Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program Frequently Asked Questions for the Test of Essential Academic Skills, Version 5 (TEAS V)

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1 Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program Frequently Asked Questions for the Test of Essential Academic Skills, Version 5 (TEAS V) Scroll to the end of this document for specific information for applicants applying in October 2015 for Fall 2016 admission. Please note: the TEAS V Point Allocation will be determined over the summer of Check the department website periodically for updated information. 1. WHAT IS THE TEST OF ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC SKILLS (TEAS V)? The TEAS V is a scholastic aptitude multiple-choice exam approved by the California Community College Chancellor s Office to be used in the nursing application selection process. It consists of four sections: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. Cuesta College uses the web-based computerized version V of the TEAS exam. The TEAS V is designed to test the foundational academic knowledge that is required for the student to understand and master nursing course work. The TEAS V is a predictor of academic success in nursing school. For additional information on the content of the TEAS V refer to the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) website 2. WHY IS THE TEAS V A REQUIRED PART OF THE RN APPLICATION AT CUESTA COLLEGE? California Community Colleges are required by Senate Bill 1309 to administer a Nursing Assessment Readiness Test. Cuesta College uses the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to test prospective nursing students. 3. WHAT VERSION OF THE TEAS IS REQUIRED? Effective January 2011, all California Community Colleges using the TEAS must use TEAS V. Older versions of the TEAS will not be accepted. 4. WHAT IS COVERED IN EACH OF THE FOUR CONTENT AREAS ASSESSED? The TEAS V covers each of the following content areas: Reading; Mathematics; Science; and English & Language Usage. There are 170 questions, although this includes 20 unscored pretest questions. Therefore, the number of scored items on the test is HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE TEAS V? The maximum amount of time allotted for the TEAS V is 209 minutes (about 3.5 hours). Each section is timed: Reading = 58 minutes; Math = 51 minutes; Science = 66 minutes; English= 34 minutes. Extra time is added to the total testing period for user account set-up and short breaks in between sections. You must take the entire test during the testing period. If you finish early you may leave before the time has ended.

2 6. WHEN DO I TAKE THE TEAS V? All applicants to Cuesta College Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program must take the TEAS V each year they apply, between the dates specified on the Cuesta College RN application. Only TEAS V scores taken between these dates will be considered. For applicants to applying in fall 2015 to the RN Class of 2018 (program entry fall 2016), the designated testing window is October 1, 2015 December 5, WHERE DO I TAKE THE TEAS V? Applicants to the Cuesta College RN program are given an opportunity to take the TEAS V once at Cuesta College free of charge during each application cycle. TEAS testing at Cuesta is only available to current applicants to the Cuesta RN program and is only offered on the specific dates identified during each admissions cycle. The TEAS is also offered at many universities and colleges and at PSI Test Centers. Contact schools you are interested in testing with for information. Contact Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) at atitesting.com for information on testing at a PSI Test Center. 8. WHAT IS THE COST OF TAKING THE TEAS V? HOW DO I PAY FOR IT? Applicants to the Cuesta College RN program will be offered an opportunity to take the TEAS V once at Cuesta College free of charge during each application cycle. Applicants who choose to test at another college or university, or at a test center, should contact each location for information on their TEAS V cost. 9. WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS? Applicants at Cuesta take the computer version of the exam, and these results are available shortly after the exam is completed. (Applicants must access the results from their own computers once they have left the test site. Cuesta College does not provide access to the results or provide a printed copy of the results to applicants.) 10. HOW WILL I GET MY TEAS V SCORES TO CUESTA COLLEGE? If you take the TEAS V at Cuesta, we will automatically receive your scores. If you take the TEAS V at another location it is your responsibility to have your scores submitted to Cuesta College by our deadline. We will only accept official scores sent directly to us from Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). Request to have Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) forward your TEAS V transcript (score/s) by going to their website at atitesting.com and following these directions: Go to Sign-in: enter user name and password Scroll down, click on 'Shop' Click on TEAS transcript fee Select Cuesta College Select Add to Cart and Checkout Applicants are required to submit all test results taken during the designated time period for their application to remain eligible. 11. HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE PASSED THE TEAS V? Applicants must attain a minimum Adjusted Individual Total Score of 62% on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V) to continue in the application process. The adjusted individual total score is the average of the four individual sections of the TEAS V. This score is found on the top right corner of your TEAS V transcript (score or results sheet). 12. WHAT DO I DO IF I SCORE BELOW 62% An applicant who scores below the 62% minimum Adjusted Total Individual Score on their first TEAS V taken during the Cuesta College specified test dates becomes ineligible to continue in the application

3 process. They will be referred to the RN Student Success Specialist to complete an appropriate remediation plan. The remediation plan will be approved by members of the Cuesta College Nursing Selection Committee and administered by the RN Student Success Specialist. After documented remediation, the applicant may then reapply to the Cuesta College RN Program in the following application cycle. Applicants who choose not to remediate are ineligible to apply in the following admissions cycle. 13. HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TAKE THE TEAS V DURING EACH ADMISSIONS CYCLE? Applicants who score 62% or above on their initial test but believe they could improve their score may take the TEAS V again during the dates specified in the application. However, only one exam date per admission cycle will be provided to each applicant to test at Cuesta College. Any additional tests will be at the applicants own expense and must be taken at a location other than Cuesta College. If an applicant who originally had a passing score does not pass on a later attempt, we will accept the original or highest Adjusted Individual Total Score. We will not use the highest individual content scores from multiple exams. Your official TEAS V results will indicate the number of attempts made on any version of the TEAS as well as the number of days between current and last attempts. Applicants are required to submit all test results taken during the designated time period for their application to remain eligible. 14. WHAT IF I NEED SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS BASED ON A DIAGNOSED DISABILITY? Applicants who are eligible for Disabled Students Programs and Services may request testing accommodations. Eligible applicants who wish to take the TEAS V at Cuesta College in fall 2015 must contact Ursula Bishop at ext or ursula_bishop@cuesta.edu by Friday, October 23, 2015, to request testing accommodations. 15. CAN I USE A CALCULATOR? No. Calculators are not allowed. Scratch paper is provided. 16. THE TEAS V AND MULTI-CRITERIA POINTS TEAS V test results contribute to the multi-criteria points for admission. The total possible Admission Criteria Points an applicant can be awarded is 100 points. A maximum of 30 points can be awarded for the TEAS V. The TEAS V point allocation distribution will be determined over the summer (2015), and will be added to this FAQ and to the website when available. Check the department website periodically for updated information. 17. HOW SOON SHOULD AN APPLICANT START PREPARING FOR THE TEAS V? Each applicant has a different learning style, and varying amounts of time may have passed since an applicant took the academic courses that are covered in the TEAS V. Applicants should keep in mind that preparation and review will result in higher scores. TEAS V test results are an important part of the multi-criteria points for admission and we urge applicants to a serious approach to preparing for the exam. We recommend a minimum study and review schedule of 50 hours. Remember that the academic knowledge covered in the TEAS V is vital for success in nursing school, so while studying for the TEAS V, applicants are also preparing to do well in the rigorous academic coursework of the nursing program.

4 18. WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO PREPARE FOR THE TEAS V? ATI has two products, the TEAS V Study Manual and two TEAS V Online Practice Assessments, available to guide review and provide feedback about individual study progress. Information about purchasing these materials is available at Specific information on ATI TEAS V materials: TEAS V - Pre-Test Study Manual This official TEAS V resource is specifically written to address each objective that could potentially be addressed on the TEAS V exam, including the four (4) content areas: reading; mathematics; science; English and language use. This manual contains two additional paper/pencil practice tests with rationale for correct answers. TEAS V Online Practice Assessment Form A TEAS V Online Practice Assessment Form B TEAS V Online Practice Assessment Form C These online practice tests contain a different set of 150 questions, patterned after the original TEAS V exam and designed to give the applicant a sense of what to expect in both test content and format. Applicants can take the practice test via the Internet at any convenient time and location. An early practice test (such as the TEAS V Online Practice Assessments) can point out areas of weakness and help determine how to set up study and review time for the actual test. Cuesta College has TEAS V manuals on reserve in the libraries on both the North County campus (Paso Robles) and the San Luis Obispo campus. There are other exam review books from other publishers available at bookstores and through online sources that focus on the TEAS V. Applicants may want to consider these sources as well. Current Cuesta College students are eligible to participate in the PLATO TEAS V Test Preparation Program. For information on this contact the Academic Support Lab. Applicants at other schools should check to see if their school has PLATO Courseware. Reviewing and studying academic textbooks and course notes related to the content areas of the TEAS V and to future nursing coursework is an extremely valuable way to study for the TEAS V. Consider using online resources like Khan Academy to refresh memory in individual subject areas. 19. WHAT IF I EXPERIENCE TEST ANXIETY? Anxiety is common for most test takers. Stress can make the body more alert, consequently improving your performance. For some individuals, stress can be a hindrance and can result in a decrease in concentration. In order to minimize stress while taking a test, please consider the following: Plan ahead and start working on test anxiety issues now! Applicants who struggle with Text Anxiety or need Study or Test Taking Tips should contact their school s Academic Skills office for information on workshops on these topics. At Cuesta, contact the Academic Support Department at (805) or Specific FAQ s for Applicants applying for RN Class of 2018, Fall 2016 Admission WHAT IS MY TEST DATE IF I TEST AT CUESTA COLLEGE IN FALL 2015? Applicants who wish to test at Cuesta College are pre-assigned test dates based on the first letter of their last name. The alphabet order is rotated each application cycle. The pre-assigned dates for applicants testing in fall 2015 for the RN Class of 2018 (entering in the fall 2016):

5 LAST NAME N-Q: Monday, November 2, :00 a.m. LAST NAME R-S: Friday, November 6, :00 a.m. LAST NAME T-Z: Monday, November 9, :00 a.m. LAST NAME A-B: Friday, November 13, :00 a.m. LAST NAME C-E: Monday, November 16, :00 a.m. LAST NAME F-H: Friday, November 20, :00 a.m. LAST NAME I-M: Monday, November 23, :00 a.m. CAN I CHANGE MY PRE-ASSIGNED TEST DATE? WHAT IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY? Cuesta College TEAS V pre-assigned dates are published in advance so applicants can make arrangements to attend their test date. Due to the large number of applicants, alternate test dates may not be available. Applicants who cannot attend their pre-assigned date are not guaranteed a test date with Cuesta. In situations where a request for an alternate test date cannot be accommodated, the applicant will be responsible for arranging to take the TEAS V at another test site, at their own cost, by the test submission deadline. If you believe you have a legitimate test date conflict, contact: Ursula Bishop at ext or ursula_bishop@cuesta.edu to discuss your situation. Decisions will take into consideration such factors as the limited numbers of spaces available on each test date. Before contacting us with a test date conflict, make every effort to arrange to test on your assigned test date. In emergency situations we will make an effort to assist you but we may not be able to provide an alternate test date. In this case, applicants will be responsible for arranging to take the TEAS V at another test site, at their own cost, on or by December 5, Appropriate documentation of test date conflict or emergency situations may be requested. How Do I Register with TEAS V Before Testing? Cuesta College requires that you register with ATI for the TEAS exam prior to your testing date. Create an account by going to and click on create a new account then follow the screen prompts. You are not registering for the exam; you are simply creating an account with ATI. When creating an account the Institution will be Cuesta College ADN. You will need your ATI username and password to take your online test at Cuesta College. Please bring this information with you to the testing center on your test date! WHERE IS THE TEAS V ADMINISTERED AT CUESTA COLLEGE? Test Location: Cuesta College San Luis Obispo Campus, Bldg Room 3414 High Tech Center 2nd Floor PARKING INFORMATION FOR TEST DAY Parking regulations are enforced on weekends and parking permits are required in all parking lots. You may purchase a $2 daily parking permit at one of the yellow permit kiosks located in all paved lots. Dollar bills and quarters are accepted and permit machines do not give change. Come prepared! Building 3400 is most easily accessible from parking lots 2, 3, 4 and 5. Please refer to campus map for detailed information: THINGS TO REMEMBER AND BRING WITH YOU ON TEST DAY Arrive early to purchase a parking permit and find the Assessment Center Allow 3 ½ hours for testing Bring your Photo ID. Bring your ATI User Name and Password Water or other beverage

6 WHAT ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE TESTING AREA? Please leave the following in your vehicle or at home: Cell phones Purse/Backpack PDAs Headphones Any electronic devices Recorders Books/Dictionary Personal items Food Calculator WHAT IF I NEED A SNACK DURING THE TEST? Food is not allowed at the computer. You may be able to take a short break in-between sections of the test. There will be an area in the back of the Assessment Center where you can store the food. WHAT IF I NEED SPECIAL TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS BASED ON A DIAGNOSED DISABILITY? Applicants who are eligible for Disabled Students Programs and Services may request testing accommodations. by contacting Ursula Bishop at ext or ursula_bishop@cuesta.edu Requests must be made by Friday, October 23, 2015.