There is no single, official national “pass rate” published for the TEAS exam, as each nursing or allied health program sets its own qualifying or “passing” score for admission. However, by analyzing aggregate data and program benchmarks, we can estimate that approximately 40-60% of test-takers achieve a score deemed acceptable by their target program on the first attempt.
This wide range is due to several critical factors:
- Program Competitiveness: A student “passing” with a 65 for one school may be far below the 80 required by another.
- Preparation Levels: First-time test-takers range from highly prepared students to those who underestimate the exam’s rigor, particularly in the Science and Math sections.
- Varying Definitions of “Pass”: For reporting purposes, many consider achieving the Proficient (58.7% – 77.3%) level or higher as a benchmark for first-attempt success, as this is often the minimum for many program applications.
What This Means for You:
Focus less on the overall average and more on your target. A first-time pass is highly achievable with dedicated preparation.
- Know Your Target Score: Research the specific score requirements for your chosen programs. An 85 is a common benchmark for competitive programs.
- Prepare Strategically: Invest in a structured study plan, focusing on the Science section, which is often the most challenging.
- Take Official Practice Assessments: The official ATI TEAS practice tests are the best predictor of your first-attempt score.
For context on how your score is evaluated, you can read our analysis on Is 72 a Good TEAS Score?.
For an external resource with detailed statistical insights and preparation strategies for first-time test-takers, you can review data from NurseHub.