TEAS math guide
TEAS math study plan for 2, 4 or 7 days
A short plan for people with a test date close by. It skips the nice-to-have and keeps the topics that move a math score fastest.
ATI recommends several weeks of preparation, and more time is better. If you have a retake choice and a few weeks, use them. This page is for when the date is fixed.
Rules for every plan
- Do math in the morning or whenever your head is clearest, and use the rest of your time on your weakest section.
- Work problems on paper. Reading explanations feels like learning but moves scores very little.
- Write units on every line. This one habit saves more points than any new topic.
- Never leave an answer blank. There is no penalty for a wrong answer on the TEAS, so guess if you run low on time.
If your test is in 2 days
Two days is for stopping the easy losses, not for learning new math. Aim for the topics that appear most and fail most often.
| Plan | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1, morning | Take the free 20-question set on this site, timed. Mark every miss as slip, method or missing fact. | 45 min |
| Day 1, afternoon | Percents, fractions and mixed numbers. Redo every miss with fresh numbers. | 60 min |
| Day 1, evening | Unit conversions and dosage. Write the conversion chain for each problem. | 45 min |
| Day 2, morning | Equations, then the median, mean and range of an even-sized list. | 45 min |
| Day 2, afternoon | A final timed set. Do not start new topics. | 30 min |
| Day 2, night | Read the formulas page once. Pack your ID, confirm your test site and calculator rules, then sleep. | 20 min |
If your test is in 4 days
| Plan | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Diagnostic: the free 20-question set, timed, plus any official practice score report you have. List your weakest three topics. |
| Day 2 | Numbers: fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, percents, percent change. 5 practice problems per topic, with units and estimates. |
| Day 3 | Ratios, dosage and conversions, then one-variable equations and inequalities. |
| Day 4 | Geometry formulas, statistics, tables and charts. Finish with a timed set, then stop at a reasonable hour. |
If your test is in 7 days
| Plan | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Diagnostic and score report. Sort misses into slip, method and missing fact. |
| Day 2 | Fractions, mixed numbers and decimals, 6 problems each, with a second pass on anything missed. |
| Day 3 | Percents: of a number, discount, and percent change. Redo the original-price type twice. |
| Day 4 | Ratios, proportions, rates and dosage with unit chains. |
| Day 5 | Equations, inequalities, and turning a sentence into an equation. |
| Day 6 | Measurement and data: conversions, geometry, statistics, charts. Mixed timed set. |
| Day 7 | Light review of misses and the formulas page. A short set only if it calms you. Prepare ID and logistics. Sleep. |
What to skip when time is short
- Long videos on topics you already score well on.
- Memorizing rare conversions. Learn the ones on the formulas page first.
- Full-length practice exams on the last day. They tire you and teach you little.
Test-day checklist for the math section
- Read the last sentence of a word problem first, so you know what is being asked.
- Underline or write the numbers with units before computing.
- Check each answer against a quick estimate: is it the right size?
- Flag a question that takes more than two minutes, answer it with your best guess, and come back if time remains.
Start with the topics that move scores fastest
Practice it on Lemma
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Questions
Can I really prepare for the TEAS math section in 2 days?
You can fix easy losses in 2 days: percents, fractions, unit conversion and mean or median. You cannot rebuild weak algebra in that time, so choose the topics that appear most and fail most often.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the TEAS?
No. Answer every question, even if you have to guess. A blank is always a wrong answer.
How many practice questions should I do a day?
Quality over quantity: 20 to 30 questions on paper with their mistakes sorted by type moves a score faster than 100 questions you only read through.
More guides
- Practice test20 original questions with worked answers and the mistake each one invites.
- FormulasEvery formula and conversion on one page, with when to use each.
- Compared to paid prepATI practice tests, books, free banks, tutors and Lemma, compared plainly.
Sources
- ATI Testing: TEAS exam details: section counts and times, scored versus unscored items, question formats.
- Western Technical College: Nursing TEAS prep guide, math: math section of 38 questions in 57 minutes: 18 numbers and algebra, 16 measurement and data, 4 unscored.
Facts checked 2026-10-14. Independent practice, not affiliated with ATI or McGraw Hill.