Failing the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) can feel devastating, especially when nursing or allied health school admission is on the line. But it’s not the end of your journey—thousands retake it successfully each year. Here’s what to do next, step by step.
1. Understand Your Score Report ATI provides a detailed breakdown showing strengths (e.g., Science) and weaknesses (e.g., Math). National mean scores hover around 60-65%; programs often require 58-75%. Identify gaps immediately—don’t guess why you struggled.
2. Check Retake Policies
- ATI allows 3 attempts per year with a minimum 14-day wait between tests.
- Some schools accept only your highest score, others average them or take the most recent. Confirm with your target programs.
- Kenya’s KMTC and private colleges (e.g., Aga Khan, Kenya Methodist) typically follow ATI rules but may cap attempts at 2 per admission cycle.
3. Build a Focused Study Plan (4-8 Weeks)
- Daily 2-hour blocks: 45 min review, 45 min practice, 30 min flashcards.
- Use ATI TEAS Study Manual (7th ed.) + ATI online practice tests A/B.
- Target weak areas:
- Math: Khan Academy (free) for fractions, algebra, conversions.
- Reading: Read 1 nursing journal article daily; summarize key points.
- Science: Focus on A&P (Visible Body app) and chemistry basics.
- English: Grammarly + ATI grammar drills.
- Join TEAS Kenya WhatsApp/Telegram groups (search “TEAS Kenya 2025”) for local peer support.
4. Consider Test Prep Support
- Free: YouTube (NurseHub, Mometrix), Nursejanx TEAS playlists.
- Paid: ATI TEAS SmartPrep (~KSh 12,000) or local tutors in Nairobi (KSh 1,500/hr).
- Mock exams under timed conditions (3 hr 29 min) weekly.
5. Explore Backup Pathways If retakes aren’t viable:
- Apply to programs with lower cutoffs or holistic review (e.g., certificate-level nursing).
- Start with pre-nursing courses at TVETs to build credits.
- Consider alternative careers (pharmacy tech, medical lab) with lower entry barriers.
6. Mindset Reset One failure doesn’t define you. Use it as data. Most students who fail once and retake with a plan improve 10-15 points. Track progress in a score log. You’ve got this.