The last ‘to do’ list item for my nursing school application was the TEAS Test. At my school your score is not a factor as long as you ‘pass’ the test with a score above the national average (which hovers around 65%). Given that a score of 67% and 97% would have the same impact on my application, I figured my time was not best spent studying any more than absolutely necessary. And so I began studying for the test the evening prior to taking it. I used this TEAS book (which I recommend buying used and then selling on amazon used so it will cost you about $10-15 when all is said and done).
As I began reading it I had one very big thought: “oh darn–I should have taken this in the fall–I used to know this stuff.” I would highly recommend taking it right after taking your chemistry/biology pre-reqs. The science content will then be freshly in your mind.
I let the online comments psych me out a little bit, but I took the test with my three hours of prep and came out with a score of 94% in the 99th percentile. Ironically my lowest score was in the English section (this is ironic because I have an English degree). Stupid writing classes teaching you to break all the style “rules.” (note that prior sentence is not an actual sentence.)
So, moral of the story: the TEAS test is actually kind of easy, especially if you have good multiple choice test techniques. Luckily for me, this is the kind of thing they teach you if you attend high school in England. That and how to drink your weight in alcohol and then pour a cup of tea without spilling. Here is my fool proof method for not sucking at multiple choice question tests:
a) Read the question and then imagine the answer.
b) Look through the answers and see if your answer is among them.
c) It is? Awesome! Make a little – next to it.
d) You are not done yet.
e) Read all of the answers one by one. If they are completely impossible make an x next to them. If they are kinda maybe possible under some interpretation of the question put a – next to it.
f) If you have one – and three xs circle the answer with the -. (But you’re not done yet. See step h.)
g) If you have several – answers, read through the question again and the answers again and pick the best one. You’re still not done though.
h) Finish the test. Now go back and reread all of the questions and answers and see if you still agree with your original answer.
i) If you are using a scantron, NOW is the time you fill it out. And then you go back through your scantron and look at them all again and make sure you didn’t make a mistake and fill in the wrong bubble.
Yes, this method will mean you are usually one of the last people to leave the test. But I’ve never run out of time on a test using this method. AND then you get to be all smug about how you did everything possible within your being to do the best you could at that test. So feel free to go all British afterward, keep a stiff upper lip, and wear nude pumps like Princess Kate.
