teas nursing pre-entrance exam

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Hi, I'm new to the website. I am currently finishing my pre-requisites for the nursing program at Northern Virginia Community College, and I will be taking the teas exam in about a month. My school requires that you pass with at least a 78% in each section to apply for the nursing program. We are also only allowed to take the teas test 3 times ever with thirty days between each try, meaning if we don't get a 78% or above on all sections we will never be able to go to nursing school at NVCC. I have read about other programs around Va that use the teas as only a part of their admission process and do not require a certain score in order to apply. I am a bit worried, as I don't know exactly what to expect. I purchased the study manual but I have heard that the manual is not comparable to the actual teas test. I can only take the test once because the program that I hope to get in to starts during the summer (I will not have thirty days to re-test before applying.) If I get less than a 78% on each section I will have to apply for the program that starts in the fall. I'm just wondering if anyone could share their experience with the teas pre-entrance exam, especially the mathematics and science sections. Thanks so much.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Just took it this morning... and here are some tips I recommend:

Reading comprehension is a breeze as long as you don't rush. Read the question first, then read the passage all the way through before answering.

Math can be tough for someone who hasn't done basic math in a long time. I forgot what math was like without a graphing calc. The ATI study guide was pretty good at covering this (test is pretty much the same stuff as practice test too) I had alot of ratios, percentages, fractions, a few algebra equations (but no word problems for me), and metric conversions. The metric q's that stumped me went something like "58 kg is equal to ___ lbs" and "59 inches is equal to ___ cm". I memorized all the metric prefixes and cups to pints, feet to yards--but somehow I missed those two, and sadly, none of what I memorized was on there.

Science was also tough for me because it has alot of basic stuff that I haven't seen in years. Stuff like food webs, rock formation, etc--all of which the manual covered well but I failed to study. There were a couple of simple A & P questions. Onem for example, had a picture of upper respiratory tract and asked where mucous was primarily secreted. Be sure to understand the periodic table and the different bonds--I just passed chem with an A last semester and still had alot of trouble here. The ATI study guide covers the bonds, but doesn't really explain much about the table and valence electrons.

English should be easy enough as long as you take your time. There are a lot of sentences to correct, words to rearrange, and spelling to check. I'm usually great at english and didn't do too well here because I rushed. So taking your time is the key.

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I live in NC and our requirements were exactly the same.

The TEAS test is comprised of CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS...there are very few knowledge based questions, except for the ones dealing with A&P and spelling.

Brush up on your reading comprehension. Keep in mind it is a timed test so practice, practice, practice.

Practice math....just your basics, not a lot of algebra involved.

The one part that kills a lot of people on the TEAS is the biology. If it's been a while since you've done biology/genetics/DNA stuff....learn it now!!!! Learn how to "translate" and about "transcription."

I personally used the TEAS study guide that you have....just read the rationales in the answer section..this helps to teach you the critical thinking that is so important. ALL nursing school tests use critical thinking and if your mind is not trained to do it, you won't do well in school (that's part of the reason for the TEAS). I also did multiple FREE practice tests online. Just google them.

Again, practice, practice, practice. The test takes time so you don't want to be wasting minutes digging through your brain files on how to do basic things in math, etc.

Best of luck to you!!

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Thanks everyone! I decided to wait and take the exam in late April so I could have some extra study time. This way if I don't make the 78% on all sections, I can take it again with enough time to apply for the program. I am really hoping to pass it the first time!

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I used craigslist to get three different study guides for a bargain. I posted an "item wanted" ad in Los Angeles CL (I'm an hour away). In the subject I put "nursing students I need your old study guides - $10" and in the body I listed all the TEAS books I thought I could use. Of the respondees, three seemed legit. So I scheduled a trip to LA and got all 3 books that day. I didn't get everything I wanted, but I'm happy with the purchases.

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Specializes in cna /ltc/ltac hospital.

teas test? again i never heard of this. do we take this before nursing class or what? im in ky and attend school in ohio, never heard of this. Is it only different states or what?

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Only certain schools require it. Some require the NET. Some require the GRE. Some require nothing. It's just specific to where you apply.

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Specializes in cna /ltc/ltac hospital.

o i see. thks for info

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Hello,

I took the HESI test last year however failed the Vocabulary section by 4 points therefore need to retake. I learned recently that it is no longer the HESI test but the TEAS Exam. My question is, is the test similar to the HESI? Shoud I purchase the TEAS manual? I know I will do well; if anyone has advise on how I should go about this exam please share.

Serwaab

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Hello,

I took the HESI test last year however failed the Vocabulary section by 4 points therefore need to retake. I learned recently that it is no longer the HESI test but the TEAS Exam. My question is, is the test similar to the HESI? Shoud I purchase the TEAS manual? I know I will do well; if anyone has advise on how I should go about this exam please share.

Serwaab

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wish you guys luck!!!!!

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I had that same question abut the respiratory system, what did you put as an answer?

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Hello- I'm just curious how it went for you? I saw that you were going to take it in April but don't see an update after that... Also, NVCC says you only have to take the reading, math, and grammar- is that all you took? I am seeing a lot about the other portions and am wondering do you take them but they don't count or can you skip them all together?

Thanks for any info!

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