TEAS V Strategy

Nursing Students TEAS

Published

I came to this site during my time leading up to the TEAS test, and I found it very encouraging to hear from others about their experiences. This test can be stressful, so I want to let you know what I did and how my strategy resulted in success.

Late October 2012: I took the online practice test (test A) from ATI's website and I failed miserably. I got a 58% average, with science being the most challenging. ATI gives you "Topics to Review" and I used these to help me study the areas in which I need to improve upon. NOTE: The online test is WAY MORE DIFFICULT than both the book tests and the actual test, but I didn't know this at the time.

December 2012 to February 2013: I studied the official TEAS V study manual until the pages were starting to rip! I took the practice tests in the book once I thought I was prepared and thankfully I did a lot better on those tests. I even bought the McGraw Hill 5 TEAS tests book and used them for practice (they're fairly similar to ATI's). I was passing all of those tests, even the science sections. (It helped that I understood human anatomy and that I'm currently taking bio-chemistry and physiology. Those classes really help with TEAS prep.)

February 2013: As a confidence booster, I decided to retake the online test. I absolutely didn't remember anything about that test so I thought I would take that and use it as an indicator of my test preparedness. That was a mistake! I got an overall average of 73% but the science was still holding me back. I passed reading, math, and English, but the science was insane in terms of its content. Those science questions were nothing like ATI nor McGraw Hill's book tests! Yes, some of the questions seemed like they were designed after the study material, but many were very difficult and I was left scratching my head. I was very depressed at this point. I couldn't understand (and still don't) why ATI would design practice tests that were so different from one another. How was I to know which test would be like the real one?

February 22, 2013: I decided to take the real one despite that result with the online test. I passed with an 85% average which put me in the 95th percentile for the nation! The real test is EASIER than the practice tests! The reading, math, and English are pretty comparable to the book tests, but the science is still the hardest part. In other words, if you can pass the practice tests then you can pass the real one.

Summing up: 1) Give yourself plenty of time! Don't wait until the last minute. One month is probably not enough time unless you're super smart to begin with. 2) I would buy the ATI study manual and the online test (the online tests are way more difficult but they paint a picture of your weak/strong areas). 3) STUDY THAT BOOK! If you had an open book test, you would pass without a problem; however, some questions would still seem like a mystery. 4) Take the book tests (even the McGraw Hill if you want more practice). 5) If you can pass the book tests then take the real one. Many people, myself included, think the real test is easier.

I hope this helps some of you. No matter what, be diligent and don't get discouraged!

John

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med-Surg, utter confusion, chaos!.

Grats for passing!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CONGRATS

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
I came to this site during my time leading up to the TEAS test, and I found it very encouraging to hear from others about their experiences. This test can be stressful, so I want to let you know what I did and how my strategy resulted in success.

Late October 2012: I took the online practice test (test A) from ATI’s website and I failed miserably. I got a 58% average, with science being the most challenging. ATI gives you “Topics to Review” and I used these to help me study the areas in which I need to improve upon. NOTE: The online test is WAY MORE DIFFICULT than both the book tests and the actual test, but I didn’t know this at the time.

December 2012 to February 2013: I studied the official TEAS V study manual until the pages were starting to rip! I took the practice tests in the book once I thought I was prepared and thankfully I did a lot better on those tests. I even bought the McGraw Hill 5 TEAS tests book and used them for practice (they’re fairly similar to ATI’s). I was passing all of those tests, even the science sections. (It helped that I understood human anatomy and that I’m currently taking bio-chemistry and physiology. Those classes really help with TEAS prep.)

February 2013: As a confidence booster, I decided to retake the online test. I absolutely didn’t remember anything about that test so I thought I would take that and use it as an indicator of my test preparedness. That was a mistake! I got an overall average of 73% but the science was still holding me back. I passed reading, math, and English, but the science was insane in terms of its content. Those science questions were nothing like ATI nor McGraw Hill’s book tests! Yes, some of the questions seemed like they were designed after the study material, but many were very difficult and I was left scratching my head. I was very depressed at this point. I couldn’t understand (and still don’t) why ATI would design practice tests that were so different from one another. How was I to know which test would be like the real one?

February 22, 2013: I decided to take the real one despite that result with the online test. I passed with an 85% average which put me in the 95th percentile for the nation! The real test is EASIER than the practice tests! The reading, math, and English are pretty comparable to the book tests, but the science is still the hardest part. In other words, if you can pass the practice tests then you can pass the real one.

Summing up: 1) Give yourself plenty of time! Don’t wait until the last minute. One month is probably not enough time unless you’re super smart to begin with. 2) I would buy the ATI study manual and the online test (the online tests are way more difficult but they paint a picture of your weak/strong areas). 3) STUDY THAT BOOK! If you had an open book test, you would pass without a problem; however, some questions would still seem like a mystery. 4) Take the book tests (even the McGraw Hill if you want more practice). 5) If you can pass the book tests then take the real one. Many people, myself included, think the real test is easier.

I hope this helps some of you. No matter what, be diligent and don’t get discouraged!

John

Thank you John for sharing I taking the test in April and I am scare straight but I am gonna follow your strategy and pray I pass the first time I have about 45 days to prepare for it. Good luck to you and thanks again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on an awesome score!!!

I'm taking the TEAS next week. I have been studying the ATI book off and on for the last few months. This weekend is crunch time. I just took the online assessment A and woooooooo heart attack!! LOL but from reading here, I know it's harder than the actual test. I'm like you, though, I don't understand why there's all sorts of random things on the online practice test that is not in the ATI book. Did you find this to be the case on the real exam too? Or was it closer to the ATI study guide?

Thanks for taking the time to type up your story!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks John for encouraging words!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The science section, on the real test, had some random stuff that related to the study guide but it still seamed unfamiliar. The reading, math, and English were very comparable and I felt like I was just retaking a practice test. By far, the science will seam the hardest and most unfamiliar. I would say that the most of the science questions obviously related to the study guide but there will be some questions that will blindside you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all the congratulations!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

John:

Your post was very encouraging. I am in the process of registering for nursing school and I just bought the book and really wish I knew what to expect. Thanks to this post, I now have an idea!! Good Luck everyone

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have to agree. The real test is much easier. I got a 84% myself. Best advice: eat, sleep, relax. Figure out how to rid yourself of that test taking anxiety....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took my test today. I scored MUCH better than on the practice tests, thank god. I agree with the advice to relax. I found myself starting to freak out a little bit especially on the math. At home I sailed through the practice tests with plenty of time left. On the actual test, I was down to the wire, but I figured worrying wasn't going to do anybody any good LOL The science was wacky but I expected that. There was more reading on it (longer passages) than in the practice tests, but the questions weren't too hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal Newborn.

Hi -

I studied the ATI manual, McGraw Hill and bought the ATI online tests (version A and B). My thoughts are - the actual test has all the content from the study manual except the Science is much more detailed in the actual exam. Reading, Math and Grammar are pretty similar and straightforward to the ATI study manual. I did have one Math question on the Pythorgorean theorem - so know that in case! For Science, know all the material in the study manual, however, go on-line/youtube and review many of the topics in greater detail. Know mitosis and meiosis and the outcomes and how many cells are produced as a result, know scientific method/theories and critical thinking, static and kinetic energy concepts, punnett squares, chemical bonds, basic chemical equations, cellular biology/components, etc. Science is the toughest and hardest to study/anticipate in regards to the actual test. The online ATI tests are a little harder than the actual exam, the ATI manual questions are a little easier than the actual exam. For example, the reading (stories and questions) in the ATI study guide are more simple - the actual test the reading passages are much longer and the questions/answers not as simple (though not tough by any means). Overall, plan about 6 weeks of study (this is what I did) unless your a whiz in these areas. Make sure you've time yourself in taking the practice tests as this will help you in the actual exam. Lastly, sleep well, eat a good meal prior and think positive thoughts prior to taking the test!!

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment