Who is required to take the exam? Frequently Asked Questions for Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS ) UNF School of Nursing The TEAS is required of all applicants to the Regular and Accelerated Prelicensure BSN tracks at UNF. This includes Nurse Candidate Program (NCP), ROTC, and active duty military commissioning track (AMEDD, MECP, AECP, STA-21, etc) candidates. Absolutely no exemptions or substitutions are made for this admission requirement. When is the exam offered? The exam is offered at UNF on select weekdays and a limited number of weekends during the summer and fall testing windows that are detailed for you at the main TEAS-devoted webpage. Testing at UNF is typically on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during the week and Saturday on the weekend. Week day testing is most typical. Dates are provided online for you as they are made available. Where is the exam offered? Aside from UNF, the exam is readily available at schools across Florida and the country; it is also available at PearsonVue locations. On the main TEAS-devoted webpage we have provided the most comprehensive list of Florida institutions providing the exam. Alternative testing locations should be contacted directly to make a testing appointment. How do I pay for the exam? How much does it cost? For those testing at UNF, the fee descriptions are located on the main TEAS-devoted webpage for you. For anyone testing at an alternative location it is recommended that you contact the testing site directly to ascertain the proctoring fee and accepted payment methods. The exam fee, as levied by ATI, is $25 regardless of where you test and is collected electronically when you begin the test. How do I provide proof that I paid the UNF proctoring service fee? You will need to email a scanned image (.pdf or.jpeg only) to Beth Dibble at nursingadmissions@unf.edu OR fax a copy to her attention in the School of Nursing at 904.620.1832. THIS PROOF IS DUE TO HER NO LATER THAN 1 WEEK PRIOR TO YOUR TEST DATE. You will periodically receive payment reminders until the due date. If payment is not received by that time then the appointment will be cancelled and you will not be permitted to reschedule it at UNF. What version of the TEAS is required? For 2011 admissions, and until further notice, UNF will only recognize TEAS version V results. ATI has notified the School of Nursing that TEAS version 4.0, which is what we previously used, would no longer be available after this fall and that version of the exam is not comparable to version V as there are fewer questions on version V and the content has been refocused. Scores from TEAS versions 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 can no longer be considered for admission at UNF beginning with the summer 2011 application pool. How many times can I take the TEAS for one admission period? Candidates may take the TEAS one (1) time during the testing window for the application period sought. That is, if one is applying for summer admission then he or she may take the exam one (1) time between 9/1/XX and 1/15/XX for summer admission. UNF School of Nursing has access to the score database and is able to determine how many attempts an individual has made on the exam, including when and where those attempts occurred. Can I submit scores if I previously took an acceptable version or if I testing for another school?
Yes; see the next question to address how you may properly submit such scores. How can I submit scores? What if I previously took the exam or if I took it at another site? Results are available to applicants at the completion of the computer-based exam. Applicants are encouraged to print and retain a copy of the TEAS results for their own records by logging into your ATI account from home. Scores should only ever be submitted to the School of Nursing, Nursing Admissions Coordinator; this is necessary for individuals using previous scores (regardless of where you took it) or who took it at another location. Students who test at UNF for the active application pool need not submit scores (see below). DO NOT MAIL YOUR SCORES. DO NOT SUBMIT TEST SCORES TO ANY OTHER OFFICE ON CAMPUS AS THIS MAY RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF YOUR APPLICATION. Current UNF Testers Applicants testing at the UNF site will test in either the summer or the fall window. Scores from that window are only related to that admission period and are automatically submitted to the Nursing Admissions Coordinator at the completion of the exam. For example, if you test at UNF for the summer application period then the scores from the summer testing attempt will only be associated with the summer application period that is current at that time. Offsite Testers Those who test at sites other than UNF may elect to pay an additional $20 to ATI to have scores automatically and electronically submitted to UNF. This can be done immediately prior to testing while making payment for the exam itself, or this can be done after the exam is completed through ATI s online store at www.atitesting.com. Candidates who test at sites other than UNF and who elect for this option are responsible for ensuring that the UNF School of Nursing received the results. Note that listing UNF as your institution when creating an ATI account does not constitute paying for results to come to us automatically. Questions regarding this service option should be directed to ATI at 1.800.667.7531. Students who test at sites other than UNF can elect to submit their scores to UNF for free by accessing the results from home at www.atitesting.com. The results (vertical report showing percentage correct in each of the four categories) can either be printed and faxed (must include a cover sheet indicating Sender, Date, # of Pages, Contact #, Contact Email, and Testing Site Location) to the UNF Nursing Admission Coordinator s attention at 904.620.1832 (must confirm receipt of results with the School of Nursing), or the results can be saved in.pdf format to open in Adobe Acrobat and emailed to Beth Dibble, Nursing Admissions Coordinator, at bdibble@unf.edu. Email is highly preferred. Submitting Previous Scores For those applicants who have already taken the TEAS version V for entrance to another nursing program or a previous UNF application, the UNF School of Nursing will honor exam results that are no more than 5 years old. It is the applicant s responsibility to submit scores to the School of Nursing Admissions Coordinator using one of the above methods. What if I took the exam last year can I take it this year? If so, what scores are considered? If an applicant took the exam in a previous testing window (regardless of testing site and program applied to), the candidate is welcome to take the exam during the current testing window. For those testing at UNF, the most current scores become the default scores considered. For those testing at other sites, we received whatever scores you submit. It is up to you to submit the best set of scores after reviewing below how UNF calculates your score. Only one set of scores will be considered and the School of Nursing will not choose the scores for you. How can I verify that my scores were received?
Those who test at UNF during the current testing window for their application do not need to worry about scores being received. If you test at UNF during the summer testing window then we will be able to see your scores for the summer application period; the same is true for the fall testing window and application period. Those who are submitting scores from other testing locations or from previous attempts should EMAIL the Nursing Admissions Coordinator, Beth Dibble, at bdibble@unf.edu to confirm receipt of the scores. ALL candidates should also list their testing date and scores per test section on the School of Nursing application that is now required. For those whose testing appointment is pending, such should be noted on the application form when it is submitted to the Nursing Admissions Coordinator. How is my score calculated? The TEAS has four sections Reading, Math, Science, & English and candidates may earn up to 100% correct per section. UNF does not use the composite score found in the top right corner of the score transcript; rather, the School of Nursing sums the Adjusted Individual Score found per section in the vertical column on the transcript of scores. This is in bold next to the category. Drop the % sign and this is your score out of 400 possible. Is there a minimum score on the TEAS? What is the average that is invited to the interview? There is no minimum score on the TEAS to be considered at UNF; however, those who score 315 and above usually have the best chance at an interview and possible program admission. The 2010 average TEAS scores invited to interview were 343 for summer and 339 for fall. How is my score used in the admissions process at UNF School of Nursing? The TEAS score is 50% of one s competitive rank score for interview consideration. The other 50% comes from the prerequisite GPA. Once invited to interview the formula changes. At that time the interview is most important at 50%, then the TEAS is 35% of the weight. The test is very important to the selection process. What are the testing regulations such as prohibited items, etc? Score due date: Applicants for summer admission, regardless of testing site, must submit TEAS scores by January 15 th. Applicants for fall admission, regardless of testing site, must submit TEAS scores by May 1 st. Tester Identification: All students testing at UNF must present government-issued photo identification (must include a signature), email registration confirmation notice (you receive this from the Nursing Admissions Coordinator after your registration is confirmed by the School of Nursing), and receipt for proctor fee payment. Failure to supply these materials at sign-in will prevent one from testing. Prohibited Items: The following items are prohibited during the exam and should not be brought into the testing room. Prohibited items will be held by the proctor(s) until the conclusion of the exam: 1. Book bags, knapsacks, and large purses 2. Food and drink 3. Calculators 4. Pens (pencils are permitted and will also be available the day of the exam) 5. Visual and audio recording devices 6. Beeping timepieces 7. Cell phones, laptops, PDAs, ipods/mp3 players, CD players, Walkmans, and other electronic devices 8. Books, newspapers, magazines, notebooks, and loose-leaf paper (scratch paper will be provided) How does UNF assign me to a testing time?
The UNF School of Nursing Admissions Coordinator hand-processes each request to test at UNF. Requests are filled on a first come, first served basis as space allows on each date. There are morning and afternoon sessions for nearly all of the dates, and the morning sessions are filled first in an effort to confirm staffing resources. Some dates do not allow for afternoon sessions based on other obligations the Office of Academic Testing might have, as they provide the proctored exam for the School of Nursing in their testing lab.
What if I need to cancel my testing appointment? You may not cancel your original testing date and reschedule for a later date unless you can provide proof of an extenuating circumstance, which will be reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Coordinator. Our goal is to provide ample opportunity and seats so that all applicants, both local and out-of-area, may test at UNF if they so desire. If you no longer wish to test at UNF or to apply for the program and have registered with the School of Nursing to take the TEAS, you must cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the testing date (excluding holidays and weekends) in order to receive a refund for the proctoring fee. This must be done in writing via one (1) email to Beth Dibble, Nursing Admissions Coordinator, at bdibble@unf.edu and to Heather Stake, Director of Office of Academic Testing, at hstake@unf.edu. What if I miss my testing appointment? Failure to appear for your scheduled testing appointment will result in the forfeiture of your right to take the TEAS at UNF on future dates; that is, the test then be completed at an offsite location and scores submitted following the below guidelines. Any proctoring fees already paid will also be forfeited and not refunded. In the event that you fail to show due to an accident or grave illness/injury (yourself or other immediate family), please contact the School of Nursing AS SOON AS YOU CAN to notify us of the situation at 904.620.2684. Make-ups will be handled on a case-by-case scenario. Other circumstances are subject to review for approval to reschedule the test and, if not approved, the individual may need to test offsite. Essentially, candidates are expected to make every feasible effort to appear for their testing appointment as scheduled. How can I obtain a refund for a testing appointment at UNF? Approved proctoring fee refunds will be handled through the Office of Academic Testing. Additional details will follow before summer 2011 testing begins. Contact the School of Nursing/ATI Type of Information Contact/Position Method UNF Testing/Exam Use Ms. Beth Dibble, Nursing Admissions Coordinator nursingadmissions@unf.edu Study Materials www.atitesting.com 800.667.7531 Proctoring Refunds Office of Academic Testing acatest@unf.edu