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The ATI TEAS 7 exam is one of the most important steps for students pursuing nursing school. It evaluates skills in reading, math, science, and English, providing schools with a standardized measure of academic readiness. While many applicants wonder about test content, two key questions stand out: “What is the passing score?” and “What is considered a good score?” A third question that is just as important is “Can I retake the TEAS if I don’t achieve the score I want?” These three concerns define how students should prepare for the exam in 2025.
There is no single nationwide passing score for the TEAS 7. Instead, every nursing program sets its own minimum requirement. Generally, most schools set their cutoff in the range of 60 to 70 percent. This means that if you score in the low 60s, you may qualify for some Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, particularly those that weigh GPA or prerequisites more heavily. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, however, tend to have stricter requirements, often looking for a minimum of 70 percent or above.
Competitive nursing schools sometimes set their minimum even higher, requiring 75 percent or more just to be considered. This variation is why students must always check the exact requirements of the schools they are applying to rather than relying on a national standard.
A “good” score goes beyond simply meeting the cutoff. Passing gets you eligible for admission, but a good score makes you competitive in the applicant pool. For most nursing programs, scoring in the Advanced range (80 percent and above) is considered strong, because it places you ahead of most applicants. For top-tier or highly selective BSN programs, the expectation is even higher. A score of 92 percent or more, placing you in the Exemplary category, can make you stand out in a crowded field of qualified students.
If your goal is simply to meet requirements, then a score between 60 and 70 percent will usually qualify as “passing.” However, if you want your application to be competitive and not just sufficient, you should aim at least 10 percent higher than your program’s stated minimum cutoff.
National statistics help put these ranges into perspective. Across the United States, the average TEAS composite score is around 66 percent. For students applying to ADN programs, the average is between 66 and 70 percent, while BSN applicants average slightly higher, usually 70 to 75 percent. Scoring above 75 percent therefore already places you above the national average, and reaching 80 percent or more moves you into a truly competitive zone.
It is also important to note that very few students score at the top of the scale. Less than 20 percent of all test-takers achieve Exemplary scores of 92 percent or above. This means that while such scores are not necessary for most programs, they do provide a significant advantage in highly selective schools.
Summary: A score in the 60–70 percent range is passing, but a score of 80 percent or higher is considered good, and 92 percent or higher is excellent.
Yes, students can retake the TEAS 7 exam, but the rules vary depending on the program. ATI, the test administrator, does not limit the number of times a student can sit for the exam. However, nursing schools usually establish their own policies.
Some programs allow students to retake the TEAS up to three times per year, while others limit attempts to only two per admission cycle. A few schools will accept the highest score across multiple attempts, while others will average the scores or only consider the most recent one. For this reason, it is crucial for applicants to confirm how their program calculates retake scores before scheduling another attempt.
In addition, many schools enforce a waiting period of 30 to 45 days between attempts. This prevents students from retaking the test too quickly without adequately improving their preparation. From a strategic standpoint, students should avoid retaking the exam unless they have significantly studied and expect to improve, especially at schools that average results.
When it comes to preparing for the TEAS 7 exam, ProvicHub stands out as one of the most effective platforms for nursing students. It offers a wide range of resources designed to help you study smarter, practice effectively, and boost your score.
👉 Tip for Students: Start with the ProvicHub Study Guide to master core concepts, then move on to practice questions for skill-building, and finally, take full-length practice tests to measure your readiness. This step-by-step approach ensures you are fully prepared and confident on exam day.