The 14 A&P Topics Everyone Misses on the TEAS 7 (2026 Update)
If you’re preparing for the TEAS 7, you already know the Anatomy & Physiology section is where many future nurses lose easy points.
Not because it’s the hardest.
Because it’s the most misunderstood.
Every year thousands of students walk into the Assessment Technologies Institute testing center confident they’ve mastered A&P—only to realize the exam asks about concepts they barely reviewed.
After analyzing hundreds of TEAS practice questions and prep trends for 2026, we found something surprising:
Most students miss the same 14 topics.
If you master these before test day, you instantly gain an advantage over the majority of TEAS test-takers.
Let’s break them down.
1. The Difference Between Osmosis, Diffusion, and Filtration
Most students memorize definitions—but the TEAS tests application.
You may see a scenario asking which process moves water across a semipermeable membrane.
The correct answer?
👉 Osmosis
Quick breakdown:
| Process | What Moves | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | Solutes | High → Low concentration |
| Osmosis | Water | Toward higher solute concentration |
| Filtration | Water + small solutes | Pressure driven |
Why students miss it:
They confuse osmosis with diffusion.
The TEAS loves testing this distinction.
2. Negative Feedback vs Positive Feedback
Many students understand feedback loops but mix up the direction of change.
Two classic examples:
| Feedback Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Negative | Thermoregulation |
| Positive | Childbirth |
Positive feedback amplifies a change.
Negative feedback reverses it.
TEAS questions often ask which system maintains homeostasis.
Answer: negative feedback.
3. The Endocrine vs Nervous System Response Speed
Students know both systems regulate the body, but they forget the time difference.
| System | Speed | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Nervous | milliseconds | short |
| Endocrine | seconds–days | long lasting |
Hormones like Insulin act slower but affect the body longer.
The TEAS often asks which system is responsible for long-term regulation.
4. The Difference Between Arteries and Veins (Beyond Direction)
Many students remember:
- Arteries = away from heart
- Veins = toward heart
But TEAS questions go deeper.
| Feature | Arteries | Veins |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | High | Low |
| Walls | Thick | Thin |
| Valves | No | Yes |
A favorite test trick:
Which vessels prevent backflow?
Answer: veins.
5. Pulmonary vs Systemic Circulation
Students mix up which loop goes where.
The two loops are:
- Pulmonary Circulation
- Systemic Circulation
Memory trick:
Pulmonary = lungs
Right ventricle → lungs → left atrium.
6. The Real Function of the Nephron
Students know the kidney filters blood.
But the TEAS focuses on the functional unit:
👉 Nephron
Key functions:
- Filtration
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
Many students forget that most water is reabsorbed, not excreted.
7. The Difference Between Ligaments and Tendons
One of the most missed TEAS questions every year.
| Structure | Connects |
|---|---|
| Ligament | Bone → Bone |
| Tendon | Muscle → Bone |
Example:
The Achilles tendon.
Students often flip them.
8. The Stages of Mitosis (Especially Metaphase)
Many remember the order but forget what happens in each stage.
The sequence:
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
Metaphase detail often tested:
👉 Chromosomes align in the center of the cell.
9. The Function of the Alveoli
Students know lungs exchange gas, but TEAS asks where.
Answer:
👉 Alveoli
These tiny sacs allow oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange with capillaries.
Why students miss it:
They choose bronchi or bronchioles.
10. The Order of the Digestive Process
Many students forget the correct sequence.
Food travels through:
- Mouth
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
The TEAS frequently asks where most nutrient absorption occurs.
Answer:
👉 Small intestine.
11. The Difference Between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems
This question appears constantly.
Both belong to the Autonomic Nervous System.
| System | Effect |
|---|---|
| Sympathetic | Fight or flight |
| Parasympathetic | Rest and digest |
Example question:
Which system increases heart rate?
👉 Sympathetic.
12. The Layers of the Skin
Students remember the epidermis but forget deeper layers.
Three main layers:
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Hypodermis
TEAS questions often ask:
Where are sweat glands located?
Answer: Dermis.
13. The Function of the Hypothalamus
Students confuse this with the pituitary gland.
The Hypothalamus controls:
- body temperature
- hunger
- thirst
- hormone regulation
It links the nervous and endocrine systems.
14. The Direction of Blood Flow Through the Heart
This is one of the highest-missed TEAS topics.
Correct pathway:
- Vena cava
- Right atrium
- Right ventricle
- Lungs
- Left atrium
- Left ventricle
- Aorta
Students often reverse the atria and ventricles.
Why These 14 Topics Matter for the TEAS 7
The TEAS 7 is designed to test concept mastery, not just memorization.
These topics appear frequently because they evaluate whether future nurses understand:
- homeostasis
- body systems
- physiological relationships
Master them, and you dramatically increase your A&P score.
Want to Practice These Topics Before Test Day?
The best way to lock in these concepts is through real TEAS-style questions.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at WePrepYou.com, where you can:
- Take full TEAS 7 practice tests
- Drill A&P questions that mirror the real exam
- Identify your weak spots before test day
Most students study everything.
Top scorers study what the exam actually tests.
