How Many Questions on the TEAS Test
The TEAS test has 170 total questions. But here is something important to know. Only 150 of those questions actually count toward your score. The other 20 questions are practice questions that do not affect your results.
These questions are spread across four different sections. Each section tests different skills you need for nursing school. Understanding how many questions are in each part helps you prepare better and manage your time during the test.
Why Some Questions Do Not Count
You might wonder why the test includes questions that do not count. These 20 extra questions are called pretest items. The test makers use them to try out new questions for future versions of the test.
The tricky part is that you cannot tell which questions are the pretest ones. They look exactly the same as all the other questions. This means you need to try your best on every single question.
Do not waste time trying to figure out which questions count and which ones do not. Just answer every question carefully. Treat each one like it matters because you will not know the difference.
Total Questions and Time for the Test
The entire TEAS test takes 209 minutes to complete. That is about three and a half hours. This includes time for all four sections plus a short break.
You get different amounts of time for each section based on how many questions it has. Some sections give you more time per question than others. Knowing this helps you pace yourself and not run out of time.
The TEAS Study Guide explains the full test structure in detail. It shows you exactly what to expect on test day.
Planning your time well is just as important as knowing the content. You need to move at a steady pace without rushing or going too slow.
Reading Section Questions
The Reading section has between 45 and 53 questions total. About 39 of these are scored questions, and about 6 are pretest items that do not count.
You get 64 minutes to finish this section. That gives you about 72 seconds for each question. This might sound like a lot, but remember that you need to read passages first before answering questions about them.
This section tests how well you understand what you read. You will see different types of passages including articles, instructions, and other written materials.
Some questions ask about the main idea of a passage. Others ask about specific details. You might need to figure out what the author means even when they do not say it directly.
The TEAS 7 Reading Study Guide teaches you strategies for reading quickly and understanding passages better. It shows you how to find information fast without reading every word multiple times.
Practice is really important for this section. Try TEAS Reading Practice Test Questions to get used to the types of passages and questions you will see.
TEAS Reading Test Flashcards help you learn important reading vocabulary and skills. Review them regularly to build your reading comprehension abilities.
Mathematics Section Questions
The Math section contains between 34 and 36 questions. About 30 questions are scored, and about 4 are unscored pretest items.
You have 64 minutes for this section. That means you get roughly 107 seconds per question. This is more time per question than most other sections.
Math questions cover several different topics. You will see questions about basic number operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. You will also work with fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Algebra questions ask you to solve for unknown numbers. You might need to work with equations and formulas. Measurement questions test your ability to convert between different units like pounds to kilograms or inches to centimeters.
You will also see questions about reading charts, graphs, and tables. These data questions ask you to understand and interpret information presented visually.
The test provides a basic calculator on the computer screen. You cannot bring your own calculator. This means you should practice using a simple four function calculator before test day.
The TEAS 7 Mathematics Study Guide covers all the math topics you need to know. It breaks down each concept into simple explanations that are easy to understand.
Work through TEAS Math Practice Test Questions to build your math skills. The more problems you practice, the faster and more accurate you will become.
Use TEAS Math Test Flashcards to memorize important formulas and conversion factors. Quick recall of these basics saves valuable time during the test.
Science Section Questions
The Science section is the biggest section on the TEAS test. It has between 50 and 53 questions. This is more questions than any other section.
You get 63 minutes to complete all the science questions. That works out to about 72 seconds per question, similar to the reading section.
Science questions cover three main areas. The first is Human Anatomy and Physiology. This includes questions about body systems like the heart, lungs, digestive system, and nervous system. You need to understand how these systems work and how they work together.
The second area is Life and Physical Science. This covers biology topics like cells, genetics, and living things. It also includes physical science topics like matter, energy, and chemical reactions.
The third area is Scientific Reasoning. These questions test your ability to think like a scientist. You need to understand experiments, interpret data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.
About 32% of science questions focus on anatomy and physiology. Another 32% cover life and physical science. The remaining 36% test scientific reasoning skills.
The TEAS 7 Science Study Guide covers all these topics in detail. It explains body systems, scientific concepts, and reasoning skills in clear language.
Practice with TEAS Science Practice Test Questions to see how these concepts appear on the actual test. This helps you understand what types of questions to expect.
Review TEAS Science Test Flashcards daily to memorize important terms, systems, and concepts. Flashcards are perfect for learning the many facts tested in this section.
English and Language Usage Section Questions
The English and Language Usage section is the shortest section. It has exactly 28 questions, and all of them are scored. There are no pretest items in this section.
You get 28 minutes to finish these questions. That gives you exactly one minute per question. This is the fastest pace of any section, so you need to work quickly and confidently.
This section tests your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You need to know the rules of standard English and how to use them correctly.
About 12 questions focus on conventions of standard English. These test grammar rules like subject and verb agreement, proper punctuation, and sentence structure.
Around 11 questions test knowledge of language. These questions ask about proper word choice, style, and tone. You need to pick the best way to express an idea.
The remaining 5 questions focus on vocabulary. You need to understand what words mean and how to use them correctly in context.
Common topics include comma rules, verb tenses, pronoun usage, and sentence structure. You also need to recognize and fix common errors.
The TEAS 7 English and Language Usage Study Guide teaches you all the grammar rules and language concepts you need. It focuses on the rules that appear most often on the test.
Complete TEAS English Language Practice Test Questions to practice identifying errors and choosing correct answers quickly.
Study TEAS English Language Test Flashcards to memorize grammar rules. Being able to recall rules quickly helps you work faster in this time limited section.
How Question Distribution Affects Your Study Plan
Knowing how many questions are in each section helps you study smarter. You should spend more time on sections with more questions because they have a bigger impact on your overall score.
Science and Reading both have the most questions, around 50 each. This means they make up a larger part of your total score. You should dedicate more study time to these sections.
Math has fewer questions, around 34 to 36. English has even fewer with just 28 questions. While these sections are still important, they represent smaller portions of your total score.
A good study strategy is to spend about 40% of your time on Science, 40% on Reading, 15% on Math, and 5% on English. Of course, you should adjust this based on your own strengths and weaknesses.
If you are already strong in Reading but weak in Math, you might spend more time on Math even though it has fewer questions. Take a practice test first to see where you need the most help.
The TEAS Study Guide helps you create a personalized study plan based on your diagnostic results. It shows you how to focus your time where it matters most.
Practice With Full Length Tests
Taking full practice tests is one of the best ways to prepare. Practice tests show you exactly what the real test feels like. They help you get used to the number of questions and the time limits.
Try to take at least three full practice tests before your actual test day. Take them under real conditions. Set a timer, sit at a desk, and work through all the sections without long breaks.
Start with TEAS Practice Test 1 to see your baseline scores. This shows you where you are starting from and which sections need the most work.
After studying for a while, take TEAS Practice Test 2 to check your progress. Compare your scores to see which areas are improving and which ones still need attention.
As you get closer to test day, complete TEAS Practice Test 3 and TEAS Practice Test 4. These final practice tests build your confidence and fine tune your test taking skills.
Review every question you miss on practice tests. Understanding your mistakes is how you improve. Figure out why you got questions wrong and learn from those errors.
Managing Your Time During the Test
Time management is critical on the TEAS test. With 170 questions to answer in 209 minutes, you need to keep moving at a steady pace.
Each section has its own time limit. When time runs out for one section, you automatically move to the next section. You cannot go back to previous sections.
This means you need to finish each section before time expires. Do not spend too much time on any one question. If a question is really hard, make your best guess and move on.
Here are some time management tips for each section:
For Reading, spend about one minute reading each passage and 30 seconds per question. If a passage is really long or confusing, skim it quickly and focus on the questions.
For Math, use about 90 seconds per question. Quick questions about basic operations should take less time. Word problems and complex calculations might take more time. Balance your pace.
For Science, aim for about one minute per question. You know either know the answer or you do not. Spending extra time thinking rarely helps with science facts.
For English, work quickly at one minute per question. Trust your knowledge of grammar rules. Your first instinct is usually correct on grammar questions.
Practice time management by using a timer during all your study sessions. Get comfortable with the pace you need to maintain. This builds good habits for test day.
Using Flashcards for Quick Review
Flashcards are excellent tools for learning the many facts tested on the TEAS. They work especially well for science terms, math formulas, and grammar rules.
TEAS 7 Practice Test Flashcards cover all four sections of the test. Use these for comprehensive review of all topics.
The best thing about flashcards is that you can use them anywhere. Review them during short breaks, while waiting in line, or before bed. Even five or ten minutes of flashcard review helps.
Quiz yourself actively instead of just reading the cards. Look at the question side and try to answer before flipping the card over. This active recall builds stronger memories than passive reading.
Focus extra attention on cards you get wrong. These show you exactly what you still need to learn. Keep reviewing difficult cards until you can answer them correctly every time.
Additional Practice Resources
Beyond full practice tests, you need targeted practice on specific topics. This helps you master weak areas without retaking entire tests.
Use Free TEAS Practice Test Questions to get extra practice on all sections. These questions follow the same format as the real test.
Mix up your practice between different question types and sections. This keeps your studying interesting and builds well rounded knowledge.
Track which types of questions you miss most often. If you keep getting anatomy questions wrong, spend more time studying body systems. If algebra gives you trouble, work through more algebra problems.
Remember that quality practice is better than quantity. It is more helpful to do 20 questions and carefully review your mistakes than to rush through 100 questions without learning from errors.
Common Questions About TEAS Test Questions
What is a passing score?
There is no universal passing score for the TEAS test. Different nursing programs have different requirements. Most programs want you to score between 60% and 70% overall.
More competitive programs might require 80% or higher. Check with the specific schools you want to apply to. They will tell you exactly what score you need.
How much does the test cost?
The TEAS test costs between $115 and $160. The exact price depends on where you take it and whether you test in person or online.
Most testing centers accept credit cards and debit cards. You register and pay through the official ATI website.
Can you retake the test?
Yes, you can retake the TEAS test if you are not happy with your score. Most programs allow you to take it multiple times.
However, you usually need to wait a certain amount of time between attempts. Some programs have limits on how many times you can take it. Check the rules for your specific nursing programs.
How long are scores valid?
TEAS test scores are usually good for two years from your test date. After two years, some nursing programs might not accept older scores.
Always check with each school you apply to. Some schools are flexible about score age while others have strict time limits.
Can you take it online?
Yes, the TEAS test is available both in person at testing centers and online from home. The online version uses a remote proctor who watches you through your webcam.
You need a reliable computer, good internet connection, and a quiet private space to take the test online.
Final Tips for Test Success
Now you know that the TEAS test has 170 questions with 150 that count toward your score. You understand how questions are divided among the four sections. You know how much time you get for each part.
This knowledge is power. Use it to create a smart study plan that focuses on high value areas. Spend the most time on Science and Reading since they have the most questions.
Take multiple practice tests to get comfortable with the number of questions and time limits. Practice tests are the closest thing to experiencing the real test before test day arrives.
Study the specific content for each section using the dedicated study guides. Review flashcards daily to memorize important facts. Work through practice questions to build your skills.
Stay calm and confident during the test. You have prepared well by understanding the test structure and practicing thoroughly. Trust your preparation and do your best on every question.
Remember that you cannot tell which questions are scored and which are pretest items. Give every question your full effort and attention. Your careful preparation will pay off with a strong score that opens doors to nursing school.
Good luck on your TEAS test!