2026 ATI TEAS Study Guide Practice
Exam Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A community health department observes that
neighborhoods with greater access to public parks have lower
rates of sedentary behavior. However, the department also
notes that these neighborhoods tend to have higher average
household incomes.
Which statement best identifies the limitation of concluding
that public parks directly reduce sedentary behavior?
A. The study lacks a sufficiently large sample size.
B. The relationship may be explained by a confounding
variable.
C. The findings cannot be applied to any other population.
D. The data must be considered invalid because they are
observational.
Answer: B. The relationship may be explained by a
confounding variable.
Rationale: Household income may influence both access to
parks and physical activity levels. This creates a potential
confounding variable, meaning the observed association
,between parks and activity may not demonstrate a direct
cause-and-effect relationship.
Question 2
Read the passage:
Although digital textbooks reduce printing costs and allow
students to access materials instantly, some educators argue
that printed texts promote deeper comprehension. They cite
research suggesting that students may remember
information better when reading lengthy passages on paper.
However, digital formats offer accessibility features, search
functions, and interactive tools that may benefit many
learners.
Which statement best expresses the author's primary
purpose?
A. To prove that printed textbooks are superior to digital
textbooks
B. To persuade schools to eliminate printed textbooks
C. To compare advantages and disadvantages of digital and
printed texts
D. To explain why students dislike reading electronic materials
Answer: C. To compare advantages and disadvantages of
digital and printed texts
Rationale: The passage presents benefits and limitations of
both formats without advocating exclusively for one. Its
primary purpose is therefore to compare the two approaches.
,Question 3
A researcher writes:
"The city should expand bicycle lanes because cities that have
invested in protected cycling infrastructure have
subsequently experienced increased bicycle use."
Which assumption is most necessary for the argument?
A. Every resident prefers cycling to driving.
B. The increase in cycling was at least partly related to the
infrastructure investment.
C. Bicycle lanes are less expensive than roads.
D. Bicycle use always decreases traffic congestion.
Answer: B. The increase in cycling was at least partly related
to the infrastructure investment.
Rationale: The argument uses increased bicycle use after
infrastructure investment as evidence for expansion. It
assumes the infrastructure contributed meaningfully to the
increase rather than merely coinciding with it.
Question 4
Which source would generally provide the strongest evidence
for determining whether a new medication is effective?
A. A celebrity's personal experience with the medication
B. A pharmaceutical company's advertisement
, C. A randomized controlled clinical trial
D. An anonymous social media discussion
Answer: C. A randomized controlled clinical trial
Rationale: Randomized controlled trials are designed to
reduce bias and confounding variables while allowing
researchers to compare outcomes between intervention and
control groups.
Question 5
Read the passage:
Urban trees provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, and
can improve air quality. Yet planting programs often fail when
communities select species poorly suited to local conditions.
Trees that require excessive water may not survive droughts,
while species vulnerable to regional pests may require costly
maintenance.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A. Urban trees should never be planted in dry climates.
B. All urban trees require extensive maintenance.
C. Successful urban forestry requires selecting species
appropriate for local conditions.
D. Air pollution is primarily caused by a lack of trees.
Answer: C. Successful urban forestry requires selecting
species appropriate for local conditions.
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that environmental
suitability affects tree survival and maintenance
Exam Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A community health department observes that
neighborhoods with greater access to public parks have lower
rates of sedentary behavior. However, the department also
notes that these neighborhoods tend to have higher average
household incomes.
Which statement best identifies the limitation of concluding
that public parks directly reduce sedentary behavior?
A. The study lacks a sufficiently large sample size.
B. The relationship may be explained by a confounding
variable.
C. The findings cannot be applied to any other population.
D. The data must be considered invalid because they are
observational.
Answer: B. The relationship may be explained by a
confounding variable.
Rationale: Household income may influence both access to
parks and physical activity levels. This creates a potential
confounding variable, meaning the observed association
,between parks and activity may not demonstrate a direct
cause-and-effect relationship.
Question 2
Read the passage:
Although digital textbooks reduce printing costs and allow
students to access materials instantly, some educators argue
that printed texts promote deeper comprehension. They cite
research suggesting that students may remember
information better when reading lengthy passages on paper.
However, digital formats offer accessibility features, search
functions, and interactive tools that may benefit many
learners.
Which statement best expresses the author's primary
purpose?
A. To prove that printed textbooks are superior to digital
textbooks
B. To persuade schools to eliminate printed textbooks
C. To compare advantages and disadvantages of digital and
printed texts
D. To explain why students dislike reading electronic materials
Answer: C. To compare advantages and disadvantages of
digital and printed texts
Rationale: The passage presents benefits and limitations of
both formats without advocating exclusively for one. Its
primary purpose is therefore to compare the two approaches.
,Question 3
A researcher writes:
"The city should expand bicycle lanes because cities that have
invested in protected cycling infrastructure have
subsequently experienced increased bicycle use."
Which assumption is most necessary for the argument?
A. Every resident prefers cycling to driving.
B. The increase in cycling was at least partly related to the
infrastructure investment.
C. Bicycle lanes are less expensive than roads.
D. Bicycle use always decreases traffic congestion.
Answer: B. The increase in cycling was at least partly related
to the infrastructure investment.
Rationale: The argument uses increased bicycle use after
infrastructure investment as evidence for expansion. It
assumes the infrastructure contributed meaningfully to the
increase rather than merely coinciding with it.
Question 4
Which source would generally provide the strongest evidence
for determining whether a new medication is effective?
A. A celebrity's personal experience with the medication
B. A pharmaceutical company's advertisement
, C. A randomized controlled clinical trial
D. An anonymous social media discussion
Answer: C. A randomized controlled clinical trial
Rationale: Randomized controlled trials are designed to
reduce bias and confounding variables while allowing
researchers to compare outcomes between intervention and
control groups.
Question 5
Read the passage:
Urban trees provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, and
can improve air quality. Yet planting programs often fail when
communities select species poorly suited to local conditions.
Trees that require excessive water may not survive droughts,
while species vulnerable to regional pests may require costly
maintenance.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A. Urban trees should never be planted in dry climates.
B. All urban trees require extensive maintenance.
C. Successful urban forestry requires selecting species
appropriate for local conditions.
D. Air pollution is primarily caused by a lack of trees.
Answer: C. Successful urban forestry requires selecting
species appropriate for local conditions.
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that environmental
suitability affects tree survival and maintenance
