Your FREE TEAS Flashcards 2026 – 350+ Cards

The body's maintenance of a stable internal environment (temperature, pH, glucose) despite outside changes, largely via negative feedback.

About 29% — the heaviest-weighted section, carrying roughly 44 scored questions and the one most test-takers rate hardest.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (~18 items), Biology (~9), Chemistry (~8), and Scientific Reasoning (~9).

Human Anatomy & Physiology — about 18 scored items (~36% of Science), so it earns the most study time.

TEAS 7 launched June 2022, roughly doubled Biology and Chemistry, and cut about 14 A&P items. Old TEAS 6 guides leave you underprepared on chemistry.

There's no partial credit, so judge each option independently as true or false before submitting.

Study broadly. The section samples shallowly (often 1–2 questions per topic), so breadth across all systems and sub-areas beats deep-diving one favorite.

Application and analysis — how systems interact and how a change in one process affects another, not just memorizing names.

It enters the right atrium from the body, then passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.

The tricuspid valve — it has three flaps (cusps).

The mitral (bicuspid) valve — it has two flaps.

Body → right atrium → tricuspid valve → right ventricle → pulmonary valve → lungs → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aortic valve → aorta → body.

The right side (right atrium and right ventricle) carries deoxygenated blood; the left side carries oxygenated blood.

Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood toward the heart.

The pulmonary artery — the one exception that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

The pulmonary vein — the one exception, carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

The body's largest artery; it carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle out to the body.

The heart and blood vessels circulate blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body.

The left ventricle — it pumps oxygenated blood out through the aorta, so it has the thickest, most muscular wall.

In the lungs — deoxygenated blood from the pulmonary artery picks up oxygen and releases CO2, then returns oxygenated via pulmonary veins.

It is a network of glands that secrete hormones into the blood to regulate body processes like metabolism, growth, and blood glucose.

TSH, ACTH, FSH, and LH — it signals other glands (thyroid, adrenal, gonads), acting as a 'master' control gland.

Antidiuretic hormone, from the posterior pituitary, increases water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Insulin lowers blood glucose; glucagon raises it. Both are made by the pancreas.

Thyroxine (T3/T4), which raises the body's metabolic rate.

Epinephrine and cortisol — they drive the stress (fight-or-flight) response.

A loop that reverses a change to restore balance. Example: high blood glucose triggers insulin, which lowers glucose back to normal.

A loop that amplifies a change. Examples: action potentials, blood clotting, and childbirth (uterine contractions).

Sympathetic = fight-or-flight (raises heart rate); parasympathetic = rest-and-digest (slows heart rate, aids digestion).

Dendrite → cell body → axon → synapse. The neuron is the nerve cell that conducts the signal.

The functional unit of the kidney. It processes blood in order: filtration → reabsorption → secretion → excretion.

The brain and spinal cord. The nerves branching out form the peripheral nervous system.

It produces ATP (cellular energy) through cellular respiration — the cell's 'powerhouse.'

They build proteins by translating mRNA (protein synthesis).

The cell's DNA (genetic material). The nucleus directs the cell's activities.

They hold digestive enzymes that break down waste, debris, and worn-out cell parts.

Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus (and organelles); prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria) have no nucleus.

Genetic information flows DNA → RNA → protein.

Adenine pairs with Thymine (A–T) and Guanine pairs with Cytosine (G–C).

Adenine pairs with Uracil (A–U). RNA uses uracil instead of thymine.

Two genetically identical diploid cells; used for growth and tissue repair.

Four genetically unique haploid gametes (sex cells like sperm and egg).

Mitosis = 2 identical diploid cells for growth/repair; meiosis = 4 unique haploid gametes for reproduction.

In the cytoplasm. It is the first step, breaking glucose into pyruvate.

In the mitochondria. The electron transport chain produces most of the cell's ATP.

The process of converting glucose and oxygen into ATP (energy), plus CO2 and water as byproducts.

A grid to predict offspring genotype and phenotype ratios from a genetic cross.

3:1 dominant-to-recessive. Genotypes are 1 AA : 2 Aa : 1 aa, so 3 of 4 show the dominant trait.

1 in 4 (25%) — only the aa offspring express the recessive phenotype.

A dominant allele (uppercase) is expressed if even one copy is present; a recessive allele (lowercase) is expressed only with two copies.

Genotype is the genetic makeup (e.g., Aa); phenotype is the observable trait it produces (e.g., brown eyes).

Homozygous = two identical alleles (AA or aa); heterozygous = two different alleles (Aa).

Diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes (body cells); haploid cells have one set (gametes).

Protons (positive) and neutrons (neutral) in the nucleus, and electrons (negative) orbiting in shells.

The number of protons in the nucleus. It defines the element.

A bond formed by transferring electrons, typically between a metal and a nonmetal.

A bond formed by sharing electrons, typically between two nonmetals.

A physical change keeps the same substance (melting ice stays H2O); a chemical change makes a new substance (rusting iron).

Rusting, burning, or digestion — a new substance with different properties forms.

It measures acidity from 0 to 14: below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic.

Each whole-number step is a $10\times$ change in acidity, so pH 3 is 10 times more acidic than pH 4.

100 times more acidic — two pH units equals a $10 \times 10 = 100$-fold change (logarithmic scale).

An acid donates H+ ions (protons) in solution; it has a pH below 7.

A base forms OH- (hydroxide) ions in solution; it has a pH above 7.

An acid plus a base react to form salt plus water.

Matter is neither created nor destroyed, so atoms of each element must be equal on both sides of a chemical equation.

Only coefficients (the big numbers in front) — never subscripts, which would change the substance's identity.

CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O. Place 2 before H2O (4 H) and 2 before O2 (4 O) to balance all atoms.

Foundational only — no organic chemistry, complex stoichiometry, or memorizing the periodic table. Focus on bonds, pH, states of matter, and balancing.

The factor the researcher deliberately changes in an experiment.

The factor that is measured and responds to (depends on) the independent variable.

A factor kept constant so the experiment stays fair and only the independent variable affects the outcome.

Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value; precision is how repeatable/consistent measurements are with one another.

Two variables changing together may share an outside cause or be coincidental. Only a controlled experiment can establish cause and effect.

The axis labels and scale — then match each answer choice only to what the figure actually shows.

Choose only the conclusion the evidence directly supports; reject options that go beyond what the data show.

Observe/question → form a hypothesis → experiment → collect/analyze data → draw a conclusion.

A control group and controlled variables, so only the independent variable differs and results can be attributed to it.

It exchanges gases — bringing in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide — at the alveoli in the lungs.

It provides structure and support, protects organs, enables movement, stores minerals, and produces blood cells in bone marrow.

Tendons connect muscle to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone.

It breaks food into nutrients the body can absorb and eliminates waste, running mouth → stomach → small intestine → large intestine.

In the small intestine, which has a large surface area (villi) for absorbing nutrients into the blood.

It defends the body against pathogens using white blood cells and antibodies.

The skin, hair, and nails — it protects the body, regulates temperature, and provides sensation.

It filters waste from the blood and produces urine, with the kidney's nephron as the functional unit.

It is selectively permeable, controlling what enters and exits the cell to maintain internal balance.

All living things are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

About 26% of the total exam - roughly 39 scored questions (45 total) answered in a 55-minute time limit.

45 total questions (39 scored) in 55 minutes - about 1.4 minutes per question across long, dense passages.

Key Ideas & Details (~15), Integration of Knowledge & Ideas (~15), and Craft & Structure (~9).

Key Ideas & Details and Integration of Knowledge & Ideas, each with about 15 scored items. Craft & Structure is lighter at about 9.

Craft & Structure, with about 9 scored items. It tests author purpose, point of view, tone, text structure, and word meaning.

Main idea, inference, summarizing, and following directions. It is the most-missed Reading sub-area, worth about 15 items.

Source types, evaluating arguments, interpreting graphics, and synthesizing multiple texts. It grew in weight in TEAS 7 (~15 items).

Author purpose, point of view, tone, text structure, and word meaning (vocabulary in context). About 9 scored items.

Key Ideas & Details - specifically telling topic, main idea, and supporting detail apart. Master that to protect about 15 questions.

Running out of time (pacing), not lack of content knowledge. Test-takers either run out of time or fall for a planted distractor.

A speed-and-trap game. About 1.4 min/question means most failures come from poor pacing or falling for distractors, not weak knowledge.

The one or two words a passage is about. It is broader than the main idea - the subject, not the point being made about it.

The single most important point an author makes about the topic. It covers the whole passage, not just one sentence.

A specific fact or example that backs up the main idea. A detail can be true yet still be the wrong answer to a main-idea question.

The topic is the 1-2 word subject; the main idea is the most important point the author makes about that topic across the whole passage.

A true supporting detail dressed up as the main idea. The detail is real but covers only one sentence; the correct main idea covers the whole passage.

Pick the answer that covers the entire passage, not just one true sentence. A detail can be fully accurate and still be wrong.

Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph. Authors usually state the main idea in a topic sentence and restate it at the end.

A brief restatement of a passage's main idea and key supporting points. A good summary should match the correct main-idea answer.

'Sleep' - just the 1-2 word subject. The main idea would be a full point like 'adults need 7-9 hours of sleep for health.'

Main idea: 'Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep for health.' Detail: 'Sleep loss raises heart-disease risk' - one fact, not the whole point.

A conclusion the author strongly implies but does not state outright. It must stay close to the text and be provable from a line.

It is repeatedly named the single highest-impact skill. The rule: stay close to the text - a valid inference is what the author strongly implies, never your opinion.

Over-inferring - adding new facts the passage never gave. TEAS inferences are tight, one short step beyond what is stated.

Reject any choice that adds facts not in the passage. If you cannot point to a supporting line, it is wrong.

You must be able to point to a specific supporting line. If you can't prove it from the passage, don't pick it - even if it sounds reasonable.

It is late in the year (late autumn/winter) - an inference one step from the text. It does NOT mean the hikers were lost; that over-infers.

Reading and carrying out multi-step written instructions in exact order. It is a distinctive TEAS emphasis tested for precise sequencing.

Words like 'all except,' 'left to right,' and 'choose all that apply' change the required action or order. Read them carefully and don't reorder steps.

As a fixed sequence you must not reorder. Order the steps exactly as the passage states them.

Describe, entertain, persuade, inform, and explain. Match the purpose to how the author actually writes, not to how the topic feels.

Reading an explanatory or informative passage as if it were persuasive. Judge the author's wording, not how urgent the topic feels.

Why the author wrote the text - to describe, entertain, persuade, inform, or explain. Determined by how the author writes.

The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice (e.g., sarcastic, hopeful, neutral).

Look at loaded versus neutral wording. Loaded, emotional language signals opinion; neutral, balanced language signals an objective report.

The perspective from which an author writes - for example, first person ('I') or objective third person.

Tone is the author's ATTITUDE shown through word choice; point of view is the PERSPECTIVE they write from (e.g., first person).

How a passage is organized - such as cause-effect, compare-contrast, sequence, or problem-solution.

because, so, therefore, as a result. One event triggers another.

however, unlike, similarly, whereas. Two things are measured against each other.

first, next, then, finally. Steps or events presented in order.

problem, issue, solve, resolve. An issue is named, then fixed.

Sequence (chronological) structure - steps or events presented in order.

Compare and contrast - two things measured against each other.

Cause and effect - one event triggers another.

A firsthand or original record - such as a diary, interview, original research study, photo, or raw data.

A source that analyzes or interprets primary sources - such as a review article, biography, or critique.

A source that compiles and summarizes others - such as an encyclopedia, almanac, index, or textbook.

Primary - it is a firsthand, original record. Other primary examples: interviews, original research, and photos.

Secondary - it analyzes or interprets primary sources. Review articles and critiques are also secondary.

Tertiary - it compiles and summarizes others. Almanacs, indexes, and textbooks are also tertiary.

Primary (original record) → secondary (analysis/interpretation) → tertiary (compilation/summary).

A statement that can be verified as true or false. It is objective and provable.

A belief or judgment that cannot be verified. Often signaled by words like should, best, or beautiful.

'should,' 'best,' and 'beautiful' - subjective judgment words. Facts, by contrast, are verifiable.

Fact - it can be verified as true or false. An opinion would be a belief like 'Hot tea tastes best.'

A one-sided slant in a text, revealed by loaded or unbalanced language that favors one view.

An oversimplified, often unfair generalization about a group of people.

Loaded, opinion-laden language reveals the author's slant. Spotting opinion words helps you detect bias and stereotypes.

Judging whether a passage's claim is actually backed by relevant, sufficient evidence in the text.

A strong argument supports its claim with relevant, sufficient facts; a weak one relies on opinion or leaves evidence gaps.

A TEAS 7 item where multiple options may be correct and there is NO partial credit. Judge each option independently as true or false.

No. Judge each option independently, and for ordered-response order the steps exactly as the passage states.

Order the steps exactly as the passage states. No partial credit is given, so the full sequence must be correct.

The title, then the axis labels with their units/scale, then the legend or key - in that order, before any single data point.

Assuming an axis counts by 1s when it actually counts by 5s. Always check the scale/units on the axis labels first.

1) Title, 2) axis labels and units/scale, 3) legend/key, 4) the specific data point asked about, 5) match answer only to what the figure shows.

It decodes the colors, symbols, or lines used in the figure. Read it before interpreting any data point.

An everyday informational text TEAS uses to test reading of data, units, and serving sizes.

A dictionary. It provides the meanings of words.

A thesaurus - it lists words with similar meanings (synonyms).

An atlas - a collection of maps.

An almanac - a compilation of facts, data, and statistics.

An alphabetical list of terms and their definitions specific to ONE particular book or text.

A dictionary defines words in general; a glossary defines terms used in one specific book or text.

A thesaurus gives synonyms (similar words); a dictionary gives definitions (meanings).

Combining a passage with a graphic - finding where the text and figure agree, disagree, or extend each other, anchored to specific elements.

Synthesis: find where text and figure agree, disagree, or extend each other. Anchor every answer to a specific line or figure element.

Read the question FIRST, then go to the relevant text. Match your reading to the task instead of reading the whole passage blindly.

Only the nearby sentence. A main-idea question, by contrast, requires reading the whole passage.

The whole passage. Vocab-in-context items, by contrast, need only the nearby sentence.

Following directions, author purpose, and define-a-word items - they often need little or no full-passage reading, so bank them first.

They cost little time, so you bank those points before long synthesis passages eat your clock - protecting your pacing.

Mark a hard question and move on - one hard item isn't worth three easy ones. Return to flagged items after securing the easy points.

Prove every final answer from the passage. Anchor the answer to a specific line so noise and the first plausible choice don't fool you.

Anchor your answer to exactly what the question asks. The passage adds noise, so ignore details outside the question's scope.

Judge the author's actual wording, not how urgent the topic feels. Explanatory/informative writing isn't persuasive just because the subject seems pressing.

Pace to the full 55-minute limit. Reading every word wastes time, so flag-and-skip and watch the clock to avoid running out.

June 2022. It is ATI's admissions exam for nursing and allied-health programs (Test of Essential Academic Skills).

It shifted weight toward Integration of Knowledge & Ideas - drawing conclusions, evaluating arguments, and synthesizing multiple passages plus graphics.

About 22% of the exam: roughly 34 scored questions (38 administered) in 57 minutes, about 90 seconds each.

Numbers and Algebra (~18 scored items) and Measurement and Data (~16 scored items).

Numbers and Algebra, with about 18 scored items (~53% of the math score).

Unit conversions, geometry formulas, statistics, and reading/interpreting graphs and tables. It is ~16 scored items.

About 90 seconds per question (57 minutes for ~38 administered items).

Only a basic on-screen four-function calculator. It cannot do fractions, exponents, or order of operations for you.

No. Every formula (percent, percent change, slope, geometry, conversions) must be memorized.

Converting among fractions, decimals, and percents, followed by ratio/proportion problems and unit conversions.

Divide the numerator by the denominator (top by bottom). Example: $\frac{3}{4} = 3 \div 4 = 0.75$.

Multiply by 100 (move the decimal point two places to the right). Example: 0.25 = 25%.

Write the percent over 100, then reduce. Example: 25% = 25/100 = 1/4.

Divide by 100 (move the decimal point two places left). Example: 35% = 0.35.

1/8 = 0.125 = 12.5%.

1/4 = 0.25 = 25%.

1/3 = 0.333... = 33.3% (a repeating decimal).

3/8 = 0.375 = 37.5%.

1/2 = 0.5 = 50%.

5/8 = 0.625 = 62.5%.

3/4 = 0.75 = 75%.

7/8 = 0.875 = 87.5%.

Keep working in fractions and convert only at the very end, to avoid the early-rounding trap ATI builds its distractors around.

Adding or subtracting fractions with unlike denominators by cross-multiplying to a common denominator.

$250 \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{750}{4} = 187.5$ mL.

$\text{part} = \left(\text{percent} \div 100\right) \times \text{whole}$.

$\text{percent} = (\text{part} \div \text{whole}) \times 100$.

$\text{whole} = \text{part} \div (\text{percent} \div 100)$.

$\text{percent change} = (\text{new} - \text{old}) \div \text{old} \times 100$. A positive result is an increase; negative is a decrease.

$(92 - 80) \div 80 \times 100 = 12 \div 80 \times 100 = 15\%$ increase.

The old (original) value. Always identify the original/whole first.

$\text{part} = (20 \div 100) \times 150 = 0.20 \times 150 = 30$.

$\text{percent} = (15 \div 60) \times 100 = 0.25 \times 100 = 25\%$.

$\text{whole} = 30 \div (25 \div 100) = 30 \div 0.25 = 120$.

A comparison of two quantities, written as a:b or a/b. Example: 3 boys to 4 girls is 3:4.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as a/b = c/d.

Cross-multiply: for $\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}$, set $a \times d = b \times c$, then solve for the unknown.

5/10 = x/70. Cross-multiply: 10x = 350, so x = 35 mg.

Keep matching units in matching positions on both sides (e.g., mg/kg = mg/kg) so cross-multiplication is valid.

How much one quantity changes per unit change in another. For a line, it equals the slope.

$m = (y_2 - y_1) \div (x_2 - x_1)$ = rise over run, from $y = mx + b$.

m is the slope (rate of change); b is the y-intercept (where the line crosses the y-axis).

$m = (8 - 2) \div (3 - 1) = 6 \div 2 = 3$.

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right).

Parentheses: $(4-1)=3$. Exponent: $3^{2}=9$. Multiply: $3\times9=27$. Add: $2+27=29$.

Undo operations in reverse using inverse operations, doing the same step to both sides to stay balanced, isolating the variable last.

Subtract 7: 3x = 15. Divide by 3: x = 5.

Subtract 7 from both sides, then divide both sides by 3 to isolate x; x = 5.

Multiply. Example: $\frac{1}{2} \times 40 = 20$.

Equals (=). It links the two sides of an equation.

A rate or division (e.g., miles per hour = $\text{miles} \div \text{hours}$).

Addition.

The independent variable (often x) is the input you choose/change; the dependent variable (often y) responds to it.

King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk: Kilo, Hecto, Deca, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli. Each step is a factor of 10.

1 L = 1000 mL.

1 kg = 1000 g.

1 m = 100 cm.

1 in = 2.54 cm.

1 lb is about 0.45 kg.

1 ft = 12 in.

1 yd = 3 ft.

$2.5 \times 1000$ mL = 2500 mL.

$2500 \div 1000 = 2.5$ kg.

$A = L \times W$.

P = 2L + 2W (twice the length plus twice the width).

$A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}$.

$A = \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 5 = \frac{1}{2} \times 40 = 20$ square cm.

$A = \pi r^{2}$ (pi times the radius squared).

$C = 2\pi r$ (pi times the diameter).

For a right triangle, $a^{2} + b^{2} = c^{2}$, where $c$ is the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle).

$c^{2} = 3^{2} + 4^{2} = 9 + 16 = 25$, so $c = 5$.

The radius is the distance from center to edge; the diameter is twice the radius (across through the center).

The arithmetic average: the sum of all values divided by the number of values.

The middle value of an ordered data set; for an even count, the average of the two middle values.

The value that appears most frequently in a data set. A set can have more than one mode or none.

The spread: the maximum value minus the minimum value.

$(4+8+6+4+10) \div 5 = 32 \div 5 = 6.4$.

Order: 4, 4, 6, 8, 10. The middle of five values is 6.

4, because it appears most frequently (twice).

Maximum − minimum = 10 − 4 = 6.

Order the values, then average the two middle values.

Outliers pull the mean toward them but do not affect the median; this is a common TEAS comparison.

Paired data points showing the relationship (correlation) between two variables: positive, negative, or none.

The direction/strength of a relationship between two variables. Correlation does not prove causation.

Positive: as one variable rises, the other rises (upward trend). Negative: as one rises, the other falls (downward trend).

Check the axis labels and the scale before reading the trend or pulling a value.

Yes, it increased in TEAS 7, so practice pulling answers from charts and tables.

Scan the answer choices and estimate before touching the calculator; over-relying on it makes students run out of time.

Version 7 of the Test of Essential Academic Skills, ATI's admissions exam for nursing/allied-health programs (launched June 2022).

Changing a measurement from one unit to another using known equivalents, often via a proportion or the metric ladder.

About 22% of the exam - roughly 33 scored questions answered in 37 minutes, the tightest pace on the test at about one minute per item.

Conventions of Standard English (~12 items), Knowledge of Language (~11 items), and Using Language and Vocabulary (~10 items).

Conventions of Standard English, with about 12 scored items - grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

Knowledge of Language - especially judging formal vs informal register and inferring tone from word choice. Do not treat it as an afterthought.

Grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling - the largest English sub-area (~12 items).

Building vocabulary through word parts (prefix, root, suffix) and context clues to express ideas in writing (~10 items).

A subject and a predicate, and it must express a complete thought. Missing any of these makes it a fragment.

The part of a sentence containing the verb that tells what the subject does or is.

An incomplete sentence that is missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

Two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.

An error joining two independent clauses with only a comma. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

Use a period to make two sentences, use a semicolon, or add a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

A sentence with exactly one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

Two independent clauses joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, or by a semicolon.

One independent clause plus at least one dependent (subordinate) clause, often linked by words like because, although, or when.

A sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So - the seven words that join two equal grammatical elements, such as two independent clauses.

A group of words with a subject and verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

A clause with a subject and verb that does NOT express a complete thought and cannot stand alone, often starting with because, although, or when.

This is a comma splice. Fix it with a period ('...stable. The nurse...'), a semicolon ('...stable; the nurse...'), or a conjunction ('...stable, so the nurse...').

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number - a singular subject takes a singular verb, a plural subject takes a plural verb.

'Box' is the subject (singular), so the verb is 'is.' Ignore the words between the subject and verb - 'tools' is not the subject.

Ignore prepositional phrases and modifiers between them. In 'The list of items is long,' the subject is 'list' (singular), so use 'is.'

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to (its antecedent) in number and gender.

Singular. Words like everyone, each, someone, anybody, and neither are singular and take singular verbs and pronouns.

To show possession (the nurse's badge) and to form contractions (it's = it is). It is never used to make a word simply plural.

'Its' is the possessive (the dog wagged its tail). 'It's' is the contraction for 'it is' or 'it has.' The possessive 'its' takes no apostrophe.

It joins two closely related independent clauses, or it separates complex items in a list. Example: 'The lab was busy; staff worked late.'

It introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation after a complete independent clause. Example: 'Bring three items: a pen, paper, and ID.'

Capitalize proper nouns, the first word of a sentence, the pronoun 'I,' titles, and the first word in a direct quotation.

To separate items in a series, after an introductory phrase, around nonessential (nonrestrictive) clauses, and before a conjunction joining two independent clauses.

'Their' shows possession, 'there' refers to a place, and 'they're' is the contraction for 'they are.'

'Your' is possessive (your book). 'You're' is the contraction for 'you are.'

The level of formality a text uses based on its audience and purpose - formal vs informal language.

It avoids slang and contractions, uses precise academic vocabulary, and keeps an objective tone - suited to reports, essays, and clinical notes.

It is casual and conversational, may use slang and contractions, and has a personal tone - suited to texts and social posts.

No. Formal writing avoids contractions (writing 'do not' instead of 'don't'); informal writing uses them freely.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a series. Correct: 'run, swim, and bike.' Faulty: 'run, swimming, and to bike.'

Make all items match: 'She likes to read, write, and jog' (or 'reading, writing, and jogging'). Mixed forms break parallel structure.

A descriptive phrase that attaches to the wrong noun (or has no clear noun to modify), creating an illogical sentence.

It is a dangling modifier - it wrongly says the bus was running late. Fix it: 'Running late, I missed the bus.'

Choosing the most precise, least wordy version of a sentence. Knowledge-of-Language items often ask you to pick the clearest, briefest option.

The prefix, root, and suffix that combine to form a word. Decoding them reveals meaning without rote memorization.

A word part added to the FRONT of a root that changes its meaning, such as hyper- meaning over or above.

The core part of a word that carries its base meaning, such as 'cardi' meaning heart or 'derm' meaning skin.

A word part added to the END of a root, often signaling part of speech or a condition, such as -itis meaning inflammation.

Over or above. Example: hypertension means high (over-normal) blood pressure.

Under or below. Example: hypothermia means below-normal body temperature.

Without or not. Example: anemia means without (a lack of) blood/red cells; atypical means not typical.

Heart. Example: cardiac relates to the heart; cardiology is the study of the heart.

Skin. Example: dermatitis is inflammation of the skin; dermatology is the study of skin.

Life. Example: biology is the study of life; biography is the written story of a life.

Inflammation. Example: arthritis is inflammation of the joints; dermatitis is inflammation of the skin.

The study of. Example: neurology is the study of the nervous system; biology is the study of life.

'Dermat' (root) = skin and '-itis' (suffix) = inflammation, so dermatitis means inflammation of the skin.

Hints in the surrounding text - definitions, synonyms, antonyms, or examples - that reveal the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Definition clues, synonym (restatement) clues, antonym (contrast) clues, and example clues found in the sentence around the word.

Break the word into prefix, root, and suffix first. If that is not enough, use context clues in the surrounding sentence to infer meaning.

Words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, such as their/there/they're, your/you're, and to/too/two.

Words spelled the same but differing in meaning or pronunciation, such as 'lead' the metal vs 'lead' the team.

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence (an Action). Example: The weather can affect your mood.

'Effect' is usually a noun meaning a result (the rEsult). Example: The medicine had a strong effect.

Affect = Action (verb, A); Effect = rEsult (noun, E). The first letters cue the part of speech and meaning.

'Than' is used for comparison (taller than). 'Then' refers to time or sequence (first this, then that).

'To' is a preposition or part of an infinitive, 'too' means also or excessively, and 'two' is the number 2.

'Fewer' is for countable items (fewer pills). 'Less' is for uncountable amounts (less water).

'Who' is the subject of a clause (Who called?). 'Whom' is the object (To whom did you speak?).

'Accept' is a verb meaning to receive or agree to. 'Except' is usually a preposition meaning excluding or leaving out.

'Principal' is a chief person or main amount of money. 'Principle' is a rule, belief, or fundamental truth.

'Lie' means to recline and takes no object (I lie down). 'Lay' means to place something and takes an object (I lay the book down).

A word naming a person, place, thing, or idea. Common nouns are general; proper nouns name specific things and are capitalized.

A word expressing an action (run, write) or a state of being (is, seem). Every complete sentence needs at least one verb.

A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, telling which, what kind, or how many (the blue chart, two patients).

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often ending in -ly and telling how, when, where, or to what degree (ran quickly).

A word showing the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word, often of place or time, such as in, on, under, before, or during.

A word that takes the place of a noun, such as he, she, it, they, who, or this, to avoid repetition.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses - coordinating (FANBOYS), subordinating (because, although), or correlative (either/or).

A word or phrase expressing emotion, often set off by a comma or exclamation point, such as 'Oh!' or 'Wow.'

A word that begins a dependent clause and links it to an independent clause, such as because, although, since, when, if, and while.

The noun that the pronoun refers back to. In 'The nurse washed her hands,' 'nurse' is the antecedent of 'her.'

It appears on nearly every form. Always find the true subject, ignore words between it and the verb, then match the verb in number.

Read the whole sentence, not just the underlined part, so you understand the full context before choosing an answer.

Find the subject and its verb, check subject-verb and pronoun agreement, then scan punctuation for splices, run-ons, and apostrophe errors.

Break the word into its prefix, root, and suffix before reaching for context clues - word parts often reveal the meaning directly.

You have about one minute per question. Learn the rules cold and answer on recognition rather than re-deriving each rule from scratch.

A clause that adds extra, non-defining information; it is set off with commas. Example: 'The nurse, who was tired, finished the shift.'

TEAS 7 (Test of Essential Academic Skills, Version 7) launched in June 2022 as ATI's admissions exam for nursing and allied-health programs.

The same conventions - subject-verb agreement, commas, apostrophes - and decodable word parts recur on nearly every form, making them the highest-ROI points.