The ATI TEAS® has four separately timed sections, always in this order: reading, math, science, and English and language usage. There are 170 questions and 209 minutes of testing time in total. Each section’s clock starts when you open that section, and finishing a section early does not add time to the next one.
Sections, questions, and time limits
- Reading: 45 questions, 55 minutes (about 1.2 minutes per question)
- Math: 38 questions, 57 minutes (about 1.5 minutes per question)
- Science: 50 questions, 60 minutes (about 1.2 minutes per question)
- English and language usage: 37 questions, 37 minutes (about 1 minute per question)
Twenty of the 170 questions are unscored pretest items mixed into the sections; they do not affect your score. For the topics covered in each section, see What are the content areas of the ATI TEAS?.
Break
After you finish the math section you may take a 10-minute break. This applies to in-person and remote exams, and it does not use any of your testing time; the science clock starts only when you begin that section.
Can I go back to a question?
Yes, within the section you are working in. You can move back and forth among the questions in an open section until you submit it, and you can flag a question to find it again quickly before you finish the section. Once you submit a section and move on, you cannot return to it.
To flag a question, click FLAG at the upper right of the question screen; the button changes to UNFLAG and you can click Continue to move on. Flag as many as you like.
Click FLAG at the upper right of a question
After you click FLAG, the button reads UNFLAG and you can click Continue
Before you leave a section, the exam shows a Flag Questions prompt with the number of questions you flagged. Choose Review Flagged Questions to revisit them, Go Back to Last Question to keep working, or Proceed to Next Section when you are done.
The Flag Questions prompt at the end of each section
Can I retake just one section?
No. You must complete all four sections in one sitting to receive a total score and academic preparedness level, which is what schools use for admissions. Even if your program looks only at certain section scores, the full exam is required for an accurate result. To improve a score you must retake the whole exam. How to improve your TEAS score on a second attempt
Frequently asked questions
Is there a calculator? Yes. A calculator is built into the exam and available in every section (you will use it most in math); personal calculators are not allowed. Can I use a calculator on the ATI TEAS exam?
What happens if time runs out in a section? The section closes automatically and any unanswered questions are scored as incorrect, so answer every question; there is no penalty for guessing.
How is the exam scored? How is the ATI TEAS scored?