TEAS V 101
St. David’s School of Nursing
Round Rock, TX
Lynn Heimerl, MEd.
Coordinator of Admission and Retention
2015 Admission
What is the TEAS V?
• It is the Test of Essential Academic Skills, which
evaluates an applicant’s general knowledge of
math, science, reading, and English.
• Nurse educators determine items assessed.
• All applicants must take the TEAS V.
SON expectation: Conditionally admitted students
have solid skills for determining the correct answer
on timed knowledge-based assessments.
TEAS V Scores
Qualified applicants must have minimum
scores of:
•
•
•
•
•
Reading
Math
Science
English
Composite
81.0%
76.7%
70.8%
73.3%
73.3%
Why are TEAS V scores so
important?
• Applicants who earn these minimum scores
and beyond are highly likely to graduate on
time.
• Once admitted to the School of Nursing – all
course exams are timed. Students must earn
passing exam grades to progress with their
class.
• Taking initial steps to prepare for and pass the
NCLEX-RN®.
If I take the TEAS V twice – which
scores count?
Answer:
• The attempt you earned the highest
minimum scores in reading, math, science,
English/Language Usage.
Note: There is no cherry picking – selecting
highest scores between the two attempts.
Example
• First attempt
• Reading 83%
English 75%
Math 75%
Science 70.8%
Composite 71%
• Second attempt
• Reading 81%
English 73.3%
Math 76.7%
Science 80%
Composite 78%
Example continued
• We would accept the scores from the second
attempt.
Why?
All scores for reading, math, science, English/
Language) and composite are either at the
required minimum score or higher.
Another example
• An applicant earns the following TEAS V
scores:
•
•
•
•
•
Reading
Math
Science
English
Composite
78%
84%
79%
90%
85%
Is this applicant qualified?
• No
TEAS V reading score must be 81% or higher.
Are minimum TEAS V scores good
enough?
• Not likely.
• Why?
Average 2012 scores
Reading:
88
Math:
87
Science:
76
English:
77
Composite
82
Average 2013 scores
89
89
84
85
87
TEAS V Admission Procedure
• TEAS V exam may be taken a total of two times.
• After August 1, 2014: Applicants take TEAS V on
first attempt and TEAS V Retake 1 on second and
last attempt for 2015 admission.
• TEAS V may be taken between January 16, 2014
and January 15, 2015.
• Submit Individual Performance Profile(s) (page 1)
with the application materials.
5 of many TEAS V Testing Site Options
• Testing, Research-Support and Evaluation
Center (TREC) at Texas State University
• Texas A&M University Measurement and
Research Services (College Station)
• PSI – a large company with testing sites
throughout the United States
• West Houston Testing Center
• Hallmark College in San Antonio
TEAS V Tips
• Take the TEAS V
• After you prepared.
• During a down time – between semesters,
during a holiday break.
• Order the study manual and pay the fee to
take 2 practice exams – they are a solid
investment.
• https://www.atitesting.com/Solutions/PreNursi
ngSchool/TEAS.aspx
TEAS V Tips
• Only a few applicants “naturally” are able
to sit for the TEAS V and earn high scores.
• Most applicants practice answering
questions using a timer.
TEAS V Tips
•
•
•
•
Practice
Timed
Focus on questions – wrong answer
Answer 10 questions – timed at 2 minutes for
each question
• Goal: 9 of 10 answers correct
• Continue
TEAS V Tips
•
•
•
•
Practice
Timed
Focus on questions – wrong answer
Answer 10 questions – timed at 1 minute
30 seconds for each question
• Goal: 9 of 10 answers correct
• Continue
TEAS V Tips
•
•
•
•
Practice
Timed
Focus on questions – wrong answer
Answer 10 questions – timed at 1 minute
and 15 seconds for each question
• Goal: 9 of 10 answers correct
• Continue
TEAS V Tips
Timing Goals
• Reading:
• Math:
• Science:
• English:
About 1 minute 35 seconds for
each question
About 1 minute 5 seconds
About 1 minute 35 seconds
About 1 minute
TEAS V Tips
• Using practice tests in a timed
environment helps reduce anxiety when it
is time for the real thing.
• Practice
Practice
Practice
• We are serious about practicing…
So how many practice
questions?
• 100 correct answers for each
subject.
• At the time that is allotted.
TEAS V Tips
Really bad ideas
• Sit for the TEAS V without preparing for it – just
to see how hard it is.
– You have just used-up one of your two times
to earn high TEAS V scores.
• Waiting until the second week in January to take
the TEAS-V.
– Why?
• Bad weather
• Technical problems at the test site
TEAS V Tips
Attitude is critical.
• Assess your attitude toward test-taking.
• Be positive; it makes a difference.
• Be steadfast – determined.
TEAS V Tips
If you have test anxiety, practice harnessing
this anxiety.
• A little anxiety is good – it helps you do
your personal best.
• Anxiety beyond this level interferes with
your ability to do your best.
TEAS V Tips
On the test day
• Get sleep.
• Eat what is kind on your digestive system at a
time that works well for you.
• Wear comfortable clothing and a watch.
• Or try wearing a Sunday outfit.
Goal: Be physically and mentally alert at an
intensity that feels right to you.
TEAS V Tips
General Test Taking Strategies
• Avoid changing answers.
• Be systematic.
• Work at a steady pace.
• Stay focused.
• Breathe.
• Look for logic.
TEAS V: The actual exam
•
•
•
•
•
Subject:
Reading
# Questions:
42
% of test questions:
28%
Time given:
58 minutes
Each question:
About 1 minute and 35
seconds
TEAS V: The actual exam
•
•
•
•
•
Subject:
Math
# Questions:
30
% of test questions:
20%
Time given:
51 minutes
Each question:
About 1 minute 5
seconds
TEAS V: The actual exam
•
•
•
•
•
Subject:
# Questions:
% of test questions:
Time given:
Each question:
Science
48
32%
66 minutes
About I minute 35
seconds
TEAS V: The actual exam
• Subject:
•
•
•
•
# Questions:
% of test questions:
Time given:
Each question:
English/
Language Usage
30
20%
34 minutes
About 1 minute
Heads Up: 20 additional unscored pretest items.
Question
I took the TEAS V for the first time and
earned poor scores. What should I do?
• Topics to Review
• List items that you did not answer
correctly.
• Refers back to Study Manual and
page(s).
• Refer to a textbook
Then
• Practice Timed
• Practice Timed
• Practice Timed
• Practice Timed
Allow for
Focus on questions –
wrong answer
Focus on questions –
wrong answer
Focus on questions –
wrong answer
Focus on questions –
wrong answer
major remediation.
Get into the swing
You are responsible for a
knowledge deficient – starting
with preparing for the TEAS V
and continuing through nursing
school.
Questions?