Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for Test of Essential Skills (TEAS)

Review the Associate Degree Nursing Petition Process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for Test of Essential Skills (TEAS)

What is the Test of Essential Skills (TEAS V) ?

As of January 1, 2011 the AD Nursing Program of Madison College will be using the ATI TEAS V as part of the petition requirements.

ATI describes the TEAS V as a test which is “intended for use primarily with adult nursing program applicant populations.  Each question on the TEAS V is mapped to one of 115 objectives, all of which address topics presented in grades 7 through 12.  The objectives assessed are those which nurse educators deemed most appropriate and relevant to measure entry-level skills and abilities of nursing program applicants.” (ATI Study Manual for REAS V, 2010, p.1)

The TEAS Vis a proctored, online assessment involving 170 questions, including 20 “unscored” pretest questions, which cover the following content areas: reading; mathematics; science; and English and language usage.  These four content areas are being tested at the “entry level” and have been identified as essential to a student’s success in a nursing program.  This 170 multiple-choice question test will be offered at all Madison College campuses on multiple days throughout each school year. 

What is covered in each of the four (4) content areas being assessed on the TEAS? 

• Reading (42 questions)- paragraph comprehension, passage comprehension, and informational source comprehension
• Math (30 questions)-numbers and operations, algebraic applications, data interpretation; measurement.
• Science (48 questions)-human body science; life science, earth and physical science, scientific reasoning.
• English and Language Usage (30 questions) -grammar and word meanings in context, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling. 

How much time does it take to complete the TEAS?

The maximum amount of time allotted for the TEAS is 209 minutes (about 3.5 hours). Each section is timed: Reading = 58 minutes; Math = 51 minutes; Science = 66 minutes; English= 34 minutes.

What if I have documented “testing accommodation” can I still take the TEAS V?

Any student with a documented “testing accommodation” can take the TEAS V, but MUST contact the AD Nursing program co-directors at least 2 weeks prior to the initial test date to insure that proper arrangements can be made.  The student will need to provide a copy of the “accommodation” and will need to set up a testing time with the Madison College “Testing Center” testingctr[at] matcmadison [dot] edu.

What if I have previously taken the ATI TEAS IV and achieved the set benchmarks, can I submit these test results in my petition packet?

Any AD Nursing program petitioner who had taken and achieved ALL of the previously set TEAS IV benchmarks prior to December 31, 2010 will be able to use these test results as part of their petition packet.  All TEAS IV test results are good for up to four (4) years from the testing date (i.e. test date 10/21/10 are good until 10/21/14). However, any AD Nursing program petitioner who took TEAS IV prior to December 31, 2010 and DID NOT meet ALL of the benchmarks MUST take the TEAS V and meet the newly established benchmarks in order to petition for the AD Nursing program.

How long are my TEAS V scores good for?

All TEAS V test results are good for up to four (4) years from the testing date on which ALL benchmarks were met. (i.e. test date 10/21/11 are good until 10/21/15).

Where can I find out more about the TEAS V?

You can use the internet and go to the following website: www.atitesting.com/global/students/TEAS

How can I prepare for the TEAS V?

Prior to taking the TEAS V,students are encouraged visit the ATI website and consider purchasing any of the TEAS V preparation products listed on the ATI website www.atitesting.com/global/students/TEAS.  Please check website for current TEAS preparation products and prices, all of these can be purchased individually or in packages through the ATI website.

• ATI Learning Strategies: Your Guide to Classroom and Test-taking Success
• ATI – TEAS V - Pre-Test Study Manual 
  • This official TEAS V resource is specifically written to address each objective that could potentially be addressed on the TEAS V exam, including the four (4) content areas: reading; mathematics; science; English and language use.
  • Contains two additional paper/pencil practice tests with rationale for correct answers.
• TEAS Online Practice Assessment Form A
• TEAS Online Practice Assessment Form B
• TEAS Online Practice Assessment Form C (scheduled to be available mid 2011)
  • Each test contains a different set of 150 questions, patterned after the original TEAS V exam and designed to give the student a sense of what to expect in both test content and format.
  • Contain rationale for all correct and incorrect student responses

How can I purchase the TEAS student preparation products?

The Study Guide and/or Online Practice TEAS assessment can be purchased by an individual student at the following website www.atitesting.com/onlinestore/productpage

How do I set up an ATI account?

Register with ATI  

• Under the username and password boxes, select “Create an Account” (the username and password you select will be used for ALL of your future access to the ATI account).
• Complete all Bluemandatory fields (use your Madison College email account only).
• Under “Institution”, select Madison Area Technical College AD Petition Process.
• Once your account is set up you can now register for a TEAS date.

How do I register for a TEAS V test date?

All students are now required to PRE-REGISTER with ATI at least 24 hours before any scheduled date.  Registration will NO LONGER take place through the Madison College website calendar.

To register for a TEAS V test date:

• Go to the following atitesting website http://www.atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/customecom/SessionCityStateSelection.aspx?stf=6&stype=1&prev=1
• Pick a city and state for testing.
  •  You will then  find a series of TEAS V test dates for Madison College. 
  • Pick a date and register.  At the time you register for a test date you will need to provide a major credit card to pre-register for the test date.
  • Once the TEAS V test is purchased, there are NO refunds.  Students are charged the full price of the test for the initial test or if necessary for either of the two (2) retakes.
  • Please print off payment confirmation and bring this to the testing site.

There is a limited computer space available at each testing session, so register early.

Please note that if you need to cancel your registration you must do so via the instructions on the ATI website. Failure to follow ATI policy may result in “no refund” from ATI for and charged testing fees.

How will I know if I have “passed” the TEAS?

ATI has completed an extensive statistical analysis of TEAS V to establish five (5) categories of academic preparedness. These categories (listed from lowest to highest) are Developmental; Basic; Proficient; Advance; and Exemplary. After thoughtful and careful review of the TEAS V National Standard Setting Study 2010- Executive Summary the Madison College AD Nursing Program has determined the following TEAS V benchmarks for petitioners into the AD Nursing program.  All of the Madison College AD Nursing program TEAS V benchmarks are set at the “Proficient” category of academic preparedness.

For a satisfactory TEAS V score for petitioning into the  Madison College AD Nursing Program the student MUST achieve ALL benchmarks.  Any student who does NOT achieve ALL benchmarks on a given test date WILL NEED to retake the ENTIRE TEAS V test.  ATI will no longer allow students to retake only portions of the TEAS V.

What do I do if I DO NOT meet the benchmark scores identified by Madison College AD Nursing Program?

A remediation sheet will be distributed to All TEAS V test takers on the day of the test.  This remediation sheet gives suggestions for remediation and contact information for the Madison College Learning Center and/or tutoring services.  After reviewing this remediation sheet any student who still has questions is encouraged to contact one of the AD Nursing Program Co- program directors (contact information is located at the bottom of the remediation sheet).  After completing the remediation process, the student must RETAKE the entire TEAS V. A student may retake the TEAS only twice.

How many times can I take the TEAS V?

Students can take the TEAS V a total of three (3) times: the initial take and then two (2) retakes of the entire TEAS V test.

What happens if I DO NOT meet the Madison College AD Nursing program benchmarks?

Any student fails to meet ALL five (5) of the established benchmarks after taking the TEAS V test three (3)times will be asked to contact one of the AD Nursing Program co-directors for discussion of career options.  These students will loose their “priority date” and will be removed from the AD Nursing program.  After academic advising and remediation they will be able to reapply to the AD Nursing program or directed into another more appropriate field of study.

When do I take the TEAS?

Students can take the TEAS V whenever they feel they are ready to do so.  However, the faculty strongly suggests that students take the TEAS V after they have completed at least two of the pre-requisite science courses, but prior to the designated petitioning window for the semester they are ready to begin.

Please consult the ATI website http://www.atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/customecom/SessionCityStateSelection.aspx?stf=6&stype=1&prev=1 for specific dates, times and locations of TEAS testing at Madison College.

When scheduling your TEAS V testing the student is reminded to please keep in mind the two (2) AD Nursing program petition windows:

• For fall semester admission to Core Nursing courses: The third Monday in April for twelve (12) calendar days.
• For spring semester admission to Core Nursing courses The third Monday in October for twelve (12) calendar days

What is the cost of taking the TEAS V? How do I pay for it?

Please check the ATI Testing website for current TEAS V prices, note that prices tend to change every July 1.  You will need to pay for the TEAS V using a major credit card via the ATI Testing website test registration at least twenty four (24) prior to any test date.

How will I get my TEAS scores to Madison College?

You will be asked to print off your results on the date of the test and compare them to the Benchmarks printed on the remediation sheet.  The TEAS V scores are stored by ATI so that at anytime after the test date they are available to the student and their nursing school via the Internet.  There is no additional cost to the student to allow Madison College access to the scores.  However, if a student has taken the TEAS V through another school, the student will be charged an additional fee to transfer their scores.  Please consult www.atitesting.com for more specific information.

Who can I contact if I have any further questions about TEAS V?

Please contact one of the AD Nursing co-directors:

Barbara J Clark 608 246-6624 or bclark[at] matcmadison [dot] edu

OR

Kay Grotelueschen 608 246-6556 or kgroteluesch[at] matcmadison [dot] edu