A good score on the TEAS test is generally 78% or higher, which ATI (the company that makes the test) classifies as “Advanced.” But what counts as “good” really depends on the nursing program you’re applying to. Some schools accept scores in the low 60s, while the most competitive BSN programs expect scores well into the 80s. Understanding where your score falls relative to the national average and your target program’s requirements is what matters most.
How TEAS Scoring Works
The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) measures readiness for nursing school across four sections: Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage. Each section receives its own percentage score, and those combine into a composite score. Your composite is the number most nursing programs care about when evaluating your application.
Scores are reported as adjusted individual percentages, not raw counts of correct answers. A composite of 75%, for example, means you demonstrated mastery of roughly 75% of the tested content after ATI’s scoring adjustments. There’s no pass/fail built into the test itself. Instead, each nursing program sets its own minimum and competitive thresholds.
National Average Scores by Section
Knowing the national averages gives you a baseline for judging your own performance. Based on ATI’s percentile rank data for the TEAS Version 7, the national mean scores break down like this:
- Reading: 70.2%
- Math: 73.5%
- Science: 49.6%
- English and Language Usage: 61.2%
- Composite (Total): 62.6%
The Science section stands out as the toughest for most test-takers, with a national mean below 50%. If you’re scoring above 62.6% overall, you’re already performing better than the average TEAS test-taker. But “above average” and “competitive” are two different things.
Score Ranges and What They Mean
ATI groups TEAS scores into proficiency levels that give you a quick read on where you stand:
- Below 41%: Developmental. Significant preparation needed before applying.
- 41% to 58%: Basic. Meets the bare minimum for some programs, but limits your options.
- 58% to 78%: Proficient. Solid enough for many programs, especially associate degree nursing (ADN) tracks.
- 78% to 90%: Advanced. Competitive for most BSN programs and selective ADN programs.
- Above 90%: Exemplary. Puts you in the top tier of applicants at virtually any program.
Most students aiming for a bachelor’s-level nursing program should target the Advanced range of 78% to 90% across all four sections. Programs that receive far more qualified applicants than they can accept tend to use TEAS scores as a key differentiator, and landing in this range significantly strengthens your application.
What Nursing Programs Typically Require
Minimum score requirements vary widely across schools. Some programs set their floor as low as 58.7% composite, which is close to the national average and falls in the Proficient range. Others require 70% or higher just to be eligible. Competitive BSN programs at large universities often look for scores in the high 70s or above, and some effectively need even higher marks because the applicant pool is so strong.
Keep in mind that meeting the minimum doesn’t guarantee admission. If a program’s cutoff is 60% but most admitted students score in the mid-70s, your 62% puts you at a real disadvantage. Whenever possible, contact the admissions office or check the program’s website for data on the average scores of recently admitted students, not just the published minimum. That number tells you what “good enough” actually looks like for that specific school.
Many programs also weigh individual section scores, not just the composite. A strong overall score paired with a weak Science result, for instance, could raise concerns. Aim for balanced performance across all four sections rather than relying on one or two strong areas to carry your composite.
How Score Validity and Retakes Work
TEAS scores don’t last forever. Many nursing programs only accept scores taken within one year of your application date, so timing matters. If you took the test 18 months ago, you’ll likely need to retake it even if your score was strong.
If your score falls short, you can retake the TEAS, but there are restrictions. When testing through ATI directly, you must wait at least 14 days between attempts. When testing at a specific institution, the waiting period is often 30 days, though this varies by school. Some programs also cap the number of attempts allowed per calendar year, with two attempts per year being a common limit.
Schools differ on which score they use. Some accept your highest composite from any attempt, while others consider only your most recent score. A few average multiple attempts together. Check your target program’s policy before scheduling a retake, because a lower second score could actually hurt you at schools that use the most recent result.
What Score You Should Aim For
Your target score should be driven by the specific programs on your list. As a general guide:
- Open-enrollment or less selective ADN programs: A composite of 60% to 70% is often sufficient to gain admission, though higher is always better for scholarship consideration.
- Moderately competitive ADN or entry-level BSN programs: Aim for 70% to 78%. This puts you solidly in the Proficient range and above the national average.
- Highly competitive BSN programs: Target 78% or higher. Scores in the 80s give you the strongest positioning, especially when combined with a solid GPA and prerequisite grades.
If you’re applying to multiple programs with different selectivity levels, preparing for the highest target makes sense. A score that’s competitive for a selective BSN program will comfortably clear the bar at less demanding schools, giving you more options when decisions come in.
The Science section deserves extra study time for most students, given that the national average sits below 50%. Improving in Science typically offers the biggest opportunity to raise your composite score, since it’s where most applicants leave points on the table.