The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam, also known as the ATI TEAS 7, is a crucial nursing school entrance exam assessing readiness in four sections: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. Many aspiring nurses search for "hardest part of TEAS test" or "most difficult TEAS section" because difficulty varies by individual strengths.
Student experiences and expert analyses show no universal "hardest" section it depends on your background. However, the Science section is most frequently cited as the toughest for many test-takers.
Why Science Is Often the Hardest TEAS Section
The Science portion includes 50 questions in 60 minutes, covering human anatomy and physiology (heavily weighted), biology, chemistry, and scientific reasoning. Its breadth and depth challenge students, especially those who haven't recently taken prerequisites like A&P or chemistry. Detailed memorization of body systems, chemical reactions, cells, and processes combined with application-based questions, makes it intimidating. Reddit users and prep sites often report lowest scores here, noting it's "broad" and "in-depth," with curveballs on topics like hormones or pH balances.
Other commonly challenging sections include:
- Mathematics — Algebra, conversions, percentages, and data interpretation under time pressure (57 minutes for 38 questions). Math anxiety affects many.
- Reading — Long passages requiring inferences, key ideas, and integration of information (55 minutes for 45 questions). Time management is key.
- English and Language Usage — Grammar rules, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure (37 minutes for 37 questions). It surprises strong readers due to tricky details like parts of speech.
Overall, timing across the 209-minute exam adds difficulty many feel rushed or fatigued by the end.
How to Conquer the Hardest Parts of the TEAS Test
Preparation turns challenges into strengths. Start studying 6-8 weeks ahead using ATI's official materials, practice tests (like Mometrix or Nurse Hub), and YouTube channels (e.g., Brandon Craft for math, Nurse Cheung for science). Focus extra on your weakest section take timed practice exams to build pacing and confidence.
With targeted TEAS prep, most students pass on their first try and achieve competitive scores (70-80%+ for many programs). Don't let the "hardest TEAS section" deter you thousands succeed annually!