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

Q: The 4 Sections and Their Weights?

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

Q: Scored vs. Unscored Questions?

The TEAS 7 has170 total questions, but only150 are scored. The remaining 20 are unscored pretest items that ATI uses for future exam development. You can't tell which questions are unscored, sotreat every question as if it counts.

By Sarah Mitchell, M.S.N. · Updated April 11, 2026

Student reviewing TEAS 7 score report on computer

How is the ATI TEAS 7 scored?

The TEAS uses equated scoring, meaning questions are weighted based on difficulty. There is absolutely no partial credit for alternate item types like SATA questions. A missing checkbox results in zero points.

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:

📋 From the Tutor's Desk:

Stop obsessing over the fact that some TEAS questions are "unscored" pre-test items. I had a student practically have a panic attack mid-exam because she encountered a brutally hard Chemistry question and spent 4 minutes trying to solve it, hoping it was important. Treat every question as if it counts, but if a question takes longer than 90 seconds to solve, flag it and move on. Don't let an unscored question ruin your pacing.

💡 Tutor’s Tip: The composite score is a weighted average, not a simple average. Science and Reading are weighted at 31% each, Math at 22%, and English at 16%. This means a 5-point improvement in Science is worth more than a 5-point improvement in English.

Section	Scored Questions	Time Limit	Weight
📖 Reading	39	55 min	31.1%
🔢 Mathematics	36	57 min	22.2%
🔬 Science	44	60 min	31.1%
✏️ English & Language Usage	33	37 min	15.6%

Key takeaway: Reading and Science are tied at 31.1% each — together they make up 62.2% of your composite. If you’re picking where to spend your limited study time, these two sections are where the points live. Our TEAS 7 study guide shows you how to allocate your prep time accordingly.

How the Composite Score Is Calculated

Here's the actual formula, simplified:

Composite = (Reading% × 0.311) + (Math% × 0.222) + (Science% × 0.311) + (English% × 0.156)

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:

Level	Score Range	What It Means
Developmental	Below 41%	Significant gaps in foundational knowledge
Basic	41–58%	Needs additional preparation before nursing courses
Proficient	59–77%	Adequately prepared for nursing program coursework
Advanced	78–89%	Well-prepared; strong candidate
Exemplary	90–100%	Exceptionally prepared

What Score Do You Actually Need?

There is no universal "passing" score — each nursing program sets its own cutoff. For a school-by-school breakdown, see our TEAS 7 score requirements guide. Here’s a general guide:

💡 Tutor’s Tip: Your individual section scores matter more than your composite at most schools. I've seen students get rejected with a 74% composite because their Math was 58%. If a school requires 65% per section, one bad section disqualifies you.

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. Learn how to hit your target on the first attempt with our guide on how to pass the TEAS 7 on your first try. Check your school’s specific requirements in our Score Requirements Database (60+ schools) →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is the TEAS 7 composite score calculated?

The composite score is a weighted average of your four section percentages. Reading contributes 31.1%, Math 22.2%, Science 31.1%, and English 15.6%. Your raw score in each section is converted to a percentage, then multiplied by that section's weight.

What is a good TEAS 7 percentile rank?

A percentile rank of 70+ means you scored better than 70% of all test-takers. Competitive BSN programs typically look for 75–90+. The national mean composite is approximately 65%.

Do unscored questions affect my TEAS score?

No. 20 of the 170 questions are unscored pretest items. Only 150 count toward your score. You can't tell which are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts.

Can individual section scores matter more than the composite?

Yes. Some nursing programs require minimum scores in specific sections (often Science and Math) in addition to a composite minimum. Always check your target school's requirements.