What is a passing score on the TEAS exam? For most nursing programs, a composite score between 58% and 78% clears the bar, though the exact cutoff shifts from school to school. You are not just chasing a grade — you are proving you can think clearly under pressure, the same way you will on the floor.
Understanding TEAS Exam Scoring
Why Nursing Students Ask What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam
Every application cycle, students refresh their score reports and wonder if the number in front of them is good enough. The honest answer is that “good enough” depends entirely on your target program, not on a single national standard. Once you understand how scoring actually works, that anxiety turns into a plan.
- The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), published by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), measures readiness in four core areas
- Your score determines competitiveness, not just eligibility, at most nursing programs
- Program directors compare your composite score against a ranked applicant pool, not a fixed pass/fail line
Framed this way, a passing score on the TEAS exam is less a single number and more a moving target tied to your chosen program. If you’re brand new to the exam, SimpleNursing’s nursing student guide to the TEAS exam offers a quick visual walkthrough that pairs well with the section-by-section breakdown below.
Quick Overview of TEAS Score Ranges
ATI groups performance into bands so students can see where they stand at a glance. These bands help you interpret your composite score on what is a passing score on the TEAS exam scale before you even contact your school.
- Below Average: under 58.0%
- Average: 58.7% to 77.3%
- Good: 78.0% to 90.0%
- Excellent: 90.7% and above
What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam?
Most nursing programs set their minimum somewhere in the “Average” to “Good” range, and a handful of competitive schools require “Excellent” scores. Knowing where your program falls before test day changes how you study. Let’s look at the two benchmarks that matter most.
National Average TEAS Score
The national mean composite score sits around 70%, according to ATI’s published data pools. This number gives you a useful reference point, but it is not your target — your target is whatever your specific program requires.
- Use the national average as a baseline, not a finish line
- Compare your practice test scores against this figure to gauge readiness
- Remember that averages shift slightly year over year as ATI updates its data
A passing score on the TEAS exam that sits right at the national average may still fall short of a competitive program’s actual cutoff.
ATI’s Minimum Passing Score Standard
ATI itself does not enforce a universal passing score; it simply reports your percentage and percentile rank. Each nursing program then applies its own minimum, which is why two students with identical scores can have very different outcomes. This is exactly the kind of detail that student research into individual program requirements uncovers early.
- ATI provides the raw data; your program sets the pass/fail line
- Some schools require a minimum in every section, not just the composite
- Waitlist and alternate-list decisions often hinge on section-level performance
That distinction is exactly why the question of a passing score on the TEAS exam has no single, universal answer.
TEAS Exam Score Breakdown by Section
Your composite score is really four scores working together, and a weak section can drag down an otherwise strong result. Programs increasingly look at section scores individually, especially Science and Math. In other words, a passing score on the TEAS exam is only as strong as its weakest section.
Reading Section Passing Score
The Reading section tests how well you pull key information from clinical-style passages under time pressure. Most competitive programs expect 72% or higher here, since reading comprehension predicts how well you will follow physician orders and chart notes. A weak Reading score can quietly pull down your overall passing score on the TEAS exam even when your math and science are strong.
- Key information and details
- Craft and structure of a passage
- Integration of knowledge and ideas across multiple texts
Math Section Passing Score
Math questions cover dosage calculations, ratios, and metric conversions — skills you will use during every medication pass. A score below 65% here often flags a gap that dosage-calculation coursework will later expose. Many advisors treat Math as the single most predictive section of a passing score on the TEAS exam for BSN-track applicants.
- Numbers and algebra
- Measurement and data, including unit conversions
- Word problems involving real clinical scenarios
Science Section Passing Score
Science is the largest and most heavily weighted section, covering anatomy, physiology, and biology basics. Many BSN programs set their highest individual minimum here, often 70% or above, because it predicts success in pathophysiology courses. If you are only going to focus your review on one area to protect your passing score on the TEAS exam, admissions counselors consistently point to Science first.
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Basic biology and chemistry principles
- Scientific reasoning and the ability to interpret data
If chemistry concepts feel shaky, working through a dedicated chemistry guide for nursing students before test day can shore up the exact content this section tests.
English and Language Usage Passing Score
This section checks grammar, vocabulary, and spelling — the mechanics behind clear, safe documentation. A nurse who cannot document accurately creates real risk, which is why even a “smaller” section carries weight. Do not treat English as an afterthought when calculating your likely passing score on the TEAS exam.
- Conventions of standard English
- Knowledge of language and word choice
- Vocabulary acquisition, including medical terminology
Why Knowing What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam Matters for Nursing Admissions
Admissions committees do not just check a box next to your score; they rank you against every other applicant that cycle. Understanding what is a passing score on the TEAS exam for your specific program lets you set a realistic, motivating target instead of guessing. That clarity changes how you allocate your study hours.
Program-Specific Score Requirements
Community college ADN programs often accept composite scores in the mid-60s, while competitive BSN and accelerated programs frequently require 80% or higher. Always check your program’s published bulletin rather than relying on a friend’s experience. Requirements can change every admissions cycle.
- Call or email the admissions office directly for current cutoffs
- Check whether section minimums apply in addition to the composite
- Confirm how long your score remains valid for that program
Two applicants can hit the exact same passing score on the TEAS exam and land in very different places on an admissions list, simply because their target programs weigh sections differently.Transfer applicants should pay especially close attention here, since many nursing schools that accept transfer students set noticeably higher TEAS cutoffs for their transfer cohorts than for first-time applicants.
Competitive Admissions and Rising Score Expectations
As more applicants compete for limited nursing seats, average accepted scores continue to climb year after year. A score that would have secured a seat five years ago may now land you on a waitlist. Building a cushion above the stated minimum protects you against this trend.
- Nursing school applications have risen faster than available seats in many regions
- Programs increasingly use TEAS scores to rank, not just filter, candidates
- A buffer of 5–10 points above the minimum improves your competitive standing
17 Key Facts You Should Know About TEAS Passing Scores
These facts pull together everything nursing hopefuls need before test day, organized so you can scan them quickly. Bookmark this section and revisit it as your test date approaches. Each one chips away at the confusion around what really counts as a passing score on the TEAS exam.
Facts #1–#9: TEAS Scoring Basics
- #1 — TEAS scores are reported as percentages, not raw point totals
- #2 — ATI sets no universal “fail” score; each institution decides its own cutoff
- #3 — Every nursing school sets its own minimum passing score
- #4 — Your composite score usually carries the most weight in admissions decisions
- #5 — Section scores can outweigh the composite at programs with strict minimums
- #6 — Most TEAS scores stay valid for one to two years, depending on the program
- #7 — Adjusted individual scores account for item difficulty and differ slightly from raw percentages
- #8 — You typically receive your unofficial score report immediately after testing
- #9 — Your percentile ranking shows how you compare to other test-takers nationally
Facts #10–#17: Retakes and Score Improvement
- #10 — Most nursing programs allow at least one retake
- #11 — Retake waiting periods commonly run 30 to 90 days, set by ATI policy
- #12 — Programs typically use your highest composite score on file
- #13 — Structured prep courses can raise scores by a full performance band
- #14 — Full-length practice tests are the strongest predictor of real test-day performance
- #15 — Targeting your weakest section first yields the fastest score gains
- #16 — ATI can send official score reports to multiple programs at once
- #17 — A consistent, spaced study schedule outperforms last-minute cramming every time
How to Find Your Program’s Required TEAS Passing Score
Never assume your program follows the national average — go straight to the source. A few minutes of research now can save you weeks of misdirected studying later, since your true passing score on the TEAS exam lives in your program’s own bulletin, not in a general blog post.
How to Find Out What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam for Your Specific Program
Start with your nursing program’s official admissions page, since most schools publish their minimum score requirements there. If the page is unclear, treat this as a research task, not a guess.
- Search the program’s admissions or prerequisites page for “TEAS minimum score”
- Look for separate composite and section-level requirements
- Save or screenshot the page, since requirements can change between cycles
Contacting Admissions Offices Directly
When published information is vague, a short phone call or email resolves the uncertainty fast. Good student research at this stage means asking specific questions instead of general ones, since an admissions counselor can tell you your program’s real passing score on the TEAS exam in under five minutes.
- Ask whether the composite score or section scores matter more for ranking
- Ask how long your TEAS score remains valid at that institution
- Ask whether a retake will replace or average with your previous score
Common Misconceptions About What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam
A few persistent myths cause otherwise well-prepared students to misjudge their readiness. Clearing these up now prevents wasted stress later.
Myths That Confuse Test-Takers
Myth: What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam Is the Same Everywhere
It is not. The number varies by program and sometimes even by admissions cohort within the same school.
- Myth: One low section score automatically disqualifies you — many programs weigh the composite more heavily
- Myth: A single retake guarantees a higher score — improvement requires targeted study, not just a second attempt
- Myth: The TEAS measures intelligence — it actually measures academic readiness in four specific, learnable skill areas
Conclusion and Next Steps
Final Thoughts on What Is a Passing Score on the TEAS Exam
So, what is a passing score on the TEAS exam, in one sentence? It is whatever score range your target nursing program has published as its minimum — typically between 58% and 90%, summarized across four sections plus your section-level score breakdowns, so you can build a study plan that closes the exact gaps between your practice scores and that number. Do your student research early, confirm your program’s real cutoff, and study toward that specific target instead of a national average.
Carrying a clear answer to the passing score on the TEAS exam question into test day removes one more source of stress from an already demanding process.
- Confirm your program’s exact minimum composite and section scores
- Take a full-length practice test to identify your weakest area
- Build a study schedule that targets Science and Math first, since they carry the most weight
- Retake with confidence if needed — most programs accept your highest score
You already know more about TEAS scoring than most applicants who walk into the testing center. Use that edge.
