Preparation for the TEAS exam is a strategic process that benefits greatly from prioritizing high-yield topics. Students often spend time covering every possible concept, but focusing on areas that appear most frequently and carry significant weight can improve efficiency and outcomes. Enrolling in a TEAS Review Program or following structured study methods can help identify these critical areas and allocate time wisely.

High-yield topics are sections of the exam that historically have a higher probability of appearing or that significantly influence overall performance. By concentrating efforts on these topics at the right time, students can maximize retention and confidence while minimizing wasted effort on areas of lower impact. Timing is crucial; overemphasis too early or too late can affect performance.

Recognizing High-Yield Topics

High-yield topics are often identified through a combination of exam statistics, expert recommendations, and student feedback. These topics frequently appear across multiple exam forms and require both conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills. Some of the most critical areas include:

• Reading:
  • Key ideas and details
  • Inference and conclusion
  • Author’s purpose and tone
• Mathematics:
  • Basic arithmetic operations
  • Fractions, decimals, and percentages
  • Algebraic expressions and equations
  • Data interpretation from charts and graphs
• Science:
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Life and physical sciences
  • Scientific reasoning and research interpretation
• English and Language Usage:
  • Grammar and punctuation
  • Sentence structure and formation
  • Vocabulary in context

Focusing on these areas strategically ensures that the study time aligns with the sections that have the highest likelihood of affecting scores.

Optimal Timing for Focus

The timing of the high-yield study depends on the stage of preparation. Preparation is not linear; students should adapt their focus based on readiness and exam proximity.

1. Initial Assessment Phase: During early preparation, identifying strong and weak areas is essential. A diagnostic test from a TEAS Review Program or a self-administered practice test can highlight which high-yield topics require immediate attention. At this stage:
   • Begin with weaker high-yield topics.
   • Avoid deep diving into low-yield content prematurely.
   • Track time spent on each section to ensure balanced coverage
2. Mid-Preparation Phase: Once a foundation is established, the focus shifts to targeted practice. This stage is ideal for:
   • Strengthening problem-solving speed on math questions
   • Practicing reading comprehension under timed conditions
   • Reinforcing memorization of essential science concepts
   • Applying grammar rules in practice exercises
3. Final Review Phase: In the last few weeks before the exam, high-yield topics should be the primary focus of study sessions. Prioritization ensures retention under exam pressure. Effective strategies include:
   • Intensive timed practice for high-yield sections
   • Quick recall exercises for anatomy and physiology
   • Reviewing common math formulas and techniques
   • Practicing sentence correction and vocabulary drills

By following a structured timing approach, students can ensure that their energy is invested where it makes the most difference.

Strategies for Maximizing High-Yield Focus

Maximizing study efficiency involves more than repetition; it requires active engagement and strategic review. Methods that improve retention and application include:

• Spaced Repetition: Revisiting high-yield concepts at increasing intervals strengthens memory retention.
• Practice Questions: Completing targeted questions helps identify patterns and reinforces problem-solving skills.
• Active Recall: Testing knowledge without notes boosts long-term memory, especially in anatomy or scientific facts.
• Integration Across Topics: Linking math, science, and reading comprehension with real-world examples enhances contextual understanding.
• Self-Tracking Progress: Monitoring improvement on high-yield topics informs adjustments in study focus.

High-Yield Topics by TEAS Section

Breaking down high-yield topics by section allows for more organized and measurable study:

Reading

• Identifying the main idea in paragraphs
• Making inferences from text
• Recognizing cause-and-effect relationships
• Summarizing supporting details

Mathematics

• Arithmetic operations and order of operations
• Fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Ratios, proportions, and conversions
• Algebraic equations and word problems
• Interpreting graphs and tables

Science

• Human anatomy: major organ systems
• Physiology: functions of each system
• Life sciences: cell structure and genetics
• Physical sciences: basic chemistry and physics principles
• Scientific method and data analysis

English and Language Usage

• Grammar rules: subject-verb agreement, tenses
• Punctuation usage: commas, semicolons, colons
• Sentence structure: fragments and run-ons
• Vocabulary in context: meaning derived from the surrounding text