What is ATI TEAS? Why is it changing? Differences between TEAS 6 and 7
Nurses are a vital part of the healthcare team. They provide dynamic care to the patients, which leads to their optimal recovery. If you desire to become a nurse, you will have to work hard. Your first step in becoming a practicing nurse is to pass the ATI TEAS Exam. However, you might have heard that TEAS is changing, and you might have many questions about the changes. Here are all the answers you require-
What is ATI TEAS Exam?
TEAS is the short form for the Test of Essential Academic Skills, and ATI stands for Assessment Technologies Institute, the company that makes the test.
It is a test that evaluates your readiness for entering the healthcare field. In addition, it determines if you have the knowledge and skills that will be the base for learning nursing skills. You can take the test as a proctored exam at an educational institution that offers it or at a testing centre or as a remote proctored test through ATI.
Why is ATI TEAS Changing?
ATI upgrades the TEAS exam every 5 years. This is to keep the exam content relevant to the evolving standards of nursing. TEAS was upgraded/ changed last time in 2016, i.e., TEAS 6. The ATI TEAS will be upgraded to TEAS 7 on 3 June 2022.
The ATI TEAS 6 exam will retire from this date, and the students will have to take TEAS version 7.
What are the differences between TEAS 6 and TEAS 7?
The main difference between TEAS 6 and TEAS 7 is the number and types of questions asked in the exam. Though the number of questions asked per category has changed, the total number of questions remains the same. In addition, new subcategories have been added to the science and language usage category. Also, the exam will no longer have only single answer multiple-choice questions.
Changes in TEAS 7 Compared to TEAS 6:
| Category Of Question For TEAS 7 | Number of Questions For TEAS 7 | Category Of Question For TEAS 6 | Number of Questions For TEAS 6 |
|
Reading
Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Integration and Knowledge and Ideas |
39
15 9 15 |
Reading
Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Integration and Knowledge and Ideas |
47
22 14 11 |
|
Math
Numbers and Algebra Measurement and Data |
34
18 16 |
Math
Numbers and Algebra Measurement and Data |
32
23 9 |
|
Science
Human Anatomy and Physiology Biology Chemistry Scientific Reasoning |
44
18 9 8 9 |
Science
Human Anatomy and Physiology Life and Physical Sciences Scientific Reasoning |
47
32 8 7 |
|
English and Language Usage
Conventions of Standard English Knowledge of Language Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing. |
33
12 11 10 |
English and Language Usage
Conventions of Standard English Knowledge of Language Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing |
24
9 9 6 |
The Changes in the Type of Questions:
TEAS 6 asked only single answer multiple-choice questions, which will no longer be the case with TEAS 7. The questions asked in TEAS 7 will be beyond single solution multiple choice questions and will include Multiple Select Items, Supply Answer Items, Hot Spot Items, and Ordered Response Items. The questions will be marked either correct or incorrect, and no partial credit will be provided. Here is the description for all question types-
- Multiple-Choice Item Types: These questions will have four options with only a single correct answer. These types of questions include text, charts, exhibits, and graphics.
- Alternate Items Type: These are the questions that are not your typical multiple-choice, single-answer questions. There are four different alternate types of questions you may face in the ATI TEAS.
- Multiple Select Items:
To a particular question, you may be presented with a list of four or more options from which more than one option may be correct. These questions will have a note stating, "Select all that apply." If you did not select all the suitable options, the question would be marked as incorrect, and no partial credit would be given. - Supply Answer Items:
These questions will ask you to supply the answer to the question or may ask you to "fill in the blank" without giving you any set of options. The answer may be in the form of text or numerical values. - Hot Spot Items:
These questions will include an image with two to five clickable areas. You will have to click on the area of the image that you identify as the correct response. - Ordered Response Item:
These questions require you to place a set of response options in the correct order. You will have to drag four to six responses from a box on the left to an empty box on the right. The answer will be considered correct only if you place all the suitable options in the correct order. If even one option is out of order, the question will be marked incorrect, and no partial credit will be provided.
- Multiple Select Items:
Will My TEAS 6 Scores be Valid Now?
If you have already given TEAS 6 and have achieved your desired score, you may not have to take TEAS 7. But it would be shrewd to check the school's admission requirements where you plan to apply for your nursing degree before reapplying for TEAS. Check if they accept TEAS 6 scores and plan accordingly.
Though TEAS 7 will be pretty different from TEAS 6, there is nothing to worry about. Changing the number or type of questions does not matter if you study well and understand your syllabus. The new exam will challenge your capabilities and help you prepare for the rigorous nursing school journey. You should take it as a challenge to help you improve and become ready for the nursing profession.
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