TEAS Study Tips

Anatomy and Physiology is the largest single section of the ATI TEAS.

One of the best ways to prepare for the ATI TEAS science section is to memorize specific facts that you are most likely to see. You can’t predict what you’ll see, but focused memorizing can give you quick wins.

The Anatomy and Physiology section is great for quick wins: answer specific questions quickly and accurately in order to buy yourself time, increase your confidence, and improve your score.

Of course, you’ll also want to understand body processes so that you can be prepared for any type of question. The good news is that you’ll actually use what you’ve studied once you are in nursing school!

You can break down ATI TEAS Anatomy and Physiology questions into a few broad categories:

Questions that ask you to identify specific body structures. For example, the primary tissue of bone is collagen, and the primary filtration structure of the kidney is the nephron.

Questions that ask you to describe specific functions of body organs or body systems. For instance, the stomach is primary site of protein digestion (body organ), and the gastrointestinal system digests and absorbs nutrients (body system).

Questions that ask you about how body systems and organs work together. For example, the gastrointestinal system digests and absorbs nutrients, and the cardiovascular system transports those nutrients to other organs.

Questions about how the body communicates. This includes hormones, chemical signaling, and electrical messages.

RELATED: How to Study the Respiratory System for the TEAS Science Section

So how in the world do you cram all this into your head?

First, you’ll want to give yourself time. It’s going to be impossible to learn everything you need to learn the week you take the ATI TEAS.

I recommend breaking down the material by body system. For example, you first focus on the cardiovascular system, then you study the respiratory system, then the gastrointestinal system, etc.

You might want to devote at least 2 days to diving deep into each body system. I recommend two days for two reasons. One, I want to stress that it takes time to study for the TEAS! Give yourself the gift of time as you prepare.

Second, you might be able to complete your notes on the first day. That’s fine.

On the second day, review your notes with a fine-tooth comb. Did you get everything? Did you find an area that needs more research? Do you need to clarify a concept?

For example, your notes should include 3 big areas for every body system.

For each ATI TEAS Anatomy and Physiology body system, you would be well-served to note…

1| List the major organs of each body system. Note their body cavity location. Write a one-sentence summary of this organ.

2| Describe the functions of each body system. What is its primary role in the body? Can you describe how it works with at least two other body systems?

3| Are any hormones or enzymes involved in this organ system?

Organize your notes for each body system. You can do this in a binder or on your computer, but get organized now. Create a section for each body system.

Then, you focus on review and memorization. Make flashcards of key terms. Quiz yourself. Repetition is key here. You want to be able to recall this information quickly and easily on test day.

Speaking of repetition, try answering some ATI TEAS Anatomy and Physiology questions again…

Finally, you’ll want to look at TEAS-specific question types and test structure. Standardized test questions can sometimes magically look both right and wrong at the same time! You can do this with practice exam books from the library. Note how the questions might be a little different from what you see in your college classes.

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you’ll want to know what is specifically emphasized by the TEAS.

Again, you can’t predict questions with 100 percent accuracy, but you can be sure that you’ve learned, memorized, and practiced the concepts emphasized by the exam.

For example, you might see a question about the organ that connects the endocrine system and the nervous system. You might also see a question about ways the male reproductive system and the female reproductive system differ.

By the way, we cover these topics in the premium TEAS prep program. You’ll find workbooks, lessons, and quizzes organized by body systems. Lessons are structured the lessons around “must know” topics and “maybe” topics.

You’ll also get short review sessions for some must-know body systems in case you need to cram, too. (As much as I hate to admit it, I know cramming happens!)

The three detailed modules break down every body system for you, and you can come back to the material and review it any time you like.

You can see how I’ve divided the units in these modules for the online TEAS prep course:

Unit 1: Body Basics
We talk about learn about body cavities, membranes, and tissues.

Unit 2: Cellular Anatomy
We talk about organelles and how they work with body systems and the body as a whole.

Unit 3: Cardiovascular System
We talk about structures, functions, pathologies and causes, and the most important concepts for the TEAS.

Unit 4: Respiratory System
We divide the system into two subdivisions, clarify terminology around breathing (for instance; what’s the difference between ventilation and respiration?), and discuss pathologies and causes.

KEEP READING: How to Study the Respiratory System for the TEAS Science Section

Unit 5: Gastrointestinal System
We talk about all the organs, enzymes, and hormones. You’ll learn which hormones and enzymes are important where, and you’ll learn digestion and absorption location emphasized by the TEAS.

Unit 6: Neuromuscular System
We talk about muscle structure, the divisions of the nervous system, and the different ways the body talks to itself.

Unit 7: Reproductive System
We talk about the most important structures, how the systems are alike and different, the important hormones you need to know for the exam, and how these hormones are unique.

Unit 8: Integumentary System
We talk about the layers of the skin, the structures you are most likely to be tested on, and specific facts to memorize.

Unit 9: Endocrine System
We’ll talk about every important gland and how this system works with the entire body. This is a very important system to know for the TEAS.

Unit 10: Genitourinary System
We’ll talk about the kidneys, how they are structured, how they function, and how they make urine. You’ll also learn what you can possibly skip studying, and what you might see as harder TEAS questions.

Unit 11: Immune System
We’ll talk about all the different types of immunity in the body. You’ll learn about specific cells involved in immunity.

Unit 12: Skeletal System
We’ll talk about the different divisions of the skeletal system, the cells you’ll need to know for the exam, and how this system works with other body systems.

This is just a quick look at each unit. Every unit includes a workbook, practice questions, quizzes, and a unit exam. You’ll get hundreds of practice questions to help this information stick.

In fact, the average student who uses this TEAS prep program increases their Anatomy and Physiology assessment score by 28 points. Yup! 28 points. You can read about these score increases here.

Like many things on the TEAS, focus on the basics first. Get the academic concepts down, then focus on TEAS-specific test questions and practice exams.

You can use this information to give you a solid foundation while you get started. Good luck and happy studying!

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