ATI TEAS 7 content outline, section by section

The four sections

Sections always come in this order, and each one is timed separately. You can move back and forth inside a section, but once you close it you cannot return. A 10-minute break is offered after the Mathematics section.

All 12 sub-content areas

The counts below are scored questions only. The 20 unscored pretest questions are spread across the four sections and look exactly like scored ones.

What each section covers

• Reading: understanding passages of different lengths and formats. Key Ideas and Details is about main idea, supporting details, inferences, sequences and following directions. Craft and Structure is about author purpose and point of view, fact versus opinion, text structure and word meaning in context. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas asks you to evaluate arguments and combine information from more than one source, including charts and graphics.
• Mathematics: general math, not nursing dosage calculation. Numbers and Algebra covers fractions, decimals and percents, operations with rational numbers, equations and inequalities, ratios, proportions, rates and estimation. Measurement and Data covers reading tables, charts and graphs, basic statistics, geometry quantities, and converting within and between metric and US standard units.
• Science: Human Anatomy and Physiology is the biggest single sub-content area on the exam at 18 questions, covering the major body systems. Biology covers cells, macromolecules, DNA and heredity. Chemistry covers atomic structure, properties and states of matter, and chemical reactions. Scientific Reasoning covers measurement tools, experimental design and judging explanations with evidence.
• English and Language Usage: spelling, punctuation and sentence structure (Conventions), grammar for clarity, formal versus informal register and paragraph organization (Knowledge of Language), and working out word meanings from context and word parts (Vocabulary Acquisition).

Question types

Most items are four-option multiple choice, some with charts or graphics. TEAS 7 also includes alternate item types: multiple select ("select all that apply", no partial credit), supply answer (type the answer), hot spot (click the right area of an image) and ordered response (drag options into the correct order).

What changed from TEAS 6

The previous edition of the outline (2016, TEAS 6) also had 170 questions and 209 minutes, but the balance was different. It had 47 scored Reading questions, 32 Math, 47 Science and 24 English, and it lumped biology and chemistry into a single "Life and Physical Sciences" area worth 8 questions. TEAS 7 cut Reading, added questions to Math and English, and gave Biology and Chemistry their own sub-content areas.

How to use the outline to plan study

• Science carries the most scored questions (44, about 29%). Anatomy and Physiology alone is 18 of them, so start there if science is a weak area.
• Reading is next (39, 26%) but is the hardest to cram. Daily timed passages help more than rules.
• Math (34) rewards drilling percent, ratio and unit-conversion word problems until they are routine.
• English (33) has the tightest clock: 37 minutes for 37 questions.
• Your score report breaks results down by sub-content area, so practice that reports the same breakdown shows you exactly what to fix.

Frequently asked questions

More TEAS guides

• How many questions are on the TEAS?
• What is a passing score on the TEAS?
• TEAS Reading: what is on it and how to prepare
• TEAS Math: topics, formulas and sample questions
• TEAS Science: what is tested and where to focus
• TEAS English and Language Usage: what to review
• TEAS study time, cost and retakes