Most questions on the ATI TEAS® exam are standard multiple choice. Approximately 20% are alternate item types: multiple select, fill in the blank, ordered response, and hot spot. These formats are common in nursing and allied health programs and test whether you understand a concept, not just recognize it. Every question is scored correct or incorrect; there is no partial credit.
All ATI TEAS prep includes alternate item types so you can practice them. The ATI TEAS Online Practice Tests use the same formats, on-screen calculator, and flag feature as the real exam.
Multiple choice
Four answer options, one correct. Some include charts, exhibits, or graphics.
A multiple-choice question as it appears on screen
Example: A state trooper recorded the speeds of several cars: 73, 81, 68, 75, 90, 78, 75, 82, 77, 71. Which of the following is the median of this data set? A. 77 B. 22 C. 75 D. 76
Answer: D. The median is the middle value when the data is ordered from least to greatest; with 10 values it is the average of the 5th and 6th values. (A is the mean, B the range, C the mode.)
Multiple select (select all that apply)
You see five or six options, and two or more are correct; the question ends with the words select all that apply. To earn credit, choose every correct option and none of the wrong ones.
Example: Which of the following are examples of prewriting? (Select all that apply.) A. Drawing a mind map on growing indoor plants B. Freewriting about one’s childhood memories C. Exchanging drafts with colleagues for peer review D. Preparing an essay outline on consumer awareness E. Including citations for content from multiple sources
Answer: A, B, and D. Mind mapping, freewriting, and outlining happen before drafting; peer review and citations come after.
Fill in the blank (supply answer)
You type the answer, text or a number, with no options to choose from. Follow the formatting instructions in the question exactly.
Example: What is the decimal equivalent of 103%? (Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Answer: 1.03. Divide the percent by 100 and drop the percent symbol.
Ordered response
You drag four to six options from a box on the left into the correct order in a box on the right. The question is correct only if every option is in the right place.
Example: The steps to balance a chemical equation are listed out of order: (1) if the numbers of atoms are not equal, multiply the coefficients until they balance; (2) check your work by recounting the atoms on both sides; (3) count the number of atoms of each element on both sides. Which is the correct sequence?
Answer: 3, 1, 2. Count first, then adjust coefficients, then recount to check.
Hot spot
An image with two to five clickable areas. You click the area that answers the question. For example, a diagram of a pentagon might ask you to click the point that would be numbered 3 when counting clockwise from the top.
Frequently asked questions
Is there partial credit on select-all-that-apply questions?
No. Every question on the ATI TEAS is scored correct or incorrect, with no partial credit. On a select-all-that-apply question you must choose every correct option and no incorrect ones to earn the point. Missing one correct answer, or adding one wrong answer, scores the whole question as incorrect. Since there is no penalty for guessing, always make your best selection rather than leaving it blank.
How many questions are there, and how long do I have?
170 questions in 209 minutes, timed by section. TEAS sections and timing