TEAS guide · updated 2026-09-29
TEAS Science: what is tested and where to focus
The TEAS 7 Science section has 50 questions, 44 of them scored, in 60 minutes: Human Anatomy and Physiology 18, Biology 9, Chemistry 8 and Scientific Reasoning 9. At 44 scored questions it is the largest section on the test, about 29% of your score, and anatomy and physiology alone is the biggest single sub-content area.
Science at a glance
| Sub-content area | Scored questions | Share of the Science section |
|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | 18 | 41% |
| Biology | 9 | 20% |
| Chemistry | 8 | 18% |
| Scientific Reasoning | 9 | 20% |
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Expect questions on general anatomical terms (directional terms, body planes and cavities) and the main body systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nervous and muscular, reproductive, integumentary, endocrine, urinary, immune and skeletal. Questions tend to ask about structure and function together, such as the path of blood through the heart or where gas exchange happens.
Study one system at a time: the organs in order, what each one does, and how the system works with others. Drawing the heart, the nephron and the digestive tract from memory is a quick self-test.
Biology and Chemistry
- Biology: cell structure and organelles, the four biological macromolecules, DNA, genes and chromosomes, Mendelian inheritance and Punnett squares, mitosis and meiosis, and microorganisms.
- Chemistry: atomic structure and the periodic table, properties and states of matter, types of chemical bonds, balancing and classifying chemical reactions, acids and bases, and solutions.
- Both are pitched at the level of a high-school or introductory college course. Definitions and relationships matter more than advanced calculations.
Scientific Reasoning
These questions test how science is done rather than facts. You may be asked to choose the right tool or unit for a measurement, identify the independent and dependent variable, pick the control group, judge whether evidence supports a conclusion, or explain why repeated trials make results more reliable. They reward careful reading more than memorization.
A four-week science plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Anatomy terms, cardiovascular and respiratory systems |
| 2 | Nervous, muscular, skeletal, digestive and urinary systems |
| 3 | Endocrine, reproductive, immune and integumentary systems; start Biology |
| 4 | Chemistry and Scientific Reasoning; one full 50-question timed set |
Pacing
You have 60 minutes for 50 questions, 72 seconds each. Most anatomy questions are quick recall, which buys time for reasoning items that include a short experiment description or a data table.
Sample TEAS questions with answers
1. Which sequence correctly describes the path of deoxygenated blood as it travels through the heart on its way to the lungs?
- Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs
- Left atrium → left ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs
- Right ventricle → right atrium → pulmonary vein → lungs
- Left atrium → right atrium → pulmonary artery → lungs
Show answer
A. Right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs Deoxygenated blood returns from the body through the venae cavae into the right atrium, passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, and is pumped through the pulmonary artery to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Option B describes the left-side (oxygenated) circuit except it incorrectly routes it to the pulmonary artery. Option C reverses the chamber order and confuses pulmonary artery with pulmonary vein. Option D skips the ventricle entirely and crosses sides incorrectly.
2. Which part of a neuron is responsible for carrying electrical impulses away from the cell body toward the next neuron or effector organ?
- Dendrite
- Myelin sheath
- Nucleus
- Axon
Show answer
D. Axon The axon conducts action potentials away from the cell body; at its terminal end it releases neurotransmitters across the synapse. Dendrites receive incoming signals and carry them toward the cell body — the opposite direction. The myelin sheath is a lipid insulator that speeds conduction along the axon but does not itself carry the impulse. The nucleus houses the cell's genetic material and plays no direct role in signal transmission.
3. The femur is an example of which bone classification?
- Short bone
- Flat bone
- Long bone
- Irregular bone
Show answer
C. Long bone Long bones have a shaft (diaphysis) that is greater in length than width and epiphyses at each end; the femur is the textbook example and functions in support and movement. Short bones (e.g., carpals) are roughly cube-shaped. Flat bones (e.g., the sternum and skull plates) are thin and primarily protective. Irregular bones (e.g., vertebrae) have complex shapes that do not fit the other categories.
4. Oxygen moves from the alveoli into pulmonary capillary blood primarily because of:
- Active transport powered by ATP in the alveolar epithelium
- Osmosis driven by the high red-blood-cell concentration in the capillaries
- A partial-pressure gradient — oxygen partial pressure is higher in the alveoli than in incoming venous blood
- Ciliary action that sweeps oxygen molecules across the alveolar membrane
Show answer
C. A partial-pressure gradient — oxygen partial pressure is higher in the alveoli than in incoming venous blood Gas exchange at the alveoli occurs by simple diffusion along partial-pressure gradients: alveolar PO₂ (~104 mmHg) exceeds the PO₂ of incoming deoxygenated blood (~40 mmHg), so oxygen diffuses passively into the capillaries. No ATP is required. Osmosis governs water movement, not dissolved gases. Cilia line the conducting airways to clear mucus and do not transport oxygen across the alveolar wall.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hardest part of TEAS science?
For most test takers it is Human Anatomy and Physiology, because it is the largest area (18 scored questions) and covers every major body system.
Is chemistry on the TEAS 7?
Yes. Chemistry is its own sub-content area on TEAS 7 with 8 scored questions.
How many science questions are on the TEAS?
50 in total, 44 scored and 6 unscored, in 60 minutes.
Try the free TEAS practice test
Questions tagged to the official outline, with an explanation for every answer. 15 free a day, no sign-up.
Start freeSources: ATI TEAS exam details · Indian Hills Community College: ATI TEAS 7 fact sheet · ATI TEAS content outline, 2016 edition (TEAS 6). Independent study material. Not affiliated with or endorsed by ATI.