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    • ATI® TEAS Entrance Exam Information

    SFSC uses the ATI® Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) as the entrance exam for these nursing programs:

    • Practical Nursing (PN): Career Certificate (CC)
    • Generic Registered Nursing (RN): Associate in Science (AS) Degree 
    • Transition: LPN to RN – Associate in Science (AS) Degree 

    IMPORTANT: The ATI® TEAS exam is offered year around. However, you may only take the exam three times in a calendar year with a three-month wait period between test dates.

    The ATI® TEAS consists of four sections (209 minutes with 170 questions):

    • Reading (64 minutes with 53 questions)
      • Key ideas and details (22 questions)
      • Craft and structure (14 questions)
      • Integration of knowledge & ideas (11 questions)
      • Pre-test questions (6 questions)
    • Mathematics (54 minutes with 36 questions)
      • Numbers and algebra (23 questions)
      • Measurement and data (9 questions)
      • Pre-test questions (4 questions)
    • Science (63 minutes with 53 questions)
      • Human anatomy & physiology (32 questions)
      • Life and physical sciences (8 questions)
      • Scientific reasoning (7 questions)
      • Pre-test questions (6 questions)
    • English and Language Usage (28 minutes with 28 questions)
      • Conventions of standard English (9 questions)
      • Knowledge of language (9 questions)
      • Vocabulary acquisition (6 questions)
      • Pre-test questions (4 questions)

    ATI® TEAS Target Scores

    The target scores to be considered for admission to the program are competitive. Scores in the mid-70 range and higher are predictive of program acceptance and success; however, scores in this range do not guarantee acceptance.  Scores are reviewed annually and are, therefore, subject to change based on current ATI® data.

    ATI® TEAS components target scores:

    Generic RN/Transition (LPN to RN)
    Test Content Areas Target Score
    Reading 75%
    Math 65%
    Science 65%
    English 65%

     

    Practical Nursing (PN)
    Test Content Areas Target Score
    Reading 70%
    Math 65%
    Science 65%
    English 65%

     

    Scheduling Your Exam

    • You must schedule an appointment with the SFSC Testing Center to take your exam by using their online scheduling system.
    • The TEAS exam is given in the Testing  and Assessment Center, located on the second floor in the Dr. Catherine P. Cornelius Student Services & Classroom Complex (Building B) on the Highlands Campus.
    • You have 209 minutes to complete the exam, so please allow yourself enough time to finish your test. If you do not complete your exam before closing it out, you will not be allowed to return to finish the exam at a later date.
    • The testing fee is payable on the day you take the exam (payable to the cashier in Building B).
    • If you are applying to both the Generic Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (PN) program, you will choose the option of ATI TEAS – Both (ADN/RN & LPN/PN) Program for the group selection. This will allow you to take the test only once and be counted toward each of your applications.

    Before Exam Day

    • You MUST set up your ATI® user account prior to arriving test day.
    • To set up your ATI® user account, visit the ATI® Testing website.
    • After setting up your account, you will be given your username and password. Remember this, as you will need this to sign in on your exam day.

    Exam Preparation

    • ATI® Nursing Education has developed self-guided study materials to help you target your study for the TEAS test. Visit the ATI® Testing website to purchase study materials. Study guide also available at the SFSC Library and for purchase at the SFSC Campus Store.
    • Additional Study Resources

    Exam Day

    • Bring a valid form of photo identification:
      • SFSC ID Card
      • Driver’s License
      • State-Issued Photo ID
      • Passport
    • Know your ATI® user account username and password.
    • Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
    • Check-in ALL electronic devices and personal items into a secure locker prior and during testing (provided by the Testing Center).
    • No guests or children allowed in the Testing Center with testing candidate.

    Exam Retakes

    • Applicants who wish to retake the exam to achieve a higher score must retake the entire exam.
    • There must be a minimum of three months between test dates.
    • Each test is considered a combined complete entity.
    • There will be NO combination of scores from separate tests.
    • ATI® TEAS exam scores are valid for five years.

    Exam Score Submission/Results (TEAS exam taken at SFSC)

    • After completing the TEAS exam, your test will be scored immediately, allowing you to view your TEAS scores report at that time. Your score report includes your total and content area scores. In addition, the report identifies specific topic areas you missed along with information on where you can review the content.
    • You can access your ATI TEAS Score report at any time through your ATI account under My Results.
    • These scores will be automatically available to the Division of Health Sciences and added as part of your application. The scores must be available by the program application deadline.

    Exam Score Submission/Results (TEAS exam taken at other institution)

    • If you have taken the TEAS at another college, you may elect to submit those scores as part of your application to the nursing program rather than retake it at SFSC. In that case, you must visit the ATI® Testing website to purchase and send an official TEAS transcript to SFSC.
    • These scores must be received by the Division of Health Sciences by the program application deadline.