TEAS information

[Mel_86]

I just took (and passed) the TEAS test this morning. A lot of the information that prepared me for this test, I got off this website, from other nurses who have already taken it. Thought I'd return the favor.

I took mine for Saddleback College in Orange County, California. In California you need at least 67% to be admitted into a program.

Mine was also computerized. Which I actually didn't like. The plus side: you get your results the second you finish. The downside: You can't go back and check over your answers or do the easiest ones first.

Reading Comp was the first section.

This is my strength, so I personally found it easy. I would definitely use the workbook to go over this area before the test. There are a lot of questions on there that if you didn't study the book, will totally catch you off guard. Stuff about following directions. shapes and numbers and what not. You will have plenty of time to finish this section, so think it through.

Math was the second section.

I suck at math, so I had a hard time with this section. The general consensus among test takers seems to be that there is not enough time to finish this section. No calculators are allowed. You should spend an average of 1.2 minutes per problem in order to finish on time. If you are taking this test via computer (meaning you can't go back once you click to the next page) and you are really struggling with a problem for over 2 minutes. Make the sacrifice and guess and move on. It is not worth missing the last five because you didn't have time to finish. If you are taking a paper test, you know the routine. Do the easy ones first. then if you have time, go back and spend time with the tricky ones. There is something very helpful which I figured out while taking this test. It might be kind of confusing, but I will try to explain.

The wrong answers will HELP you. Lets say you look at the next math problem. You have to choose between A, B, C and D. 1 on the answers is right. and most likely the other 3, are what the test makers decided were the most common mistakes. Knowing this can help you. Especially if you are running out of time or need some confirmation you are on the right track. I will make up a really easy example

Lets say problem #1 says, "average these numbers: 5, 7, 9, 12."

First you add them. then divide by how many there were, right?

so the first answer you get is 33. Because that is the sum of these numbers.

Now look at the answers. Chances are, one of the choices is "33." That is because a lot of people forget the second step and so the test makers put it as an option on the test as a (wrong) choice.

Now at least you know you did not make any simple math mistakes, like forgetting to carry a number, and you are on the right track. Continue on and finish finding the average. (which is 8.25 I think.)

This may seem complicated or unneeded, but just wait until you have a problem with 6 digit numbers and four different steps. When you are running out of time, and you are finding the sum of large numbers, and the first few digits (on the right) you add match one of the answers, chances are you can steal the rest of those numbers, stick them in your problem solving and assume they work. Then go on your merry way solving the problem.

I am not very good at explaining math, so if this confused you, just ignore it.

now onto science

Science was the third part of the test.

I have to warn you, there are random bits of chemistry on this. If you haven't had chemistry yet, don't worry. Just learn the very basics of the periodic table and about electrons and valences and what not, and you will be fine. the workbook does not really cover this.

I only had one or two anatomy questions, and they were easy, so don't bothering worry about that.

I feel like most the science section, was on scientific logic. About how to conduct tests, and what would mess up results. and what the probable hypothesis of an explained test was. Just remember, The more tests, the more times and variables, the better. They will list different ways an experiment could be preformed, and ask you which one would be the best. I also had a few very basic physics questions. No actual equations. Just applying basic physics to life. i.e. friction and weight.

English Skills was the fourth part.

Review the workbook. Even if you think English is your strong point. They have a bunch of spelling words that all look alike. You think you know how to spell a word, until they give you 3 other options that look just like it, and then you aren't quite as confident. I tried not lookinng at all my choices. I just read the word, and looked away to my scratch paper and tried to write it off the top of my head so I didn't start second guessing myself.

Grammar was pretty easy, go over it a bit to brush up. If English is not your first language, I STRONGLY reccommend studying this section. In fact, I would get a tutor. I can't imagine having to take this section if I wasn't raised speaking English.

Overall

The test was not nearly as bad a I thought. I psyched myself out pretty bad. Get a good night sleep. eat a good breakfast. Don't even think about trying to cram that day. Just take a deep breathe and relax. (It will raise your score.) I would definitely buy the workbook. I also took the online pre-test, which helped. I scored 78% on the pretest and 88% on the actual test. So don't stress if you don't do that well on the pre-test. Good luck!

[veronica77]

Mel thanks' a lot !!! Very usefull information. I just found out that I'm in for Spring '08 at saddleback too and I have to take the TEAS next week. I'm so worried. I wanted to ask you if it is enough to study, just from the study guide and how hard is the science section.

Thank you again and meet you soon, we are going to be class mates!!!!

[catzy5]

I just took (and passed) the TEAS test this morning. A lot of the information that prepared me for this test, I got off this website, from other nurses who have already taken it. Thought I'd return the favor.

I took mine for Saddleback College in Orange County, California. In California you need at least 67% to be admitted into a program.

Mine was also computerized. Which I actually didn't like. The plus side: you get your results the second you finish. The downside: You can't go back and check over your answers or do the easiest ones first.

Reading Comp was the first section.

This is my strength, so I personally found it easy. I would definitely use the workbook to go over this area before the test. There are a lot of questions on there that if you didn't study the book, will totally catch you off guard. Stuff about following directions. shapes and numbers and what not. You will have plenty of time to finish this section, so think it through.

Math was the second section.

I suck at math, so I had a hard time with this section. The general consensus among test takers seems to be that there is not enough time to finish this section. No calculators are allowed. You should spend an average of 1.2 minutes per problem in order to finish on time. If you are taking this test via computer (meaning you can't go back once you click to the next page) and you are really struggling with a problem for over 2 minutes. Make the sacrifice and guess and move on. It is not worth missing the last five because you didn't have time to finish. If you are taking a paper test, you know the routine. Do the easy ones first. then if you have time, go back and spend time with the tricky ones. There is something very helpful which I figured out while taking this test. It might be kind of confusing, but I will try to explain.

The wrong answers will HELP you. Lets say you look at the next math problem. You have to choose between A, B, C and D. 1 on the answers is right. and most likely the other 3, are what the test makers decided were the most common mistakes. Knowing this can help you. Especially if you are running out of time or need some confirmation you are on the right track. I will make up a really easy example

Lets say problem #1 says, "average these numbers: 5, 7, 9, 12."

First you add them. then divide by how many there were, right?

so the first answer you get is 33. Because that is the sum of these numbers.

Now look at the answers. Chances are, one of the choices is "33." That is because a lot of people forget the second step and so the test makers put it as an option on the test as a (wrong) choice.

Now at least you know you did not make any simple math mistakes, like forgetting to carry a number, and you are on the right track. Continue on and finish finding the average. (which is 8.25 I think.)

This may seem complicated or unneeded, but just wait until you have a problem with 6 digit numbers and four different steps. When you are running out of time, and you are finding the sum of large numbers, and the first few digits (on the right) you add match one of the answers, chances are you can steal the rest of those numbers, stick them in your problem solving and assume they work. Then go on your merry way solving the problem.

I am not very good at explaining math, so if this confused you, just ignore it.

now onto science

Science was the third part of the test.

I have to warn you, there are random bits of chemistry on this. If you haven't had chemistry yet, don't worry. Just learn the very basics of the periodic table and about electrons and valences and what not, and you will be fine. the workbook does not really cover this.

I only had one or two anatomy questions, and they were easy, so don't bothering worry about that.

I feel like most the science section, was on scientific logic. About how to conduct tests, and what would mess up results. and what the probable hypothesis of an explained test was. Just remember, The more tests, the more times and variables, the better. They will list different ways an experiment could be preformed, and ask you which one would be the best. I also had a few very basic physics questions. No actual equations. Just applying basic physics to life. i.e. friction and weight.

English Skills was the fourth part.

Review the workbook. Even if you think English is your strong point. They have a bunch of spelling words that all look alike. You think you know how to spell a word, until they give you 3 other options that look just like it, and then you aren't quite as confident. I tried not lookinng at all my choices. I just read the word, and looked away to my scratch paper and tried to write it off the top of my head so I didn't start second guessing myself.

Grammar was pretty easy, go over it a bit to brush up. If English is not your first language, I STRONGLY reccommend studying this section. In fact, I would get a tutor. I can't imagine having to take this section if I wasn't raised speaking English.

Overall

The test was not nearly as bad a I thought. I psyched myself out pretty bad. Get a good night sleep. eat a good breakfast. Don't even think about trying to cram that day. Just take a deep breathe and relax. (It will raise your score.) I would definitely buy the workbook. I also took the online pre-test, which helped. I scored 78% on the pretest and 88% on the actual test. So don't stress if you don't do that well on the pre-test. Good luck!

thanks loads great information I really apprectiate you taking the time for all of us! I take my test 11/17. English is by far my worst subject, I have been working on that section for the past couple of weeks and will move on next week to math and science. I am glad you mentioned going over the reading section I wasn't going to, it's my strongest area.