TEAS Science Section 2025 | What to Study and How to Pass

TEAS Science Section 2025 — What to Study and How to Pass

The TEAS science section is widely considered the most challenging part of the ATI TEAS 7 exam. It contains 50 scored questions (plus 6 unscored pretest questions) to be answered in 63 minutes. The science section covers four major content areas: human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning. For most nursing program applicants, anatomy and physiology is the most heavily weighted and the area where solid preparation yields the greatest score gains. This guide covers every TEAS science topic, what percentage of questions each area represents, and the most effective study strategies for 2025.

TEAS Science Section Overview

The ATI TEAS 7 science section tests foundational science knowledge essential for success in health science programs. Unlike a basic biology course exam, TEAS science questions are written at an application level — you need to understand concepts well enough to apply them to healthcare-relevant scenarios.

TEAS 7 Science section format:

Total questions: 56 (50 scored + 6 unscored pretest questions you cannot identify)
Time limit: 63 minutes (~1 minute per question)
Question type: Multiple-choice (4 options), select-all-that-apply, ordered response, graphic response (label diagrams), text with highlighted passage

Content area distribution (approximate, per ATI blueprint):

Anatomy and Physiology: ~32% (~16 questions) — largest content area
Biology: ~32% (~16 questions) — includes cell biology, genetics, microbiology
Chemistry: ~17% (~8–9 questions)
Scientific Reasoning: ~19% (~9–10 questions)

Anatomy and Physiology consistently receives the highest question weight, making it the most important study priority for TEAS science preparation.

TEAS Science Content Areas at a Glance

Anatomy and Physiology — Priority Topics

A&P is the single most important content area for TEAS science. Even if you completed A&P in college, review is essential because TEAS questions test functional understanding, not just anatomical naming.

High-priority A&P topics for TEAS:

Cardiovascular system: Heart chambers and valves, blood flow through the heart, cardiac cycle, coronary circulation, differences between arteries/veins/capillaries, blood pressure regulation, blood components (red cells, white cells, platelets, plasma)
Respiratory system: Breathing mechanics (inhalation/exhalation, diaphragm), gas exchange in alveoli, oxygen-CO2 exchange, respiratory regulation, lung volumes
Nervous system: Neuron structure (axon, dendrite, myelin), action potential, neurotransmitters, central vs peripheral nervous system, autonomic (sympathetic/parasympathetic) functions
Musculoskeletal system: Muscle contraction (sliding filament theory), bone types, joints, skeletal muscle vs smooth vs cardiac muscle
Renal system: Nephron structure and function, filtration/reabsorption/secretion, urine formation, kidney regulation of fluid and electrolytes
Endocrine system: Major hormones and their glands (insulin/pancreas, ADH/pituitary, adrenaline/adrenal), feedback loops
Digestive system: Organs and their functions (stomach, small/large intestine, liver, pancreas), enzyme functions, nutrient absorption
Immune/lymphatic system: Types of immunity (innate vs adaptive), B cells, T cells, antibodies, lymph nodes

Biology — Priority Topics

Cell biology:

Cell membrane structure (phospholipid bilayer, membrane proteins) and transport mechanisms (diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis)
Organelle functions — mitochondria (ATP), ribosomes (protein synthesis), nucleus (DNA), endoplasmic reticulum (rough vs smooth), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes
Cell cycle and mitosis — phases of mitosis (PMAT), purpose of mitosis vs meiosis

Genetics:

DNA structure (double helix, base pairing: A-T, G-C) and replication
Central dogma: DNA → transcription → mRNA → translation → protein
Mendelian genetics — dominant/recessive alleles, Punnett squares, genotype vs phenotype, sex-linked traits
Mutations and their effects on protein function

Evolution and ecology:

Natural selection principles, adaptation
Ecological relationships (predator-prey, symbiosis, commensalism, mutualism, parasitism)

Microbiology:

Bacteria vs viruses (structural differences, replication methods)
Modes of disease transmission, host-pathogen relationships
Basic immunology — how vaccines work, herd immunity

Chemistry and Scientific Reasoning Topics

Chemistry topics on TEAS:

Periodic table basics: Atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons), atomic number, atomic mass, element families (alkali metals, halogens, noble gases), periodic trends
Chemical bonds: Ionic vs covalent bonds, electronegativity, polarity, hydrogen bonds (especially water's properties)
Chemical reactions: Reactants vs products, balancing simple equations, exothermic vs endothermic reactions, catalysts
Acids and bases: pH scale (0–14), acids (pH < 7), bases (pH > 7), neutral (pH 7), buffers in the body
Biochemistry: Four major macromolecules — carbohydrates (energy, glycogen), lipids (cell membranes, hormones, stored energy), proteins (enzymes, antibodies, structural), nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). Know the monomers of each.
Enzymes: How enzymes work (active site, substrate, lock-and-key model), factors affecting enzyme activity (temperature, pH)

Scientific reasoning topics:

Scientific method: Hypothesis, independent/dependent/controlled variables, controlled experiment design
Data interpretation: Reading bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, data tables — identifying trends, making predictions from data
Research design: Experimental vs control groups, sample size, blinding, validity and reliability
Conclusions: Distinguishing supported vs unsupported conclusions from given data, correlation vs causation

TEAS Science Questions and Answers

How many science questions are on the TEAS?

The TEAS 7 science section has 56 total questions — 50 scored and 6 unscored pretest questions that you cannot identify. You have 63 minutes to complete the section. The content is divided into anatomy and physiology (~32%), biology (~32%), chemistry (~17%), and scientific reasoning (~19%).

What is a good TEAS science score?

A good TEAS science score depends on the nursing program you're applying to. Competitive nursing programs typically want a science sub-score of 65%+ (proficient range), with selective programs preferring 75%+ (advanced range). The national mean TEAS science score is approximately 58–62%, so scoring above 65% puts you above average. The highest-ranked programs may expect 80%+ on the science section. Check the specific score requirements for your target programs.

Is chemistry hard on the TEAS?

TEAS chemistry is not as complex as a college chemistry course — it tests foundational concepts like the pH scale, acid/base properties, chemical bonds, and biochemistry (macromolecules and enzyme function). Students who have taken any high school or college chemistry course and review these fundamentals typically find the TEAS chemistry questions manageable. The most commonly missed questions involve enzyme activity, macromolecule structure, and interpreting chemical reactions.

How long should I study for the TEAS science section?

Students with recent A&P and biology coursework typically need 3–4 weeks of focused TEAS science review. Students who haven't taken science courses recently, or who struggled with A&P, should plan 6–8 weeks. Prioritize anatomy and physiology first (highest weight), then biology, then scientific reasoning, then chemistry. Use ATI's official practice tests to assess your baseline score and identify which specific topics need the most review time.

TEAS Science Practice Test — Start Free

TEAS Practice Test

TEAS Practice Test