Spilling the TEAS
The Test of Essential Academic Skills, aka the TEAS exam. Just another one of the millions of requirements needed to get into nursing school. Not all nursing programs require it, but CSULB does. It is another factor they take into account when calculating your ranking. Also, for some reason, they look at the reading portion as a separate factor. I’m guessing it’s because nursing school has a fuck ton of writing, mainly with the careplans.
The minimum score you need is 70%, but like I mentioned earlier, CSULB students have a higher score because of how competitive the admissions process is.. I googled the most recent statistics for the average admitted applicant for CSULB and the average TEAS composite score is about 89% and the reading score is around 88%. Not too bad, but those are daunting numbers, I know. Just showcases how difficult CSULB can be; the competition is tough.
Let me help you see how the TEAS isn’t that bad. When I first heard about the exam, I was terrified because it reminded me of the SATs. I took the SATs four times to get a higher score with no success. I just sucked at taking exams when I was in high school. It is just another exam, but I honestly think it was easier than the SATs. Why? Because of science! Keep in mind, I was studying for physio and anatomy so the information was fresh, which was in my favor.
The TEAS consists of reading, math, science, and English/languages. No essay. 170 questions, all multiple choice, but it is timed, so you can’t take all the time in the world. Time management is important.
If you’re planning on taking the TEAS somewhere else, you usually need to pay ATI to send your transcript to the desired program you are applying to. If you take the TEAS at CSULB and you’re applying to their program, you don’t need to send the transcript. CSULB automatically looks at the exams taken there and will transfer them over. You can take the TEAS as much as you want but there has to be 30 days in between each exam and she gets expensive. I did you the favor of having the link to the TEAS dates and info for CSULB here!
If you have taken the test multiple times, CSULB will only look at your highest composite score. But keep your reading score in mind. They cannot take your highest reading score from another exam date. If you’re applying to another program, check which scores they will accept.
When do you take the TEAS? You take the exam a semester before you apply for the program. I took my exam in the fall so I could meet the deadline for the application, which was in February, so that I could start in the fall cohort.
There was a lot riding on my TEAS score. Remember how I told you I got a B in one of my GE classes? Yeah, so I had to get a high score to balance out that B. I needed at least a 90%. A high bar to hurdle over and then add my traumatic experience during the SATs, I was not feeling confident. So I gathered all my resources to get an amazing score.
There are plenty of studying prep books out there. I decided to use the ATI TEAS prep book since they produce the exam, so why not use it?
I used this exact book to study. This one is an older edition so use the current edition! This book helped me a lot and their website offers a package of practice exams. Take them. It’s worth the money.
I also bought this book. I didn’t feel like it helped as much, but I needed to use everything I could get. Although it didn’t feel like it helped me, it may help you! Find what works for you.
I took my exam in November during Thanksgiving break. I studied for about 2 weeks for a few hours a day and whenever I was able to because I was also taking anatomy and physio at the same time. Luckily I had more time to study since it was a holiday break.
I focused on my weaknesses, which were English and reading. I then brushed up on my science concepts and terms, and practiced some math problems. I felt confident. I felt great. I decided to take a practice exam aaaaand then immediately regretted taking it.
My scores were in the 70s. I made the minimum score, but it wasn’t enough for me to get accepted in the program.
I cried. My exam was literally the next day. I felt like I had done so much better, but obviously not. I remember crying to my best friend and stressing out and saying “I wasn’t going to make it to the program.” After a few hours of sulking, I turned the page and started studying again. Only can go up from here right?
I looked at my wrong answers, learned from my mistakes, and continued doing whatever I could do.
Exam day came around and I was nervous as hell. My exam was in the afternoon so I decided to take the second practice exam as a last minute prep. Here’s how I did.
I had no idea what to make of this. My score was at least higher, and I was happy with my reading score. But everything else either dropped or stayed the same. It was only a few hours before my exam; I was terrified. My stomach was cramping so much from nerves I felt like I needed to poop.
I remember studying last minute things and then taking a break for about two hours before walking into the exam. During my break, I surrounded myself with friends, and we gave each other positive affirmations, and vibes.
I pumped myself and my friends up before the exam. We told ourselves “we got this” and gave each other high fives. Even though I was nervous, I still had to be confident. Or at least fake it. Fake it ‘til you make it right?
At the time, I had this ritual for when I took exams. I totally believed in the, “look good, feel good” idea, so that’s what I did. Every exam in pre-nursing I always dressed in the same grey sweater with a red plaid button-up. It was my thing and I had no regrets. If I was wearing that specific outfit, my friends knew it was exam day and I felt confident in that outfit. The TEAS was no exception.
Our exam was in the nursing building on campus. As I walked into the nursing building I pretended to be a nursing student; it was like a dream. I sat down at the computers where nursing students take their exams. I felt like an imposter in that room, but was also hoping to take an exam there one day as an actual nursing student. (I ended up taking all my exams there once I was in the program, so that feeling quickly vanished, lol.)
Before starting the exam, I closed my eyes and prayed, another thing I do before every exam, I took a deep breath and clicked begin.
A couple of hours passed. I reached the end of the test. I knew as soon as I clicked finish my score would be calculated. No waiting game; Face to face with my score. I watched as the little clock was spinning. Finally, I got my score.
90.7%! I pushed back my chair, gathered my stuff, walked out of the building, and started screaming. I was so happy and relieved. I felt so much weight off of my shoulder. I called my mom and told her about my score. I was finally able to relax and just enjoy the rest of my holiday break.
I took the TEAS twice as a due diligence. I waited the mandatory 30 days and studied as usual, but I did not do better.
Even though I did better in the English section, I was not able to split my scores so CSULB looked at my higher score. I don’t think I scored as high because in my head I already hit the 90% that I needed, so I wasn’t under as much pressure. Either way, I was not disappointed in how I did in the second test.
A couple of things I’ve learned:
The environment of taking a practice exam and taking the actual exam is completely different. My friends and I were talking about how being in the room changes your mindset. Even though it increases your stress, it pushes you to greatness. I didn’t do very well on the practice exams but did great on the actual exam.
Use all your resources and give yourself time. Study prep books and practice exams are your best friends. Not all explanations of the answers will make sense but you just accept why it is what it is and learn it. You’ll learn more later once you get into the program.
Take care of yourself. Even though you need to study, you must take care of yourself. Take breaks. Taking a break also helps with retaining info.t can be anything: watch a youtube video, take a walk, or take a nap. Eat a good meal before your exam, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep the night before. Studying isn’t everything.
Be confident and stay positive. Even if you have to fake it, it will make you feel better. Don’t walk into a room with a bad attitude. Stand up tall, smile, dress in what makes you feel confident, and be hot shit. Listen to music, get in the zone, anything to pump yourself up. It’s okay to be nervous, but you got this. Nerves are just another way your body tells you that you’re ready, or at least I like to think so.
<3 Mags
thank you em!