TEAS Score Requirements for Nursing School (2026)

Last updated: April 6, 2026. Based on ATI TEAS 7 scoring guidelines and published nursing program admission requirements.

Quick Answer: What TEAS Score Do You Need?

There is no universal passing score for the ATI TEAS exam. Each nursing school sets its own minimum. Here are the typical ranges:

Rule of thumb: Aim for 10–15% above your target school's stated minimum. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission — most competitive programs admit students well above the cutoff.

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How TEAS Scoring Works

The TEAS 7 produces several different scores. Understanding what each one means helps you interpret your results and plan retake strategy if needed.

Score Types

ATI Score Categories

ATI classifies TEAS scores into four proficiency levels:

Most nursing programs require at least a Proficient score (58.7%+). Competitive BSN programs typically expect Advanced (80%+) scores.

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TEAS Score Requirements by Program Type

ADN (Associate Degree Nursing) Programs

Community college ADN programs are generally the most accessible entry point into nursing:

• Typical minimum: 55–65% composite
• Competitive score: 70%+
• Examples:
  • HACC (Pennsylvania): 70% minimum for RN, 60% for LPN
  • Southeastern Community College (NC): 59% minimum composite
  • Many community colleges: 58–65% minimum

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Programs

University BSN programs have higher admission standards:

• Typical minimum: 65–80% composite
• Competitive score: 80%+
• Examples:
  • Texas State University: 65% minimum (general), 80% minimum (priority)
  • Texas Woman's University: 64% minimum in each individual section
  • University of Houston: 80% recommended in each section for competitive consideration
  • University of Pennsylvania: 84% minimum

Programs Requiring Individual Section Minimums

Some programs don't just look at your composite — they require minimum scores in each individual section:

• Touro University (NY): 70% composite minimum AND 70% minimum in both Science and Math sections individually
• Texas Woman's University: 64% minimum in each of the 4 individual sections (not just composite)
• University of Houston: Recommends 80% in each of the 4 content areas for competitive consideration

This is critical: a student with an 80% composite could still be rejected if their Science score is 60% at a school requiring 70% per section.

Accelerated BSN Programs

Second-degree accelerated programs are the most selective:

• Typical minimum: 70–85% composite
• Competitive score: 85%+
• Often require minimum scores in each individual section, not just the composite

Graduate Entry MSN Programs

Some MSN programs that accept non-nursing bachelor's degrees require the TEAS:

• Typical minimum: 75–85% composite
• Competitive score: 90%+

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National Score Statistics

Based on recent ATI data, here is how TEAS scores distribute nationally:

If you score a 75%, you are performing better than approximately 75% of all test-takers nationwide. This is a strong score for most ADN and many BSN programs.

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TEAS Exam Format (Quick Reference)

The 20 pretest (unscored) questions are mixed in and look identical to scored questions. You cannot tell which questions count, so treat every question seriously.

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How to Set Your Target Score

Step 1: Research Your Target Schools

Check each program's published minimum TEAS score. Look for:

• Minimum composite score
• Whether individual section minimums are required
• Whether they use the composite or specific section scores for ranking
• Whether they accept your highest score or most recent score

Step 2: Add the Competitive Buffer

Step 3: Identify Your Weak Sections

Your composite score is a weighted average. If one section drags you down, targeted study on that section can significantly raise your overall score.

Common weak spots by section:

• Science: Anatomy & physiology, biology, chemistry — requires solid prerequisite knowledge
• Math: Algebra, ratios, and metric conversions
• Reading: Long passage analysis and inference questions
• English: Grammar rules and sentence structure

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TEAS Retake Policies

Before planning a retake, understand these common policies:

Critical Warning

Some nursing programs only accept your first attempt or first two attempts. UTHealth Houston, for example, only accepts the first two TEAS/HESI attempts, using the last attempt as the official score. Always check your target program's retake policy before sitting for the exam.

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Study Timeline for Your Target Score

ATI recommends at least 6 weeks of preparation, and Texas State University's nursing program advises completing Human Anatomy & Physiology I before taking the TEAS for the best chance at a competitive Science section score.

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What Else Nursing Programs Consider

Your TEAS score is important, but it is usually one of several admission factors:

• Prerequisite GPA — especially science courses (A&P, microbiology, chemistry)
• Overall GPA — cumulative undergraduate GPA
• Healthcare experience — CNA certification, volunteer hours, clinical hours
• Essays and personal statements — many competitive programs require these
• Letters of recommendation — from science professors or healthcare supervisors
• Prerequisite completion — some programs require all prerequisites finished before admission

A strong TEAS score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. Programs evaluate the full picture.

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Common Mistakes That Lower TEAS Scores

1. Skipping A&P before taking the TEAS — the Science section is the hardest for most students and relies heavily on anatomy and physiology knowledge
2. Underestimating the Math section — even strong students miss metric conversion and ratio problems
3. Not timing practice tests — the TEAS has strict time limits per section
4. Ignoring the unscored questions — they look identical to scored ones, so skipping or rushing any question is risky
5. Taking the exam too early — a poor first attempt can hurt you at programs that consider all attempts

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Your Next Steps

1. Start FREE TEAS Exam Prep → — AI-powered practice covering all 4 sections
2. TEAS Study Guide → — Complete section-by-section study plan
3. TEAS Math Practice → — Focus on the most commonly missed math topics
4. TEAS Science Practice → — Master anatomy, biology, and chemistry questions

Official Resources

• ATI TEAS Official Site — Registration, scheduling, and score reports
• ATI TEAS 7 Content Overview — Official content areas and question breakdown