If you're applying to nursing school, you've probably hit a wall of acronyms: TEAS, NEX, HESI, ATI, NLN. They all sound like nursing entrance exams—and many of them are—but they're not the same test. Applying to the wrong one, or studying for a different test than your program requires, is a mistake that costs time and money.
This article focuses on the TEAS nursing entrance exam: what it is, what it tests, how it compares to the NLN NEX, and how to figure out which one your program actually wants.
TEAS stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills. It's published and administered by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute). Nursing programs use it to assess whether applicants have the academic foundation to succeed in nursing coursework.
The TEAS covers four content areas:
Total: 179 scored questions plus 20 unscored pretest items, 3.5 hours. Scores are reported as a composite percentage and a Composite ATI score used by ATI-affiliated programs.
The current version is TEAS 7, released in 2022. It differs from TEAS 6 primarily in the science section, which was updated to reflect current anatomy and physiology content. If you're using older prep materials, verify they're aligned to TEAS 7.
The NLN NEX (National League for Nursing Nursing Entrance Exam) is a separate test published by the National League for Nursing. Like the TEAS, it assesses academic readiness for nursing school—but it's a different instrument from a different organization, with different content weightings.
The NEX covers composite academic ability (verbal, math, and science), along with a separate critical thinking section that some programs emphasize. The nursing entrance exam landscape is fragmented precisely because no single national standard exists—programs choose based on accreditor relationships, ATI contracts, or institutional preference.
A key distinction: the NLN NEX is strongly associated with programs that use the NLN testing ecosystem across their curriculum. If your program uses NLN resources throughout nursing school—clinical simulations, end-of-program exams—they may require the NEX for admissions alignment. Programs with ATI contracts across the curriculum more commonly require the TEAS.
The two exams have different structures, publishers, and scoring systems. Here's how they compare:
Neither exam is universally harder than the other—they test overlapping academic skills with different emphasis. If you've studied human anatomy and physiology recently, the TEAS science section is approachable. The NEX critical thinking component is more reasoning-oriented and less knowledge-dependent.
This is the most important question—and the answer is program-specific. Don't assume based on what a friend from a different school took. Check directly:
Some programs accept multiple exams (TEAS or HESI, for example). Others require one specific test. A few larger programs with competitive admissions use scores as part of a ranking system—in those cases, how you score against other applicants matters as much as meeting the minimum.
If you're applying to multiple programs, you might need to take more than one exam. That's frustrating, but common. There's no universal nursing school entrance exam in the US.
The TEAS rewards candidates who review the content areas systematically rather than cramming broadly. The science section is the steepest climb for most applicants because it requires genuine anatomy and physiology knowledge, not just reasoning skills.
Here's how to approach prep efficiently:
ATI sells official TEAS practice tests (Exam A and Exam B). These are the most accurate predictor of your actual score because they come from the same publisher and mirror the real exam format. Take one before you start studying to establish a baseline and identify your weakest content areas.
Anatomy and physiology is the single highest-yield content area on the TEAS. It's also the area most applicants underestimate. If you haven't taken A&P recently, budget 30–40% of your total science study time on it specifically. Use a textbook, online modules, or even YouTube channels—but make sure the content matches TEAS 7's coverage.
Reading has 53 scored questions—the same as science. Many applicants focus almost entirely on content knowledge and then get tripped up by reading comprehension questions that require careful passage analysis. Practice with timed reading exercises, especially for making inferences and identifying author's purpose.
The TEAS math section is pre-calculus level—fractions, ratios, percentages, basic algebra, data interpretation. Most candidates with a solid high school math background can perform well with targeted review. The main challenge is avoiding careless errors under time pressure. Use a calculator for the allowed portions (ATI provides an on-screen calculator for part of the section).
What counts as a good TEAS score depends entirely on the programs you're applying to. Minimum scores typically range from around 60% composite (for some community college ADN programs) to 75–80%+ for competitive BSN programs at four-year universities.
Highly competitive BSN programs at research universities often see successful applicants with composites in the mid-80s to low 90s. If you're targeting a competitive program, knowing the average admitted score—not just the minimum—matters.
ATI reports scores in multiple formats: composite percentage, ATI Composite score, and percentile rank. Programs typically specify which format they want and what their minimum is. A 70% composite is roughly equivalent to the 50th percentile; a 78–80% composite is around the 75th percentile.
You may also encounter the Kaplan Nursing Admission Test, which is used by some programs. The Kaplan nursing entrance exam covers reading, math, writing, science, and critical thinking—similar content areas to the TEAS and NEX, but a third distinct instrument. Some programs have institutional relationships with Kaplan that drive their preference.
The same principle applies: check your specific program's requirements. Don't prepare for the Kaplan if your program requires the TEAS, and vice versa.
Most nursing programs require TEAS scores as part of the application, often submitted before a specific deadline. Key timing considerations:
ATI recommends allowing 12–14 weeks between retakes, though individual program policies on retakes vary. Some programs count the most recent score; others use the highest score. Ask your program directly.
If your program requires the NLN NEX rather than the TEAS, the prep approach shifts. The NEX's critical thinking component is less about memorized content and more about reading carefully and applying reasoning. Strong readers who practice inference and argument analysis tend to perform well on it.
The NLN sells official NEX study materials through their website. As with the TEAS, starting with an official practice test to calibrate your baseline is the highest-return first step. For the verbal and science sections, the content review approach is similar to TEAS prep—but don't over-invest in anatomy depth if the NEX science section at your program level doesn't go that far.
The NLN NEX exam is less widely used than the TEAS, which means there's less third-party prep material available. Lean on official NLN resources rather than generic nursing entrance exam books that may be primarily TEAS-focused.