The TEAS 6 Science section is one of the most challenging and consequential parts of the Test of Essential Academic Skills. Comprising 53 scored questions completed in just 63 minutes, this section evaluates your readiness for the rigorous science curriculum you will encounter in nursing and allied health programs. It covers four major content areas: Human Body Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. Nursing school admissions offices rely heavily on your TEAS science score to determine whether you have the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in courses like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. A strong science score signals academic readiness and significantly improves your chances of acceptance into competitive programs. Whether you are taking the TEAS for the first time or retesting to improve your composite, a targeted study plan focused on the highest-yield science topics is essential for success.
The TEAS 6 Science section consists of 53 scored questions plus 7 unscored pretest items, for a total of 60 questions delivered in 63 minutes. This gives you approximately one minute per question, making time management a critical skill alongside content knowledge. The section is administered as part of the full TEAS examination, which also includes Reading, Mathematics, and English and Language Usage.
Science is weighted heavily in the overall TEAS composite score and is often the section where test-takers lose the most points. Unlike Reading or English, science requires active memorization of anatomical structures, physiological processes, chemical principles, and biological concepts. You cannot rely on reading comprehension skills alone — you must know the material.
ATI, the company that develops the TEAS, designed the Science section to reflect the prerequisite knowledge expected of incoming nursing and allied health students. Programs use your science subscore to predict performance in rigorous courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, and Chemistry. A score below 60% on the science section is often a red flag for admissions committees, while scores above 75% are considered competitive at most programs.
The TEAS 6 Science section is divided into four content areas, each weighted differently based on its relevance to health science education:
Human Body Science (32%) — Approximately 17 questions focus on the structure and function of the human body. This is the single largest content area and the one most directly tied to nursing coursework. Topics include all major organ systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary, immune, and lymphatic. You are expected to understand both anatomy (structure) and physiology (function), as well as how systems interact. Questions frequently involve identifying structures by name, understanding how hormones regulate body processes, and tracing pathways such as blood flow through the heart or nerve signal transmission.
Life Science (24%) — Approximately 13 questions cover biological concepts at the cellular and molecular level. Key topics include cell structure and organelle function, the cell cycle and mitosis/meiosis, genetics and heredity (Punnett squares, dominant/recessive traits, chromosomal disorders), DNA structure and protein synthesis, evolution and natural selection, and ecosystems and ecological relationships. Life Science questions often require applying conceptual understanding rather than simple recall, making this a section where strong critical thinking can pay dividends.
Physical Science (24%) — Approximately 13 questions address foundational chemistry and physics. Chemistry topics include atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons), the periodic table, chemical bonding, types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement), acids and bases, and solutions. Physics topics may include motion, force, energy, waves, and basic electricity. Many test-takers find chemistry to be the most unfamiliar content area, particularly those who have not taken a chemistry course recently. Focused review of atomic structure and reaction types will yield the most improvement in the shortest time.
Earth and Space Science (20%) — Approximately 11 questions cover topics such as the layers of the Earth, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, weather patterns and the atmosphere, the water cycle, the solar system, and basic astronomy. While this content area has the lowest weight, it is also frequently the least reviewed, meaning that targeted preparation can recover points that many test-takers leave on the table.
What Separates Top Scorers
Students who score above 80% on TEAS 6 Science share several characteristics. First, they prioritize Human Body Science above all other sections because it represents the largest share of questions and is the most directly applicable to nursing school. Second, they use active recall strategies — flashcards, practice questions, and self-testing — rather than passive re-reading. Third, they practice under timed conditions so that the 63-minute limit does not create anxiety on test day. Fourth, they do not skip Physical Science and Earth Science, recognizing that these sections offer easier point gains for students willing to do focused review. Finally, top scorers take multiple full-length practice tests to identify weak areas and track improvement over time.
Focus your study time on these most-tested topics to maximize your TEAS 6 Science score:
The TEAS composite score is calculated as the average of your four section scores: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. Because Science is one of four equally weighted sections, a strong science score can meaningfully lift your composite. For example, raising your science score from 60% to 78% while maintaining your other scores would increase your composite by approximately 4.5 percentage points — enough to cross the admissions threshold at many programs.
Conversely, a low science score can drag down an otherwise strong composite. Many nursing programs set minimum section score requirements in addition to composite minimums. A candidate who scores 85% overall but only 52% in Science may still be disqualified from competitive programs with minimum science score policies.
Score requirements vary widely by institution and program type, but the following benchmarks reflect general trends as of 2026:
Always verify current requirements directly with each program, as these benchmarks shift annually based on applicant pool competitiveness.
ATI released the TEAS 7 (also called ATI TEAS) in 2026, and many programs have transitioned to accepting TEAS 7 scores. However, some programs still accept TEAS 6 scores from recent test dates, and understanding the differences helps you know what to expect.
The most notable Science section changes in TEAS 7 include an increased emphasis on scientific reasoning and data interpretation, a slight reduction in rote anatomical recall in favor of application-based questions, and updated content reflecting current health science curriculum standards. The overall structure — four content areas, timed section — remains similar. If your program accepts either version, check which one ATI currently administers, as TEAS 6 is no longer offered at most testing sites. Most current test-takers sit for TEAS 7.
Use a dedicated anatomy and physiology textbook. Tortora and Derrickson's Principles of Anatomy and Physiology or Marieb's Human Anatomy and Physiology are widely used in nursing prerequisite courses and cover all Human Body Science content at the right depth. You do not need to read these cover to cover — target the organ system chapters most represented on the exam.
Leverage Khan Academy for free science review. Khan Academy offers free, high-quality video lessons on biology, chemistry, and physics. The Biology section covers cell biology, genetics, and evolution. The Chemistry section covers atomic structure and reactions. These videos are especially valuable for visual learners and for building intuitive understanding of processes rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Take TEAS-specific practice tests early and often. ATI's official practice tests are the gold standard for score prediction and content alignment. Third-party practice tests from reputable sources also provide valuable repetition and help you internalize question formats. Taking your first full-length practice test early — even before you feel ready — gives you a baseline and reveals your weakest content areas so you can prioritize accordingly.
Create a targeted study schedule. A realistic TEAS science preparation timeline is 4-8 weeks of focused study, depending on your existing science background. Allocate more weekly hours to Human Body Science, dedicate at least one full week to chemistry if it has been several years since your last chemistry course, and complete at least two full-length timed practice tests in the final week before your exam.