Preparing for the ATI TEAS exam can feel overwhelming, and choosing the right study materials is crucial. Like many students, I wanted to find the most effective resources to maximize my study time and achieve a high score. After taking the TEAS exam on February 28th and scoring a 90.7% overall, I’m sharing my experience and insights, specifically focusing on the popular study guides: the official ATI TEAS Study Guide and ATI TEAS Secrets by Mometrix. My breakdown was Reading 83%, Math 100%, Science 95.7%, and English and Language 83.3%. If you’re wondering about Study Guide Vs another resource, especially in the context of the TEAS exam, this review is for you.
My Experience with ATI TEAS Prep Materials
When I started preparing, I invested in a few key study aids. My resources included:
- ATI TEAS Secrets by Mometrix
- Official ATI TEAS Study Guide
- The two official ATI practice tests (purchased for $88)
Initially, I aimed to compare the Mometrix and Official ATI study guides directly. I searched extensively online for reviews that would offer a clear comparison of the study guide vs Mometrix options, but I struggled to find detailed, helpful information. This lack of comparative reviews motivated me to share my own findings to help future TEAS test-takers.
Breaking Down Each Section: ATI Study Guide vs. Mometrix
To provide a comprehensive comparison, let’s break down each section of the TEAS exam and evaluate how each study guide vs the other prepared me.
Reading
For the reading section, the Official ATI TEAS Study Guide proved to be more effective. It clearly outlines the essential areas to focus on and the knowledge required for this portion of the exam. While I was personally disappointed with my reading score of 83%, I attribute this more to test-day nerves and initial focus issues rather than a lack of preparation from the ATI guide. The reading section involves several passages, each around 4-5 paragraphs long. Key skills to hone are understanding the theme, tone, and purpose of each passage. Additionally, knowing the types of information found in reference materials like a Thesaurus, Almanac, Dictionary, and Encyclopedia is important. Mometrix did provide some information on these areas, but in hindsight, I believe I could have prepared adequately for the reading section using only the ATI study guide. When considering study guide vs other resources for reading, the official ATI guide is a strong starting point.
Math
In mathematics, the Official ATI TEAS Study Guide again stands out as sufficient for exam preparation. The math section includes numerous questions that require a solid understanding of ratios, proportions, percentages, and solving for single variables. Mastering the order of operations is crucial, as is careful reading of word problems. Understanding the relationship between rate, time, and distance (rate x time = distance) is also essential. While conversion information (e.g., 1 yard = 3 feet) is provided in the questions, familiarity with common conversions like 1 foot = 12 inches and metric system prefixes (e.g., 1 hectometer = 100 meters) is beneficial. The ATI study guide offers ample examples and practice problems. In contrast, I found the math section in the Mometrix guide to be overloaded with unnecessary information. For effective math preparation, focusing on the ATI study guide vs other materials is a wise choice.
Science
The science section of the TEAS exam was less daunting than I anticipated. For science preparation, I highly recommend initially using the ATI study guide to identify the specific topics you need to study. Then, use a combination of online resources, physiology textbooks, or the Mometrix study guide to delve into the details. For instance, while the ATI guide mentions topics like the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and other endocrine glands, it lacks in-depth explanations. However, the actual exam included several questions about specific hormones and glands. Therefore, pay close attention to the functions and secretions of the excretory system, the physiology of muscle contractions, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, skin layers and cell types, and the basic anatomy and function of all 11 organ systems. For life science, the scientific method, and chemistry, I found the Mometrix study guide to be adequate. When considering study guide vs supplemental resources for science, using the ATI guide as a topic roadmap is highly effective.
English and Language Usage
The English and Language Usage section proved to be somewhat challenging. Unless grammar is a strong suit, this section should not be overlooked. Many grammar and English rules are easily forgotten as we often rely on what “sounds right.” However, the TEAS exam questions are very specific regarding grammar rules, and spell-check is not available. The ATI study guide is not particularly detailed in this area, so I strongly advise using external resources to prepare for this section. When thinking about study guide vs other grammar resources, remember that the ATI guide might need supplementation for English and Language Usage.
The Verdict: ATI Study Guide and Practice Tests are Key
In my experience, the most valuable study tools were the Official ATI TEAS Study Guide and the ATI practice tests available on the ATI website. Remarkably, my actual score on the exam closely matched my score on the first practice test. These practice tests are formatted identically to the real exam, providing an excellent understanding of the question types and exam structure. While the Mometrix study guide includes three full practice tests, I found many of the questions to be poorly written and less relevant to the actual TEAS exam content. If you are short on time, the ATI study guide is direct, concise, and pinpoints the exact topics you will be tested on. While some topics may require additional research, the ATI guide serves as an excellent, focused resource.
Despite the positive reviews for Mometrix on platforms like Amazon, I personally found the Mometrix study guide sometimes difficult to follow. The explanations for certain topics seemed disorganized and confusing. Ultimately, when comparing study guide vs other options, especially Mometrix, the official ATI TEAS Study Guide, paired with their practice tests, is the superior choice for effective and targeted exam preparation.
I sincerely hope my experience and these insights are helpful as you prepare for the ATI TEAS exam! Best of luck to everyone taking the TEAS soon!
