Just took the TEAS6 and got a 90%!

Published

So I just took the TEAS 6 today on November 18, 2016 and scored a 90.7% which is considered EXEMPLARY (the highest rank you can get; the rank goes Developmental, Basic, Proficient, Advanced, and Exemplary). I wanted to post on here since the TEAS 6 is relatively new, so that I could give y'all an idea on what I was tested over.

I had taken the TEAS 5 twice. The first time I took it was just to gauge where I was at and see if -by chance- I could get a score, I needed to get into the nursing program of my choice (Texas Woman's University). The first time I took it I received the ranking of proficient with a average score of 73.3%. I received a 78% in reading, 76% in math, 62% in science, and 80% in english/language usage. The program I want to get into requires you to have a 68% or higher for each section, so I obviously didn't meet the requirement due to getting a 62% in science. However, I still had pre-requisite classes to take so I wasn't concerned, plus I hadn't studied for it at all.

After taking the TEAS 5 the first time and finding out where I was at ranking wise, I went and bought a study guide. I bought the "Trivium TEAS 5 Study Guide" I read over it occasionally but now nearly like I should have. I wouldn't even consider what I did "studying" for the few amount of times I looked over it. I pretty much did the practice tests in the back and that was it.

I took the TEAS 5 for the second time. When I took it the second time, IT WAS THE SAME EXACT TEST as the first time I took the TEAS 5, word-for-word, which kind of made me mad since they don't tell you what you got wrong and the first time I answered I obviously thought the answer I picked was the right one. So I wasn't sure what to change and what not to change in regards to the questions especially since I didn't study hardly at all. I ended up making a 79.3% which is ranked as advanced. The section breakdown scores that I received were a 88% in reading (previously a 78%), a 86% in math (previously a 76%), a 75% in science (previously a 62%), and a 70% in english/language use (previously a 80%, boo!). However, I did make higher than a 68% on every section so I thought I was good to go for my nursing program.

Well, I met with my nursing advisor at TWU and she said although its only required to be a 68% or higher in every section, a competitive score would be a 75% or higher... UGH. So there I was, going to take the teas again. This time I waited til the new TEAS 6 came out because I heard the science portion would be easier and that you were able to use a calculator.

So about 2 days ago, I got on here (after not studying for it, once again) to see what people were saying about the new TEAS 6. And what I gathered were that the math was easy due to having a calculator and to FOCUS ON A&P. So for about 5 hours yesterday I read through the whole Trivium TEAS 6 Study Guide A&P portion of the science section. I previously used the Trivium TEAS 5 Study Guide and bought the 6 thinking it was going to have an updated version due to the test changing, it didn't. Don't waste your money, the 5 study guide will be fine. And then just skimmed over the other biology portions of the science section. Didn't study chemistry or physics at all. I woke up today and studied the A&P portion for 2 more hours since I figured this would be the hardest section for me.

So I went in and took my test and was shocked but I received a 90.7% which is ranked EXEMPLARY. I received a 89% in reading, 96% in math, 87% in science, and 91% in english/language usage.

My tips for you:

-STUDY A&P (the questions seemed to be general but somewhat detailed.... this was ok for me since I just took A&P 1 last semester and am in A&P 2 right now)

-MATH: know how to set up ratios, and know basic math rules. (There was one question that had to do with order of operations and then one equation on graphing inequalities, which I didn't study so I have a feeling thats what I got wrong) The rest is easy due to having a calculator.

-Don't waste your time on sciences other than A&P, I went in memorizing taxonomy ranks, and all bunch of other science stuff that had nothing to do with A&P and there was not one question on it that had to do with it. Everything was literally A&P.

-English and language had a few questions in regards to verbs being gender/number. Know that and then a few questions in regards to spelling (which were common sense words like "recommendation")

Reading: The TEAS 5 was basically all passages and answering questions in regards to what you read. The TEAS 6 you need to know difference in main idea/topic sentences and things like that. It also asked for what words like "precisely" meant when used in a certain sentence (that was the easiest one, the other questions like this used harder words) and know sentence structures (simple, compound, complex)

-I looked at my results where each section (reading, math, science, english) where it tells you which section or type of questions you missed and got right and under science they only have listed A&P (specifically cardiovascular, neuromuscular, skeletal and respiratory system) and then chemical reactions. So know chemical reactions.

Since I've only taken the TEAS 6 once, this is just based off of that. I don't know if each test tests over different systems, etc. I hope this helps! Good luck to everyone taking it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took my exam this morning so I'll add to this a bit.

I went in feeling quite crappy. I didn't get enough sleep and my stomach wasn't feeling well. I took the paper version so my score is not out yet but I'm sure I didn't score that great :\

Anyways, here are things about the test that I wish I knew:

Reading:

- Know the difference between main topic, supporting sentences, themes, etc. They will all be part of a question and you will have to identify what they're asking.

- Know where to find information such as encyclopedia, dictionary, newspaper, etc. I didn't have any questions on index, table of contents, or anything like that...

- Be able to follow directions!!! Especially directions for cooking food...There were plenty of questions on these.

- Know the difference between expository vs informative vs persuasive. I had a few questions regarding this.

- Know which person is more qualified for a certain ad posting. I always got down to two answer choices. Honestly, both answers look similar to me. But I'm sure one is "better" and what the test makers are looking for.

Overall, I felt the reading section was a bit more difficult for me than usual. The questions are structured similar to the practice exams I took but the answers were confusing (at least to me).

Math:

- Lots of proportion questions (LOTS!!!) So brush up on those.

- Know order of operations : PEMDAS

- Know your conversions

- A couple simple geometry questions

I don't really have more to say about the math section. I'm horrible at mathematics but I thought this section was do-able. This section was easier on the actual exam than the practice exams that I took. The only gripe I have with this section was that one of the questions I could not get the right answer. It asked for the total but the answer choice wasn't there....

Science:

- Know your organelles and their functions

- Know the different sections of the organs for the digestive system (ex. small intestine is composed of duodenum, jejunum, ileum)

- Know the endocrine system and the glands/hormones associated with all the other organ systems.

- Know the neuromuscular system and its components (ex. what is a neuron? acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase, myosin/troponin/actin)

- Know the reproductive system - the hormones and structures involved. (ex. structure B connects structure A to structure C (hint...))

- Know the layers of the integumentary system and where everything is found. (ex. basale contains melanocytes).

- Know about Mendel and his experiments

- Know scientific method

- I had like 1 question on # of electrons lol and another on condensation/vaporization.

I underestimated this section. The questions were very specific which I wasn't expecting. These questions were more like the 2-3 end-of-section practice questions in the ATI manual. I suggest you go through the answer choices and figure out why the answer was wrong/right and how the test makers can make the answers into their own questions.

English:

- Know subject-verb agreement

- Know pronoun-antecedent

- Know adverb vs noun vs adjective vs conjunction etc

- Know informal vs formal

- Know grammar rules for parenthesis, spelling, quotations, commas, colons, semi colons etc

- Know prefixes/suffixes

The English section was actually not that bad compared to the practice questions. I felt like the answer was obvious once you go through each choice.

Overall, I thought the test wasn't that difficult but I was still surprised. I'll update with my score when I get it. Hopefully it's around 96th/97th percentile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Soooo I have taken the TEAS THREE(3) times and always gotten a 50% or 55%. I want to try to take it for the FOURTH(4Th) and final time!!, but I am not really sure how to really prepare this time. For the last time I had a tutor that comes to my house 2 days a week, I bout the ATI version 6 study guide and I purchased the two online practice exams and I studied mostly every week for one month straight before the exam. I am beyond devastated and disappointed in myself and do not really know what to do now. I really want to become a nurse and I really want to take the TEAS again but I just feel stuck in a tight and hard place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I just got the TEAS Mastery app on my iPhone, and I am loving it so far. It is really helping me to clearly see where my strengths & weaknesses are. Worth every penny of the $10.69 it cost me! (And yes you get a 24-hour free trial first.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took the TEAS 6 in September and got a 79%, which I was very happy with! I also got into an RN program with that grade :) Yay! I would agree with the tips above, as for studying. I used the ATI TEAS 6 Study Guide from Amazon and that was about it! ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide: TEAS 6 Complete Study Manual, Full-Length Practice Tests, Review Video Tutorials for the Test of Essential Academic Skills, Sixth Edition: 97815167

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, please keep me updated on how you do on the next exam. I scored the same.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion