The TEAS® exam is required for all students who are applying to the Upper Division Nursing BSN Program. Exams must be taken and submitted to the department by February 15 of the year of admission to the Upper Division. Thus, if you are applying for fall 2025, your TEAS® score report is due by Feb 15, 2025. Tests may be taken twice per cycle (February 16th - February 15) with at least 30 days between attempts. Students may also take the examination at any approved testing center (including community colleges) and via at-home proctoring.
Notice: Students may take the TEAS twice per year with 30-days between attempts. The highest score from the prior two years is considered.
All students should check with the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing to ensure that their results have been received. When registering and before taking the exam, be sure to designate UNCP to receive your scores. Score reports must come directly from ATI. We do not accept self-submitted scores.
IMPORTANT: All students must create an ATI account before taking the TEAS and bring their username and password to the Testing Center in order to take the TEAS exam. Instructions for creating an account are available below.
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®), a product of Assessment Technologies Institute® (ATI), is a proctored multiple-choice assessment of basic academic knowledge in reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. The reading portion comprises 53 questions of the exam and tests: key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas. The mathematics portion comprises 36 questions of the exam and tests: numbers, algebra, measurement, and data. The sciences portion comprises 53 questions of the exam and tests: human anatomy and physiology, life and physical sciences, and scientific reasoning. The English language and usage portion comprises 28 questions of the exam and tests: conventions of standard English, knowledge of language, and vocabulary acquisition.
Students taking the exam on campus need to bring their confirmation e-mail, their ATI account's username and password, and an unexpired driver's license, state ID card, or passport with photo and signature. Students need to arrive at least 15 minutes early and may not bring in any electronic devices (including cell phones). Students may bring two sharpened #2 pencils.
ATI provides TEAS® study preparation materials and practice online exams. These products can be purchased at the http://www.atitesting.com/Solutions/pre-program/TEAS/study-guide.aspx. If assistance is needed with product ordering, contact ATI toll-free at (800) 667-7531.
Additionally, a series of YouTube videos have been created by a third party to help students prepare for the TEAS. They are available by clicking here. We strongly encourage applicants to review this information in preparation for the TEAS® exam.
The TEAS exam is offered at UNC-Pembroke throughout the year. Students will need to register with UNCP's Testing Center (located at COMTech) by clicking here. Students taking the exam at a community college should contact that school for instructions.
During the registration process, you may be asked to select a school to receive your score report. You should choose "UNC Pembroke" to ensure the department receives your score. You may also login to your ATI account, click on "My Results", and print a copy of the TEAS report. Bring this report to the Department of Nursing.
You must achieve a minimum ATI Academic Preparedness Level of Proficient in order to apply for the pre-licensure BSN program. If you achieve a level of proficient or higher, the TEAS® score will be used as another indicator for acceptance into the nursing program, along with your collegiate grade point average in all pre-requisite math/science coursework, overall collegiate grade point average in all required pre-requisite general education coursework, and previous experiences in health care.
Our policy is for students to take the exam a maximum of two times in a 12-month period. There must be at least 30 days between attempts.
The Department of Nursing requires that you take the TEAS® exam between February 16 and January 31 and, if possible, while enrolled in the pre-requisite math/science courses. All TEAS® exam scores are due to the Department of Nursing by January 31. Scores for the TEAS® received after this date will not be valid and means your application is not complete; therefore, you will not be considered for the nursing program during the current application cycle.