TEAS 7 vs TEAS 6: What Changed & How to Adjust Your Study Plan

ATI replaced the TEAS 6 with the TEAS 7 in June 2022. If you're using old study materials or heard advice from someone who took the TEAS 6, here's everything that changed and what it means for your preparation.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Biggest Change: New Question Types

The TEAS 6 was 100% multiple choice. The TEAS 7 introduces four new question formats that test applied knowledge rather than simple recall. For a detailed breakdown of how each one works, check out our guide to the TEAS 7 new question types. The new formats include:

• Multi-select (Select All That Apply): Instead of choosing one answer, you must select every correct option from a list. Partial credit may or may not be given depending on the question. These are significantly harder because you must evaluate each option independently. Learn how to conquer this format with our dedicated guide on TEAS 7 SATA questions.
• Drag-and-drop / Ordering: You arrange items in the correct sequence — common in Science (steps of mitosis, scientific method) and English (sentence ordering). Practice identifying logical sequences in your study materials.
• Hot spot: You click on a specific area of an image or diagram to answer the question. Common in Science (identify the anatomy structure) and Reading (point to the relevant data on a graph).
• Fill-in-the-blank (constructed response): You type a numerical answer rather than selecting from choices. Primarily appears in Math. No answer choices means no process of elimination — you must calculate correctly.

Section-by-Section Changes

Reading: Bigger Role, More Analysis

Reading jumped from 24% to 31.1% — the most significant weight change. The TEAS 7 Reading section places more emphasis on analyzing multiple texts simultaneously and interpreting complex informational graphics. If Reading was a "skip and hope" section before, it's now critical. Read our TEAS 7 Reading strategies guide for detailed preparation.

Math: Mostly the Same

The Math section barely changed in weight (22% → 21.4%). Content is virtually identical: arithmetic, algebra, data interpretation, and measurement. The main difference is the addition of fill-in-the-blank questions where you must calculate the exact answer without multiple-choice options to guide you. Brush up on your TEAS Math formulas.

Science: Same Weight, Deeper Application

Science remains the heaviest section at 31.1%. The content is similar, but the TEAS 7 asks more application and analysis questions and fewer pure recall questions. You'll need to apply scientific concepts to scenarios rather than just defining them. Focus heavily on anatomy & physiology and the scientific method.

English: Reduced Importance

English dropped dramatically from 24% to 16.4%. While this means English errors hurt your score less, you should still master the 10 most-tested grammar rules. The content is largely unchanged — grammar, punctuation, word roots, and sentence structure. The sub-category "Vocabulary Acquisition" was renamed to "Using Language and Vocabulary to Evaluate Effectiveness" but tests similar skills.

What Was Removed from the TEAS 6

Several topics that appeared on the TEAS 6 are no longer tested — or are tested far less frequently — on the TEAS 7:

• Earth and Physical Science — greatly reduced. The TEAS 7 focuses much more heavily on life science and human anatomy.
• Standalone vocabulary definitions — the TEAS 7 tests vocabulary in context rather than asking you to define isolated words.
• Simple recall questions — replaced with application and analysis questions that require you to apply knowledge to scenarios.

How to Adjust Your Study Plan

If you've been studying with TEAS 6 materials or advice, here's how to recalibrate:

1. Increase Reading study time. Many students who passed the TEAS 6 without practicing Reading now struggle with the TEAS 7. Dedicate at least 25% of your study time to Reading strategies and timed practice passages.
2. Decrease English time slightly. Since English dropped to 16.4%, don't over-invest here. A few days of grammar review is sufficient for most students.
3. Practice new question formats. Take at least one TEAS 7-specific practice test to encounter multi-select, drag-and-drop, and hot-spot questions. These feel unfamiliar at first but become manageable with practice.
4. Focus Science study on human body systems. Physical and Earth science were de-emphasized. Anatomy, physiology, and biology now dominate the Science section.
5. Practice solving Math problems without answer choices. Since fill-in-the-blank questions exist, you need to be confident in your calculations without the safety net of process of elimination.

TEAS 6 Study Materials: Still Useful?

Yes — with caveats. TEAS 6 books and flashcards cover 90%+ of the same content. They're fine for concept review. However, you absolutely need TEAS 7-specific practice tests to experience the new question formats and updated section timing. ATI's official TEAS 7 practice exams are the gold standard, and our free TEAS practice quiz is modeled on the TEAS 7 format.

The 60-Day Retake Policy

One of the most impactful changes: the mandatory waiting period between attempts doubled from 30 days on the TEAS 6 to 60 days on the TEAS 7. This means failing and retaking is now a 2-month setback — which could delay your nursing school application by an entire semester. The stakes are higher on your first attempt. To avoid this setback, read our blueprint on how to pass the TEAS 7 on your first try, or consider working with a TEAS tutor to maximize your score the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions