TEAS Passing Score: What Is a Good TEAS Score? (2026 Guide)
There is no single TEAS passing score
ATI does not set one national pass or fail line. The TEAS 7 is a ranking instrument: your score report shows a total score plus four section scores and sub-content scores, each from 0.0% to 100%, and each nursing program decides its own cutoff. Two candidates for the same seat can be accepted or rejected at the same total score because programs weigh sections differently.
ATI's five performance bands
ATI publishes performance-level descriptions on its score reports. The widely cited band ranges are these:
| Band | Total range | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental | 0.0 - 40.0% | Below the bar for nearly all programs; strong remediation needed |
| Basic | 40.7 - 58.0% | Acceptable to a minority of ADN programs; unlikely for BSN |
| Proficient | 58.7 - 79.3% | The practical target for most programs |
| Advanced | 80.0 - 91.3% | Competitive for most BSNs and many accelerated programs |
| Exemplary | 92.0 - 100.0% | Elite range; common at top programmes and scholarships |
Treat the band ranges as orientation, not law: they come from summaries of ATI's published cut information, and ATI can revise them. Your program's admissions page is the only authoritative source for your target.
What programs actually require
- Community-college ADN programs commonly look for Basic-to-Proficient minimums, often with a section floor (for example, no section below 55-60%).
- BSN programs typically want Proficient or better - in practice around 70-78% total or higher depending on the school and the applicant pool.
- Accelerated and direct-entry MSN programs frequently push into Advanced territory (80%+).
- Some programs use per-section minimums instead of a total cutoff; a high total does not rescue a failing Science section if Science has a floor.
Do not trust third-party 'average TEAS score' figures you cannot verify; averages shift with applicant pools and are not published per program. Your program's admissions office or website is the source to quote in your planning.
How the score is calculated
The total and content-area scores are statistically equated across exam forms, which is why raw counts do not translate 1:1 to percentages. Sub-content scores are straight percent-correct and are not comparable across forms. There is no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question blank - including pilot items, which you cannot identify.
What to do with this information
Find your target program's cutoff first, then convert it into practice targets. The free drill set here is built to the published split: Math, Reading, Science and English drills - 1,200 original questions across ten unique practice tests per section, 100% free: no login, no limits. For score validity and resits, see the TEAS retake policy guide.
Practice free, no login
Try the Math drill, Reading drill, Science drill and English drill - 300 original questions in each section, 1,200 across the bank.
Related guides
- The TEAS 7 format and blueprint, in full
- Is the TEAS exam hard?
- TEAS retake policy: how many attempts
- How to pass the TEAS: a free study plan
Last verified: 29 September 2026. Structure, timing and scoring facts are sourced from ATI's published exam materials and help center; always confirm details with your test site on the day.