Opinion: Do bad TEAS scores = Bad nursing students?

ORNurseCOS · Dec 22, 2014

Hello.

My opinion is this. The TEAS must be a good indicator of success of how you will do ACADEMICALLY in nursing school or the boards of the schools wouldn't waste time with it. The test seems to be designed to weed out people that can't think outside of the box and apply critical thinking. So many people today can't excel unless the exact answer from the book is on the test put to them in the exact same way, all they do is memorize and that will not work in nursing.

With that said, what the TEAS can't measure is the unmeasurable attributes that set nurses apart from "regular" people and or other nurses. Situations will arise that will test your faculties like they have never been tested before. I think one of the greatest attributes that is unmeasurable by a test is your ability to disconnect from a situation and perform.

To recap:

Yes the TEAS is important and a indicator of academic success.

I scored 98th percentile and believe it is important

I don't agree that it is everything, there are unmeasurable attributes -

GPA is a good indicator as well but it all depends on where you go to school and how professional and difficult the classes are.

On a side note, I would be careful of schools that don't require you to take an entrance test. Some of them are interested in taking peoples money in fees an tuition and don't care if they succeed.

Best of luck.

Raviepoo · Dec 22, 2014

Don't worry. The TEAS test isn't rocket science. It measures skills you should have acquired in high school. It is very possible to get a high score if you prepare. Buy the TEAS prep book from ATI and do all of the exercises in it. Make sure you understand everything in the book.

I scored in the 99th percentile. It says nothing about my bedside manner, my ability to think on my feet or my ability to remain calm in a chaotic environment. Those are all important components of a nurse. The TEAS tests one thing only - are you able to learn what you are taught. If you don't have that ability, you won't survive nursing school.

Be calm. Stay positive. Based on your GPA I'm pretty sure you've got this.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2014

Be cognizant that not all nursing programs use the TEAS as a pre-entrance exam. Some schools use the HESI. Others use the NET. Other less common entrance exams are the NLN-PAX, HOBET and TABE.

I've never taken the TEAS and would probably do poorly on it because I don't perform well on standardized tests. I took the TABE for admission into an LVN program. I took the NET for entrance into an ASN completion program.

NoTurningBack · Dec 22, 2014

Thanks for your reply! I know you are right but my problem is that I haven't been to high school for 20 years. On top of that, I wasn't the scientific nor mathematical type in high school. I was more interested in writing stories and public speaking. I am currently involved in a profession that little to do with the content of the TEAS. So while it isn't rocket-scientific, I still don't have an advantage over a kid out of high school with no adult life experience. Am I able to learn what I am taught? The answer is yes. I am just trying to find out what the TEAS really means to people who have taken it and are either nursing now or perhaps someone that was kicked out of nursing school.

Don't worry. The TEAS test isn't rocket science. It measures skills you should have acquired in high school. It is very possible to get a high score if you prepare. Buy the TEAS prep book from ATI and do all of the exercises in it. Make sure you understand everything in the book.
I scored in the 99th percentile. It says nothing about my bedside manner, my ability to think on my feet or my ability to remain calm in a chaotic environment. Those are all important components of a nurse. The TEAS tests one thing only - are you able to learn what you are taught. If you don't have that ability, you won't survive nursing school.
Be calm. Stay positive. Based on your GPA I'm pretty sure you've got this.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 22, 2014

If you've done well in your prerequisites and have a decent understanding of general sciences and have a good command of math and English Writing, you should do just fine. I also suggest working through some test prep material and I should also strongly suggest that the TEAS practice tests published/used by the same company that does the TEAS should also be done as those practice exams are very similar to the TEAS itself. The last time I'd taken the typical HS stuff was just about 20 years after I graduated HS... and I did quite well.

What they have found is that students that score >62 have a very good chance of graduating from nursing school. The higher the score, the more likely it is that you'll get through successfully. It's not a 100% reliable exam, but it certainly gives nursing school admission committees a pretty good idea who will and won't make it through.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 22, 2014

Sad but true - "grade inflation" is a well established 'thing' in college. There has been a lot of information about why it is happening, and what to do about it but it seems that nobody has come up with a solution. This means that GPA is not always an accurate indication of actual mastery of pre-requisite courses. So, nursing schools have had to come up with a reliable and valid method for ensuring that incoming students have the core knowledge needed to succeed in their programs.

And that, folks, is the reason that aspiring nursing students have one more hoop to jump than we crusty old bats had to deal with back when the Earth's crust was cooling.

NoTurningBack · Dec 23, 2014

Hello everyone. First of all, I am not looking for TEAS help! I am currently focusing on schools/accelerated BSN programs that don't require a TEAS score. There are enough out there so this isn't the worst thing. However, there is a school right down the road from me that costs two-thirds less than others. This school requires the TEAS and IT IS WORTH 60 PERCENT YOUR ADMISSION SCORE!!! I have been looking at my guide book, taken a few excerpt quizzes and read tons of forum posts. I know that this test is going to give me plenty of trouble. I will take it but I know what I am facing.

Again, my question here is not how to study for this test. I have read all of the tips and I have nine months to study before I have to apply anywhere (most accelerated BSN programs start in the summer). My actual question is:

Do you agree with the idea that a good TEAS score represents the ability to earn a BSN? Did you score poorly on the TEAS and earn your BSN? Did you get a great score but disagree with the idea that the TEAS is a solid indicator of success? Do you agree that the TEAS means everything? I would love to read lots of replies from lots of different people! Thank you!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Dec 23, 2014

This is a very interesting question and I would love to see the answers. I haven't started my BSN program but what I can add to this discussion is that I took both the TEAS and the HESI and scored the same on both (92.7 and 92.86 respectively)

NoTurningBack · Dec 23, 2014

This is a very interesting question and I would love to see the answers. I haven't started my BSN program but what I can add to this discussion is that I took both the TEAS and the HESI and scored the same on both (92.7 and 92.86 respectively)

Well with good GPA(s), you will be competitive when it comes to admissions at any school. I wish you the best! I am 20 years out of high school and I wasn't good at math and science back then. Scoring in the 90's for me is not a reasonable hope. I would do my first backflip if I could take it tomorrow and score even an 82. I am looking forward to hearing from the grads!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2014

Sad but true - "grade inflation" is a well established 'thing' in college.

This means that GPA is not always an accurate indication of actual mastery of pre-requisite courses.

Grade inflation is a factor in many facets of the educational system, from primary school to post-doctoral education. It is the precise reason why many colleges and universities require prospective students to take pre-entrance exams such as the SAT or ACT prior to admission.

We live in an era where a perfect 4.0 12th grade student at a substandard high school can score a dismal '16' on the ACT, while her counterpart at an above-average high school across town can achieve a perfect '36' ACT score even though his 2.6 GPA causes people to scratch their heads.

Peanut&Buttercup · Dec 23, 2014

You never know. I'm 20+ years out of high school and I scored 94. Don't let your age hold you back!