This test is killing me!

[slpsalot]

So I've been studying for the TEAS V exam, which I take in about 2 days. I've read through the entire ATI study guide, I've done the practice problems, I've done the two written practice exams and got myself up to a 76% which is not ok in my book. I figured that since I've been diligent in my studying and utilizing lots of websites to help me with my rusty, damn near broken, Chem and Algebra skills, I would get maybe an 80% on the online practice exam. Heck no! I got a 74%. I know this beats the national average but I'm a 4.0 student but an older one and don't remember some of these things. Plus, the book didn't even review a lot of the detail presented on the online exam. The school I'm applying to has never used this test before so they can't give me any guidance so I'm looking to whomever may read this. Should I be as upset about a 74% as I am???

-Pam

[Mr Sacdiff]

If you can get a 74 on the real thing, it'll be good enough to get you into most programs. I know nurses that passed with a 60 or 65% and went on to become very good nurses. I consider myself a nerd, so this test was pretty simple for me, but it pains me to see friends or coworkers fail this test, especially since they've only been out of school a few years. I took it 16 years after graduating high school and it was a breeze. It says something for our education system :/

[RunBabyRN]

Have you marked the sections you needed to focus on studying? That made a big difference for me. That helped me narrow my focus, so I wasn't reviewing the stuff I already knew, and I didn't waste time.

Depending on the requirements and competition in your state, a 74 could be good or bad. Here in CA, my program requires at least a 75% to even apply, but most people scored at least in the mid-80s.

[hj92]

I felt the same way when I took the teas practice test online, but I took the actual test a couple days ago I did significantly better. Don't get discouraged by scores that you get on your practice tests. On the online practice tests I got a 78 and 82. I reviewed everything that they told me I needed to improve on until I could not study anymore and I did better.

[goldenanchor]

Have you marked the sections you needed to focus on studying? That made a big difference for me. That helped me narrow my focus, so I wasn't reviewing the stuff I already knew, and I didn't waste time.

Depending on the requirements and competition in your state, a 74 could be good or bad. Here in CA, my program requires at least a 75% to even apply, but most people scored at least in the mid-80s.

I agree! When I did my online practice exams, I zeroed in on the sections that I missed questions on. Sometimes it was a very simply mistake like misreading the question, other times I needed to practice. My biggest struggle with the real test though was the time. I nearly ran out of time in math so I scored significantly lower than I should have in that area.

FWIW I scored 64 and 67 on the online practice exams and 79 on the real TEAS.

[alillybug]

The practice tests on the ATI website will give you a detail list of what to study based on what you got wrong. It's a little costly but worth every penny to me!