ATI TEAS Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: A

Both consider how shift length affects safety, but they reach different conclusions about 12-hour shifts.: Correct. Passage 1 argues that 12-hour shifts "made our patients safer," while Passage 2 reports higher error rates on long shifts and warns that "popularity ... is not the same as safety."

Both authors argue that hospitals should return to 8-hour shifts as soon as they can arrange it.: Wrong on both counts: Passage 1 favors 12-hour shifts, and Passage 2 says hospitals "need not abandon" them.

Passage 1 focuses on the cost of staffing, while Passage 2 focuses on what nurses prefer to work.: A distortion: Passage 1 never mentions cost, and Passage 2 mentions nurses' preferences only to set them aside in favor of safety.

Passage 2 offers survey research that confirms the experience the manager describes in Passage 1.: Opposite: the survey in Passage 2 links long shifts with more errors, which challenges rather than confirms Passage 1's claim.

To compare paired passages, first name the shared topic, then state each author's position on it. Many answer choices get one author right and the other wrong.

Answer: C

Chronological order: The paragraph does not narrate events in time order; ages at diagnosis are mentioned only as a point of difference.

Problem and solution: No solution or treatment is offered; the paragraph only explains how the two conditions differ.

Compare and contrast: Correct. The paragraph names a likeness ("both cause high blood sugar") and then sets out differences, using signal words such as "but" and "while."

Cause and effect: Too narrow. Each type's cause is mentioned, but only as one point of comparison; the overall organization weighs two things side by side.

Compare-and-contrast text discusses two or more subjects and signals likenesses (both, similarly) and differences (but, while, whereas, however).

Answer: D

Studies linking brisk walking with a lower risk of heart disease: Strong support. Research findings about many adults directly connect walking with better health.

The lack of sidewalks on half of Millbrook's streets: Relevant support. It shows that residents currently have few safe places to walk, so a trail would fill a real gap.

The 1,200 visits to Ashford's trail in its first month: Relevant support. A measured count from a similar town suggests that residents would actually use a trail, which is necessary for any health benefit.

A neighbor's report that she has never felt better: Correct. This is a single, unverifiable personal anecdote about one person; it cannot show that a trail improves health for a whole town.

When evaluating evidence, rank it: research and measured data from many people are stronger than one person's testimony. Anecdotes add color but provide the weakest proof.

Answer: D

Dana was hired to replace the senior receptionists at the front desk.: Unsupported: the passage says nothing about why Dana was hired or about anyone being replaced.

The senior receptionists were the ones who lost the urgent message.: Unsupported trap: the passage places the two events side by side but never says who took or lost the message.

Patients complained that the new log made it harder to reach doctors.: Unsupported: no patient complaints about the log are mentioned.

The lost urgent message led the manager to require the electronic log.: Correct. The manager's announcement came "the following week," right after the lost message was found, which shows it prompted the new rule.

A supported conclusion follows from what the text states; don't assign blame or causes the writer only hints at, even when they seem likely.

Answer: D

Most adults stop making lactase, so they should avoid all dairy products in order to prevent dangerous reactions.: Distortion: the passage says lactose intolerance is common, not that most adults have it; it calls the condition not dangerous; and paragraph 4 says many people can still eat some dairy.

Milk allergies and lactose intolerance both cause digestive symptoms, but only an allergy can be eased with tablets.: Contradicted: paragraph 4 says lactase tablets help with lactose intolerance, and the passage links allergies to hives and wheezing, not tablets.

Bacteria in the large intestine ferment undigested lactose and produce gas, which leads to bloating, cramps and diarrhea.: Too narrow: this restates only paragraph 2 and leaves out the comparison with allergies and the ways to manage the condition.

Lactose intolerance stems from too little lactase; unlike a milk allergy, it can often be managed with food choices or tablets.: Correct. It covers every paragraph in order: the cause (paragraphs 1–2), the difference from an allergy (paragraph 3) and how people manage it (paragraph 4).

A good summary includes the main point of every paragraph, adds nothing the author did not say, and leaves out minor details.

Answer: B

Hospital alarms should be switched off at night so that patients can sleep.: Too narrow and unsupported: alarms are mentioned as one noise source, but the passage never recommends switching them off.

Nighttime noise in hospitals can be reduced with low-cost changes that help patients rest.: Correct. Paragraphs 1–2 set up the problem, paragraph 3 shows low-cost changes that improved sleep, and paragraph 4 concludes the effort is worth it — this sentence covers the whole passage.

Hospital staff feel more stress than patients do during night shifts.: A distortion: staff stress appears in one sentence as a side benefit and is never compared with patients' experience.

Most hospitals were built without considering what patients need to recover.: Unsupported and contradicted: the passage opens by saying hospitals are designed to help people heal.

A main-idea answer must cover the whole passage. Reject choices that describe only one detail (too narrow) or add claims the author never makes.

Answer: B

1. Rectangle: $10\times 6=60$ m².
2. The semicircle's diameter is the 6 m side, so its radius is $6÷2=3$ m.
3. Full circle: $3.14\times 3\times 3=28.26$ m²; half of it: $28.26÷2=14.13$ m².
4. Total area: $60+14.13=74.13$ m².

69.42 square meters: This adds half the circumference ($3.14\times 6÷2=9.42$ m), a length, instead of the semicircle's area.

74.13 square meters: Correct. Rectangle $10\times 6=60$ m² plus semicircle $\frac{1}{2}\times 3.14\times 3\times 3=14.13$ m² gives 74.13 m².

88.26 square meters: This adds a full circle ($3.14\times 9=28.26$ m²) instead of half a circle.

116.52 square meters: This uses the 6 m diameter as the radius: $\frac{1}{2}\times 3.14\times 36=56.52$ m².

Area of a circle = $\pi r^2$, and a semicircle is half of that. Always halve the diameter to get the radius before squaring.

Answer: 7.5 mL

1. Set up a proportion: $\frac{250\text{ mg}}{5\text{ mL}}=\frac{375\text{ mg}}{x\text{ mL}}$.
2. Cross-multiply: $250x=375\times 5=1,875$.
3. Divide: $x=1,875÷250=7.5$ mL.
4. Check with the formula (desired ÷ have) × quantity: $375÷250\times 5=1.5\times 5=7.5$ mL.

Dose volume = (ordered dose ÷ dose on hand) × volume on hand. Keep the units lined up (mg with mg, mL with mL) in the proportion.

Answer: C

1. Tax: $42.00\times 0.08=3.36$.
2. Tip on the pre-tax amount: $42.00\times 0.18=7.56$.
3. Total: $42.00+3.36+7.56=52.92$.
4. Check: $42.00\times 1.26=52.92$, since both percents are taken of the same $\text{\$}42.00$.

$\text{\$}45.36$: This includes the $\text{\$}3.36$ tax but leaves out the $\text{\$}7.56$ tip.

$\text{\$}49.56$: This includes the $\text{\$}7.56$ tip but leaves out the $\text{\$}3.36$ tax.

$\text{\$}52.92$: Correct. Tax $\text{\$}3.36$ + tip $\text{\$}7.56$ + bill $\text{\$}42.00=\text{\$}52.92$.

$\text{\$}53.52$: The tip was calculated on the after-tax amount ($0.18\times 45.36\approx 8.16$), but the stem says to tip on the pre-tax amount.

Read carefully which amount each percent is taken of. When tax and tip are both based on the same subtotal, you can add the rates (8% + 18% = 26%) and multiply once.

Answer: B

1. Treat the room as a full rectangle with a corner removed.
2. Full rectangle: $12\times 10=120$ ft².
3. Missing corner: $5\times 4=20$ ft².
4. Floor area: $120-20=100$ ft².
5. Check another way: split into a $7\times 10=70$ ft² piece and a $5\times 6=30$ ft² piece; $70+30=100$ ft².

44 square feet: 44 ft is the perimeter (12 + 10 + 12 + 10), not the area — a units mix-up.

100 square feet: Correct. Full rectangle 12 × 10 = 120 ft², minus the missing 5 × 4 = 20 ft² corner, leaves 100 ft².

120 square feet: This is the area of the full 12 × 10 rectangle; it forgets to subtract the cut-out corner.

140 square feet: This adds the 20 ft² corner instead of subtracting it.

Area of a composite figure: split it into rectangles (or subtract a missing piece) and add. Area is in square units; perimeter is a length.

Answer: C

Increasing screen time causes teenagers to sleep fewer hours.: This claims causation. A survey only shows that the two variables move together; another factor (such as homework load or stress) could affect both.

Teenagers who sleep more tend to spend more time on screens.: This describes a positive relationship, but the points slope downward: more screen time goes with less sleep.

More screen time is associated with less sleep, but cause is not shown.: Correct. The points fall from left to right (a negative correlation), and because no variable was controlled, the data cannot show that one causes the other.

Screen time and sleep are unrelated because the points vary.: The points follow a clear downward trend; some scatter around a trend does not mean there is no relationship.

A scatter plot from observational data can show a positive, negative or no correlation, but only a controlled experiment can show cause and effect.

Answer: D

1. Oxygen appears as ${\mathrm{O}}_2$ (2 atoms) on the left and in groups of 3 in $\mathrm{A}{\mathrm{l}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$. The smallest number both 2 and 3 divide into is 6.
2. 6 O atoms: $3{\mathrm{O}}_2$ on the left and $2\mathrm{A}{\mathrm{l}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ on the right.
3. $2\mathrm{A}{\mathrm{l}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$ contains 4 Al, so put 4 in front of Al.
4. Balanced: $4\mathrm{Al}+3{\mathrm{O}}_2\to 2\mathrm{A}{\mathrm{l}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$.

2, 3, 1: Aluminum balances (2 = 2), but oxygen does not: $3\times 2=6$ O atoms on the left and only 3 on the right.

2, 3, 2: Oxygen balances (6 = 6), but aluminum does not: 2 Al atoms on the left and $2\times 2=4$ on the right.

8, 6, 4: This is balanced (8 Al and 12 O on each side), but every coefficient can be divided by 2, so it is not the smallest whole-number set.

4, 3, 2: Correct. Left: 4 Al and $3\times 2=6$ O. Right: $2\times 2=4$ Al and $2\times 3=6$ O. Both elements balance, and 4, 3, 2 share no common factor.

A balanced equation has the same number of atoms of each element on both sides (conservation of mass); change only coefficients, never subscripts, and reduce to the smallest whole numbers.

Answer: 50 %

1. Plants that have purple flowers and carry the white allele must be heterozygous: genotype Pp.
2. Count the Pp boxes in the Punnett square: 2 of the 4 boxes.
3. Convert to a percent: $\frac{2}{4}=\frac{1}{2}=50\%$.
4. Check: PP = 25% (purple, no white allele), Pp = 50%, pp = 25% (white). All purple plants together = 75%.

A Pp × Pp cross gives a 1 : 2 : 1 genotype ratio (PP : Pp : pp) and a 3 : 1 phenotype ratio. Common traps are 75% (all purple plants) and 25% (white plants).

Answer: Pharynx → Larynx → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli

Pharynx: First: the pharynx (throat) is the shared passage just behind the nasal cavity and mouth.

Larynx: Second: the larynx (voice box), guarded by the epiglottis, connects the pharynx to the trachea.

Trachea: Third: the trachea (windpipe), held open by C-shaped cartilage rings, carries air down into the chest.

Bronchi: Fourth: the trachea branches into the right and left primary bronchi, one for each lung.

Bronchioles: Fifth: the bronchi keep branching into smaller tubes that lack cartilage, the bronchioles.

Alveoli: Last: the alveoli are tiny air sacs at the ends of the bronchioles, where oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the respiratory membrane.

Air path: nasal cavity → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli. The tubes get narrower and more numerous at each step.

Answer: C

Esophagus: The esophagus only moves swallowed food to the stomach by peristalsis; it does not absorb nutrients.

Stomach: The stomach churns food and begins protein digestion, but it absorbs very little apart from some water, alcohol and certain drugs.

Small intestine: Correct. The small intestine's villi and microvilli give it a huge surface area, and it absorbs most digested nutrients into the blood and lymph.

Large intestine: The large intestine mainly absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces; most nutrients have already been absorbed.

Digestion is completed and most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine; the large intestine mainly reclaims water and electrolytes.

Answer: C

Enlargement of the heart: This is the meaning of cardiomegaly. The suffix -megaly means "enlargement," not -itis.

Pain in the heart: Pain is shown by the suffix -algia or -dynia (as in cardialgia), not -itis.

Inflammation of the heart: Correct. Combine the parts: cardi- (heart) + -itis (inflammation) = inflammation of the heart.

Surgical removal of heart tissue: Surgical removal is shown by the suffix -ectomy, not -itis.

Break a medical term into its parts and translate each one. The suffix usually names the condition or procedure (-itis = inflammation), and the root names the body part (cardi- = heart).

Answer: C

The charge nurse gave Dana and I the new schedule.: Pronoun case error: I is a subject pronoun, but here it is an indirect object of gave. Test it alone: "gave I the schedule" is wrong.

Him and Dana will cover the night shift.: Pronoun case error: him is an object pronoun used as a subject. Corrected form: "He and Dana will cover the night shift."

The charge nurse gave Dana and me the new schedule.: Correct. Me is the object pronoun, needed because it receives the action of gave. Removing "Dana and" confirms it: "gave me the new schedule."

Dana and myself will cover the night shift.: Reflexive pronoun misuse: myself is used only when the subject has already appeared ("I did it myself"). As a subject, use I: "Dana and I will cover…"

Use subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) as subjects and object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) as objects. Drop the other person's name to test the pronoun by itself.

Answer: C

The clinic opened late, and the waiting room filled quickly.: Compound: two independent clauses joined by and, but no dependent clause.

Although the clinic opened late, the waiting room filled quickly.: Complex: one dependent clause (Although the clinic opened late) and only one independent clause.

Although the clinic opened late, the waiting room filled quickly, and the staff worked through lunch.: Correct. It has one dependent clause (Although the clinic opened late) plus two independent clauses (the waiting room filled quickly and the staff worked through lunch) joined by and.

The staff at the busy clinic worked through lunch and stayed late.: Simple: one subject (staff) with a compound predicate (worked … and stayed). A compound verb does not make a second clause.

Count clauses: simple = 1 independent; compound = 2+ independent; complex = 1 independent + 1+ dependent; compound-complex = 2+ independent + 1+ dependent.