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TEAS Science Section: A 4-Week Study Plan for Nursing Applicants
Anatomy, physiology, biology, and chemistry—master the TEAS science section with this structured four-week roadmap.
The TEAS Science section is the area where most nursing school applicants struggle the most. With four distinct subject areas — human anatomy & physiology, life science, physical science, and earth science — it requires a strategic study plan. This four-week roadmap tells you exactly what to study each week and how to retain it all by test day.
Key takeaway
TEAS Science tip: Human Anatomy & Physiology is worth the most marks and connects directly to nursing practice. Spend at least 40% of your total Science study time on body systems — prioritise cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems first.
01
Week 1: Human Anatomy & Physiology (The Priority)
Anatomy and physiology accounts for the largest portion of the TEAS Science section and is the most directly relevant to nursing practice. In week one, focus on the body systems most heavily tested: cardiovascular (heart anatomy, blood flow, pulse and blood pressure), respiratory (airway anatomy, gas exchange, breathing mechanics), and musculoskeletal (bone types, major muscles, joint classifications). For each system, learn the structures, their functions, and the clinical connections — what happens when this system fails? Use labelled diagrams and trace pathways from memory rather than simply re-reading descriptions.
02
Week 2: Remaining Body Systems and Life Science
In week two, complete your body systems review with a focus on the nervous system (neurons, CNS vs PNS, reflexes), endocrine system (major glands, hormones, negative feedback), digestive system (organs and their functions, nutrient absorption), and urinary system (nephron function, urine formation). Then move into life science: cell biology (organelles and their functions, mitosis vs meiosis, DNA and protein synthesis), genetics (dominant and recessive inheritance, Mendelian ratios, genotype vs phenotype), and basic ecology (food chains, nutrient cycles, ecosystems). Life science questions are often conceptual — understanding mechanisms matters more than memorising lists.
03
Week 3: Physical Science, Earth Science, and Scientific Reasoning
Physical science on the TEAS covers chemistry fundamentals (atoms, elements, compounds, periodic table basics, chemical bonds, pH and acids/bases) and basic physics (work, energy, motion, electricity). These topics may feel distant from nursing, but they appear consistently on the exam. Focus on the conceptual level — you will not be asked to solve complex physics equations, but you should understand what happens to pH when an acid is added to water or what the difference between potential and kinetic energy is. Earth science is a smaller section covering rock cycles, water cycles, weather, and space — a focused two-day review is usually sufficient. Scientific reasoning questions ask you to interpret graphs, identify variables, and evaluate experimental design — practice these with actual data tables.
04
Week 4: Full Practice Tests and Targeted Review
In the final week, take at least two full-length TEAS Science section practice tests under timed conditions. After each test, categorise every wrong answer: was it anatomy, life science, physical science, or reasoning? Spend the remaining days in targeted review of your weakest category only — not a broad review of everything. This focused approach in the final week delivers more score improvement than general revision because it addresses your specific gaps rather than re-covering material you already know.
05
Retention Techniques That Work for Science Content
Science content benefits from active, visual study techniques. Draw and label body system diagrams from memory daily during weeks one and two — the act of drawing forces recall more effectively than re-reading a labelled textbook image. Use mnemonics for sequences and lists: for example, the order of taxonomic classification (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) is remembered by "Do Kings Play Chess On Fine Grain Sand?" Make flashcards for hormone names and their effects, using the front for the gland and the back for the hormone plus its action. Test yourself before each new session by recalling key facts from the previous one — spaced retrieval over four weeks outperforms four days of intensive cramming.
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