TEAS Exam Information

TEAS Exam Information

What is the TEAS Exam?

TEAS stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills and is used for entrance into the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) Programs. The TEAS exam is a computer-based test that replaces the Nelson Denny reading placement test and the Accuplacer writing and math placement tests. It is required for entrance into the Nursing programs. Exam registration, payment, and testing all occur directly through the ATI website.

The exam contains four sections:

  • READING SECTION assesses key ideas & details, craft & structure, and integration of knowledge & ideas.
  • MATH SECTION measures mathematical problem solving which will include algebra, measurement, and data.
  • SCIENCE SECTION tests knowledge in biology, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry and scientific and reasoning.
  • ENGLISH & LANGUAGE USAGE SECTION tests knowledge in conventions of standard English, knowledge of language, and vocabulary acquisition.

Steps to Take the TEAS Exam

Step 1 — Meet with the Nursing Student Success Coordinator

  1. Receive approval to take the TEAS
  2. Confirm readiness and receive payment/scheduling instructions

Step 2 — Create Your ATI Student Account

  1. Go to www.atitesting.com
  2. Select "Create Account"
  3. Save your ATI username + password for test day

Step 3 — Pay for the TEAS Exam

  1. Follow the payment instructions provided after approval
  2. Payment must be completed before you may schedule your exam

Step 4 — Schedule Your Exam in the GCCC Testing Center

  1. Contact the Testing Center
  2. Select your preferred date/time
  3. TEAS at GCCC is computer-based only

Step 5 — Prepare for Test Day

Please bring the following:

  1. Government-issued photo ID
  2. ATI login information
  3. Any program-required items listed in your confirmation email

Step 6 — Take the TEAS Exam

  1. Arrive 15 minutes early
  2. Testing Center staff will check you in
  3. Your transcript automatically goes to GCCC

More information about the TEAS Exam

The ATI TEAS exam is comprised of 170 total questions, with 209 minutes in allocated testing time. Question types include multiple choice, multiple select (select all that apply), fill in the blank, ordered response and hot spots.

  READING MATHEMATICS SCIENCE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE
# OF QUESTIONS 45 38 50 37
# OF UNSCORED QUESTIONS 6 4 6 4
TIME LIMIT 55 min 57 min 60 min 37 min
SPECIFIC CONTENT COVERED Key Ideas & Details (15)
Craft & Structure (9)
Integration of Knowledge (15)
Numbers & Algebra (18)
Measurement & Data (16)
Anatomy & Physiology (18)
Biology (9)
Chemistry (8)
Scientific Reasoning (9)
Conventions of English (12)
Knowledge of Language (11)
Vocabulary in Writing (10)

The biggest mistake you can make on the TEAS is not preparing for the exam. It is recommended that students allow at least 6 weeks of preparation prior to taking the TEAS.

  • PREPARE THROUGH ATI TEAS - Study with the creators of the exam! Go to https://www.atitesting.com/teas for different prep packages to help prepare for your exam. Prep packages from ATI offer initial practice tests and a robust test-taker data that can assess your proficiency in different topic areas and adjust the lessons and materials just for you.

Try The FREE TEAS Practice Test

  • Try the FREE TEAS Online Practice Test and access 60 questions & rationales. It is structured just like ATI’s TEAS premium practice assessment.
  • STUDY WITH GCCC TUTORS! The Mary Jo Williams Comprehensive Learning Center (CLC) at GCCC offers tutoring and TEAS assistance. Students can schedule an appointment through myGCCC. Walk-ins are also welcome, pending our tutor availability. For questions, please call the CLC Front Desk (620) 275-3278 or email tutoring@gcccks.edu.

Learn More About the CLC @ GCCC

A four-function, drop-down calculator is built into the exam (multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division).

Test-takers seeking test accommodations must have their test accommodations plan approved by the Garden City Community College Student Accommodations Services office.

Here’s the step-by-step process that’s needed in order to test with accommodations:
Follow the steps above in the “TEAS Test Registration,Payment, and Scheduling” section for creating a TEAS test account.

Schedule a time to review your test accommodations plan with the GCCC Student Accommodations Services. Email accommodations@gcccks.edu to schedule.

 
PLEASE NOTE – the review of your accommodation plan must occur at least 30 days prior to when you plan to take the test.


TEAS/ATI will send you an email confirmation that your approved accommodations have been added to the exam you purchased, and that you are now cleared to test with those accommodations.


For more information about TEAS testing with accommodations, please refer to ATI’s test accommodation resource webpage.

You are allowed to take the TEAS test as many times as you would like, but there may be a “cool down” period between attempts, depending on how you would like to test.
Remote/online TEAS Tests require 14-day period between attempts. 
In-Person TEAS Tests do not have a required period between attempts. 
You’ll need to register and pay for each attempt using the step-by-step directions above.

Do you allow bathroom breaks during the online TEAS exam?
You may take an optional 10-minute bathroom break upon completion of the Mathematics section of the TEAS. At that time, you may not access any personal items, including cell phones, notes, manuals, etc. Any excessive time taken away from your seat will result in a flag and may result in a formal review of your exam.


The exam sections are in the following order: reading, math, science, and English and language usage. After you complete the math section, you may take your break, and then, when you are ready to start the Science section, please select “Proceed to next section,” and your exam will continue.


Note:  You will not get a notice for a break.  Just be aware that when you finish the math section, you can step away to use the restroom or get a drink for a short period of time. 


What are the approved forms of Government-Issued ID?
Individuals must present a valid (not expired), approved form of government-issued photo ID prior to the start of the TEAS exam.
Please note that we cannot accept a printout, digital copy, or photo of your ID, and the first and last name on your ID must match the first and last name you used when you registered for your exam. If these conditions are not met, ATI Proctors will stop your exam and trigger our no refund/retest policy, which can be viewed here. You will be required to purchase a new exam.


Approved Forms of Government-Issued Photo ID:
• Driver’s License (Issued within the U.S., including U.S. Territories)
• Non-Driver Photo ID (Issued within the U.S., including U.S. Territories)
• Examples include a REAL ID or State ID Card – Please note that school-issued Student ID or Work ID will not be accepted.
• Tribal Card
• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• U.S. Military ID or U.S. Military Dependent’s ID
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. Visa
• Foreign Government-Issued Passport


What can I bring to the exam?
What to Bring:
• Photo ID and Login Information: Bring a government-issued photo ID and ATI login information.
• Pencils and Erasers: Bring two sharpened No. 2 pencils with attached erasers. The testing center will provide scratch paper.


What NOT to Bring:
Leave these items at home or in your car:
• Additional Apparel: Jackets, hats, and sunglasses are not permitted, though allowances are made for religious attire.
• Personal Items: Purses, backpacks, and electronic devices such as cell phones and smartwatches are not allowed.
• Food and Drink: Only medically necessary items with documentation are permitted.

More FAQ can be found on the ATI Website.