TEAS Test for Nursing 2026: Scores Programs Require

More than two-thirds of U.S. nursing programs require the TEAS as part of admissions — but there is no universal passing score. Each program sets its own minimum, and how that score is used varies dramatically by program type. This guide covers what the TEAS is and why programs require it, what score you realistically need, how ADN and BSN cutoffs differ, how the TEAS compares to the HESI A2, and what admissions committees actually do with your score once you submit it.

What the TEAS is and why nursing programs require it

The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized admissions assessment published by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), currently in its seventh version — TEAS 7, launched in 2022. It measures foundational academic readiness across four content areas: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage. The exam is 170 questions over about 209 minutes, split 45 Reading, 38 Mathematics, 50 Science, and 37 English & Language Usage. It is not the only nursing entrance exam — the HESI A2 is its main competitor — but the TEAS is dominant, especially among four-year BSN programs and large state universities.

For a head start on the content itself, take a free TEAS practice test and review what is actually on the ATI TEAS test.

Why nursing programs require the TEAS

Nursing admissions are fiercely competitive: the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that thousands of qualified applicants are turned away each year, largely due to limited clinical placements, faculty shortages, and classroom space. When dozens of qualified applicants compete for each seat, committees need a reliable, comparable data point to rank them — and that is where the TEAS fits in.

There is also a documented link between TEAS performance and nursing-school success: a student who struggles with reading comprehension and scientific reasoning on the TEAS is more likely to struggle in a curriculum that demands exactly those skills. And while accreditors like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education do not specifically mandate the TEAS, they expect programs to demonstrate systematic, defensible admissions standards — which a standardized test cleanly provides.

What score do nursing programs actually require?

There is no universal passing score — schools set their own minimums. ATI classifies TEAS scores into four performance bands:

Across real program requirements, the minimum composite is usually between 58% and 75%, with 62–70% the most common floor for competitive admissions. Some competitive BSN programs require 70–80%+, while programs that use the TEAS as a ranking factor rather than a hard cutoff may accept scores as low as 58% from otherwise-strong applicants. Many programs also set section-specific minimums — especially in Science — so a weak science subscore can disqualify you even with an acceptable composite. Check both the composite and section requirements for every program you target.

To be genuinely competitive rather than just eligible, aim above the floor: 70%+ puts you in solid territory for most BSN programs, and 75–80%+ is realistic for highly competitive ones. For a structured path to that score, see our TEAS test prep study plans.

ADN vs. BSN: how TEAS requirements differ by pathway

There are two main RN pathways — an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — and each shapes what score you need and how much weight it carries.

ADN programs

Mostly offered at community colleges, ADN programs tend to use a points-based ranking formula rather than a hard cutoff: your TEAS composite earns points that combine with prerequisite GPA, course grades, and sometimes healthcare experience into a total ranking. Floors usually sit in the Proficient range (~58–70%), but competitive scores run higher in practice because applicants are ranked against each other, not an absolute standard.

BSN programs

Four-year university BSN programs tend to publish explicit minimums and enforce them as hard cutoffs, commonly between 65% and 75%. Washington State University's BSN program requires a minimum of 70%, and Texas Woman's University requires at least 64% in each individual section, not just the composite. At these programs, falling below the stated minimum typically ends the application regardless of other credentials — so clear the threshold and realistically aim for 70–78%+ to be competitive.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs

Designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, ABSN requirements vary — some require the TEAS, many rely instead on your prior academic record. Those that do require it often expect Advanced-range scores, so confirm requirements directly with each program.

TEAS vs. HESI A2: which does your program require?

Many applicants encounter both the TEAS and the HESI A2 on different admissions checklists. They are not interchangeable, and most programs specify which they accept. The key difference is structural: the TEAS is nationally standardized — every test-taker answers the same four sections in the same order (170 questions, ~209 minutes). The HESI A2, published by Elsevier, is modular: each school chooses which of its eight available sections (plus optional personality and learning-style assessments) students complete, so two candidates can sit entirely different content.

Programs built on ATI's curriculum tend to require the TEAS; those integrated with Elsevier's HESI platform often require the HESI A2. You should not prepare for both — most programs accept only one, and splitting focus dilutes your prep. If a program accepts either, choose the one that fits your strengths: the HESI A2 leans more healthcare-specific science (anatomy and physiology, chemistry, sometimes physics), while the TEAS has a broader academic focus. Neither is objectively harder. For more on the alternative, see our guide on what the HESI A2 exam is.

How admissions committees actually use your score

Meeting the minimum gets your application into the review pile; what happens next depends on the model your program uses.

Hard cutoffs vs. competitive ranking

Some programs treat the TEAS as a binary gate: meet the minimum and it plays no further role, miss it and you are out regardless of GPA — common at competitive BSN programs. Many ADN programs instead fold the TEAS into a weighted points formula, where a higher score earns more points and your total ranking determines a seat. There is no clean disqualifying floor in that model — every percentage point matters.

Section-level analysis, especially Science

Sophisticated committees look at section scores, not just the composite, and weight Science heavily on the logic that a candidate who struggles with anatomy and physiology now will struggle with pharmacology and pathophysiology later. Some schools (like Texas Woman's University) make per-section minimums explicit; many others apply them informally — a strong composite built on great reading and math but weak science is a signal worth fixing.

One component of a holistic file

Almost every program is clear the TEAS is not the only factor — your file also includes prerequisite GPA, recommendations, a statement of purpose, healthcare experience, and sometimes interviews. The TEAS establishes a baseline of academic readiness; once you clear the threshold, the rest of your file does its work.

Retake policies and score validity

ATI requires a 14-day wait between retakes at proctored sites, and many programs add stricter limits — commonly one or two attempts per cycle, sometimes a 30-day gap. Some accept your highest score; others require all attempts. Most programs accept scores from the past 2–3 years. Confirm both retake and validity rules before your first attempt.

Practical takeaways for applicants

• Research your specific programs first. Look up the composite minimum, section requirements, score-validity window, and retake policy for every program before you study.

• Know your program type. ADN programs are more flexible in how they use scores; BSN programs have clearer, higher thresholds.

• Don't treat the minimum as the goal. If a program's floor is 62%, aim for 72% — minimums get you past the filter, strong scores make you competitive.

• Confirm TEAS vs. HESI. Don't study for the wrong exam — check each program's admissions page or call the office.

• Give yourself enough time. ATI recommends at least six weeks of dedicated prep; build in more if your science background is rusty.

The bottom line

The TEAS is not just a checkbox — it is the primary standardized signal nursing schools use to judge whether you can handle one of the most demanding healthcare curricula there is. It exists because seats are scarce and programs need a defensible way to rank thousands of applicants from different backgrounds. The best candidates do not just clear the minimum; they understand how the score is used and compete confidently across every part of the file. Knowing what you are walking into is the first advantage — and now you have it.