TEAS Science Section: Complete Breakdown and Study Tips

The TEAS science section is where most nursing school applicants either shine or stumble. With 53 questions covering TEAS anatomy and physiology, TEAS biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning - all crammed into just 63 minutes - this section demands solid preparation and smart strategy.

Here's the thing: the science section makes up roughly 31% of your total TEAS score, and it's weighted heavily because nursing programs want to see that you can actually handle the science-heavy curriculum ahead. If your A&P knowledge is rusty or you haven't touched chemistry since high school... well, that's going to show up in your scores.

But don't panic. This guide breaks down exactly what you'll face on the ATI TEAS science section, which topics carry the most weight, and how to study efficiently so you're not just memorizing random facts. Whether you're prepping for your first attempt or looking to boost your retake score, you'll find actionable strategies here that actually work.

TEAS Science Section Overview

Let's start with the numbers, because understanding the breakdown helps you prioritize your study time intelligently. The TEAS test science section consists of 53 questions, but here's the catch - only 50 of those are actually scored. The other three are "pretest" questions that ATI uses for research purposes. You won't know which ones are which, so treat every question like it counts.

The content breaks down roughly like this:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology: 32 questions (approximately 60% of the section)
• Biology: 9 questions (roughly 17%)
• Chemistry: 8 questions (about 15%)
• Scientific Reasoning: 4 questions (around 8%)

You get 63 minutes for all 53 questions. That works out to about 71 seconds per question - not a lot of time when you're trying to recall which valve connects the right atrium to the right ventricle. This is why shallow memorization doesn't cut it. You need actual understanding that lets you work through questions quickly.

Now, notice something important in those numbers? Anatomy and physiology absolutely dominates this section. If you only have limited study time (and honestly, who doesn't?), that's where you should focus the bulk of your energy.

TEAS Anatomy and Physiology: The Big One

TEAS anatomy and physiology questions make up the lion's share of the science section, and for good reason. Nursing is fundamentally about understanding how the human body works - both when it's healthy and when something goes wrong. Nursing programs use this section to gauge whether you're ready to handle courses like pathophysiology and pharmacology.

What makes the TEAS 7 anatomy and physiology content particularly tricky is that it tests both structure (anatomy) and function (physiology). You don't just need to know where the pancreas is located - you need to understand what it does, how it interacts with other organs, and what happens when it malfunctions. The questions often connect concepts across systems, so isolated fact memorization won't get you far.

Key Concepts Tested

The ATI TEAS anatomy and physiology questions tend to focus on:

• Organ system structure and function: How each major system works and what each organ contributes
• Homeostasis: How the body maintains stable internal conditions (temperature, pH, blood pressure)
• Integration between systems: How different body systems work together (nervous and endocrine, for example)
• Anatomical terminology: Directional terms, body planes, and regional anatomy vocabulary
• Tissue types and organization: The four main tissue types and how they form organs

Something I've noticed working with nursing students - a lot of people struggle with the A&P section not because the content is impossibly hard, but because they studied it wrong. They tried to memorize a list of bones or muscles without understanding why those structures matter. The TEAS rewards conceptual understanding, not rote memorization of isolated facts.

Body Systems You Must Know

For TEAS human anatomy and physiology preparation, you need solid knowledge of all major body systems. Here's what each system typically covers on the exam, along with the highest-yield topics you should prioritize.

Cardiovascular System

This is arguably the most heavily tested system. You need to know:

• Heart anatomy - chambers, valves, and major vessels
• Blood flow pathway through the heart and body
• Cardiac cycle and electrical conduction system
• Blood pressure regulation and factors that affect it
• Blood composition - plasma, red cells, white cells, platelets
• Blood types and transfusion compatibility

Pro tip: Be able to trace blood flow from the right atrium through the lungs and back out through the aorta. This path shows up constantly in different question formats.

Respiratory System

Respiratory questions focus heavily on gas exchange and the mechanics of breathing:

• Anatomy of airways - from nasal passages to alveoli
• Gas exchange process in the lungs
• Mechanics of breathing - diaphragm and intercostal muscles
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport in blood
• Respiratory volumes and capacities (tidal volume, vital capacity, etc.)

Nervous System

The nervous system section can be intimidating because there's so much to cover. Focus on:

• Neuron structure and function - dendrites, axons, synapses
• Action potentials and nerve impulse transmission
• Central vs. peripheral nervous system divisions
• Major brain regions and their functions
• Autonomic nervous system - sympathetic vs. parasympathetic
• Reflex arcs

Digestive System

Digestion questions usually test the pathway of food and what happens at each stage:

• Organs of the GI tract in order
• Mechanical vs. chemical digestion
• Enzyme functions (amylase, pepsin, lipase, etc.)
• Nutrient absorption in the small intestine
• Accessory organs - liver, gallbladder, pancreas

Other Important Systems

Don't neglect these systems - they appear less frequently but still show up on every exam:

• Endocrine system: Major glands, hormone functions, feedback mechanisms
• Urinary system: Kidney structure, nephron function, urine formation
• Skeletal system: Bone types, major bones, joint classifications
• Muscular system: Muscle types, contraction mechanism basics
• Immune/Lymphatic system: Immune cell types, antibody function
• Integumentary system: Skin layers, functions of skin
• Reproductive system: Basic anatomy, hormonal regulation

If you're finding the anatomy content overwhelming, that's totally normal. Our Fast TEAS Pass Tutoring service uses AI diagnostics to identify exactly which body systems are tripping you up, then our expert tutors help you build understanding of those specific areas. It's way more efficient than trying to review everything when you only have gaps in certain areas.

TEAS Biology: Cells, Genetics, and Life Sciences

The TEAS biology portion is smaller than A&P but still significant with 9 questions. These questions test foundational biology concepts that underpin everything you'll learn in nursing school about how living organisms function.

Cellular Biology

TEAS biology questions frequently focus on cell structure and function:

• Cell organelles and their functions (mitochondria, ribosomes, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus)
• Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• Cell membrane structure and transport mechanisms (diffusion, osmosis, active transport)
• Cellular respiration basics - how cells produce ATP
• Cell division - mitosis and meiosis

Genetics and DNA

Genetics shows up regularly on the TEAS biology practice test:

• DNA structure - double helix, base pairing (A-T, G-C)
• DNA replication process
• Transcription and translation (how genes become proteins)
• Mendelian genetics - dominant/recessive traits, Punnett squares
• Chromosomes and inheritance patterns

Basic Ecology and Classification

A smaller portion of biology questions cover:

• Levels of biological organization (cells to ecosystems)
• Taxonomy basics - kingdoms and major classifications
• Basic ecological relationships

The biology content on the TEAS is generally less detailed than what you'd see in a college biology course. The questions test fundamental understanding rather than obscure details. Still, if it's been years since you took biology, you'll want to do a thorough review of these topics.

Chemistry Essentials for the TEAS

Chemistry makes a lot of nursing students nervous, but the TEAS doesn't require advanced chemistry knowledge. The 8 chemistry questions focus on foundational concepts that are directly relevant to understanding how medications and body processes work.

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

You should understand:

• Basic atomic structure - protons, neutrons, electrons
• How to read the periodic table - atomic number, mass, element groups
• Electron configuration basics and valence electrons
• Ions - how atoms gain or lose electrons

Chemical Bonding

Bonding concepts appear frequently:

• Ionic vs. covalent bonds - how they form and differ
• Polar vs. nonpolar molecules
• Hydrogen bonding (especially important for understanding water properties)

Acids, Bases, and pH

This is clinically relevant and heavily tested:

• pH scale - what it measures and how to interpret values
• Characteristics of acids vs. bases
• Buffers and their role in maintaining pH balance
• Clinical relevance - blood pH, stomach acid, etc.

Chemical Reactions

Basic reaction concepts you should know:

• Types of reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement)
• Balancing simple chemical equations
• Catalysts and enzymes - how they affect reaction rates
• Energy changes in reactions - exothermic vs. endothermic

Good news: you don't need to memorize the entire periodic table or solve complex stoichiometry problems. The TEAS chemistry questions stay at a conceptual level that's manageable with targeted review.

Scientific Reasoning Questions

The 4 scientific reasoning questions might seem like a small portion, but they can be tricky if you're not prepared. These questions don't test specific content knowledge - instead, they assess your ability to think like a scientist and interpret research.

What Scientific Reasoning Tests

• Interpreting experimental data: Reading graphs, tables, and charts to draw conclusions
• Understanding the scientific method: Identifying hypotheses, variables, controls, and conclusions
• Evaluating experimental design: Recognizing flaws in research methodology
• Making predictions: Using given data to predict outcomes

Tips for Scientific Reasoning

These questions are actually pretty doable if you approach them systematically:

• Read the passage or data carefully before looking at answer choices
• Identify what the experiment is actually testing (the independent and dependent variables)
• Look for patterns in data - trends, outliers, relationships
• Base your answers on the evidence provided, not outside knowledge

Proven Study Strategies for TEAS Science

Alright, now that you know what's on the exam, let's talk about how to actually study this material effectively. These strategies come from working with hundreds of nursing students who've successfully tackled the TEAS science section study guide material.

Prioritize by Weight

Remember those percentages from earlier? Allocate your study time accordingly:

• Spend approximately 60% of your science study time on anatomy and physiology
• Dedicate about 20% to biology
• Use 15% for chemistry
• Reserve 5% for scientific reasoning practice

If you're already strong in one area, shift that time to your weaker topics. Don't waste hours reviewing cardiovascular anatomy if you already nail those questions - focus where you actually need improvement.

Study for Understanding, Not Memorization

This is crucial for the TEAS science section. The questions often present familiar concepts in unfamiliar ways. If you've just memorized that "the left ventricle pumps blood to the body," you might struggle with a question that asks about the consequences of left ventricular weakness.

Instead, understand processes:

• Why does something happen, not just what happens?
• How do different systems interact and depend on each other?
• What would happen if this process failed or changed?

Use Active Recall

Passive reading is nearly useless for science content. After studying a topic, close your notes and try to recall the key information from memory. Use flashcards, practice questions, or teach the material to someone else. The struggle of retrieval is what builds lasting memory.

Create Visual Connections

For anatomy especially, visual learning pays off. Draw body systems from memory. Create concept maps showing how different structures connect. Use color coding to group related information. The visual memory will help you during the exam when you're trying to recall specific details.

Take Diagnostic Tests Early

Don't wait until a week before your exam to discover that you have major gaps in your knowledge. Take a full TEAS anatomy and physiology practice test early in your preparation to identify which systems and concepts need the most attention.

Practice Tips and Resources

Quality practice is essential for science section success. Here's how to make the most of your practice time.

Use Official ATI Materials

The official ATI TEAS practice tests are your best resource for understanding how questions are formatted and what difficulty level to expect. They're not cheap, but they're worth the investment because they mirror the actual exam more accurately than third-party materials.

Practice Under Timed Conditions

Once you've reviewed content, practice with time pressure. Give yourself 63 minutes for a 53-question science practice section - that's the real exam timing. Learning to pace yourself is just as important as knowing the content.

Review Wrong Answers Thoroughly

When you miss a question, don't just read the correct answer and move on. Ask yourself:

• Why did I get this wrong? (Content gap? Misread the question? Careless error?)
• What concept does this question test?
• What do I need to review to get similar questions right?

Focus on High-Yield Topics

Track which topics appear most frequently in your practice tests. Cardiovascular system? Cellular respiration? pH balance? If you see the same topics showing up repeatedly, those deserve extra attention in your study sessions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After working with countless TEAS test-takers, I've seen the same mistakes derail students over and over. Here's what to watch out for.

Mistake #1: Cramming the Night Before

Science content doesn't stick with cramming. The TEAS science section tests conceptual understanding that requires time to develop. If you're trying to learn all of anatomy and physiology in 48 hours... it's not going to work. Give yourself at least 2-4 weeks of focused science study time.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Body System Connections

A lot of students study each body system in isolation and then struggle with questions about how systems interact. The TEAS loves questions about integration - how does the nervous system affect heart rate? How do the kidneys and cardiovascular system work together to regulate blood pressure? Make sure you understand these connections.

Mistake #3: Skipping Chemistry

Because chemistry is only 8 questions, some students barely study it at all. Bad idea. Those 8 questions can be the difference between meeting and missing your target score. Plus, chemistry concepts (like pH and chemical reactions) actually show up in anatomy and biology questions too.

Mistake #4: Memorizing Without Understanding

I can't stress this enough. Memorizing that "the sinoatrial node is the heart's pacemaker" won't help you answer a question about what happens when the SA node malfunctions. Always ask yourself "why" and "what if" as you study.

Mistake #5: Not Practicing Time Management

The science section moves fast - 71 seconds per question average. If you spend too long on tough questions early, you won't have time to answer easier questions at the end. Practice moving on from questions that are taking too long.

Frequently Asked Questions About the TEAS Science Section