, here we come!! :nurse:

I took the TEAS last week.. I've been out of school for a little while so it was kind of fun to brush up on the math and science. One resource I used for practice questions that I didn't see on your list was:

Test Prep Review

I also used a library copy of McGraw Hill's Nursing School Entrance Exams by Thomas A. Evangelist. BEWARE IF YOU USE THE FIRST EDITION! There are a number of errors in the questions. I emailed the publisher and got them to send me a list of corrections. I can't upload files (I don't know if I can even use the PM as this is my first post), so reply if you need the list and I can email you (Excel file).

Have to say, I was surprised at the number and specificity of human body science questions I got.. 11/48 in the science section; the rest were 15/48 life science, 14/48 earth & physical science, 8/48 science reasoning. Maybe I should have realized the body focus.. this is a pre-nursing test, after all. Not everyone gets the same questions of course, so YMMV.

Best of luck!

Could you email me the list of corrections? [email protected]

thank u so much!

This info is so helpful and right on time!! Im taking the TEAS version 5 very soon and now I can these sections.....Im looking to get into the Spring nursing program. I always hated math in my high school years,so I definitely will refresh on algebra. I also just completed anatomy I w/ a B+and this this will give me some advantge on the test as well as extra points for admission. T:)hank You So Much Eagle Wings and Pokemon:up:

Specializes in SDU, Tele.
This info is so helpful and right on time!! Im taking the TEAS version 5 very soon and now I can these sections.....Im looking to get into the Spring nursing program. I always hated math in my high school years,so I definitely will refresh on algebra. I also just completed anatomy I w/ a B+and this this will give me some advantge on the test as well as extra points for admission. T:)hank You So Much Eagle Wings and Pokemon:up:

good luck!!!!!!! : ) you will do great! just go over your notes a little every day!!!

You are crazy organized but in a GOOD Way!! Thanks so much for sharing cause I didnt know were to start.

Specializes in SDU, Tele.
You are crazy organized but in a GOOD Way!! Thanks so much for sharing cause I didnt know were to start.

haha thanks! honestly i only get organized when i am a little stressed out! good luck!

hi..

thank you so very much for your organized help..i went to a nursing info 7/14 at wcc and was told that to be accepted into their program you have to get high 80's into 90's on the teas v exam. your info will help a great deal..their test isn't until march 2012..i will take the teas study guide, your info and break it down chapter by chapter, and study, study, study. thank you so very much.

Specializes in SDU, Tele.
hi..

thank you so very much for your organized help..i went to a nursing info 7/14 at wcc and was told that to be accepted into their program you have to get high 80's into 90's on the teas v exam. your info will help a great deal..their test isn't until march 2012..i will take the teas study guide, your info and break it down chapter by chapter, and study, study, study. thank you so very much.

good luck! that is definitely a long time to study--i am sure you will do great!