What is the HESI A2 Exam?
The Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment exam (HESI A2 exam) is an entrance exam used to screen applicants wishing to attend nursing school. It is considered a rite of passage for many nurses, and it is a critical step in advancing your nursing career. The HESI A2 exam was designed by Elsevier and is also known as the Evolve Reach Admissions Assessment exam. It is administered by individual Nursing Schools and is an essential tool for selecting the best candidates for nursing programs.
The HESI A2 entrance exam is a proctored, computer-administered test (CAT) consisting of ten individually scored sections. Eight of these sections are academic and can be grouped under three major test categories covering language, science, and math. The remaining two sections are unscored assessment tests that are designed to give program administrators insight into the learning and personality traits of the test-taker.
The HESI A2 is primarily multiple-choice with some fill-in-the-blank questions included in the math portion. There are a total of 297 questions across all eight sections of the HESI A2 exam. In addition to the unscored learning and personality assessments, there are five questions from each of the three major test categories that will not be scored. These unscored pilot questions are not marked, so it is in your best interest to try to answer all test questions correctly.
Your HESI A2 exam score will be cumulative. Passing scores vary from one nursing program to another, but they generally fall in the 70-80% range. Be sure to contact your program administrators for your school's required passing score.
HESI A2 Pre-Requisites and Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria vary from one school to another. You should contact your program administrators and make sure that you meet all requirements before registering for the HESI A2 entrance exam. Registration for the HESI A2 requires the creation of an online account through Evolve. During the registration process, you will be asked to enter your school code which you can get from your program administrators.
HESI A2 Exam Fees
Sitting for the HESI A2 entrance exam will generally cost you around $40.00. However, your school may provide you with a different fee schedule, and additional fees may also apply. If you need to retake the HESI A2 exam, you should contact your school program to find out about wait times between testing and the total number of times you will be able to retake the exam.
Is the HESI A2 Test Timed?
The HESI A2 entrance exam takes a total of 6 hours and 5 minutes (not including any scheduled breaks) to complete all ten sections of the test. You likely will not be required to take all sections of this test. Total test duration will depend on how many and which portions of the exam your sit for. You can use the table below to calculate your approximate test duration.
| Test Section |
Number of Questions |
Duration in Minutes |
| Reading |
47 |
60 |
| Vocabulary and General Knowledge |
50 |
50 |
| Grammar |
50 |
50 |
| Math |
50 |
50 |
| Physics |
25 |
50 |
| Biology |
25 |
25 |
| Anatomy and Physiology |
25 |
25 |
| Chemistry |
25 |
25 |
| Learning Style Assessment |
14 |
15 |
| Personality Style Assessment |
15 |
15 |
Even though the test is computer-administered, a proctor is always present to observe the test-takers.
What Subjects Are on the HESI A2 Exam?
The three major test areas on the HESI A2 exam are divided into eight separate test areas. Language consists of Reading, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Grammar; science includes Physics, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Chemistry; and the math area consists of Math. The HESI A2 entrance exam also includes two assessments known as Learning Style and Personality Style which may or may not be included in your exam.
The Reading Comprehension section of the HESI A2 entrance exam will assess your understanding of the written English language. This portion includes thematic questions that will ask you to analyze various textual elements. You will need to be able to:
- Identify the main idea of a text
- Make logical inferences
- Use context to define words
The Vocabulary and General Knowledge section requires you to be familiar with words and terminology that are used both in real-world settings as well as medical and health care situations. You will be presented with a word or term and asked to answer questions such as:
- What is the best definition of a word
- What a word refers to
- What is the meaning of a word
The Grammar section of the HESI A2 entrance exam covers basic grammatical rules and terminology. You will be asked to know and understand:
- Common grammatical errors
- Important terms and their uses
- The names and meanings of various parts of speech
- How and when to use certain words in a sentence
The Math section covers common math skills that are frequently used in the health care profession. You will be asked to perform computations and to exhibit basic knowledge of:
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Decimals and fractions
- Unlike and common denominators
- Ratio and proportions
- Household measures and measurement conversions
- Word problems
- Roman Numerals
The Biology section of the exam covers knowledge of biological principles and processes, including:
- The properties and structure of water
- Biological molecules
- Metabolism
- Cells and cellular respiration
- Photosynthesis
The Chemistry section of the HESI A2 exam deals with the fundamental properties of matter. You will be assessed on your knowledge of:
- Chemical equations and reactions
- The periodic table
- Atomic structure
- Nuclear chemistry
- Chemical bonding
Anatomy and Physiology assesses the test-takers knowledge of the various structures and systems in the human body as well as a general knowledge of how the body works. You will be tested on:
- Anatomical structures and systems (i.e. heart anatomy and circulatory system)
- The Endocrine system, including hormones and glands
- Joints and muscles and their locations
- The skeletal system, including the location of and different types of bones
- The nervous system including all nervous system organs and their functions
- Cell organelles and their function
The Physics section of the HESI A2 exam is usually only required for nursing programs with a physics pre-requisite course. This section addresses topics such as:
- Rotation
- Friction and energy
- Gravitation
- Average speed and acceleration
- Newton's Laws of Motion
- Projectile motion
- Optics and light
The Personality and Learning Style Assessment portions of the HESI A2 test are used to gauge who you are and how you learn. They are more about getting to know you rather than assessing what you know. These test sections are not scored, and they are not always a required component of the exam.
Preparation Strategies
As you can see, there is a lot of material covered on the HESI A2 entrance exam. Preparation is always essential to success, so be sure that you have a solid preparation strategy in place. There are many online resources available for the HESI A2 test prep. Several of these sites provide both free and paid practice tests, study guide outlines, and links that provide additional testing resources. The use of a study plan can be very helpful in preparing for your HESI A2 exam. A good study plan makes the best use of your time by keeping track of your study sessions and learning goals.
You can also prepare for your HESI A2 exam by practicing how to approach questions that you do not know how to answer. Before answering any question, be sure to read the instructions carefully so that you know what information you are being asked to provide. Many reading comprehension questions can be answered correctly by paying attention to the context of its related text. If you still do not know the answer to the question, eliminate all the answers that you know are wrong first and then choose from the remaining items. Be sure to answer all questions, even if you don't know the correct answer.
HESI Assessment 2 Practice Test
Taking multiple HESI A2 practice tests can help prepare you for successful testing. Not only does it provide you with an in-depth analysis of your strengths and weaknesses, but it can also build test-taking confidence that will help you do well on your scheduled exam date. It will also allow you to practice some of your test-taking strategies for approaching difficult questions. HESI practice tests are readily available online for free and as part of a paid service through many different test preparation websites.
HESI A2 Tips and Checklist
By the time your scheduled HESI A2 exam date comes around, you should be well prepared. Be sure to follow these last-minute tips to make your test a success:
- Do not forget to pack your ID and any required documents that you will need to take the HESI A2 exam
- Arrive well-rested and be sure to eat something light before testing.
- Show up at least fifteen minutes early so that you can get settled before the test.
- Remember not to bring any prohibited items into the testing facility (pens, pencils, calculators, phones, books, papers, and food or drink).
- Remember your strategies for answering difficult exam questions.
- Read each question and answer choice carefully.
- If you feel nervous, try some breathing exercises to focus your mind and calm your body.
If you are well prepared, you should feel confident and ready to take your test. Remember to focus, and good luck with your HESI A2 entrance exam!
Expert Contributor
Hripsime Melikyan
Hripsime Melikyan, RN is a coronary care unit nurse with over 3 years of combined experience in ICUs, ERs, and training other nurses. She has passed the NCLEX and HESI exams. Hripsime holds an M.D. from the Yerevan State Medical University in Armenia, where she diagnosed and managed infectious diseases as a physician for 3 years.
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Difficulty depends on which sections you are required to take by your school program and how well you prepare for the exam. Using practice tests will help you become more confident in your abilities and make test-taking easier.
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Scores vary from one program to the next, so you will have to contact your program administrators to find out what your passing score should be. The generally accepted range is 70-80%.
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The HESI A2 stands for the Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment exam. The "A2" is just a clever way of saying "Admission Assessment".
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HESI can sometimes be used as shorthand for the HESI A2, but the HESI exams are actually a suite of tests that include the HESI entrance exam as well as the HESI exit exam.
