TEAS® English Practice Tests
English and Language Usage closes out the ATI TEAS 7, and it moves fast — roughly a minute per question. It tests grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary, the foundation of the clear, precise charting and handoff communication nurses depend on.
Free TEAS English Practice Tests
The ATI TEAS 7 English and Language Usage section contains 37 questions administered in 37 minutes, covering conventions of standard English, knowledge of language, and vocabulary acquisition.
TEAS® English Practice Test Quick Facts
- Exam Name ATI TEAS 7 — English and Language Usage Section
- Administered By Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
- Current Version ATI TEAS 7 (released June 3, 2022)
- Time Limit 37 minutes (~1 minute per question); 209 minutes for the full exam
- Section Order English and Language Usage is the final section administered on the exam
- Question Format Multiple-choice (four answer choices), multiple-select, fill-in-the-blank, ordered response, and hot spot
- Retake Policy ATI permits retakes, but attempt limits and waiting periods are set by each program. The English section cannot be retaken on its own — all four sections must be completed for a valid score.
- Number of Questions 37 (English and Language Usage section); 170 across the full exam
- Scored Questions 33
- Unscored Pretest Questions 4
- Passing Score No universal cut score — set by each nursing or allied health program
- Testing Method Computer-based; in-person at a school or PSI site, or online remote proctored
- Primary Focus Conventions of standard English, knowledge of language, and vocabulary acquisition
- Who Takes This Exam Applicants to nursing and allied health programs (ADN, BSN, and related)
Exam Content Areas (scored questions)
- Conventions of Standard English — 12
- Knowledge of Language — 11
- Vocabulary Acquisition — 10
What’s Covered in Each Content Area
Conventions of Standard English
Spelling rules and commonly confused words; punctuation, including commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, and end marks; capitalization; and sentence structure, including subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, complete sentences, and correcting fragments and run-ons.
Knowledge of Language
Using grammar to enhance clarity in writing; recognizing and applying formal versus informal language for the intended audience and purpose; developing a well-organized paragraph with a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and logical transitions; and eliminating wordiness and awkward phrasing.
Vocabulary Acquisition
Determining word meaning through context clues; and using word parts — roots, prefixes, and suffixes — along with affixes and word structure to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s usually the easiest of the four — but with a catch. The rules are finite and predictable, unlike Science’s endless content, so it rewards study efficiently. The trap is that English is the last section you’ll take, after nearly three hours of testing, and it moves at exactly one minute per question. Fatigue, not difficulty, is what costs most students points here.
Subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement come up on virtually every form, so start there. Then punctuation — commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes — followed by sentence structure: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex, plus fragments and run-ons. Be careful with agreement questions specifically: they test rules people routinely break in speech, so a wrong answer can genuinely “sound right.”
Of all four sections, this is the one where cramming actually works. You’re studying a closed set of rules rather than a body of content, so a focused week of drilling — rules first, then timed practice questions, then reviewing every miss — can move your score meaningfully. That said, don’t cram instead of studying Science; cram English in addition to it.
Yes. Vocabulary acquisition accounts for 10 of the 33 scored questions — roughly 30% of the section. But it isn’t a memorize-a-word-list exercise. Questions test context clues and word parts: roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Learning 20 common word roots is far more efficient than trying to memorize vocabulary words, and it pays off again in nursing terminology.
Aim for 75% or higher. English is the section where a strong score is most achievable, which means it’s also the cheapest place to lift your composite. Since ATI’s Proficient band runs from 58.7% to 77.3% and Advanced starts at 78%, pushing English into the Advanced range is realistic for most students with a week of prep — and it gives you cushion if Science comes in lower than you’d like.
37 questions in 37 minutes — exactly one minute each, the tightest pace on the exam. 33 are scored and 4 are unscored pretest items, but they aren’t marked, so answer every one. There’s no penalty for guessing.
TEAS® English Test Overview
The TEAS® English and Language Usage section evaluates your understanding of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, capitalization, and standard English conventions. Questions assess your ability to identify and correct errors, improve sentence clarity, and apply proper writing rules. These skills are essential for nursing students who must communicate clearly and accurately in both academic and clinical settings.
Our free TEAS® English Practice Tests closely resemble the format and difficulty of the actual exam, helping you become familiar with the types of language and grammar questions you’ll encounter. Regular practice strengthens your command of standard English, improves accuracy, and builds confidence before test day.
TEAS® English Study Tips
The best way to improve your English score is through consistent practice and careful review of grammar rules. Focus on mastering sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and commonly tested grammar concepts. Expand your vocabulary by learning unfamiliar words and understanding how they are used in context rather than simply memorizing definitions.
After completing each practice test, review both your correct and incorrect answers. Understanding why an answer is correct—and why the other choices are incorrect—will reinforce important language concepts and help you avoid making similar mistakes on future exams.
TEAS® English Test-Taking Strategies
Read each question carefully before selecting an answer, paying close attention to grammar, punctuation, and sentence meaning. For questions involving sentence revision, choose the option that is both grammatically correct and the clearest to read. When you’re unsure, eliminate answers that contain obvious errors before selecting the best remaining choice.
As your exam approaches, complete several full-length practice tests under timed conditions to improve your speed and accuracy. Consistent practice, combined with a comprehensive TEAS study guide, is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your English skills and maximize your TEAS® English score.