TEAS Testing

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) has been approved by the State of California as a pre-entrance exam for applicants to the Nursing Program. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science and English. The test has been developed by a private company, Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education, and is offered remotely and at designated testing sites throughout the country. San Diego State University, and other local educational sites, offer the TEAS Exam.

All prospective Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Step-Up LVN to ADN, and Vocational Nursing (VN) students are required to take the TEAS pre-entrance exam and submit the TEAS composite score transcripts with the application packet.

SWC Nursing will accept TEAS scores if taken remotely or in person at a testing center. To take an exam remotely, create an ATI account on the ATI website and select a testing institution for remote proctoring (updated 08/25/20).

Policy & General Information

The prospective nursing student who achieves a passing composite score on the TEAS test and has completed all the admission requirements is eligible to apply for SWC Nursing Programs. See grid below for passing scores. ADN Program applicants earn points on the Multi-criteria points formula (PDF) based on their TEAS composite score. VN Program applicants are ranked for admission based on prerequisite Grade Point Average (GPA) and TEAS Composite score only.

The Nursing Department strongly recommends using the TEAS-prep resources to study for the exam. Test prep materials are available for purchase on the ATI website. Additional TEAS test prep classes and materials may also be found at local adult schools, Continuing Education sites, online classes and more.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum passing score may re-take the TEAS test only once. Before re-taking the exam, you must remediate (study for the exam and provide proof when applying for the program). Review the TEAS Remediation Plan if you do not meet the minimum passing score.
If your composite score is less than 62% for the ADN Program or less than 58% for the VN Program, you must complete remediation. The TEAS Remediation Plan must be followed to be eligible to apply to SWC Nursing Programs.

You may use one of the following methods for remediation:
- Attend and complete a TEAS prep course. These are occasionally offered at various educational sites throughout the county; (or)
- Review a TEAS study manual and take two practice TEAS tests from ATI.
The following remediation criteria must be met:
- Remediate within one year of the first TEAS test date.
- The second TEAS test must be taken within a year after the first TEAS test was taken.
- Proof of remediation is required with your Nursing Program application. Examples of proof of remediation can be a TEAS course completion certificate or a copy of your ATI TEAS unofficial transcript showing all test and two practice tests taken.
For questions, please contact Southwestern College Nursing Program at nursing@swccd.edu.
SWC Nursing has three (3)-year recency requirement for the TEAS test score.

TEAS test score must be within these dates when applying for the program:
- If you are applying for the Step-Up LVN to ADN program that begins in Spring 2027, your TEAS test score must be dated between September 2023 - September 2026. Class start Spring 2027.
- If you are applying for the ADN program that begins in the Fall of 2027, your TEAS test must be dated between February 2024 - February 2027. Class starts Fall 2027.
- If you are applying for the VN Program that begins Fall 2027, your TEAS test must be dated between April 2024 - April 2027. Class start Fall 2027

TEAS Test Preparation Resources

A few test prep options are listed below. Please note resources may change from time to time.

TEAS practice test offered by ATI. The practice test is very similar to the actual exam. It is a timed exam and you will be tested on various subjects – math, science, etc. You will get a score for each subject. Many students have found the practice test useful because it gives you an idea of what to expect on the real thing. Visit the ATI website for details.
FREE TEAS Prep online sessions offered by MiraCosta College for California Community College students. Six (6) online/remote sessions are offered using Zoom; Sundays 2pm – 5pm.
ATI TEAS Study Manual (test prep book). A copy of this book is on reserve at SWC Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa (HECOM) Library for a two-hour check-out.
Other test prep may be out there. These come and go. One suggestion is to Google search "TEAS test prep (near me)" to see if other resources are available.

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Policy & General Information

TEAS Test Preparation Resources

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