There is no official pass mark on the TEAS. That surprises most candidates, but it is the single most important thing to understand about the exam: ATI reports your score, and each nursing program decides independently what it will accept. A score that gets you into one program may not get you into another. Last updated July 2026.
How TEAS scoring works
The ATI TEAS 7 contains 170 questions, of which 150 are scored. The other 20 are unscored pretest items being trialled for future exams - you cannot tell which is which, so treat every question as if it counts.
Your report shows a Total Score as a percentage, plus a breakdown by the four content areas: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. Most programs look at the total score, but some set minimums for individual sections - particularly Science.
So what counts as a good score?
As a broad guide, and depending entirely on where you apply:
- Below 58% - likely below most program minimums.
- 58-65% - may meet minimum requirements at some programs, but rarely competitive.
- 66-78% - a solid score that meets requirements at many programs.
- 79%+ - competitive at most programs, including selective ones.
Treat these as orientation, not gospel. The only number that matters is the one your target program publishes, so check that first and work backwards from it.
Reading your score report
The section breakdown is the useful part, especially if you plan to retake. A total of 68% built on strong Reading and weak Science tells you exactly where the next four weeks should go. Look at your lowest sub-score first - that is where the cheapest marks are.
If your score is lower than you hoped
Retake policies are set by your program, not by ATI, and commonly limit how many attempts you may make within a period and impose a waiting time between attempts. Check the policy before booking a retake. A retake without a changed study approach usually produces a similar score - use your section breakdown to study differently, not just longer.
Frequently asked questions
Is 70 a good TEAS score?
A 70% total is a reasonable score that meets the minimum at many nursing programs, though it may not be competitive at selective ones. Check your specific program's published requirement.
How many questions can I get wrong on the TEAS?
It depends on the score you need. With 150 scored questions, roughly 105 correct gives about 70%. Because 20 questions are unscored and unidentified, answer every question.
Do nursing schools see all my TEAS attempts?
Many programs require you to disclose all attempts, and some average them or consider only the most recent. Policies vary, so confirm with your school before retaking.
Is the TEAS scored on a curve?
No. Your score reflects your own performance against the content, not against other test takers on the day.
Keep going
- TEAS Reading Study Guide — main idea, inference, text structure
- TEAS Math Study Guide — formulas, conversions, word problems
- TEAS Science Study Guide — A&P, chemistry, scientific reasoning
- TEAS English Study Guide — grammar, punctuation, usage
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