How the TEAS 7 Is Scored: Composite Score, Sections & Percentiles Explained

You took the TEAS 7 — or you're about to — and the score report looks like a spreadsheet from another dimension. Composite score, adjusted individual scores, national percentile rank, program percentile rank. What does it all mean, and which number actually matters? Here's the complete breakdown.

The 4 Sections and Their Weights

Your TEAS 7 composite score is not a simple average. It's a weighted average, meaning some sections count more than others:

How the Composite Score Is Calculated

Here's the actual formula, simplified:

Example: If you scored Reading 82%, Math 78%, Science 80%, English 82%:

• 82 × 0.311 = 25.50
• 78 × 0.222 = 17.32
• 80 × 0.311 = 24.88
• 82 × 0.156 = 12.79
• Composite = 80.5% (≈ 81%)

Want to run your own numbers? Use our free TEAS 7 Score Calculator →

Scored vs. Unscored Questions

The TEAS 7 has 170 total questions, but only 150 are scored. The remaining 20 are unscored pretest items that ATI uses for future exam development. You can't tell which questions are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts.

The 150 scored questions break down as: Reading (39), Math (36), Science (44), English (33) = 152. The slight discrepancy is because some sources round differently; ATI's official count is based on the specific version of the exam you receive.

Understanding Your Score Report

When you get your results, your ATI score report includes several numbers:

• Composite Score: Your overall weighted percentage — this is the number most schools care about.
• Individual Section Scores: Your percentage for each of the 4 sections.
• National Percentile Rank: How you compare to all TEAS test-takers nationally. A 75th percentile means you scored higher than 75% of everyone.
• Program Percentile Rank: How you compare to other students applying to the same type of program (ADN vs. BSN).
• Content Area Breakdown: Sub-topic performance within each section (e.g., "Anatomy & Physiology" within Science).

Academic Preparedness Levels

ATI categorizes your composite into one of these levels:

What Score Do You Actually Need?

There is no universal "passing" score — each nursing program sets its own cutoff. Here's a general guide:

• ADN (Community College) programs: 55–65% composite
• BSN programs: 65–78% composite
• Competitive/Elite BSN programs: 78%+ composite
• MSN entry programs (e.g., Vanderbilt): 80%+ composite

Pro tip: Aim for 10–15% above your school's stated minimum. Meeting the minimum makes you eligible to apply; exceeding it makes you competitive. Check your school's specific requirements in our Score Requirements Database (60+ schools) →

Frequently Asked Questions