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What Should You Know About the English and Language Usage Section of the TEAS 7?
Here’s some good news for your TEAS 7 prep. The English and Language Usage section is the shortest part of the exam, and it’s usually the easiest one to bring up fast. The grammar and vocabulary rules are finite. Learn them once and they stay learned. Better still, they’re the same skills you’ll use every day as a nurse, from charting to explaining a diagnosis to a worried patient.
This guide breaks down what the section tests, the question formats to expect, the score you’re aiming for, and a study plan that won’t eat your whole month.
What is the TEAS 7 English and Language Usage section?
This section measures how well you handle the building blocks of clear writing: spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, and vocabulary. ATI sorts it all into three categories.
You get 37 questions and 37 minutes, which works out to about a minute per question. Of those 37, only 33 count toward your score. The other 4 are unscored pretest items mixed in, and you won’t be able to tell which ones they are. It’s also the last section of the exam, so plan on being a little tired when you reach it.
| Category | Scored questions | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Conventions of Standard English | 12 | Spelling, punctuation, sentence structure |
| Knowledge of Language | 11 | Grammar for clarity, audience and tone, paragraph structure |
| Vocabulary Acquisition (Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing) | 10 | The writing process, word parts (roots, prefixes, suffixes) |
| Total scored | 33 | Plus 4 unscored questions, for 37 total in 37 minutes |
The 3 categories on the TEAS 7 English section
Conventions of Standard English (12 questions)
This is the mechanics. Did you spell the word right, put the comma in the right place, and write a complete sentence? Expect questions on:
- Spelling, including homophones (words that sound the same but mean different things, like their, there, and they’re).
- Punctuation: commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, and end marks. You might have to spot a misplaced comma or choose the sentence that’s punctuated correctly.
- Sentence structure: fragments, run-ons, and subject-verb agreement. A run-on is two complete sentences joined without the punctuation or conjunction needed to connect them properly.
Try one. Which revision fixes the comma splice in this sentence? “The medication was administered, the patient improved quickly.”
- The medication was administered the patient improved quickly.
- The medication was administered, and the patient improved quickly.
- The medication was administered, the patient, improved quickly.
- The medication, was administered, the patient improved quickly.
Answer: B. A comma alone can’t join two complete sentences. Adding the joining word and after the comma fixes it. Choice A drops the punctuation entirely and becomes a run-on, while C and D just scatter extra commas around.
Knowledge of Language (11 questions)
This is where grammar meets clarity. The questions aren’t asking you to name rules. They’re asking whether a writing choice makes a sentence easier to read.
- Grammar for clarity: catching a misplaced modifier (a phrase that ends up describing the wrong thing) or using parallel structure so a list reads smoothly.
- Audience and tone: matching how you write to who’s reading it. Explaining a procedure to a colleague reads very differently from explaining it to a nervous patient, and the test wants you to notice the difference.
- Paragraph structure: finding the main idea, the details that support it, and the transition words that link one sentence to the next.
Try one. Which sentence is written most clearly?
- Rushing to the emergency room, the doors opened for the nurse.
- Rushing to the emergency room, the nurse found the doors already open.
- The doors opened for the nurse rushing, to the emergency room.
- The doors, rushing to the emergency room, opened for the nurse.
Answer: B. The opening phrase “Rushing to the emergency room” has to describe whoever is doing the rushing, which is the nurse. In A and D it wrongly attaches to the doors, and C breaks the sentence up with a misplaced comma.
Vocabulary Acquisition (10 questions)
ATI also calls this category “Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing.” Two skills show up here:
- The writing process: knowing the stages, from planning and drafting to revising and editing.
- Word parts: roots, prefixes, and suffixes. If you can break a word into pieces, you can often reason out its meaning even if you’ve never seen it before. That skill keeps paying off in nursing school long after the TEAS is behind you.
These are some of the most useful word parts to memorize, and they lean heavily medical for a reason:
| Word part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cardi/o | heart | cardiology (study of the heart) |
| dermat/o | skin | dermatitis (skin inflammation) |
| neur/o | nerve | neurology (study of the nervous system) |
| gastr/o | stomach | gastritis (stomach inflammation) |
| hyper- | high, excessive | hypertension (high blood pressure) |
| hypo- | low, deficient | hypothermia (low body temperature) |
| brady- | slow | bradycardia (slow heart rate) |
| tachy- | fast | tachycardia (fast heart rate) |
| -itis | inflammation | appendicitis |
| -ectomy | surgical removal | appendectomy |
| -ology | study of | cardiology |
| -emia | blood condition | anemia |
Try one. The root dermat means skin and the suffix -itis means inflammation. Based on its parts, what does dermatitis most likely mean?
- Removal of the skin
- Inflammation of the skin
- The study of skin
- Pain in the skin
Answer: B. Snap the parts together: dermat (skin) plus -itis (inflammation). You don’t have to have seen the word before to get it right.
TEAS 7 English question types: the alternate formats
The TEAS 7 isn’t all standard multiple choice. A handful of questions use newer formats, and seeing them ahead of time keeps them from rattling you on test day. There are four:
- Multiple select (select all that apply): you choose every correct option from a list that usually runs four to six choices. More than one answer can be right, and you generally need all of them to get credit.
- Supply answer (fill in the blank): you type your own answer instead of picking from options.
- Hot spot: you click the correct word, phrase, or spot directly in a passage or image.
- Ordered response: you drag items into the right sequence, like putting the stages of the writing process in order.
TEAS 7 English grammar rules worth knowing cold
A few rules show up on almost every TEAS. If your study time is tight, start here.
- Subject-verb agreement. The verb matches the subject, not whatever noun sits closest to it. “The box of syringes is on the shelf,” not “are.” Watch for phrases that wedge themselves between the subject and the verb.
- Comma splices and run-ons. Two complete sentences can’t be joined by a comma alone. Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a joining word like and or but.
- Apostrophes. “It’s” means “it is.” “Its” shows possession. Same trap with “who’s” (who is) versus “whose.”
- Homophones. their / there / they’re, your / you’re, affect / effect. Quick check: if you can swap in “they are,” then “they’re” is the right one.
- Parallel structure. Items in a list should share the same form. “Charting, medicating, and monitoring” works. “Charting, medication, and to monitor” doesn’t.
- Pronoun agreement. A pronoun has to match what it refers to. One nurse is “she” or “he.” A whole team is “they.”
What is a passing score for the TEAS 7 English section?
There’s no single national cutoff. Each program sets its own. Most nursing programs look for a total TEAS score somewhere in the 60 to 70 percent range, and competitive BSN programs often want 75 percent or higher. ATI reports your results on a proficiency scale (Basic, Proficient, Advanced, and Exemplary), so the smart move is to look up the exact requirement for the schools on your list before you set a target.
How to study for the TEAS 7 English and Language Usage section
You don’t need months. You need a plan and steady reps.
Pick a test date that gives you room to breathe. Trying to cover all three categories the night before doesn’t work. Block out a few weeks, spread the topics out, and leave time to circle back and review.
Practice with real-format questions. Get comfortable with the alternate types above, not just standard multiple choice. The more of them you see before test day, the less they throw you.
Make flashcards for anything you have to memorize. Word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and common spelling traps are perfect for quick drilling, whether you like paper cards or an app on your phone.
Drill with a timer, and learn to let go. You get about a minute per question, and since this is the last section, you’ll be tired. If a mechanics question stumps you, pick your best answer, flag it, and move on. Banking time beats burning two minutes on a single comma.
Study with other people when you can. Explaining a comma rule to a classmate is one of the fastest ways to find out whether you actually understand it. A study group also keeps you accountable about showing up.
Talk to people who’ve already taken it. Communities on Reddit, Facebook, and other forums are full of recent test-takers who’ll tell you what surprised them. Take any one story with a grain of salt, but the patterns are worth paying attention to.
Archer Review’s TEAS 7 prep resources
Archer Review builds free and paid tools for every part of the TEAS 7, English included. Everything lives at the TEAS 7 hub.
- Free Q-Bank. Thousands of practice questions built to match the real exam format, each with a detailed answer explanation. You can build custom quizzes to target weak spots and use the analytics to track your progress. Try the Q-Bank.
- Free webinars. Live sessions led by licensed instructors that walk through specific TEAS 7 topics. Register for a webinar.
- On-demand video library. Recorded lessons covering every goal and objective on the exam, with notes and cheat sheets, so you can study on your own schedule. Browse the videos.
- Tutoring. One-on-one and small-group sessions tailored to the topics giving you trouble. Book a tutor.
- Sure PASS bundles. The Q-Bank and video library packaged together at a lower combined price, with a Sure PASS Pro option that adds tutoring. Compare the bundles.
Final thoughts on the TEAS 7 English section
The English and Language Usage section is short, and the points are there for the taking if you put in focused practice. It’s also just one piece of the exam. Once you’ve got it handled, work through our guides to the other three sections:
Pick a date, build a plan, and chip away at it a little at a time. You’ve got this.
TEAS 7 English and Language Usage FAQs
How many questions are on the TEAS 7 English and Language Usage section?
There are 37 questions to answer in 37 minutes. Of those, 33 are scored and 4 are unscored pretest items that don’t affect your result.
What does the TEAS 7 English and Language Usage section cover?
It covers three categories: Conventions of Standard English (12 scored questions), Knowledge of Language (11), and Vocabulary Acquisition (10). Together they test spelling, punctuation, sentence and paragraph structure, grammar, audience and tone, the writing process, and word parts.
What types of questions are on the TEAS 7 English section?
Most are standard multiple choice, but you’ll also see alternate formats: multiple select (choose all that apply), supply answer (type your own response), hot spot (click the correct spot), and ordered response (drag items into the right sequence).
How long is the TEAS 7 English and Language Usage section?
You have 37 minutes for 37 questions, about one minute each. It’s the last and shortest section of the TEAS 7.
What word parts should I study for the TEAS 7?
Focus on common medical roots, prefixes, and suffixes, since they help you decode unfamiliar words. Useful ones include cardi/o (heart), dermat/o (skin), hyper- (high), hypo- (low), -itis (inflammation), and -ectomy (surgical removal).
What score do you need on the TEAS English section?
There’s no national passing score. Each program sets its own, commonly 60 to 70 percent overall, and competitive BSN programs often want 75 percent or higher. Check the requirement for each school you’re applying to.
Is the TEAS 7 English section hard?
Most students find it more predictable than Reading or Science, because the grammar and vocabulary rules are finite. The real challenge is pace, since you only get about a minute per question, so practice until the rules feel automatic.