Entrance Testing for the Nursing Course Sequence

Notice: Columbia College no longer accepts the Nursing Entrance Test (NET). Applicants must take the TEAS® to apply.

Nursing studentTest of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®)

Students are required to pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) in order to be considered for acceptance into the Nursing Sequence. A minimum composite score of 75 percent is necessary to be considered for admission.

Students may take the TEAS® at any time during the process of completing the prerequisites – before, during or after. It may be beneficial to have taken a few of the prerequisites before taking the TEAS®, especially if this is the first time a student has been enrolled in a college-level course.

About the TEAS®

This test assesses the academic preparedness of entry-level nursing students. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate reading skills in paragraph comprehension, passage comprehension, and inferences and conclusions. The math section will measure their knowledge of whole numbers, metric conversion, fractions and decimals, algebraic application, percentages, ratio and proportion, and data interpretation. The science section covers scientific reasoning, life science, chemical science, physical science, human body science, and general science. In the English section, students will tackle punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, contextual words, and spelling. Composite scores are computed in each of these four (Reading, Math, Science and English).

Information from the Assessment Technologies Institute

The TEAS® is a standardized, timed, multiple-choice computerized test. Students should allow approximately 3 – 3 1/2 hours for completing the test.

Test locations, payment & scheduling

Main Campus

Students must register and pay for entrance exams online. View schedule of test dates.

The entrance tests are given in Buchanan Hall, unless noted otherwise. Students must bring photo identification to the testing room on the day of the test.

There is a non-refundable and non-transferable $50 fee charged for the entrance tests. This fee is charged each time a test is taken. Test cancellations must be made by e-mail 72 hours prior to the test date. If a student fails to show up for his or her test, payment cannot be refunded or used toward another test date.

Lake of the Ozarks campus

Students must register and pay for entrance exams online. View schedule of test dates.

Entrance tests are administered at the Lake of the Ozarks campus in the computer lab, room 113. Students must bring photo identification to the testing room on the day of the test.

There is a non-refundable and non-transferable $50 fee charged for the entrance tests. This fee is charged each time a test is taken. Students are required to pay for the test one week prior to the scheduled date in the business office at the Lake of the Ozarks campus.

Test cancellations must be by e-mail, ljhenley@ccis.edu, or phone, (573) 348-2166, 72 hours prior to the test date. If a student fails to show up for his or her test, payment cannot be refunded or used toward another test date.

Studying for TEAS®

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) Study Manual is the only study manual authored and endorsed by the creators of TEAS®, featuring:

  • To-the-point review of key concepts covering Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English
  • Sample questions with accompanying explanations
  • Study and test-taking strategies

The study guide can be purchased at three locations: