TEAS vs HESI: What’s The Differeence?

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What’s on the TEAS vs HESI?

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) exams are two of the most commonly used standardized tests for nursing school admission. Both tests are designed to assess the academic skills and knowledge in areas such as reading comprehension, math, science, and English language usage that are necessary for success in nursing school. In this discussion, we will compare the TEAS and HESI exams and highlight their similarities and differences.

What’s the Cost?

The TEAS exam is administered by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) and can be taken at testing centers or online while the HESI exam is administered by Elsevier and can also be taken at testing centers or online. The cost of the TEAS exam varies depending on the institution, but typically ranges from $60-$150. The HESI exam also varies depending on the institution, but typically cost about $40-$80. The TEAS test is a timed exam with a total of 209 minutes, or just over 3.5 hours. The HESI test may take longer, with a total test duration of 4-5 hours depending on the version of the test.

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TEAS vs HESI: Which One Should I Take?

The TEAS exam is designed to assess a student’s readiness for academic programs in nursing and allied health sciences. The test is used to evaluate a student’s academic strengths and weaknesses and provide a baseline for academic improvement. The TEAS test is the more prevalent exam used by the more competitive, lower cost, public associate (ADN) and bachelors (BSN) level nursing schools.

On the other hand, the HESI exam is designed to evaluate the academic preparedness of nursing school applicants and is more prevalent amongst private ADN and BSN nursing school and LPN programs. However, there are several competitive public ADN and BSN school that are using the HESI these days, especially in Arizona, Texas, and Nevada. The HESI exam is used by nursing schools to assess a student’s understanding of fundamental nursing concepts and critical thinking abilities.

TEAS vs HESI: What’s On The Test?

The TEAS test consists of four sections: Reading, Math, Science, and English Language & Usage. The reading section evaluates a student’s ability to read and comprehend academic texts and access one’s ability to critically think while also following directions. The math section assesses a student’s understanding of basic math concepts under time constants and one’s ability to evaluate & problem-solve. The science section evaluates a student’s knowledge of scientific reasoning, cell & molecular biology, anatomy & physiology, genetics, and chemistry. Lastly, the English language usage section evaluates a student’s understanding of grammar, punctuation, contextual interpretation, and sentence structure.

The HESI exam consists of eight sections: reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, math, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and critical thinking. The reading comprehension and vocabulary sections assess a student’s ability to read and comprehend academic texts and understand medical terminology. The grammar section evaluates a student’s understanding of punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. The math section assesses a student’s understanding of basic math concepts, while the anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry sections evaluate a student’s knowledge of these subjects. The critical thinking section assesses a student’s ability to analyze and interpret information and solve problems.

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TEAS vs HESI: What Score Will Get Me Accepted?

Adkins Academy TEAS Test Prep Course | TEAS VII Score Report | Best TEAS TutorThe TEAS test is a computer-based exam with a multiple-choice format. The HESI test can be taken either on paper or on a computer, and its format may include multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Both exams are scored on a scale from 0-100%.

The national average score for the TEAS exam is a 65.7 as of 2023 (TEAS VII). But most for most competitive ADN and BSN programs that average admitted student has a TEAS score in the low to mid 80s. Students with multiple acceptances from top tier schools like Texas Women’s University or Sacramento State University or University of Central Florida or Emory University will have scores in the high 80s to 90s.

While HESI doesn’t really publish their examinees national averages, it is pretty clear that students who score around a 65 on the TEAS will likely score in the high 60s to 70s on the HESI. So is the HESI easier? No really, most students simply indicate the questions are a bit more straight forward than the questions on the TEAS test.

Regardless, what really matters is: What Are Applicants Getting In With? So, while you can get into LPN and private ADN or BSN programs with a high 60s to 70s HESI score, the tradeoff is you will end up PAYING for it to the tune of $100K plus. Many of the private school tend to have $60K to $180K price tags because they will accept students with some to no pre-requisite classes and a low HESI (or even TEAS) score.

However, when you are looking to get into a more competitive, lower cost private or public school like Chamberlain or Texas A&M University, both of which use the HESI, then your score needs to be in the high 80s to 90s. So the moral of the story here is: If you want to get into the best school that are less expensive, your TEAS or HESI scores needs to be in the 80s or 90s.

TEAS vs HESI: So, How Do I Prepare For The TEAS or HESI?

Though there are several options like books, YouTube Videos, online nursing groups, online self-pace course, flash cards, etc., you MUST ask yourself how best do you study and learn the material. Do you do well with learning on your own, sticking to a strict study schedule, figuring it out on your own, and hoping you are studying the right material? If yes, then keep moving forward with the book of the shelf and flash cards.

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The Adkins Academy TEAS & HESI Mastery Course has been recognized as the #1 TEAS Prep Course by Testing.org.

But if you would prefer to learn from a knowledgeable medical doctor lead live course where you review hundreds of questions and topics, then The Adkins Academy TEAS & HESI Mastery Course is your absolute best option. With a track record of getting students in the 90s on a regular basis, Dr. Adkins is the best TEAS & HESI tutor and has great pricing options that can fit any budget. You can contact Dr. Adkins directly at 301-960-4950 or Book A Call With Dr. Adkins Now.

Choosing Between TEAS and HESI: Ultimately, the choice between the TEAS and HESI test may come down to the requirements of the specific nursing program you are applying to. Some nursing schools only accept one of these tests, while others may allow applicants to choose between the two. It is important to carefully review the program requirements and determine which test is the best fit.

In summary, both the TEAS and HESI tests are used to assess the academic skills and knowledge necessary for success in nursing school. While there are some differences in test content, format, duration, and scoring, both exams are designed to evaluate similar skills. The choice between these two tests may ultimately come down to program requirements, and it is important to review these requirements carefully when preparing for nursing school.

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