ATI, the writer of the ATI TEAS® exam, recommends giving yourself at least six weeks to study. The exam covers four content areas (reading, math, science, and English and language usage), and six weeks is enough time to take a practice test, find your weak areas, review them, and practice again without cramming.
A six-week plan at a glance
- Week 1: take the free ATI TEAS practice test to get a baseline, then read the content outline so you know what is on the exam. What is on the ATI TEAS?
- Weeks 2–5: spend about a week on each content area, starting with your weakest. Science and reading have the most questions, so give them extra time if they are weak. What do I need to study?
- Week 6: take a full-length timed practice test, review every question you missed, and practice with the on-screen calculator and the flag feature so nothing is new on test day. Getting started with the Online Practice Tests
Have less than six weeks?
- 3–4 weeks: take a practice test in the first two days and study only the areas where you scored lowest. Skip what you already know.
- 1–2 weeks: focus on practice tests and the review they generate, not on reading everything. Get comfortable with the timing, the calculator, and the question formats.
- Retaking the exam? Your score report shows exactly which topics to review. How to improve your TEAS score
Study tools: SmartPrep, the Online Practice Tests, the Study Guide, and the TEAS app are built to the exam blueprint. See How do I prepare for the ATI TEAS? for what each one does, and atitesting.com/teas-prep for current options.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a week should I study?
That depends on your baseline score and schedule. Most students do well with regular, shorter sessions spread across the week rather than a few long ones; a practice test will tell you where the hours are needed.
How long is the exam itself?
170 questions in 209 minutes, timed by section, with a 10-minute break after math. TEAS sections and timing
Should I register before I finish studying?
Check your school’s deadline first, then pick a date that gives you the study time you need. Exams scheduled on atitesting.com can be rescheduled for a fee up to 48 hours before, but there are no refunds.