1.3 Scoring and Program Requirements

ATI TEAS 7 Nursing Admission

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1 Introduction to the ATI TEAS 7

1.1 About the ATI TEAS 7 Exam 1.2 Content Area Breakdown 1.3 Scoring and Program Requirements 1.4 Building Your TEAS Study Plan

2 Reading

2.1 Identifying the Main Idea 2.2 Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions 2.3 Summarizing and Paraphrasing 2.4 Understanding Text Structure 2.5 Author's Purpose, Tone, and Point of View 2.6 Evaluating Arguments, Evidence, and Credibility 2.7 Integrating Information and Interpreting Graphics 2.8 TEAS Reading Strategies, Pacing, and Practice

3 Mathematics

3.1 Whole Numbers and Basic Operations 3.2 Fractions 3.3 Decimals and Percentages 3.4 Ratios and Proportions 3.5 Algebra and Equations 3.6 Measurement and Unit Conversions 3.7 Statistics and Data Interpretation 3.8 Geometry Basics

4 Science

4.1 The Cardiovascular System 4.2 The Respiratory System 4.3 The Digestive System 4.4 The Nervous System 4.5 The Musculoskeletal System 4.6 The Urinary and Reproductive Systems 4.7 Cell Biology and Genetics 4.8 Chemistry Basics 4.9 Scientific Reasoning and the Scientific Method

5 English & Language Usage

5.1 Grammar and the Parts of Speech 5.2 Sentence Structure 5.3 Punctuation 5.4 Spelling and Word Usage 5.5 Vocabulary in Context and Word Parts 5.6 Paragraph Organization and the Writing Process 5.7 Formal vs. Informal Language, Audience, and Tone 5.8 TEAS English Section Strategies and Pacing

Free exam prep ATI TEAS 7 Practice Questions 120 questions Study Guide 37 topics Cheat Sheet 113 facts Flashcards 50 cards

1.3 Scoring and Program Requirements

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

TEAS scores are percentages: an overall (composite) score plus a separate percentage for each of the four sections and each sub-content area.

ATI maps your composite score to one of five Academic Preparedness Levels: Developmental, Basic, Proficient, Advanced, and Exemplary.

There is no single national passing score — each program sets its own cut score, and many weigh the TEAS alongside GPA (ATI).

ATI's preparedness levels are Developmental 0.0–40.0%, Basic 40.7–58.0%, Proficient 58.7–79.3%, Advanced 80.0–91.3% and Exemplary 92.0–100%.

There is no penalty for guessing — unanswered items are simply wrong, so you should answer every question. Last updated: October 2026

How the TEAS Is Scored The TEAS is scored entirely on the 150 scored items — the 20 pretest items never affect your result. Your score report is percentage-based and far richer than a single number. Understanding each layer helps you read your report and decide where to focus a retake.

Score Type What It Means Total / Composite Score Your total score: ATI converts your raw score on the 150 scored items to a 0–100% scale through equating, which adjusts for differences in difficulty between test forms Section Scores A separate percentage for each of the four content areas (Reading, Math, Science, English) Sub-Content Scores A percentage for each published sub-area (e.g., Human Anatomy & Physiology), showing fine-grained strengths and gaps National & Program Mean The average score of all test-takers and of applicants to your program type, for comparison Percentile Rank How your score compares to other test-takers (national and program percentile) Because the total score is built from all 150 scored items, the larger Science and Reading sections naturally influence your composite more than the smaller English section. A practical implication: the composite is not a simple average of the four section percentages. It is equated from your raw score on all 150 scored items, and ATI notes that the content area scores do not add up to the total score. This is why a single weak but large section (such as Science) drags the composite down more than an equally weak but small section (such as English) — there are simply more points at stake in the larger area. Academic Preparedness Levels ATI translates your total score into one of five Academic Preparedness Levels . The ranges below come from ATI's TEAS 7 score report, and ATI equates scores to adjust for differences in difficulty between test forms.

Preparedness Level Total Score Range ATI's Description Developmental 0.0%–40.0% Very low overall academic preparedness Basic 40.7%–58.0% Low overall academic preparedness Proficient 58.7%–79.3% Moderate overall academic preparedness Advanced 80.0%–91.3% High overall academic preparedness Exemplary 92.0%–100.0% Very high overall academic preparedness Your score report also shows the national mean (the average score of all examinees), the mean for your program type, and your national and program percentile ranks. Program Cut Scores Vary The single most important thing to understand about TEAS scoring is that there is no universal passing score. ATI: "Each school sets its own minimum, and many weigh the TEAS alongside GPA and other factors." ATI also says your school will most likely want you at the Proficient level or above . Some programs also set section minimums, such as a Science or Reading cut score. Look up the posted minimum for every program on your list and aim above it, because admission is competitive and a higher score strengthens your overall application. No Penalty for Guessing The TEAS has no penalty for incorrect answers. An unanswered question and a wrong answer both score zero, so leaving anything blank can only hurt you. This has two practical consequences: Never leave a question blank. Even a pure guess on a 4-option item has a 25% chance of being correct. Eliminate to improve the odds. Removing one or two clearly wrong choices raises a guess from 25% toward 33% or 50%. Example: Priya finishes the Science section with 40 seconds left and three questions still unanswered. Because there is no guessing penalty, she rapidly fills in an answer for each rather than leaving them blank. On average, random guesses on three 4-option items will net her about 0.75 correct — roughly one extra point she would have forfeited by leaving them blank. Always bank those points. Reading Your Score Report for a Retake If you retake, the sub-content scores are your roadmap. Suppose your composite is 68% (Proficient) but your report shows Science 58% and, within it, Anatomy & Physiology at 50%. That tells you exactly where the lost points are: a focused A&P review could lift both your Science section and your composite without needing to re-study Reading or English. Targeted retake prep, guided by sub-content percentages, is far more efficient than starting over.

ATI TEAS 7 Preparedness Levels: Lowest Score in Each Level (%)

Test Your Knowledge

What is the correct order of ATI's five Academic Preparedness Levels, from lowest to highest?

Basic, Developmental, Proficient, Advanced, Exemplary

Developmental, Basic, Proficient, Advanced, Exemplary

Developmental, Proficient, Basic, Advanced, Exemplary

Basic, Proficient, Developmental, Advanced, Exemplary Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Test Your Knowledge

Why should you answer every question on the TEAS, even when unsure?

Blank answers are penalized more harshly than wrong answers

There is no penalty for guessing, so a guess can only help

The proctor deducts points for unanswered items

Unanswered items count as pretest questions Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Test Your Knowledge Fill in the Blank

On ATI's TEAS 7 score report, the Advanced preparedness level starts at a total score of ___ percent. Type your answer below Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Test Your Knowledge

A student scores 70% composite but only 55% in Science, with Anatomy & Physiology at 48%. Which retake strategy targets the most points?

Re-study all four sections equally from scratch

Focus heavily on Anatomy & Physiology and the rest of Science

Skip Science since the composite is already 70%

Spend the most time on English, the smallest section Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.

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