The Complete TEAS 7 Study Guide: What to Focus on First

The ATI TEAS 7 covers four sections — Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage — but studying them equally is a mistake. Our tutors have worked with thousands of students and tracked exactly which topics deliver the biggest score gains per hour of prep time. Here's what you need to know.

Understanding the TEAS 7 Structure

Before you open a single textbook, understand what you're walking into. The TEAS 7 consists of 170 questions (150 scored, 20 unscored pretest items) across four sections:

• Reading — 45 questions, 55 minutes
• Mathematics — 38 questions, 57 minutes
• Science — 50 questions, 60 minutes
• English & Language Usage — 37 questions, 37 minutes

Science has the most questions and is typically where students struggle most. That makes it your highest-priority section unless your diagnostic score tells you otherwise.

Step 1: Take a Diagnostic Test First

Never start studying without a baseline. Take a full-length TEAS practice test under timed conditions before you do anything else. Your results will show you exactly where your weak points are — so you can target your study hours where they matter most instead of reviewing content you already know.

Step 2: Prioritize Science (Especially Human Biology)

The Science section covers life science, physical science, and scientific reasoning — but Human Anatomy & Physiology consistently makes up the largest chunk. Focus here first:

• Cardiovascular system (heart anatomy, blood flow, blood pressure)
• Respiratory system (gas exchange, alveoli, lung volumes)
• Endocrine system (hormones, glands, feedback loops)
• Musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscle types)
• Cell biology (organelles, mitosis, DNA basics)

You don't need to memorize every detail — you need to understand how systems work and interact. Multiple-choice questions test application, not just recall.

Step 3: Mathematics — Don't Ignore Dosage Calculations

The Math section focuses on numbers and algebra, measurement, data interpretation, and — critically for nursing students — dosage calculations. Many students skip dosage calc because it feels unfamiliar, but it's one of the most learnable skills on the exam. A simple ratio-proportion method works for virtually every calculation question.

Key math topics to master:

1. Fractions, decimals, and percentages
2. Ratio and proportion (essential for dosage calc)
3. Basic algebra (solving for x)
4. Converting units (metric and imperial)
5. Reading graphs, tables, and charts

Step 4: Reading — It's a Skills Test, Not a Knowledge Test

Unlike Science, Reading doesn't require memorized content — it tests your ability to analyze passages you've never seen before. The key skills are: identifying main ideas, making inferences, recognizing text structure, and understanding vocabulary in context.

The best practice for Reading is to read actively every day. Articles from scientific or medical sources (like WebMD or NIH) are ideal since they match the passage style on the actual exam.

Step 5: English — Maintain, Don't Over-Invest

English & Language Usage covers grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary. For most native English speakers, this section requires the least prep. A focused 1–2 week review of grammar rules (subject-verb agreement, comma use, pronoun case) is usually sufficient.

Building Your Study Schedule

A realistic 6-week study schedule for a busy student:

• Week 1: Diagnostic test + Science (anatomy fundamentals)
• Week 2: Science (continued) + Math foundations
• Week 3: Math practice + dosage calculations
• Week 4: Reading strategies + English grammar review
• Week 5: Full practice test + weak-area review
• Week 6: Final review + light practice. No cramming 48 hours before.

When to Get a Tutor

Self-study works well if you have time, discipline, and a strong diagnostic baseline. But if your practice scores aren't improving after two weeks of consistent study, or if Science feels like a foreign language, working one-on-one with an expert tutor can cut your prep time significantly. A good tutor identifies your specific gaps and builds a targeted plan — so you're not wasting hours on content you already know.