Never translate “Proficient” into “accepted.”
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In 30 seconds
- 1A good TEAS score clears every program and section minimum and earns enough points to be competitive.
- 2ATI labels 58.7–79.3% Proficient, 80.0–91.3% Advanced, and 92.0–100% Exemplary.
- 3Your nursing program—not ATI—decides what it accepts.
Preparedness band is not the same as admission status
ATI's published bands describe academic preparedness. The small gaps between them reflect equated-score values shown on ATI reports. See ATI's sample individual score report.
ATI TEAS · preparedness bands
A band describes preparedness, not admission
Your nursing program, not ATI, decides what it accepts.
- Developmental0.0–40.0%
- Basic40.7–58.0%
- Proficient58.7–79.3%
- Advanced80.0–91.3%
- Exemplary92.0–100%
Bands from ATI’s sample individual score report.
Developmental (0.0–40.0%) and Basic (40.7–58.0%).
Proficient (58.7–79.3%). A school can still require a score inside a band or rank applicants within it. Never translate “Proficient” into “accepted.”
Advanced (80.0–91.3%). If a school awards the same points for every score from 80 through 89, chasing an 88 instead of an 82 may not improve your application.
Exemplary (92.0–100%).
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Create my free accountA school can still require a score inside one of those bands, rank applicants within a band, or apply separate Reading or Science minimums. Never translate “Proficient” into “accepted.”
Build the right target for your school list
- Record the composite minimum for every program.
- Record any section minimums and whether the school superscores.
- Find the point rubric or recent admitted-student range if the school publishes it.
- Use the highest meaningful threshold as your floor and add a modest buffer.
If a school awards the same points for every score from 80 through 89, chasing an 88 instead of an 82 may not improve your application. If every additional point adds admission points, improvement can matter more. Read the rubric, not just the headline minimum. How much the score weighs against the rest of an application is in how competitive nursing school is.
Official score versus practice score
ATI uses equating, so an official adjusted individual total score is not simply “questions correct divided by questions answered.” A third-party practice percentage is therefore a planning signal, not an official score prediction. Use it to find weak sections, set a buffer, and decide when you are ready for a paid attempt. A free full-length TEAS practice test gives you that signal; what is on the exam is in what the ATI TEAS is.
When is a higher score worth another attempt?
Retake when a higher score can materially change eligibility or points, you have evidence of improvement, and the new result will arrive before the deadline. Do not retake a qualifying, competitive score merely because a forum made it feel low. Use the TEAS retake decision tool and confirm every assumption with the program. The full decision is in should I retake the TEAS.
Quick check · no scrolling back
Your score lands in ATI’s Proficient band. What does that tell you about admission?
Common questions
Is 70% a good TEAS score?
A 70% score is in ATI’s Proficient band, but whether it is good for admission depends on each program’s minimum, applicant pool, section requirements, and point system.
Is 80% a good TEAS score?
ATI classifies 80.0% as Advanced. It may be competitive at many programs, but no score is universally sufficient; verify the actual rubric for each school.
What is a passing TEAS score?
ATI reports preparedness levels, not one national passing score. Nursing programs decide their own minimums and admission use.
Should I aim only for my school’s minimum?
Usually no. A minimum keeps an application eligible; a competitive target should come from admitted-student data or the school’s point rubric when available.