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.

Thank you so much! I took the HESI and passed it the 2nd time, but now my school switched to TEAS. We didnt have Chemistry or Earth Science. This helps immensley.

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Could someone send me the corrections for the McGraw book?

Thank you

[email protected]

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Thank you all soo soo much for this. I'm applying to nursing school now. I have to take the test next week in order to begin classes in Sept.

Can someone please email me the McGraw excel form too?? [email protected]

I need all the help I can get lol. TIA!!

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Originally Posted by esculenta viewpost.gif

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 also send the excel file of the Mcgraw Hill Nursing entrance exam to me, please? Thanks in advance=) [email protected]

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esculenta was right. I have the McGraw Hill Nursing School Entrance Exam book [downloaded it from Amazon], and it has great test taking tips, but it has a lot of errors. I'm gonna have my husband go over my answers too just in case...he's a math whiz

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Hi, i'm new to this...i was just wondering, do you guys know where can we take the teas V test? I'm currently living in orange county

Thanks, Jon

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hello there,

i am currently studding for the teas v i am taking it in february 2012. i recently took the teas 3.0/4.0 and did pretty horrible 68.8%. our school changed to version v, so i get one more try to pick up my score, but with the new version (teas v) .i am currently struggling with the science and english section. if you have any advice please email me. i would truly appreciate your help (on eagles wings.) anybody else who may have tips let me know i need my score to be better than 85% and i have six months to study. please send me private msgs. @ [email protected]

also are all the teas v exams the same around the usa or are they different in each state? are the test the same each time you take it or do they change.

i really had difficulty with spelling and known definitions; there are so many words to learn how to write correctly =(. any math or science questions that may help me would be appreciated.

thank you!

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.
hello there,

i am currently studding for the teas v i am taking it in february 2012. i recently took the teas 3.0/4.0 and did pretty horrible 68.8%. our school changed to version v, so i get one more try to pick up my score, but with the new version (teas v) .i am currently struggling with the science and english section. if you have any advice please email me. i would truly appreciate your help (on eagles wings.) anybody else who may have tips let me know i need my score to be better than 85% and i have six months to study. please send me private msgs. @ [email protected]

also are all the teas v exams the same around the usa or are they different in each state? are the test the same each time you take it or do they change.

i really had difficulty with spelling and known definitions; there are so many words to learn how to write correctly =(. any math or science questions that may help me would be appreciated.

thank you!

hi rosie,

unfortunately, i don't know what other advice to give except what is already on this thread. there are some things i believe i mentioned but i don't mind repeating again. i hope it encourages you.

i am alright with english and grammar because i read a lot. this is solely the best way to improve your reading comprehension and vocabulary. read a few books before your exam--yep, even harry potter if you are into that kind of stuff. i grew up reading for fun, even if it meant reading comics. but hey, i learned a lot of words that way. by the way, english is my second language. i learned it when i was around 5. i still have a slight accent. but i read every day, whether it is the bible or a blog. dictionary.com is your friend.

like i said earlier, you have to know the main idea and supporting details of what you are reading. there are many websites i posted that help you with that alone. you can also make a google search for reading comprehension skills.

use the guide i made and look for the information in your biology or anatomy book. the math is also very straight forward.

ultimately, we decide how well we do, depending how much we put into it. what you sow is what you reap. you have more than enough time to seek out learning resources that will help you get the grade you hope for. you may have to study every day or every other day for 6 months to get a good score and get accepted to your program. if so, then do it.

if i am not mistaken, the teas is the same in every state. it should be. there are two versions: a and b. but they both have similar content.

study like your life depended on it. compared to nursing school, the teas is a peace of cake. you are going to need this knowledge in order to succeed in nursing school. i wish you the best of luck. :)

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Thank you, so much. I just think it is hard to learn over 300 words to spell and meanings. How will I learn. Also, last time I ran out of time in the math section.=(

So is the reading, math , and English section straight forward?

The science section is the worst I know that in fact the TEAS adds extra to the science section.

ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED. THANKS TO ALL!!

I am just so worried because I heard that the TEAS V is harder than the other versions. How is everyone scoring above 80%..

My heart was broken I did not get into the nursing this year.I have one more shot in getting an 85% or better. Do you think that if I got a 68.8% in the 3.0/4.0 version I have a shot at the TEAS V. I did not study for the first one.

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.
Thank you, so much. I just think it is hard to learn over 300 words to spell and meanings. How will I learn. Also, last time I ran out of time in the math section.=(

So is the reading, math , and English section straight forward?

The science section is the worst I know that in fact the TEAS adds extra to the science section.

ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED. THANKS TO ALL!!

I am just so worried because I heard that the TEAS V is harder than the other versions. How is everyone scoring above 80%..

My heart was broken I did not get into the nursing this year.I have one more shot in getting an 85% or better. Do you think that if I got a 68.8% in the 3.0/4.0 version I have a shot at the TEAS V. I did not study for the first one.

I think there is your answer right there. You can't not study and expect a passing score, especially not a high passing score. You have to push yourself to study and organize a battle plan for this one or your will get rejected again this year.

The TEAS is, honestly, a High school level exam. Dare I say Middle school. The math, actually, is Elemental. It is not really a hard test if you study. The key is to studying smart, not studying all day for 6 months.

Do you have the book at all? I would suggest you get it and use it to target your weak areas. Do you have the report of the first time you took it? Concentrate on the areas you did worst on now and work your way up..

Honestly, if you did what you did(or rather, what you didn't do) for the TEAS 4 there is no way you are going to pull off TEAS 5, or Nursing school. You have to study. You need to discipline yourself. Did you really expect to get a passing grade and get accepted without effort? You need to ask yourself this and honestly reassess your study methods.

I got an 86% because I studied. That is how people pass and get good grades and get scholarships. I worked really hard for my grade, and actually, I could have worked harder still. By the way, I was taking other classes while studying for the TEAS. I know people who got grades higher than mine and they work, have families, and go to school.

No one can help you if you don't help yourself first. And I am not nagging you; I am just trying to spare you anymore heart break by warning you. If you don't WORK HARD you will not get accepted, ever. And this applies to all university programs.

I really do wish you the best.

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Thank you. For the advice. I really do appreciate your help. Do you think I should take the pretest form A and see how I do and then work on the areas of weaknesses. Or should I wait to take the pretest form A? Then when I get closer to the exam date try form B to see how I have improved or what do you recommend. By the way have you been accepted into any nursing programs?

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Yes, that is a great plan... I would take pre-test form A without studying and see where you should concentrate. Then, let's say 4 months from now, take Form B.

On the ATI testing site they offer a practice exam, for about $35. It is worth it, as it is just like the test, although I felt it was a little harder. I did this like 2 days before the test.

Yes, I got accepted to the only school I applied to. But this is because I have a 4.0 Pre-req GPA, too. My school looks at both TEAS Score and pre-req.

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