TEAS 7 Select-All-That-Apply (SATA): How to Answer Correctly

Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) questions are one of the trickiest formats on the TEAS 7 — and they appear across all four sections. Unlike regular multiple choice, you must identify every correct option to get full credit. Here's how to approach them strategically.

How SATA Questions Work

A SATA question looks like a standard multiple-choice question, but the instructions tell you to "select all that apply." Instead of picking one correct answer from four options, there may be 2, 3, 4, or even 5 correct answers out of 5–6 options.

The challenge: partial credit is limited or nonexistent. If a question has 3 correct answers and you select only 2, you may receive zero credit. You must identify all correct options and avoid selecting incorrect ones.

Where SATA Questions Appear

• Science: "Which of the following are functions of the respiratory system?" (select all that apply)
• English: "Which sentences contain a grammatical error?" (select all that apply)
• Reading: "Which statements are supported by the passage?" (select all that apply)
• Math: Less common, but may appear in data interpretation questions

6 Proven SATA Strategies

1. Evaluate Each Option Independently

The biggest mistake students make is trying to compare options against each other. Instead, treat each option as a standalone true/false question. Ask yourself: "Is this option correct on its own?" If yes, select it. If no, leave it.

2. Don't Look for Patterns

There is no "trick" number of correct answers. Sometimes 2 options are correct; sometimes 5 are. Don't assume "it's probably 3" or "it can't be all of them." Each question is different.

3. Read Every Option Completely

SATA options often include subtle qualifiers like "always," "never," "only," or "sometimes." An option that seems correct at first glance may be wrong because of one qualifying word. Read each option to the very last word.

4. Eliminate Definitively Wrong Options First

Start by crossing out any options you know are absolutely incorrect. This narrows your focus to the remaining options and reduces cognitive load.

5. When Unsure, Lean Toward Including

If you're genuinely torn on whether an option is correct, the penalty for over-selecting is generally lower than for under-selecting (since you need all correct answers for full credit). When in doubt between including or excluding a borderline option, consider including it.

6. Flag and Return

SATA questions take longer than standard multiple choice. If a SATA question is taking more than 2 minutes, flag it and move on. Come back to it after you've finished the easier questions in the section. Don't let one SATA question eat the time you need for five multiple-choice questions.

Frequently Asked Questions