TEAS® Science Practice Tests
Science is the largest section of the ATI TEAS 7 and the one most programs weigh most heavily. It leans hardest on anatomy and physiology, testing the body-systems knowledge you’ll build on from your first day of nursing coursework.
Free TEAS Science Practice Tests
The ATI TEAS 7 Science section contains 50 questions administered in 60 minutes, covering human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning.
TEAS® Science Practice Test Quick Facts
- Exam Name ATI TEAS 7 — Science Section
- Administered By Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
- Current Version ATI TEAS 7 (released June 3, 2022)
- Time Limit 60 minutes (~1.2 minutes per question); 209 minutes for the full exam
- Testing Method Computer-based; in-person at a school or PSI site, or online remote proctored
- Primary Focus Human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning
- Who Takes This Exam Applicants to nursing and allied health programs (ADN, BSN, and related)
- Number of Questions 50 (Science section); 170 across the full exam
- Scored Questions 44
- Unscored Pretest Questions 6
- Passing Score No universal cut score — set by each nursing or allied health program
- 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 Science section cannot be retaken on its own — all four sections must be completed for a valid score.
Exam Content Areas
- Human Anatomy and Physiology — 18
- Biology — 9
- Chemistry — 8
- Scientific Reasoning — 9
What’s Covered in Each Content Area
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomical terminology, body planes and cavities, and the 11 organ systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, muscular, skeletal, digestive, reproductive, integumentary, endocrine, genitourinary, and immune. Also covers how systems interact and general pathology.
Biology
Macromolecules, cell structure and organelles, mitosis and meiosis, DNA/RNA, Mendelian genetics (including Punnett squares), and microorganisms.
Chemistry
Atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonds and reactions, balancing equations, states of matter, solutions, and acids/bases and pH.
Scientific Reasoning
Experimental design, independent vs. dependent variables, reliability vs. validity, measurement tools, and data interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Science is widely considered the toughest section, and it’s the one where scores fall the lowest. The difficulty isn’t depth — nothing goes beyond an intro-level college course — it’s breadth. You’re essentially sitting an A&P final, a biology final, and a chemistry final at once, with about 72 seconds per question. Students who’ve been out of science coursework for a year or more feel this most.
18 of the 44 scored questions — more than any other content area on the entire exam, not just the Science section. That’s roughly 40% of your Science score riding on A&P alone, which makes it the obvious first place to spend your study time.
Start with anatomy and physiology, and within A&P, start with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Then move to biology and chemistry fundamentals, and finish with scientific reasoning, which needs practice more than memorization. Working in this order front-loads the highest-value material, so if you run short on time you’ve already covered what’s most likely to appear.
No. Chemistry accounts for 8 scored questions and stays at a foundational level: atomic structure, how the periodic table is organized, bonding, basic reactions, states of matter, solutions, and pH. You don’t need stoichiometry, thermodynamics, or organic chemistry — those don’t appear.
No. The TEAS is designed to measure readiness for health science coursework, not to test material you’d learn in it, so no prerequisite courses are required. That said, students who have taken A&P or biology tend to find this section significantly easier, and students who haven’t should plan for more study time here than anywhere else.
Aim for 70% or higher. That puts you comfortably inside ATI’s Proficient band (58.7–77.3%) and clears the minimum at most ADN programs. If you’re targeting a competitive BSN program, plan on 80%+ — that’s ATI’s Advanced band, and it’s where admitted applicants at selective schools tend to land.
Science is worth extra effort here for a specific reason: some programs set a sectional minimum in addition to a composite one, and Science is the section they most often single out. A 90% composite won’t save you if a program requires 60% on Science and you scored 55%. Check whether your target school looks at sections individually before you decide how to budget your study time.
TEAS® Science Test Overview
The TEAS® Science section evaluates your understanding of fundamental scientific concepts that are essential for nursing and allied health programs. Questions cover human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, scientific reasoning, and basic principles of the physical and life sciences. A strong understanding of these topics is critical for interpreting medical information and providing safe, effective patient care.
Our free TEAS® Science Practice Tests closely resemble the format and difficulty of the actual exam, helping you become familiar with the types of questions you’ll encounter. Regular practice reinforces key scientific concepts, improves critical thinking skills, and builds confidence before test day.
TEAS® Science Study Tips
The best way to improve your Science score is through consistent review and practice. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing facts, especially in anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry. Create a study schedule that allows you to review each topic regularly, and pay special attention to diagrams, scientific processes, and terminology commonly tested on the exam.
After completing each practice test, carefully review both your correct and incorrect answers. Understanding why an answer is correct—and why the other options are incorrect—will strengthen your knowledge, reinforce important concepts, and help you avoid similar mistakes on future exams.
TEAS® Science Test-Taking Strategies
Read each question carefully and identify exactly what is being asked before selecting an answer. Use the process of elimination to remove clearly incorrect choices, especially when you’re unsure of the correct response. Pay close attention to scientific terms, diagrams, and data presented in charts or tables, as these often provide important clues.
As your exam approaches, complete several full-length practice tests under timed conditions to improve your pacing and identify any weak areas that need additional review. Combining regular practice with a comprehensive TEAS study guide is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your science knowledge and maximize your TEAS® Science score.