If you’re preparing for nursing school, one of the most important questions you’ll ask is: What constitutes a “good” TEAS score? The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a critical admissions exam used by many nursing programs, and your score can significantly impact whether you’re accepted, waitlisted, or denied.
A “good” TEAS score isn’t a single number that applies to everyone. Instead, it depends on your nursing program, competition level, and overall application strength. In this guide, we’ll break down what a good TEAS score really means, how schools interpret scores, and how you can a aim higher to improve your chances of admission.
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Understanding the TEAS Exam Scoring System
Before defining a good TEAS score, it’s important to understand how the exam is scored.
The TEAS exam is scored on a percentage scale from 0% to 100%. You’ll receive:
- An overall composite score
- Individual section scores for:
- Reading
- Math
- Science
- English and Language Usage
Most nursing schools focus heavily on the overall composite score, though some also set minimum requirements for specific sections, especially Science and Math.
What Is Considered a Good TEAS Score Overall?
In general, a good TEAS score is 70% or higher. However, competitiveness increases rapidly as scores rise.
Here’s a commonly accepted breakdown:
· Below 60% – Poor (often not competitive)
· 60–69% – Minimum passing for some programs
· 70–79% – Good / Competitive
· 80–89% – Very good
· 90% and above – Excellent / Highly competitive
If you’re asking what constitutes a good TEAS score, most advisors agree that aiming for at least 75–80% puts you in a strong position for many nursing programs.
What TEAS Score Do Nursing Schools Prefer?
Each nursing school sets its own TEAS score requirements. Some programs only require a minimum score, while others rank applicants based on TEAS performance.
Typical School Requirements:
- Minimum acceptable score: 60–65%
- Competitive score range: 75–85%
- Top-tier applicants: 85%
Highly competitive RN and BSN programs often prefer students with TEAS scores above 80%, especially when applicant pools are large.
Section Scores: Do They Matter?
Yes—sometimes as much as your overall score.
Many schools place extra emphasis on the Science section, which covers anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry. A strong science score can compensate for a slightly lower overall score.
Example:
- Overall TEAS score: 78%
- Science score: 85%
This may be viewed more favorably than:
- Overall TEAS score: 80%
- Science score: 65%
When considering what constitutes a good TEAS score, always check whether your program has section-specific cutoffs.
Is a 70% a Good TEAS Score?
A 70% TEAS score is generally considered good but not exceptional.
✔ Meets requirements for many programs
✔ Competitive for less selective schools
✘ May be borderline for highly competitive programs
If you score around 70%, you may still be accepted, but improving your score can significantly increase your chances—especially if retakes are allowed.
Is an 80% or Higher a Good TEAS Score?
Yes—an 80% or higher TEAS score is considered very good and competitive at most nursing schools.
Benefits of scoring 80%+ include:
- Stronger admissions ranking
- Higher chances of acceptance
- Competitive edge over other applicants
- Greater confidence during admissions review
For students aiming for BSN or accelerated nursing programs, 80–85% is often the ideal target range.
What Is an Excellent TEAS Score?
An excellent TEAS score is 90% or above.
While not required for most programs, a score in this range:
- Places you in the top tier of applicants
- Can offset weaker GPA areas
- Demonstrates strong academic readiness
- Makes you highly competitive at selective schools
If you’re applying to multiple programs or a highly competitive nursing school, this is the score range to aim for.
How Your TEAS Score Fits Into the Bigger Picture
Even though the TEAS exam is important, it’s usually not the only factor in admissions decisions. Schools often consider:
- GPA (especially science GPA)
- Prerequisite completion
- Previous healthcare experience
- Interviews or essays
However, because the TEAS score is standardized, it often carries significant weight. A higher TEAS score can compensate for weaknesses elsewhere in your application.
Can You Improve a “Good” TEAS Score?
Absolutely. Many students improve their TEAS score by 10–20 points with proper preparation.
Common reasons students score lower than expected include:
- Weak anatomy and physiology foundation
- Poor time management
- Lack of realistic practice exams
- Studying without a structured plan
Focused preparation, especially in science and math, can turn an average score into a highly competitive one.
Final Answer: What Constitutes a “Good” TEAS Score?
So, what constitutes a good TEAS score?
- 70%+ – Good and acceptable for many programs
- 75–80% – Competitive and strong
- 80–89% – Very good and preferred by most schools
- 90%+ – Excellent and highly competitive
Ultimately, a good TEAS score is one that meets or exceeds your target school’s requirements and makes your application stand out.
If you want to maximize your chances of nursing school acceptance, aim higher than the minimum—and give yourself enough time and strategy to succeed.