TEAS, Test of Essential Academic Skills, Preparation

I’ve begun studying for the TEAS test, the Test of Essential Academic Skills.

At first, I didn’t think this was something I really needed to study for. I mean, I’m well educated, I help other students with their writing, science, and math, and I haven’t been out of school for a long time. But I took an online practice test, just to see where I was, and although I did very well in some areas, there are still areas that could use some practice if I want to score maximum points when I take the real thing.

Here is where the practice test said I’m at right now:

TEAS: Reading - (42 Items) 90.5%
Paragraph and Passage Comprehension 78.9%
Informational Source Comprehension 100.0%
TEAS: Mathematics - (30 Items) 93.3%
Numbers and Operations 100.0%
Algebraic Applications 100.0%
Data Interpretation 100.0%
Measurement 50.0%
TEAS: Science - (48 Items) 83.3%
Human Body Science 72.7%
Life Science 93.3%
Earth and Physical Science 78.6%
Scientific Reasoning 87.5%
TEAS: English and Language Usage - (30 Items) 76.7%
Grammar and Word Meanings in Context 86.7%
Spelling and Punctuation 66.7%
Structure 66.7%
Individual Total Score: 86.0%

A couple of things to keep in mind looking at that, one: I know that for the last third or so of the practice test I was getting fairly impatient and perhaps moving more quickly than I should have; I need to remind myself to slow down and read the questions very carefully. It will also be important to be well rested and fresh on the day of the real test. The other thing is, I didn’t read up on what time requirements were for this test, or perhaps it is one of those adaptive exams like the GRE. If anything I think I was moving more quickly through the questions than I probably needed to. I should find out more about the format and time limits for the test before next fall when I’ll be taking the real deal.

I am surprised that I only got a 73% on the human body science, seeing as I just finished taking anatomy and physiology… I would be interested to go back and see which questions I missed if that were possible; I’m not sure if it is.

In any case, I got well over their 70% minimum in each large subject area, so passing won't be a problem; from here on out it's just studying to get a few more points on my admission criteria for nursing school. I can do that.