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TEAS English section: what it tests and how to prepare

TEAS 7 English and language usage has 37 questions (33 scored) in 37 minutes: grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary and writing.

Checked November 15, 2026
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Short answer: The TEAS 7 English and language usage section has 37 questions (33 scored) in 37 minutes, about 1 minute per question, and it is the last section of the test. ATI splits it into conventions of standard English (12 scored questions), knowledge of language (11) and using language and vocabulary to express ideas in writing (10).

Checklist card for the TEAS English section: 37 questions in 37 minutes, about 1 minute each, with three skill areas: spelling, punctuation and sentences (12), grammar, audience and paragraphs (11), writing process and word parts (10).

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) writes the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). Facts on this page come from ATI's own pages, read on November 15, 2026. For the whole exam, see ATI TEAS 7: the full guide.

English section facts

Item English and language usage
Questions 37
Unscored pretest questions 4
Scored questions 33 (22% of all scored questions)
Time 37 minutes
Time per question About 1 minute, the shortest of the four sections
Position Fourth and last

Because it comes last, you sit this section after reading, math and science. Practice it when you are tired, not only when you are fresh.

What ATI tests

ATI's TEAS 7 content outline lists eight skills in three areas.

Conventions of standard English (12 scored)

  • Spell words correctly.
  • Use punctuation correctly.
  • Use correct sentence structure.

Knowledge of language (11 scored)

  • Use grammar to make writing clear.
  • Choose language that fits the audience and purpose, such as formal or informal.
  • Build a well-organized paragraph.

Using language and vocabulary to express ideas in writing (10 scored)

  • Know the stages of the writing process, such as planning, drafting and revising.
  • Work out the meaning of a word from its parts: prefix, root and suffix.

ATI's older outline calls this third area "Vocabulary Acquisition". ATI's own blog lists it among the 10 most missed TEAS topics, naming three skills: the steps of a writing task, knowing when a citation is needed, and using vocabulary well.

Grammar, spelling and vocabulary in context

  • Grammar: check that the subject and verb agree, that pronouns match their nouns, and that verb tenses stay consistent.
  • Punctuation: most mistakes involve commas and apostrophes. Learn the difference between a plural (nurses) and a possessive (the nurse's bag, the nurses' station).
  • Spelling: keep a list of words you often misspell and test yourself weekly.
  • Vocabulary: learn common prefixes, roots and suffixes. Many health words are built from them, so this also helps in nursing school.

If English is your second language, read short English texts every day and say out loud why each comma is there. That habit trains the same skill the section tests.

Practice items

The three items below are our own. They show the style only.

Example (written by All Nursing Exams): punctuation

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

A. The nurses' station was quiet at night. B. The nurse's were busy all morning. C. Its' time for the team meeting. D. The patients's chart is on the desk.

Answer: A. "Nurses'" is a plural possessive: the station belongs to several nurses. B needs no apostrophe, C should be "It's", and D should be "patient's" or "patients'".

Example (written by All Nursing Exams): word parts

The prefix "brady-" means slow. What does "bradycardia" most likely describe?

Answer: a slow heart rate. "Cardi" refers to the heart.

Example (written by All Nursing Exams): audience

Which sentence is best for a formal email to a college admissions office?

A. Hey, what's up with my application? B. I am writing to ask about the status of my application. C. Just checking in on my app. D. Need an update fast.

Answer: B. It is complete, polite and formal. The others are informal.

Practice checklist

  • I can spot and fix a sentence fragment and a run-on sentence.
  • I can place commas in lists, after introductory phrases and before "and" or "but" joining two full sentences.
  • I can use apostrophes for possession and contractions, and I never use one for a plain plural.
  • I can choose the correct pronoun and verb form.
  • I can tell formal from informal language and pick the one that fits.
  • I can put sentences in a logical paragraph order.
  • I can name the stages of the writing process in order.
  • I know when a source must be cited.
  • I can break a new word into prefix, root and suffix and guess its meaning.

Any line you cannot tick goes into your study plan first.

What to do next

  1. Take a timed baseline practice test and note your English score and missed skills.
  2. Work through the checklist, starting with your missed skills.
  3. Practice timed sets at about 1 minute per question.
  4. Plan your weeks with our TEAS study schedule, and see the TEAS reading section for the vocabulary-in-context skills tested there.

Common questions

Is there an essay on the TEAS?

No. ATI lists only multiple choice, multiple select, fill in the blank, ordered response and hot spot questions.

Does spelling matter on fill-in-the-blank questions?

Yes. ATI says to follow the formatting instructions in the question exactly when you type an answer.

Is the English section the hardest to finish on time?

It has the least time per question, about 1 minute, so pacing matters. Answer every question, because there is no penalty for guessing.

Sources