Why TEAS Exams Create Pressure for Healthcare Students

Taking the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is one of the most challenging phases in the lives of healthcare students. Given the critical nature of the exam for admission to nursing and allied health programs, it is a high-stakes test and may have a substantial impact on a student's academic future. The high demand to achieve good grades is often accompanied by limited access to admission, further compounded by the rigours of coursework, clinical preparation, work and personal obligations.

While some students make it to the exam with a good study program in place, with tutoring and practice exams, the anxiety of taking the test may be too much for others. If a student can have insight into the cause of the pressure, he or she can build healthier preparation strategies and have confidence all the way through the process.

The High Stakes of Healthcare Program Admissions

Healthcare programs are known for their toughest competition for admission. With many colleges getting a lot of qualified candidates applying for admission, standardized entrance exams play an important role in selecting candidates.

Students are aware that all parts of the TEAS exam are considered to make them more competitive. High scores could benefit admission opportunities, and lower scores could jeopardize academic plans by pushing them back a full semester or even a year.

This is, of course, a competitive situation and can induce anxiety, particularly for those who have spent time and money on the preparatory courses. 

Balancing Study Time with Daily Responsibilities

Being able to prepare properly is one of the biggest challenges that students encounter. Not all of the healthcare applicants are students who are used to full-time school attendance. Rather, they frequently have to juggle several roles at once, such as:

A job, either full-time or part-time.Full-time or part-time work.

• Family obligations
• Clinical observation hours
• College coursework
• Household responsibilities

The fewer hours you have to study, the more difficult it is to make a good study plan. Pupils often think that once they have learned something, there is more to learn.