Taking the TEAS in 5 days!

Georgettes · Nov 11, 2013

I just took the test last week. Like you, I was also really really nervous about the whole time limit issue so I spent hours upon hours at my college library to prepare for the test. I had McGraw Hill's practice test book along with the ATI Study Manual to work with. Since I also had five days to prepare, I managed my time by focusing on one topic at a time. For example, on Monday I would study Reading and take a practice test or two while timing myself. Then the next day I would study Math and do the same thing. The day before the test I just kept doing practice tests over and over again and when it finally got to exam day, I found that the time was not an issue for me at all.

As far as test format goes, it really depends on where you take the test. Mine was on a computer. I also had at least 10 minutes to check my answers for each portion of the test. If you're having a lot of trouble with a particular problem, move on and answer the easier questions first then come back. But really, you just need to practice and get yourself comfortable with the time limit. Once you do that, you won't have a problem finishing the test on time :)

simplyblissful · Nov 12, 2013

Thank you so much. I should start taking the practice tests and timing myself so I could get comfortable with it. Most importantly, I just need to breathe! Hope I do well!!

mrbongo01 · Nov 13, 2013

Good morning,

I took the TEAS last month. I passed. Just like you, I havemajor test anxiety. I am not a traditionalstudent. I am 43 y/o and have not takena math class in almost a decade. I amnot academic at all and I generally have to read things two or three times inorder for them to really stick with me.

I had the ATI study guide and I studied for one month beforemy test date. It REALLY helped me out. I took version 5 of the test which is prettycommon in most institutions. Also, YouTube,the Kahn academy are great resources for going over material such as DNA,Transcription, Translation, Cells, cellular respiration….etc.

I ran out of time in two sections (math and English/Language). However, it is my own fault because I forgotmy glasses and the text on the computer screen was extremely small. My nose was practically on the screen for 3plus hours. So if you wear glasses makesure to bring them. J

I did not go back and check my answers. I answered each questions as it came up

Here is my best advice I can give you. 1) DON’T STRESS!!!! It is not worth it. The girl that sat next to me was a trainwreck and I am certain it affected her score. Yes, you are going to be nervous but the sooner you get over it and getin to your rhythm, the better off you will be. 2) KNOW YOUR CONVERSIONS (fraction to decimal, decimal to percent, percent to fraction) !!!! You will have numerous questions where youare going to have to convert. 3) Answeryour questions and move on. Do not dwellon a question to long, if you have to give it your best guess, by all means doit.

In all honesty, you either know the information or you don’t. The test itself was not that hard. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE!!! I am a very average student and if I can doit, you can do it.

Best of luck to you… Please let us know WHEN YOU PASS J!!!!

MrBongo01

TikTokk · Nov 14, 2013

I just took the TEAS myself not too long ago...and I also have fairly severe anxiety and panic attacks. I'm a total train wreck a week before any test...can't eat right, can't sleep right, can't focus on anything but the test. But once I actually start the test, my anxiety starts to ease up. So I'm always eager to just start! What made it worse for me was we had a student who couldn't sign onto the ATI website, so we had to sit there for almost 40 minutes for the proctor to resolve the issue...ugh!

In regards to time, I did all of the practice tests out of the ATI book and had tons of time to spare...however on the actual test, I came right up on the time limit for each section. The reading excerpts seemed to much longer on the actual test than on the practice tests...so just keep that in mind. Also, on my computer test, there was a special little box that popped up with the reading paragraphs which blocked all of the questions. This was quite annoying since I couldn't look at both the questions and paragraph at the same time...I would either have to close the box or move it completely off the screen in order to read the questions...very frustrating!

For the math section, I think I was thrown off by the amount of geometry questions...a class that I've never taken. The grammar section was very straightforward as well as the science section.

I'm sure you'll do just fine!! :) My advice would be to not study the day before...don't cram...and just let your brain give itself some time to relax. If you can, try to go to bed super early so you can get as much sleep as possible the night before your test. Also...this may sound a little stupid, but really try to force yourself to eat something before the test (because usually food is the last thing you can think about when your full of anxiety, right!?). I didn't eat anything before the test, and an hour into it, my stomach was growling...very embarrassing, lol! I was there for almost 4 hours, and we were only able to bring water. You also asked about whether we were given the choice between paper or computer. At my particular college, there was no option - just the computer.

Again, I'm sure you'll do great. Make sure to post back here after your done and let us know how you did!! Good luck!

simplyblissful · Nov 14, 2013

Thank you so much for replying. Can't believe you forgot your glasses! Ahhh! But even so, I'm glad you managed and was able to pass. I am too one of those people who has to read things multiple times in order to understand whats going on which is why I'm a bit nervous about the reading passages. Math isn't my strongest subject either and I've been putting a lot of effort into preparing for that. Conversions... yes, I'm definitely practicing those. I think you're right, once I start the test, I'll be okay. I'll definitely let you know how it goes!! :cat:

simplyblissful · Nov 14, 2013

Thank you sooo much for this! You sound just like me! Can't eat, can't sleep (been a major insomniac lately)! I've literally been dreaming about the material I've been studying. My test is scheduled the day after tomorrow and I'm so nervous! But you did ease the anxiety a bit.. glad I'm not alone in feeling this way. Definitely will remember to eat something beforehand. Congrats on passing your test, I'm assuming you did :) I'll keep you updated and let you know how it goes, good or bad! :laugh:

spoonfulofrunning · Nov 14, 2013

omg! I had the WORST exam experience when I took the TEAS.

I took it in a room with about 30 other people and each person had individual ibooks. About 10 mins into the test, the girl next to me stretched out her feet and pulled the power cord out of my laptop and the whole thing shut down. The proctor had to turn the computer on and enter the password. The test automatically paused so I didn't lose official time, but I annoyed and it ruined my flow. Then...I'm not kidding...this happened AGAIN! I was sitting at the end of the row (just in case I needed to run to the bathroom or something) so the power cord was pulled pretty tightly to reach the power strip in the center. So I took the opportunity to use the restroom while the proctor was logging in once more. When I returned, the ATI site wouldn't let me log on so now I had to waste time and contact the ATI "expert" on the campus since the proctor had no idea what to do. I felt bad for everyone in the class because it was definitely distracting. After the 3rd time (THIRD!!!) of having the girl kick my cord out and disconnecting my computer, I convinced the proctor to let me take my laptop and change seats to a personal desk in the back of the room.

This worked out because I had a bunch of elbow room and didn't get distracted by anything. Even though it took a long time to actually get situated and into the groove of the exam, I didn't lose any "official" time. I was the last person in the room, but ended up finishing before I thought I would. Also, I was pretty pleased with my score :)

Try to relax before your test. Do something you enjoy the day before (with minimal studying, if any) and get a good night's rest. Good luck!

Cynt87 · Nov 15, 2013

Ahhhh I take it in 2 weeks. I'm sooooo nervous! OP good luck!

simplyblissful · Nov 16, 2013

Hey guys! I got a passing score today. My score itself wasn't amazing, but its considered passing in the nursing schools that I've applied to. The test was way harder than I thought it was going to be and I actually went into it thinking I was well prepared. I cracked under the pressure and the time winding down stressed me out, not to mention the long reading passages as you guys mentioned and math problems that made me say (WHAT???) only because my brain wasn't functioning properly!! I got zero sleep the night before (i know i know.... but i did try to sleep!!) But thank goodness it was enough! I'm officially starting nursing school in the Spring. Woohoo!

simplyblissful · Nov 16, 2013

Good luck! That's plenty of time to get some major studying done! You'll do great :)

mrbongo01 · Nov 23, 2013

Congrats on passing the test.... You are lucky you get to start in the spring. I have to wait until fall 2014. But hey at least I got in. Good luck to you !!!!