TEAS vs NCLEX: Which Nursing Exam Do You Need?

TEAS is a nursing school entrance exam with 170 questions testing general academic skills ($65-$140), while NCLEX is the licensing exam for practicing nurses with 85-145 adaptive questions testing clinical judgment ($200). TEAS gets you into nursing school; NCLEX makes you a licensed nurse after graduation.

Quick Comparison

Purpose and Timing

TEAS Purpose and Timing

TEAS measures if you’re ready for nursing school academics. You take it before applying to nursing programs or early in your college career.

The test checks if you have the basic knowledge needed to succeed in nursing courses.

Schools use TEAS scores to select the best candidates for their nursing programs. Some schools require minimum scores while others use it for ranking applicants.

You typically take TEAS during your sophomore year of college or when applying to nursing school.

NCLEX Purpose and Timing

NCLEX determines if you can safely practice as a nurse. You take it after graduating from nursing school but before working as a nurse.

The exam tests whether you can make good clinical decisions and provide safe patient care.

Passing NCLEX is required to get your nursing license in any state. Without passing this exam, you cannot work as a registered nurse anywhere in the United States.

Most students take NCLEX within 1-3 months after nursing school graduation.

Exam Structure and Format

TEAS Structure and Question Types

TEAS has exactly 170 questions split into 4 sections with fixed time limits. Every student gets the same test structure but different questions.

The exam includes multiple question types like multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank.

You must complete all sections in order and cannot go back to previous sections.

The test includes 20 unscored questions that don’t count toward your final score. These questions help test makers develop future exam versions.

NCLEX Structure and Question Types

NCLEX uses computer adaptive testing that adjusts difficulty based on your answers.

The exam can end between 85-145 questions depending on your performance. If you’re doing well, you get harder questions and may finish sooner.

The test includes traditional multiple choice and Next Generation NCLEX questions with case studies.

New question types include drag-and-drop, multiple response, and clinical reasoning scenarios. Each question builds on your previous answers to determine your competency level.

Content Areas and Subject Matter

TEAS Content Areas

TEAS tests general academic skills needed for nursing school success. The science section covers basic biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology concepts.

Math includes algebra, statistics, and measurement conversions commonly used in healthcare.

Reading tests your ability to understand medical and scientific passages.

English checks grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary knowledge. The content is broad but stays at a high school to early college level.

NCLEX Content Areas

NCLEX focuses on real nursing practice and clinical decision-making. Questions cover patient care situations, medication administration, and nursing procedures.

The exam tests four main areas of nursing practice with specific percentages.

Content includes management of care, safety protocols, pharmacology, and physiological adaptations.

Every question relates to actual nursing work situations you’ll encounter as a practicing nurse. The emphasis is on critical thinking and clinical judgment.

Scoring Systems and Passing Standards

TEAS Scoring System

TEAS uses percentage scores with five performance categories from Developmental to Exemplary.

Schools set their own minimum score requirements, usually wanting Proficient level or higher. The national average score is around 65%, which falls in the Proficient range.

Your score report shows total score, section scores, and areas needing improvement.

Schools may look at overall scores or require minimum scores in specific sections. Some competitive programs want scores in the Advanced or Exemplary ranges.

NCLEX Scoring System

NCLEX uses a pass/fail system based on a logit scale where 0.00 is the passing standard.

The computer determines if you’re above or below the passing line based on question difficulty and your correct answers. You either pass and can practice nursing or fail and must retake the exam.

There are no percentage scores or grades reported. You receive either a pass or fail result with diagnostic information about your performance areas.

The adaptive nature means the computer stops testing once it’s confident about your ability level.

Cost Analysis and Financial Planning

TEAS Costs and Expenses

TEAS costs vary significantly based on where you take the test. Taking it at ATI testing centers costs $65-$75 while some schools charge up to $140.

You also pay $27 for each additional score report sent to different schools.

Study materials, practice tests, and prep courses add to the total cost.

Many students spend $500+ on the entire TEAS process including preparation, testing, and score reporting. The investment pays off with nursing school admission.

NCLEX Costs and Expenses

NCLEX has a standard $200 registration fee plus state licensing fees ranging from $75-$375.

Additional costs include study materials, review courses, and potentially travel to testing centers. Most students spend $500-$1,500 total on NCLEX preparation and testing.

Some employers reimburse NCLEX costs for new hires. Veterans may qualify for fee reimbursement through VA programs.

The cost is significant but necessary for earning your nursing license and starting your career.

Retake Policies and Limitations

TEAS Retake Rules

TEAS retake policies depend on your school’s requirements. Most schools allow 3 attempts per year with 30-day waiting periods between tries. Some schools are stricter and only allow 1-2 total attempts ever.

ATI testing centers require 14-day minimum waiting periods between attempts. All attempt scores appear on your transcript, so schools see if you retook the exam. Some schools average multiple scores while others take the highest score.

NCLEX Retake Rules

NCLEX allows up to 8 retake attempts per year with 45-day mandatory waiting periods between tries.

You must wait 45 days from your last attempt before scheduling again. After 8 attempts in one year, you must wait until the next calendar year.

Each retake costs the full $200 registration fee plus any additional state fees.

There’s no limit on total lifetime attempts, but most people pass within the first few tries. Additional education or remediation may be required after multiple failures.

Preparation Strategies and Study Time

TEAS Preparation Approach

TEAS preparation focuses on reviewing high school and early college academics.

You need to brush up on basic science concepts, algebra skills, and reading comprehension. The broad content coverage requires systematic review of multiple subject areas.

Most students benefit from 6-8 weeks of dedicated study time. Practice tests help identify weak areas needing extra attention.

The key is balancing time across all four sections rather than focusing only on your strongest areas.

NCLEX Preparation Approach

NCLEX preparation emphasizes clinical thinking and nursing judgment over memorizing facts.

You need to understand how to apply nursing knowledge to patient care situations. Practice questions should focus on critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Study plans typically span 6-12 weeks after graduation when nursing knowledge is fresh.

The focus is on understanding nursing processes, pharmacology, and patient safety principles. Practice exams help develop test-taking strategies for adaptive testing.

Career Impact and Long-term Goals

TEAS Career Impact

TEAS scores determine which nursing programs accept you. Higher scores open doors to more competitive and prestigious nursing schools.

Better nursing programs often lead to better clinical training and job opportunities after graduation.

Some employers prefer graduates from certain nursing schools. Getting into a good program through strong TEAS scores can impact your entire nursing career. The test is your first step toward becoming a nurse.

NCLEX Career Impact

NCLEX passage is absolutely required to work as a nurse anywhere. Without passing this exam, your nursing education cannot be used professionally.

The exam ensures all nurses meet minimum safety and competency standards.

Once you pass NCLEX, you can work as a registered nurse in any state after meeting their licensing requirements.

The exam opens the door to a stable, well-paying career with growth opportunities in many healthcare settings.

Final Thoughts

TEAS and NCLEX serve completely different purposes in your nursing journey.

TEAS gets you into nursing school by testing academic readiness, while NCLEX certifies you’re safe to practice nursing after graduation.

Both exams are challenging but prepare you for different stages of your career.

Success on TEAS leads to nursing school admission; success on NCLEX leads to your nursing license and career.