The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized test assessing your readiness for nursing programs, covering reading, math, science, and English language usage. Scoring well on your first attempt can save you from retake fees, delayed admissions, and missed career opportunities.
In this article, we'll explore why passing the TEAS on your first try matters financially and how effective preparation can keep more money in your pocket.
Section 1: Why Students Retake the TEAS
Retaking the TEAS isn't uncommon. In fact, about 40% of test-takers need to repeat the exam. Reasons vary, but common ones include
- Insufficient Preparation: Some students underestimate the exam's difficulty, leading to inadequate study time.
- Test Anxiety: Nerves can impact performance, especially if it's been years since taking a standardized test.
- Unfamiliarity with Content: The TEAS covers a broad range of subjects; weaknesses in any area can affect overall scores.
Understanding these challenges highlights the importance of thorough preparation. Utilizing resources like the TEASPracticeTest.com study guide can provide targeted practice to address specific weaknesses, increasing the likelihood of passing on the first attempt.
The Real Costs of Retaking the TEAS
Retaking the TEAS isn’t just frustrating — it’s expensive. Depending on where you test, each attempt can run anywhere from $65 to $125. That alone might not sound too bad, but it rarely stops there.
Most students invest in new prep materials the second time around, hoping to boost their scores. That might mean another $50 to $200 on books, online courses, or practice exams. Add in travel costs if your testing center isn’t local, and possibly taking time off work, and you’re easily looking at a few hundred dollars. Now multiply that by two or three retakes.
There’s also the hidden cost of time. Every delay in passing the TEAS can push back your nursing school application, which, in turn, postpones your entire career. That’s months of missed income as a working nurse. When you look at it that way, a retake could cost you thousands in lost wages.
All of this adds up fast. Passing the first time doesn’t just spare you the headache — it protects your wallet.
The Hidden Financial Fallout
The direct costs of a TEAS retake are painful enough, but the real damage often happens behind the scenes, and it’s easy to overlook.
Failing to pass the TEAS on time can throw off your entire nursing school timeline. Some programs only admit students once or twice a year. Miss that deadline, and you're stuck waiting another semester, maybe more. That’s more than lost time, it’s lost income. Delaying your career by even six months could mean missing out on $25,000 or more in nursing wages, depending on where you live.
Then there’s the snowball effect. A late application might force you to reapply altogether, which means more application fees, transcript requests, and administrative hoops to jump through. It’s not uncommon for students to spend hundreds more just navigating a second admissions cycle.
And while the financial hit is real, the emotional toll matters too. Stress, self-doubt, and burnout can build up fast when you're stuck in test-prep limbo. That can affect how you perform, not just on the TEAS, but in nursing school itself.
Passing on the first try keeps you moving forward instead of falling behind.
How to Prep Like It’s the Only Shot You’ve Got
Passing the TEAS on your first try is all about preparation — focused, consistent, and tailored to your weak points.
Start with a full-length practice test. Don’t just glance at your score. Dig into it. Did you rush through reading? Struggle with chemistry? Miss key grammar rules? Pinpointing these gaps lets you target your study time instead of spinning your wheels on what you’ve already mastered.
Once you know where you need work, build a plan that fits your schedule. Cramming rarely works. Instead, carve out short, steady sessions throughout the week. Mix things up with flashcards, practice questions, and videos to keep your brain engaged.
Studying with others can make a difference, especially when you're stuck. A classmate might explain something in a way that suddenly clicks. And if you’re still hitting a wall, investing in a tutor could pay off — especially if a retake would cost you far more in fees and lost time.
Preparation doesn’t have to be perfect. But it does need to be intentional. The goal isn’t just to pass. It’s to move forward with confidence and avoid the stress and expense of starting over.
The Financial Upside of First-Time Success
Investing in prep materials might feel like just another expense, but it’s often the smarter, cheaper path in the long run. Here’s how the math shakes out:
What you might spend to prep properly:
- $100 for a quality online course or tutoring
- $30–50 for a review book or practice tests
- Total: Around $130–$150
What you might spend if you fail and have to retake:
- $65–$125 for another test attempt
- $50–$200 on new or updated materials
- $50–$200 in missed work, travel, or rescheduling costs
- Total: $200–$500 or more
The bigger cost? Delays.
Failing the TEAS can push your application to the next intake cycle — which could delay your career by months. If you’re missing out on $4,000–$5,000 a month in nursing wages, that delay can cost thousands.
When you look at it this way, first-time success isn’t just about passing — it’s about protecting your future income and moving forward without detours.
A Smart Start Pays Off
The TEAS might feel like just one step in a long journey, but how you approach it can shape everything that follows. Passing on your first attempt isn’t just a confidence boost — it’s a financial win, a time-saver, and a fast-track to your future career.
Think of it like this: the more intentional your prep, the fewer surprises down the road. You avoid the cost of do-overs, the stress of falling behind, and the frustration of watching deadlines slip away.
Nursing school is tough enough without starting off in a hole. If you’re serious about becoming a nurse, treat the TEAS like your first real challenge and give it the respect it deserves. Your wallet, your schedule, and your future self will thank you for it.
