TEAS Crash Course Book + Online

Daniel Greenberg

• Publisher: Research & Education Association
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9780738685601
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Nursing

REA's TEAS Crash Course Book + Online Practice Test
Fully Revised Second Edition

Everything you need for the exam - in a fast review format!

REA's TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Crash Course is the first book of its kind for the last-minute studier or anyone who wants to get a high score on this nursing school entry exam.

Targeted, Focused Review - Study Only What You Need to Know
Based on the Test of Essential Academic Skills exam and actual TEAS questions, the Crash Course covers only the information tested on the exam, so you can make the most of your study time. Targeted, easy-to-read review chapters in outline format cover reading comprehension, English language and usage, math, biology, chemistry, physics, and more.

Expert Test-taking Strategies
Our author explains the structure of the TEAS, so you know what to expect on test day. He also shares detailed question-level strategies and shows you the best way to answer questions. By following our expert tips and advice, you can score higher on every section of the exam.

Take REA's Online Practice Exam
After studying the material in the TEAS Crash Course, go online and test what you've learned. Our practice exam features timed testing, diagnostic feedback, detailed explanations of answers, and automatic scoring analysis. The exam is balanced to include every topic and type of question found on the TEAS exam, so you know you're studying the smart way.

No matter how or when you prepare for the TEAS exam, REA's TEAS Crash Course will show you how to study efficiently and strategically, so you can get a higher score in less time!

Chapter 1

Taking the TEAS

1.1 THE TEAS: A SNAPSHOT

A. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is widely used to assess nursing and allied health program applicants in the United States. The TEAS features 170 test items, 20 of which are not scored, making a total of 150 scored items.

B. The total time for the test is 209 minutes, broken down into four sections—Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage (see below). Calculators are not allowed.

C. The test is given in both paper/pencil and computerized form.

D. Breakdowns for the four major subject areas are as follows.

E. All test items are four-option multiple-choice questions.

F. For the paper-based version of the test, bring two or more No. 2 pencils to the test center. For the computer-based test, bring pencils or pens for notes. Be sure to bring proper ID to your test location.

G. Allow a time window of 4 hours for the test. Each of the four content areas must be completed within a specified timeframe.

H. Register for the test at: www.atitesting.com. Test times and locations will be provided when you register.

I. This book comes with a free practice test at the online REA Study Center at www.rea.com/studycenter. You can obtain additional practice using the ATI test banks.

J. When it comes to scoring the TEAS test, the main thing you should know is that the current version of the test, known as the TEAS-V is not a pass/fail test. Check with your nursing program for specific scoring and entrance requirements.

K. If you are not satisfied with your score, you may re-register and retake the TEAS after a waiting period of 45 days.

1.2 IS NURSING FOR YOU?

A. Before settling on choosing nursing as a career, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are you a compassionate, empathetic, caring person?

2. How well do you deal with stress?

3. How good are you at following directions?

4. How comfortable are you with a job that presents new challenges every day rather than the security of knowing what you are going to do every day?

5. How comfortable are you working with and serving people of all kinds of ethnicities and backgrounds?

6. How comfortable are you in dealing with sickness, pain, and the end of life?

7. How squeamish are you with regard to the most basic and “messy” human functions, both physical and psychological?

8. Are you a good team player?

9. How comfortable are you in dealing with difficult and even abusive people?

10. How good are you at admitting mistakes, learning from mistakes, and forgiving mistakes in others?

11. How good are you at critical thinking? Are you comfortable in expressing your point of view even in the face of strong resistance?

12. How responsible, reliable, and punctual are you?

13. How comfortable are you in following orders and directions even when they may be flawed?

B. What kind of a nurse do you want to be?

1. Nursing degrees come in four categories:

• An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) is issued by 2-year schools.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) is issued by a 4-year college or university.

• A Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) is obtained after completing a BSN and requires completing a graduate master’s program.

• A Doctorate in nursing is the highest degree obtainable and focuses on the most advanced and analytical aspects of the nursing profession.

2. Nursing levels include:

• A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) has completed only 1 year of post–high school nursing education.

• A Registered Nurse (RN) must have at least an ADN and typically requires a BSN. RNs must also pass a licensing test to practice.

• Advanced categories for nursing include such things as Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

3. In becoming a nurse, you will need to choose:

• Medical specialty: e.g., surgery, OB/GYN, gastroenterology, emergency

• Where you work: e.g., hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, school, military, private practice, hospice, government agency

• Nursing specialties include nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse administrator, home health nurse, general duty nurse

1.3 GENERAL TEST-TAKING STRATEGY

A. Answer every question. You are not penalized for wrong answers. So make sure that you provide every question with an answer even if it is an uneducated guess.

B. Guess. An educated guess—when you have some idea about the correct answer—is a much better choice than an uneducated “wild” guess in which you are randomly choosing an answer.

1. With an “uneducated” guess in which your answer choice is random, your answer has a 25% chance of being correct.

2. If you can eliminate one wrong answer, your guess has a 33% chance of being correct.

3. If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your guess has a 50% chance of being correct.

C. Easy questions first. Don’t worry about answering questions in order. Look for questions you know first. This allows you to move ahead on the test and then come back to the more difficult questions and give them more thought.

D. Mark the tough questions. If a question is troublesome, ambiguous, or for some reason too hard to answer, circle it and come back to it later. If you have an answer but you’re unsure of it, mark the question and revisit it later.

E. Watch the clock. Follow the percentages (see pages 1–2) for each test section. Aim to have spare time after you have gone through the entire test.

1. For example, after 15 minutes in the 58-minute (roughly 1 hour) Reading Comprehension test, you should have completed well over 25% of the test items, having answered at least 10 but preferably 12 or more of the 42 test items.

2. After about a half hour in the Re...