What TEAS 7 Score Do Nursing Schools Require?
By Dr. Priya Sharma, Pharm.D. · Updated April 2, 2026
Most BSN nursing programs require a baseline composite score of 70%, but competitive programs prefer an 80% or higher. Your Advanced or Exemplary score significantly boosts your admission odds.
Your TEAS 7 score is one of the most important numbers in your nursing school application. But what score do you actually need? The answer depends on the program — and understanding how scoring works can help you set the right goal and study strategically.
How TEAS 7 Scoring Works
The ATI TEAS 7 produces a composite score from 0% to 100% based on your performance across four sections, each weighted differently:
- Reading: 31.1% of composite (39 scored questions)
- Math: 22.2% of composite (34 scored questions)
- Science: 31.1% of composite (44 scored questions)
- English & Language Usage: 15.6% of composite (33 scored questions)
Your score report also includes individual section scores and a national percentile rank showing how you compare to other test-takers.
What Score Do Most Nursing Schools Require?
There is no universal minimum — each program sets its own cutoff. Here are the general ranges:
| Program Type | Typical Minimum | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Community College ADN | 58–65% | 72%+ |
| University BSN | 62–75% | 78%+ |
| Accelerated BSN (ABSN) | 70–80% | 82%+ |
| Highly Competitive Programs | 75–80% | 85%+ |
ATI's Proficiency Categories
ATI groups scores into four proficiency levels:
- Developmental (below 41.3%): Significant gaps in foundational knowledge
- Basic (41.3%–58.0%): Understands some content but needs improvement
- Proficient (58.7%–77.3%): Solid understanding — meets most program minimums
- Advanced (77.3%–100%): Strong command — highly competitive applicant
Most nursing programs want you in the Proficient range at minimum. Competitive programs expect Advanced.
How to Find Your School's Specific Requirement
- Check the admissions page of every nursing program you're interested in.
- Search for "TEAS" on the page — the requirement is often listed in the prerequisites section.
- Call or email admissions if you can't find it — ask about the composite minimum and any per-section minimums.
- Ask about score validity — most programs accept TEAS scores for 2–3 years.
What If Your Score Isn't High Enough?
If your score falls below your target school's cutoff, you have options:
- Retake the exam. ATI allows retakes with a 30-day waiting period between attempts. Many students improve 10–15 points on their second attempt with focused study.
- Work with a tutor. A personalized TEAS prep plan targets your weakest sections instead of wasting time on content you already know.
- Apply to programs with lower minimums while you study for a retake at your dream school.
🪑 From the Tutor's Desk
A student named Marcus came to me devastated — he'd scored a 72% on the TEAS, which he thought was a great score. It was, for most ADN programs. But his dream school, a competitive BSN program in Houston, required an 80% minimum. He'd spent 6 weeks studying toward "passing" without ever checking his specific program's cutoff. We rebuilt his study plan targeting the 80% threshold, focusing heavily on the Science section where he'd scored 58%. Three months later, he retook it and scored 84%. The lesson: before you study a single flashcard, look up your exact school's requirement. That number determines everything about your study plan.
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