TEAS V 101

St. David’s School of Nursing

Round Rock, TX

Lynn Heimerl, MEd.

Coordinator of Admission and Retention

2016 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                     81.0% • Math                           76.7%• Science                      70.8%• English                       73.3%• Composite                  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® on first attempt.

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 81% Math 75% Science 70.8%

English 73.3% Composite 71%

• Second attempt• Reading 83% Math 76.7% Science 80%

English 78% 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 78%• Math 84%• Science 79%• English 90%• Composite 85%

Is this applicant qualified?

• NoTEAS V reading score must be 81% or higher.

Are minimum TEAS V scores good enough?

• Not likely.• Why?

Average 2013 scores Average 2014 scoresReading: 89 89Math: 89 93Science: 84 83English: 85 85Composite 87 86

TEAS V Admission Procedure

• If an applicant takes the TEAS V two times between January 16, 2015 and January 15, 2016, the second attempt must be a different form. To ensure that is the case, please follow one of the below options for testing:

• If you are testing at a school site that offers the TEAS V, take both your attempts at that location.

• If you test at PSI, you may only test there once. Your second attempt needs to be at a school site location.

• Submit Individual Performance Profile(s) (page 1) with the application materials.  

 

All applicants have two attempts at taking the TEAS V exam for the 2016 admission

The following are resources to locate a testing site:• PSI

http://www.atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/customecom/productpage.aspx?code=8483&isproduct=2

• Other testing centers:

A. http://www.atitesting.com/ctccteas/

B. Testing, Research-Support and Evaluation Center (TREC) at Texas State University

512.245.2276

http://www.txstate.edu/trec/

C. Testing Center (Avery Building) at Texas State University - Round Rock Campus (RRC) - (Click here for information)

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: About 1 minute 35 seconds for

each question• Math: About 1 minute 5 seconds• Science: About 1 minute 35 seconds• English: 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?

• Minimum of 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: Science• # Questions: 48• % of test questions: 32%• Time given: 66 minutes• Each question: About I minute 35

seconds

TEAS V: The actual exam

• Subject: English/

Language Usage• # Questions: 30• % of test questions: 20%• Time given: 34 minutes• Each question: About 1 minute

Heads Up: Up to 20 additional unscored pretest items.

 

Question

I took the TEAS V for the first time and earned a score below the required minimum. 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 Focus on questions – wrong answer

• Practice Timed Focus on questions – wrong answer

• Practice Timed Focus on questions – wrong answer

• Practice Timed Focus on questions – wrong answer

 

Allow for 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?