Most nursing programs require you to complete a list of prerequisite courses before you can apply for admission. Nursing school prerequisite courses will help you build the basic competencies you need to achieve a good score on the TEAS exam. If you already have some of the nursing school prerequisites, but have been out of school for several years, you can benefit by taking courses at community college to refresh your memory before you take the TEAS exam.
The best way to study for the TEAS test is with ATI study guides. ATI offers "Learning Strategies: Your Guide to Classroom and Test-Taking Success," a beneficial manual for anyone thinking about nursing school. If you plan ahead, you can use this book to study effectively as you take nursing school prerequisites. ATI also sells TEAS study manuals. Check with the nursing program where you plan to apply to find out which version of the test it uses before you buy a study manual.
As you prepare to take the TEAS, you will probably find that you have stronger ability in one or more of the tested areas than in others. ATI offers several TEAS Online Practice Assessments to help you pinpoint areas of weakness so that you can focus on them and improve your competency level. ATI allows you to take each assessment twice, and provides rationales for correct and incorrect answers. Your school may offer free tutoring sessions or test prep workshops to nursing program applicants. Take advantage of these sessions once you have identified areas where you need help.
Plan well in advance to take the TEAS test and get to know the test subject matter well, instead of rushing to fit it in at the last minute to meet a nursing school application deadline. Each nursing program sets its own passing score, so a percentage that is acceptable for admission in one school may not qualify in another school. Some programs allow you to retake the exam one or more times if your first score is too low. The benefit of retaking the test is that you'll know exactly what to study to get a good score on your next attempt.