Preparing for the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

April 11-15

Part 1 – Understanding and Preparing for the TEASPart 2 – Applying, Registering for, and Taking the

Test

Understanding and Preparing for the TEAS

What is the TEAS?Test of Essential Academic Skills is an LPN

Entrance Exam.Objectives assessed on the TEAS exam are

those which nurse educators deemed most appropriate and relevant to measure entry level skills and abilities of nursing program applicants.

Broad and varied areas of subject matter.TEAS is one component of a seven-part

scoring sheet. See Handout #1.

More TEAS factsOzarka only administers the test at the

Melbourne campus.It’s administered on a computer.No calculators or cell phones are allowed.Exiting the test browser during the test (i.e. to

access a calculator or website function) will alert the test proctor and she will stop the test.

Scrap paper is provided. It must be turned in after the test.

Restroom breaks are permitted, but the clock will not stop ticking for the test.

Composition of TEAS testRecently updated to the TEAS V test. It’s not the

same you may have taken previously.170 multiple-choice questions in Reading, Math,

Science & English and Language Usage3 hours and 29 minutes total lengthReading – 58 minutes for 48 questions (1.2

min./question)Math – 51 minutes for 34 questions (1.5 min./q.)Science – 66 minutes for 54 questions (1.22 min/q.)English & Language Usage – 34 minutes for 34

questions (1 min/q.)

Reading SectionIt will test knowledge of author’s intended

purpose and reading comprehension.Reading comprehension test questions include

paragraphs and passages, charts, maps, diagrams and graphs, and following step-by-step directions.

Students will be asked to find the subject matter, main idea, details and generalizations, purpose, conclusions, practical applications, tone and attitude in this section.

See Handout #2 for sample questions.

Mathematics SectionTests numerical concepts such as whole

numbers and integers, fractions and decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, algebra, measurement, graphs and diagrams.

Know basic concepts and terms such as place values, order of operations (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally), common denominator, units of measurement, formulas for perimeters, areas and volumes, the Pythagorean Theorem, stem and leaf graphs, etc.

See Handout #3 for sample questions.

Science & Technical Reasoning SectionTests knowledge of concepts in Earth Science,

General Science, Life Science, Human Body Science, Chemistry and Physics.

Goes beyond memorization of the information into scientific reasoning. Know about the scientific method.

Know about the cell and its processes, genetic traits, anatomy and physiology, organ systems, anatomical terms, scientific notation, chemical and atomic structures and reactions, states of matter, earth structure and cycles.

See Handout #4 for sample questions.

English & Language Usage SectionEmphasizes rules for English language and vocabulary,

specifically grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, contextual words and spelling.

Know how to properly use a comma, period, semicolon, colon, dash, quotation mark, parentheses, question and exclamation mark, hyphen and apostrophe.

Grammar knowledge includes usage of plural nouns, capitalization, verb tense, and pronouns.

Students will be asked to identify errors in sentences and/or acceptable alternatives based on knowledge of the above criteria.

See Handout #5 for sample questions.

Test-Taking StrategiesRead the question carefully to identify the main

idea.Read each possible answer to clarify the objective

of the question. Don’t over-generalize or read something extra

into the question.Eliminate answers that are definitely wrong or

implausible. This will help narrow your choices.Rather than leave a question unanswered, guess!Keep an eye on the clock to ensure that you pace

yourself well for completion.

Testing PrepFree test prep questions are available on-line.

The source of today’s questions: http://www.testprepreview.com/teas_practice.htm

ATI offers 150 on-line practice assessments questions for a fee of $35.

The TEAS Pre-test study manual, available at the bookstore, is a valuable resource.

Another free test prep can be found on Ozarka.edu under Students/Library/Online databases/Learning Express Library.

Applying, Registering for, and Taking the Test

Applying for the testCall Judy Sharp at 368-2049 or Wanda McConnaughhay

at 368-2024 to apply.Pre-LPN students must have PASSED or be

SUCCESSFULLY TAKING (No D’s or F’s by mid-term) Nutrition, Math for Nurses, A & P I and II with labs or Body Structure and Function, Practical Writing or English Comp I.

Those applying for the Fall LPN program must apply to take the test between Feb. 1st to April 1st.

Must take TEAS every time you apply for LPN program.Very competitive. 120 test slots open for 80 LPN

openings.

The week before the testPre-LPN students who have applied Feb. 1st

through April 1st will be notified the week of April 4th through April 8th to confirm a testing date.

Call Judy Sharp at 368-2049 if you have applied, but not been notified during that week.

If grades in pre-requisite classes are failing, students who have applied to take the test will be notified that they are unable to take the test.

Registering for the testArrive early! Come to the Finance office on

the day of your exam to pay for the exam. The cost to take the TEAS exam is $45. Keep your receipt.

Go to the Miller Building Lecture Hall. Present your receipt and photo ID to get registered.

If you have worked in a health-related setting, present your documentation during registration. Experience can add up to 20 points to total entrance score. You can turn in this documentation prior to the test to Stacy Dale, the Nursing Dept. secretary. Her number is 368-2077.

Surprise! The Wonderlic TestThe Wonderlic is a 12 minute, 50 question pencil and

paper test administered immediately before the TEAS.Administered in the Miller Bldg. Lecture Hall.It’s all problem-solving. No preparation is required.

General knowledge. Written answers, not multiple choice.

Nobody at Ozarka has ever completed all 50 questions. It’s graded on the number you have correct, so do the

ones you know first. Problems get harder as you go.Interestingly, the Wonderlic doubles as an IQ test. The

formula is IQ = 2wpt + 60. If you make a 20, your IQ is 100.

Alas! Taking the TEAS test…Go to the computer lab in the Miller Building for

the TEAS test.It is advisable to go to the restroom between the

Wonderlic and the TEAS.20 people can test per day in the computer lab.You will receive a password. Once entered, there

will be a page of instructions to read.Once everyone is ready, Judy Sharp will activate

the test for everyone to start at the same time.TEAS results are available upon completion of

exam.

This concludes the TEAS Prep Workshop.

Thanks for attending!