1.3 Scoring and Program Requirements
Key Takeaways
- 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, typically 60–80%, with competitive BSN programs wanting 80%+.
- The national mean composite score is roughly 65%, which falls in the Proficient range.
- There is no penalty for guessing — unanswered items are simply wrong, so you should answer every question.
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 overall percentage of scored items answered correctly — the headline number programs usually compare |
| 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 composite is a percentage of correct answers and every section is weighted by its number of 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 the total correct out of 150 scored items. If you answer 105 of 150 correctly, your composite is 70%, regardless of how those right answers distribute across sections. 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 composite percentage into one of five Academic Preparedness Levels. These give programs a quick label for readiness. The exact percentage band for each level can shift slightly with the exam form, but the ordering and intent are fixed.
| Preparedness Level | Approx. Composite Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental | Lowest band | Significant gaps; substantial review needed |
| Basic | Below the Proficient cut | Some foundation but below most program minimums |
| Proficient | ~Mid range (national mean ~65%) | Solid readiness; meets many ADN program minimums |
| Advanced | Upper range | Strong readiness; competitive for most BSN programs |
| Exemplary | Highest band | Top performance; competitive everywhere |
Most programs want applicants at Proficient or above. ATI's published research treats Proficient as a meaningful threshold for predicting early nursing-school success.
Program Cut Scores Vary
The single most important thing to understand about TEAS scoring is that there is no universal passing score. ATI sets none. Each school chooses its own minimum (its "cut score"), and these vary widely by program type and competitiveness.
| Program Type | Typical Minimum | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Practical / LPN-LVN | 55–60% | 65%+ |
| ADN (Associate) | 60–65% | 70%+ |
| BSN (Bachelor's) | 65–75% | 80%+ |
| Accelerated / 2nd-degree BSN | 70–80% | 85%+ |
The national mean composite score is roughly 65%, which sits in the Proficient range. Aim well above your program's posted minimum — a common target is 10–15 percentage points above the minimum — 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.
What is the correct order of ATI's five Academic Preparedness Levels, from lowest to highest?
Why should you answer every question on the TEAS, even when unsure?
The approximate national mean composite score on the TEAS, which falls in the Proficient range, is about ___ percent.
Type your answer below
A student scores 70% composite but only 55% in Science, with Anatomy & Physiology at 48%. What is the most efficient retake strategy?