You're staring at a screen, caffeine-jittery at 11:00 PM, wondering why on earth you need to remember the difference between a purine and a pyrimidine just to help people heal. I’ve been there. The ATI TEAS 7 is a beast. It’s that one massive gatekeeper between you and your nursing scrubs.
Honestly, it feels like a scam sometimes. You spend thousands on prerequisites, and then you have to pay for a test, and then—if you aren't careful—you pay hundreds more for "premium" study guides. Stop. You've already got the knowledge in your head from A&P; you just need to know how they’re going to try and trick you.
Scoring in the 90th percentile isn't about being a genius. It's about knowing which teas test prep free resources actually mirror the real exam and which ones are just fluff designed to make you panic-buy a $200 package.
The Free Resource Trap (And What to Use Instead)
Most "free" sites give you ten questions and then hit you with a massive paywall. It’s annoying. If you want the real deal without opening your wallet, you have to be surgical.
First off, go to the source. ATI Testing actually offers a free practice test with 60 questions. It’s the closest you’ll get to the actual interface. But here is the thing: they only give you one version. Once you take it, you’ve memorized the answers.
NurseHub is another heavy hitter. They have a reputation for having the best "free" diagnostic. It breaks down your score by category, like the endocrine system or algebraic functions. Most people just take a test and look at the total percentage. That’s a mistake. If you get an 80% overall but a 40% in Biology, you’re in trouble. Use the free NurseHub diagnostic to find your "red zones."
💡 You might also like: Why Every Mom and Daughter Photo You Take Actually Matters
Then there is YouTube. Seriously. Brandon Craft is basically the patron saint of TEAS Math. If you can’t remember how to solve for $x$ in a complex ratio, he’s your guy. For Science, The Tutor Geek and Nurse Cheung cover the specific Version 7 updates that the old textbooks miss.
Why Science Is the Most Brutal Section
Science is where dreams go to die. Or at least, where scores go to tank.
The TEAS 7 Science section is 50 questions long. You have 60 minutes. That sounds like a lot of time until you’re staring at a chemical equation for a single replacement reaction like $Cu(s) + 2AgNO_3(aq) \rightarrow 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO_3)_2(aq)$ and your brain freezes.
The A&P Breakdown
Anatomy and Physiology makes up 18 of those questions. It's the biggest chunk.
- The Endocrine System: They love asking about the pituitary and the pancreas.
- The Heart: Know the blood flow path like the back of your hand.
- Saltatory Conduction: This is a "high-yield" topic. Remember it’s just the signal "jumping" between Nodes of Ranvier to go faster.
The "free" secret? Don't just read the answers. Read the rationales. If a free practice test doesn't tell you why an answer is wrong, it is useless. Mometrix has some decent free samples that explain the "why," which is how you actually learn the logic.
📖 Related: Sport watch water resist explained: why 50 meters doesn't mean you can dive
Strategy: The 4-Week "No Spend" Plan
You don't need three months to prep. Four weeks is plenty if you’re focused.
Week 1: The Cold Start.
Take that official ATI free practice test. Don't study first. Just take it. See where you land. If you’re already hitting 90% in Reading, stop studying Reading. Focus on your weaknesses.
Week 2: The Math and English Grind.
These are the "rule" sections. Math is just rules. English is just rules. Use Union Test Prep for their free flashcards on subject-verb agreement. For Math, practice decimal-to-fraction conversions until you can do them in your sleep.
Week 3: The Science Deep Dive.
This is when you watch the YouTube creators I mentioned earlier. Focus on the Respiratory and Cardiovascular systems. These are the "nursy" topics that ATI loves.
Week 4: Mock Exam Fatigue.
Find every teas test prep free mock exam you can. Smart Edition Academy usually has a free one. TestPrep-Online has a short one. The goal here is pacing. Can you answer 50 science questions in 60 minutes without sweating?
👉 See also: Pink White Nail Studio Secrets and Why Your Manicure Isn't Lasting
What a "Good Score" Actually Looks Like in 2026
"Passing" is a myth. Every school is different.
In California, schools like San Diego City College or Sierra College are seeing NCLEX pass rates near 99%, which means their entrance requirements are sky-high. If you’re applying to a top-tier BSN program, you likely need an "Advanced" (80%+) or "Exemplary" (92%+) score.
Lower-ranked or private programs might take a 65% (the "Proficient" level), but why risk it? A high TEAS score can balance out a mediocre GPA. It's your leverage.
Actionable Steps to Start Today
Don't just bookmark this and walk away. Do these three things right now:
- Download the ATI TEAS Pocket Prep app. The free version gives you a "Question of the Day." It takes 30 seconds. Do it while you’re waiting for coffee.
- Take the NurseHub Diagnostic. It’s free. It’ll tell you exactly which body system is your weakest.
- Clear your YouTube history. Start searching for "TEAS 7 Science Review 2026" so your algorithm starts feeding you study videos instead of cat memes.
Success on this test isn't about how much money you spend. It's about how many rationales you read and how many times you're willing to practice that one math problem that makes your head hurt. You’ve got this.