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RN · Medical-Surgical nurse & health writer
Meet Nathan, a registered nurse with over five years of experience in Medical-Surgical care, based in New York City. Having worked with a wide range of patients through some of their most vulnerable moments, Nathan brings a grounded, real-world perspective to his writing on healthcare. His goal is simple: to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and everyday understanding, making health topics feel less intimidating and more empowering for everyone. When he's not caring for patients, Nathan channels his passion for medicine into writing that educates, comforts and inspires.
More than two-thirds of U.S. nursing programs require the TEAS — but there is no universal passing score. Here is what score you realistically need, how ADN and BSN cutoffs differ, how the TEAS compares to the HESI A2, and what admissions committees actually do with your score once you submit it.
NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination — and each word tells you something about the exam. Here is what every letter means, the difference between the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN, who NCSBN is, why the exam exists, and the exact steps from graduation to your nursing license.
An NCLEX 'preview with answers' is a set of original, NCLEX-style sample questions across formats — including NGN item types — each paired with a rationale. Use them to see what items look like and to practice the real skill: working out why an answer is right, not just which one.
Effective TEAS test prep starts with a diagnostic, not a textbook. Find your weakest section (usually Science and A&P), set a target composite from your programs' cutoffs, and follow a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan. Close to target? 30 days. Most candidates: 60. Lower baseline: 90.
The HESI A2 is a computer-based admission test used by nursing and allied health programs. It checks academic skills, not nursing knowledge. Schools choose which sections you take, so your version may not match another applicant’s.
ATI sells two official TEAS practice forms (A and B), 150 questions each, at $29.99 per form — the only practice test with a reportable, sub-topic score breakdown. There is no free full-length ATI test; free options are limited to sample questions. Here is when to use each.
The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is the standardized admissions exam many U.S. nursing programs use. The current TEAS 7 has 170 questions (150 scored) over ~209 minutes across Reading, Math, Science, and English. Minimum scores vary by school.
A diagnostic-first NCLEX study plan in 4, 6, 8, and 12-week versions — daily question targets, weekly milestones, NGN drills, a stamina simulator, and clear exit criteria for when you're actually ready to schedule.
The HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology section tests 13 body-system topic areas drawn from Elsevier's official review guide, from anatomical terminology to the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Most programs require 70–80. It is ~30 questions and one of the tougher sections if your A&P coursework is a year behind you.
The HESI A2 math section covers arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, metric/household conversions, dosage calculations, and basic algebra — no trig, calculus, or stats. Most programs require 70–80. About 55 questions (50 scored). Here is a 4-week plan.
The NCLEX uses 8 item formats — standard multiple choice plus the 7 Next Generation (NGN) types. Each has one decision rule. Here's how to read the stem and apply the right rule, with worked examples for SATA, priority, delegation, Bow-Tie, Matrix, and Trend.
There is no universal HESI A2 passing score — your nursing program sets the minimum (usually 75–80% per section) and picks which sections you sit. This guide covers the verified section breakdown, which free practice tests to trust, score benchmarks, and a 6-week practice plan.
