The TEAS exam (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a critical part of your nursing school application. A strong score on the TEAS exam can help you stand out to nursing programs and increase your chances of acceptance. If you're wondering "How to improve your TEAS exam score?", you're in the right place!
Improving your TEAS exam score requires a focused and strategic approach. In this article, we'll break down the key strategies that will help you maximize your score, plus how The Exam Hive’s resources can support your preparation every step of the way.
1. Take a Full-Length Practice Test
Before you start your studying journey, it’s important to gauge where you currently stand. Taking a full-length practice test is the best way to assess your strengths and weaknesses across all sections of the TEAS exam.
A practice test will:
Help you familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions on the exam.
Provide insights into areas where you need to improve.
Give you a realistic view of how you handle time constraints.
At The Exam Hive, we offer free TEAS practice tests that simulate the actual exam. By starting with a practice test, you can get a snapshot of your current skill level and develop a tailored study plan.
2. Focus on Your Weak Areas
After completing your initial practice test, it’s time to identify where you need to improve. The TEAS exam is divided into four sections: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. If you find that you’re struggling in one or more areas, prioritize those sections in your study schedule.
Here’s how to target your weak areas:
Reading: If you find yourself missing questions in this section, focus on improving your ability to analyze and interpret passages. Practice identifying the main idea, making inferences, and understanding context.
Math: For many students, math is a challenging section. Focus on mastering key areas like fractions, percentages, ratios, and basic algebra. The Exam Hive offers practice questions and study guides to help you strengthen your math skills.
Science: If science is your weak area, break down the topics into smaller sections. Review anatomy & physiology, biology, and chemistry concepts in manageable chunks. Use diagrams, flashcards, and practice questions to reinforce your learning.
English: If grammar and sentence structure are difficult for you, spend extra time reviewing punctuation rules, sentence structure, and vocabulary. The Exam Hive’s English practice questions can help you improve your understanding of these concepts.
3. Implement Active Learning Techniques
Simply reading through study materials or notes isn’t enough to improve your score. Active learning involves engaging with the material, practicing, and applying the concepts you’ve learned.
Here are some effective active learning techniques:
Self-quizzing: After studying a section, quiz yourself on key concepts. Write down the main points and test yourself on them regularly.
Teach what you learn: Teaching the material to someone else or explaining concepts aloud can help reinforce your understanding and uncover areas where you may need further review.
Practice with flashcards: Flashcards are a great way to review terms, concepts, and key definitions. Use them to reinforce difficult concepts and improve your retention.
At The Exam Hive, we provide study guides and practice questions that you can use to reinforce your knowledge actively.
4. Develop a Study Schedule
Consistency is key when preparing for the TEAS exam. To ensure you’re covering all the material thoroughly, create a study schedule that breaks down the exam content into manageable study sessions.
Here’s how to develop a study schedule:
Set daily study goals: Allocate specific time slots each day to focus on different sections of the exam. For example, dedicate Mondays and Wednesdays to math, Tuesdays and Thursdays to science, and Fridays to reading and English.
Prioritize weak areas: Use your practice test results to identify which sections need the most attention and allocate more time to those areas.
Balance study and breaks: Be sure to schedule breaks throughout your study sessions. The Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused study followed by a 5-minute break, is a great way to maintain productivity and avoid burnout.
5. Take Regular Full-Length Practice Tests
One of the best ways to improve your TEAS exam score is by regularly taking full-length practice tests. These tests will help you:
Track your progress: By comparing your scores over time, you’ll see where you’ve improved and where you need more work.
Build test-taking stamina: The TEAS exam is long and timed, so practicing with full-length tests will help you build stamina for the real thing.
Refine your time management: Timed practice tests will teach you how to manage your time effectively during the exam.
At The Exam Hive, we provide full-length practice exams that simulate the actual test environment, so you can practice pacing and test-taking strategies.
6. Use Time Management Strategies
Since the TEAS exam is timed, managing your time effectively is crucial to completing all sections within the allotted time. Here are some time management tips for improving your TEAS exam score:
Pace yourself: On the TEAS exam, you have approximately 1 minute per question in most sections. Practice pacing yourself during practice tests to get used to the timing.
Skip difficult questions: If you encounter a question that you’re unsure about, skip it and come back to it later. Don’t spend too much time on one question at the expense of others.
Use the process of elimination: In multiple-choice questions, eliminate the obviously incorrect answers first, which will increase your chances of selecting the correct one.
7. Stay Calm and Confident
Test anxiety is a common issue for many students, but staying calm and confident is key to improving your TEAS exam score. Here’s how to stay focused on exam day:
Prepare in advance: The more prepared you are, the less likely you’ll feel anxious. Use The Exam Hive’s practice tests to feel confident in your abilities.
Practice relaxation techniques: Take deep breaths, stay positive, and remind yourself that you’ve done the work to succeed.
8. Rest and Recharge Before the Exam
In the final days before the TEAS exam, it’s important to rest and recharge. Avoid cramming the night before the test. Instead, review key concepts, take a practice test, and focus on staying calm and confident.
On the morning of the exam:
Get a good night’s sleep to ensure you’re rested and alert.
Eat a healthy breakfast and hydrate to ensure you have the energy to focus during the test.
How The Exam Hive Can Help You Improve Your TEAS Exam Score
At The Exam Hive, we offer a range of resources to help you improve your TEAS exam score:
Free practice tests to assess your readiness and track your progress.
Study guides with detailed explanations to reinforce your understanding of key concepts.
Targeted practice questions for each section of the exam to help you focus on your weak areas.
Expert time management tips to help you pace yourself during the exam.
With the right tools, dedication, and focused study, you’ll be able to improve your TEAS exam score and achieve your goal of entering nursing school.