Published
I am planning on taking the TEAS V sometime in the next week or so. I have been using the ATI study manual for my preparation. I also purchased the two online practice exams. When I take the practice exams from the book, I score over 80% in every section. However, when I do the online practice exams, I tank the science section(54%). I am looking for any advice on how to not get a low score on the science section. Should I be using another study guide? I only need a 50% percent to be considered for the program but, I'd definitely like to do better. Any advice would be helpful.
Hello All,
I took the TEAS V yesterday afternoon, here is my impression
- I scored very similliar to the ATI on line practice
Math
- watch the time! I didn't, and ended up rushing thru the last 2 pages, guessing alot, and lowering my
score in that area.
- about 1/3 of the problems involve multiple steps.
Science
- Similiar too ATI study guide
- know DNA/RNA - sequencing, pairs, what the parts ore made of
- Mitosis/Meiosis and what happens in each stage
Reading-
- pretty straightforeward, I thought it was easier to understand than the ATI Book
English Lang Useage-
- Just know it - grammar, punct - what is in the ATI review
Overall, if you have time to lean the whole - or most of- the ATI Review, you be OK.
There is a company called Mometrix, that has a book "Secrets to the TEAS exam" that I used as well,
It has condensed review, but more important, test taking and strudy skills that are very helpfull.
remember to ......watch your time, especially on the math
I took the second practice test today from the ati site. The first time I took the practice test, I got a 68%. This time, I got a 53%! I have studied my a$$ off over the last few weeks. I just knew I would do great on the practice exam. Boy was I wrong. HALF of the questions on the practice test were NOT covered in the ATI prep book. How i the heck am I supposed to know the answer to questions that were not in the book? I am super upset right now too.Gonna order the McGraw-Hill book tonight, and push back the date of my test that was scheduled for Monday.
They have two forms of tests for the ATI, form A and form B, that is also for the ADN program test. They have different tests for different programs. One of the forms is harder than the other and that is why the grade would be different. ATI gives a percent score to adjust the grade depending on how hard the test is. I have taken the teas twice, made 74 the first time and 85 the second time, and my practice scores were not that high each time I took them so I think the practice is harder. I have trouble with percents for some reason and I always get a ton of them. I also get a lot of chemistry and life science questions and those aren't my strongest subjects either. I have only gotten form B on the actual test so I have no idea what is on form A.
I understand what you are saying. I guess each program is different in that some people take the TEAS before their prereq classes. Do you not have general pre-reqs (Bio, Chem) to the nursing pre-reqs? If not, that does put you at a disadvantage, IMO.Have you used the ATI review book yet? It is not really that useful for the actual science portion of the test, but there are some general topics in there that you can review. But, as for teaching yourself these things.....I just don't see it either. My advice would be to do your best to prepare for all sections. Then, if you don't pass the science and have time/$, I would take chem and bio 101 at your CC and then try the TEAS again.
I realize others may think it's a waste of time and that you should only do what you have to do to squeak by. But if you don't have a good grounding in these subjects, I think you'll struggle with A & P, Micro, Orgo Chem, etc. later on. I think that those sciences underlie so much of what we learn in pre-reqs and will learn in nursing school and that it is important to be comfortable with them.
Anyway, you have a great attitude and have already done some tough things in your life - so I am sure you'll do well once you get this part of the process out of the way. Best of luck on your journey!
I have one biology class under my belt. When I start taking pre-req's, I will atomatically be in the nursing program. I licked out finding a program that does that.
First think about how hard it is to get a job. 180+ apps and counting with no interview. Well I might have one interview b/c I know someone. Don't believe the hyped up stories about the nursing shortage. Nobody is hiring new grads. If you want to be a nurse anyway make sure you get a job in a hospital while you are in school or at least volunteer. It might help you get a job.
I took the TEAS back in March; studied until I was blue in the face. To me, the ATI study guide is a joke when it comes to the science section. I used the McGraw Hill study guide too & found it to be more useful. A week before the test, I took BOTH online practice assessments & bombed the science each time. My overall scored on the administered TEAS was a 74%: practically aced all sections except for the science (which brought my overall score down)...which I passed by the skin of my teeth. As mentioned before, there are 2 forms of the test...and mine, well...I would think a chemistry major should've had THAT test. :)
Dont sweat it though. I seriously drove myself into anxiety attacks over that test, and all of it was for nothing. Just breathe!
According to the reviews the McGraw-Hill book is helpful for science but does not cover everything. Especially for earth science you need to find other sources. I am still looking around ;-)
If you're taking TEAS V, you don't need to know earth science. There were earth science questions on previous TEAS versions (and some schools still use TEAS IV, I believe), but there aren't any on TEAS V. On the form of the test I took in March there were only a couple of physics questions, and they were really more common sense than anything. Hope this relieves the stress somewhat. :)
I used the ATI and McGraw-Hill books and found them both useful. The science section was definitely the hardest. General biology and chemistry formed the bulk of my science section, along with some A&P questions.
If you are really worried about the science, maybe spend some time on the other subjects because if you do good in those, it will boost your overall score. I really didn't study much but I did cover the reading and easier subjects some which definitely boosted my score from the first time I took it. The first time I didn't study at all I just wanted up get an idea of what was on the test. I got a 73 the first time and the second time I got an 83 and placed in the advanced level with barely a day to study. (I am a chronic procrastinator) Anyways, I tanked the science (68%) but since I did so good on the other subjects my grade still placed me in the 98 percentile and advanced level. I was accepted into the program too. So if you can't figure out what to study for science, focus on the other subjects.
MICHRNTOB
55 Posts
I understand what you are saying. I guess each program is different in that some people take the TEAS before their prereq classes. Do you not have general pre-reqs (Bio, Chem) to the nursing pre-reqs? If not, that does put you at a disadvantage, IMO.
Have you used the ATI review book yet? It is not really that useful for the actual science portion of the test, but there are some general topics in there that you can review. But, as for teaching yourself these things.....I just don't see it either. My advice would be to do your best to prepare for all sections. Then, if you don't pass the science and have time/$, I would take chem and bio 101 at your CC and then try the TEAS again.
I realize others may think it's a waste of time and that you should only do what you have to do to squeak by. But if you don't have a good grounding in these subjects, I think you'll struggle with A & P, Micro, Orgo Chem, etc. later on. I think that those sciences underlie so much of what we learn in pre-reqs and will learn in nursing school and that it is important to be comfortable with them.
Anyway, you have a great attitude and have already done some tough things in your life - so I am sure you'll do well once you get this part of the process out of the way. Best of luck on your journey!