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HomeTEAS 7 VS TEAS 6 What Changed and Impact on Difficulty
Introduction
For many years, the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) has been used to assess foundational academic abilities in reading, mathematics, science, English, and language usage. The exam plays an important role in determining an applicant’s readiness for nursing and allied health programs, helping institutions identify candidates who are more likely to succeed academically and remain in their programs. As medical knowledge and healthcare education continue to grow in complexity, the TEAS exam was revised from TEAS 6 to TEAS 7 in June 2022. This update ensured that the exam blueprint aligned with evolving Common Core State Standards and the current demands of nursing and allied health education. This study explores the key changes introduced in TEAS 7, compares them with TEAS 6, examines how these changes have influenced exam difficulty, and discusses their implications for nursing applicants.
Overview of the TEAS 6
The TEAS 6 was a standard test used by the Nursing and allied health programs to gauge the knowledge of inspiring nurses during the school enrollment. The version was used from 2016 to June 2022 to serve as a benchmark predicting a candidate’s likelihood of succeeding in nursing programs.
The TEAS 6 has 4 main sections or the subject areas that consists of 170 multiple choice questions with an overall time limit of 209 minutes. Questions here are primarily straightforward and assess specific knowledge and skills. We are going to break down the subject areas structures and the style of questions.
This section has 53 questions with 64 minute time limit. Additionally, topics in this section include; Key details and idea comprehension which consists of main ideas, supporting details, summarizing and logical conclusions. Craft and structure and application of knowledge and ideas.
The section has 36 questions and 54 minute time limit. This section’s sub content areas are; Numbers and operations consisting of fractions, percentages, decimals, ratios, proportions and order of operations. Measurement and data consisting of interpreting graphs. Basic geometry and statistical concepts. Algebra consisting of solving equations, world problems with algebraic expressions and inequalities.
In this section there is 53 questions with a 63 minute time limit. Questions in this section consist of; Human anatomy and physiology which is the largest subsection is the most emphasized and covers all major body systems their structures, functions and basic interactions. Life sciences and Physical sciences having cell biology, genetics macromolecules, basic chemistry and basic physics. Scientific analysis which consists of experimental design, interpreting study results, reading data tables and drawing logical conclusion.
This section has 28 questions with a time limit of 28 minutes. The content in this area focuses on a general understanding of the standard English language and vocabulary questions which includes word choice, using context clues prefixes and suffixes, grammar punctuation and sentence structure.
The TEAS 6 exam primarily used multiple-choice questions as its question format. These questions were designed to assess specific skills or discrete areas of knowledge within each subject area, focusing on individual concepts rather than integrated reasoning across subjects.
Overview of TEAS 7
Similarly to the TEAS 6, TEAS serves as a predictor of a candidate’s academic readiness for health care nursing programs but now it mirrors the critical thinking and application required in clinical practice. TEAS was launched in June 2022 replacing the TEAS 6 and it’s the current revised version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills and it was meant to evaluate integrated reasoning and applied skills essential for success in the modern nursing and allied programs.
The TEAS 7 has 4 content areas that consists of 170 questions with 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pre test questions with a total of 209 minutes. The exam is based on four content areas namely science, math, reading, and English and language usage.
Unlike the TEAS 6, this section contains 45 questions which has 39 questions scored and 6 unscored questions and is covered within 55 minutes. Knowing how to read and interpret documents for both doctors and patients is crucial for effective communication. Reading is organized into three distinct domains;
Key Ideas & Details which focuses on core comprehension abilities such as summarizing multi-paragraph texts, drawing logical inferences, accurately following written directions, locating specific information, and interpreting data from visual aids like charts and graphs has 15 questions in total.
The Craft & Structure category assesses analytical skills related to the author's craft, requiring test-takers to evaluate an author's purpose and point of view. It also distinguishes between fact and opinion, and decipher word meanings from context and contains 9 questions.
The most complex domain is the integration of Knowledge & Ideas which measures higher-order critical thinking and has 15 questions. It focuses on using textual evidence to support predictions and conclusions, comparing and contrasting themes across multiple texts, evaluating the strength of arguments, and synthesizing information from diverse source formats.
The 60-minute Science section contains 50 questions with 44 scored and 6 unscored and tests the foundational scientific knowledge crucial for clinical reasoning and patient care. It focuses on application over memorization. It’s organized into the following domains;
This is the largest and most critical category, requiring knowledge of the structure, function, and interconnection of all major body systems like respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous. The category contains 18 questions and your success depends on understanding how these systems work together to maintain health.
This category tests core principles of life sciences, including cell structure and function, genetics (DNA, protein synthesis, inheritance), the role of macromolecules, and the basics of how microorganisms cause disease and has 9 questions in total.
Chemistry
Questions cover fundamental chemical concepts essential for understanding medications and bodily processes: atomic structure, properties and reactions of matter, solutions, and the principles of acids and bases and contains 8 questions.
Scientific Reasoning
This category assesses the practical application of the scientific method and has 9 questions in total. Skills include using measurements and tools, evaluating evidence, predicting relationships, and interpreting investigations all vital for analyzing medical data and research.
The TEAS 7 Math section is all about the practical, real-world math you'll use daily as a nurse. You have 57 minutes to answer 38 questions of which 24 are scored and 4 are unscored and an on-screen calculator is available. The focus is on two key areas:
Numbers & Algebra which tests your skills with the math behind medical calculations. This category has 18 questions and consists of solving problems using fractions, percentages, ratios, and basic algebra to figure out things like medication dosages and IV drip rates.
Measurement & Data which is about interpreting information and the section contains 16 questions. Here, you read charts and graphs, convert units (like lbs to kg or teaspoons to mL), understand basic statistics, and work with geometric measurements for patient care. It’s not about complex equations, but about being accurate and confident with the numbers that keep patients safe.
English and Language use
This section contains 37 questions of which 33 are scored and 4 are unscored and lasts for 37 minutes. Since this part is about clear communication, it’s a vital too for nurses and is divided in 3 areas;
Conventions of standard English which is the foundation and tests basics like correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure and has 12 questions.
Knowledge of language which majorly asks you to improve your paragraph clarity, tone and organizing ideas logically and has 11 questions.
Ability to use language and vocabulary to express ideas in writing is a category that focuses on effective expression of ideas in writing by applying basic knowledge and determining meaning of words. This category has 10 questions.
Question types
The TEAS 7 uses several different question formats to test your knowledge and skills from various angles. Understanding these formats can help you know what to expect and how to approach each one. Here’s a breakdown of the question types you’ll encounter:
Multiple-Choice (One Answer)
This is the classic format. You’ll see a question or statement followed by four possible answers, and you must choose the single correct one. It tests your ability to recall facts, reason through problems, and identify the best solution.
Multiple-Select (Select All That Apply)
These questions can be tricky. Instead of just one right answer, there may be several correct choices among the options listed. You need to evaluate each one independently and you must identify all correct answers to get the point.
Fill-in-the-Blank
For these questions, you’ll type a short answer like a number, word, or brief phrase directly into a box. This format tests precise recall and application, often used for math calculations or key terminology without answer choices to guide you.
Hot Spot
You’ll be shown an image, like a diagram of the human heart or a graph, and asked to click on a specific area. This tests your ability to interpret visual information and connect it to your knowledge, such as identifying anatomical structures or data points.
Ordered Response (Drag-and-Drop)
These questions ask you to arrange items into the correct sequence or order. You’ll drag options into boxes to show steps in a process, stages of a cycle, or priority actions. This assesses your understanding of sequences, procedures, and logical relationships for clinical reasoning.
Impact of Changes on Difficulty
Although TEAS 7 is thought to be more challenging than TEAS 6, the ATI claims that both are comparable in terms of difficulty. The shift from TEAS 6 to TEAS 7 has undoubtedly made the test more difficult, mostly because the emphasis now is on problem-solving and practical thinking rather than memorizing. This shift is particularly apparent in the science and reading portions. Test-takers now have to interpret material, comprehend the author's intent, and make connections between ideas across sections rather than only looking for obvious details because reading questions are entirely focused on healthcare scenarios. In the science section, questions are frequently presented in clinical contexts, requiring an understanding of how body systems interact rather than recalling distinct facts about anatomy.
Additionally, the new question forms that need more in-depth analysis make the exam seem more challenging. Students must confidently identify each correct answer without using elimination in question styles like "Select All That Apply." While "Ordered Response" questions assess a student's comprehension of proper sequences and procedures, "fill-in-the-blank" questions completely eliminate answer alternatives, making precise recall crucial. The exam becomes more intellectually taxing overall when these forms are combined with a stronger focus on algebra and data interpretation in the math component. The purpose of TEAS 7 is to better evaluate candidates' readiness for the critical thinking and decision-making abilities needed in nursing school, rather than making it unduly challenging.
Implications for nursing applicants
The change to TEAS 7 has substantial implications on how the students should prepare for their exams. Preparations for TEAS 7 exams now demand for a deeper learning and logical thinking based on reviewing facts and developing critical thinking skills that the exams emphasizes. Additionally TEAS questions require stronger time management and applicants ought to have thoughtful analysis and this can be done by students incorporating practice questions with new formats for readiness. The change however benefits applicants by better aligning the exam with the analytical and clinical reasoning skills required for success in nursing school.
Conclusion
The transition from TEAS 6 to TEAS 7 represents a deliberate shift toward assessing skills that are more relevant to modern nursing education and practice. While the core structure of the exam remains similar, TEAS 7 places greater emphasis on critical thinking, application of knowledge, and clinical-style reasoning, making the exam more challenging for applicants. These changes better reflect the demands of nursing programs and the healthcare environment. As a result, nursing applicants must adopt deeper learning strategies and stronger test-taking skills to succeed, ultimately ensuring that those admitted are better prepared for the rigors of nursing school.
TEAS 7 VS TEAS 6 What Changed and Impact on Difficulty
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TEAS 7 VS TEAS 6 What Changed and Impact on Difficulty
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Jan 24, 2026
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