TEAS Advisement

The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is used for pre-admission screening and intervention in the School of Nursing. The computerized test assesses Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage.

A Key Step in Admissions

The Admissions Process includes the TEAS because over years of past student cohorts, TEAS scores have been a reliable predictor of success in the Nursing program. 

Accepted TEAS Results

You must take the most recent available version of the TEAS test (Version 7). There are three types of results you may submit:

  • Results from the TEAS test taken by invitation at MPC, or
  • Results from the TEAS test taken elsewhere. If you have re-taken the test, a year must have elapsed since your prior attempt; or
  • Results from your first TEAS re-take attempt after completing a remediation plan approved by the School of Nursing Director

Where the TEAS Fits In

The TEAS score is factored into the admissions process differently depending on which phase of the admissions process you qualify for.

TEAS Basics

The TEAS is required for enrollment.

The minimum passing TEAS score for admission is 62. 

For more info and practice tests are available via ATI Testing.

For more on the admissions process, visit the RN Program page.

Phase I Admissions

Applicants scoring in the top 40% in Phase I of the admissions process will be invited to take the TEAS at no cost at MPC.  They may also take the test independently and  submit their own results.

The points awarded based on their TEAS results will be added to their Phase I score to achieve a final admissions score. Those with a final score in the top 40% of applicants will be offered admission.

Phase II Admissions

If you aren’t selected in Phase I, you can take the TEAS independently at a public testing site and submit your scores to MPC.

All applicants with passing TEAS scores will be eligible to fill remaining spots in the program after the Phase I acceptances are awarded.

TEAS FAQs for School of Nursing Applicants at MPC

No. Applicants are not required to submit a TEAS result prior to application. 
If you take the ATI TEAS at another location, you must submit official results by using the ATI Testing online store and requesting that ATI TEAS results be sent to MPC. There is a fee for this service.

You will be asked to create an account at www.atitesting.com to get a username and password. Do not register for a specific test. You must have a username and password prior to the date you will be taking the test. 

Instructions will be included in your Phase 1 notification letter with contact information for our Instructional Technology Specialist.  You will make a reservation to take the TEAS test on the designated dates available for that year. You will receive detailed test day instructions by email once you have scheduled your test.

You will need to bring your photo ID on the day of your test. Textbooks and electronic devices are not permitted during the exam, but a calculator if desired will be provided for you. 

The test takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete. 

All applicants should thoroughly prepare for this proctored examination, as first-time success also predicts success early in the nursing program and increases the overall multi-criterion score. Unprepared applicants have a significant chance of not scoring well on the first attempt!

Below is a partial list of resources available for ATI TEAS preparation: 

The MCCSN faculty does not endorse any particular study guide or method. 

  • Online TEAS practice tests, workbooks, study guide and SmartPrep study package for purchase on the ATI website: ATI TEAS Exam
  • Monterey and other county public libraries may have TEAS study guides available for checkout for those with library cards in that county.
  • The Nursing Program Readiness course (NURS 150) offered at MPC provides basic TEAS preparedness and other success strategies. The course introduces the ATI Success Package.
  • Free online academics review resources:
  • Math and Science Review:  Khan Academy, Study.com
  • Grammar - Towson Writing Support  
  • Tyler Dewitt Chemistry Videos
  • Keshwani Prep TEAS - YouTube Videos Reviewing  the Math Section in the ATI Practice Book
  • You Tube - variety of resources, search “TEAS”
  • Online & App TEAS practice resources:  
  • Mometrix Video Tutorials
  • McGraw Hill Education TEAS Practice Test and Prep App
  • Pocket Prep TEAS for Android devices
  • Trivium ATI TEAS VI Study Guide
  • Live online TEAS 7 test prep tutoring: Instructor Vanessa Mason leads synchronous Zoom sessions for individuals and small groups with materials provided. Contact at vanessa_mason2001@yahoo.com.

Yes. When the school receives the results of any TEAS test it will state “TEST: 1 of 1, or 2 of 2, or 4 of 4”. Any student with a report indicating anything other than “1 of 1” needs to provide evidence of those prior scores, whether it was a passing or substandard score, and whether it was ATI TEAS v.7 or earlier version. 

The first passing result (minimum score 62) of Version 7 is the result used for application scoring. Repeats are accepted only if at least one year has passed from the date of the last exam.

Students who do not achieve the minimum composite score of 62 cannot be admitted to the class and must meet with the Director for an individualized remediation plan. 

Once the plan is complete as determined by the Director, the applicant can re-apply for the next available cohort. The renewed application will be scored again along with all applicants in the subsequent applicant pool. 

Remediation plans are generally designed to be completed in one year, and include one or more of the activities below:

  1. Obtain a ATI TEAS study manual and online practice exams, and/or complete commercial tutorials.
  2. Complete assessment testing for placement into an English, Math, or ESL course. Students may make appointments with college counselors for further advisement regarding appropriate coursework based on testing if necessary.
  3. Self-remediate in science with a TEAS manual and review Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology notes. Possible referral to supportive services on campus to determine if a learning assessment is warranted.
  4. Retake the ATI TEAS and achieve a score of at least 62, when cleared by the Director for re-take, according to the remediation plan. The re-taken TEAS result will be considered only if the applicant scores in the top 40% of the subsequent year’s applicant pool for Phase 1.
  5. If directed by the individual remediation plan, complete NURS 65 (Nursing Role Transition) and NURS 160L (Nursing Role Development Lab) with passing grades the summer prior to entering the program.

Applicants will be re-tested at MPC only if they are completing a remediation plan for a previous substandard score.

Other applicants may choose to re-take the TEAS on their own at a public testing site and, if they achieve a better score, they may submit it with their application, as long as at least one year has elapsed between attempts.