The HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2), developed by Health Education Systems, Inc. (now part of Elsevier), is a standardized entrance exam used by many U.S. nursing and allied health programs. If you’re preparing for nursing school, a deeper understanding of the HESI A2 Exam can make a significant difference in your readiness and confidence.
1. What’s Tested on the HESI A2?
Most programs include seven core subtests:
- Mathematics (55 questions)
- Reading Comprehension (50 questions)
- Vocabulary & General Knowledge (50 questions)
- Grammar (50 questions)
- Biology (30 questions)
- Chemistry (30 questions)
- Anatomy & Physiology (30 questions
Many programs exclude Chemistry and Physics, but your target school may require them. Schools also may include up to five unscored, experimental items for each subtest.
2. Timing & Format
The full HESI A2 typically runs up to 4 hours and 45 minutes, totaling around 275 scored questions, plus the experimental items. Timing per subtest is determined by your institution, but expect each section to last roughly 30–60 minutes.
3. How the Exam is Scored
- There is no universal pass or fail score; each school sets its own minimums.
- A general benchmark:
- Scores below 75% may be considered weak.
- 80–89% indicates readiness for nursing school.
- 90%+ reflects strong academic preparedness.
4. Key Study Strategies
Practice by Subject
Use topic-specific diagnostics, such as:
- Grammar (50 questions)
- Mathematics (50 questions)
- Biology & A&P (30 questions each)
These diagnostics reveal strengths and weaknesses, allowing targeted review.
Use Checklists & Structured Study
Leverage checklists of essential topics (e.g., body systems, grammar rules, key biology terms) to ensure complete coverage.|
Simulated Full-Length Tests
Take timed, full-exam practice to develop pacing, mental stamina, and familiarity with consecutive sections.
Learn Test-Taking Techniques
Beyond content review, master guessing strategies, trap avoidance, and question logic—skills featured in quality study guides developed by test prep experts.
5. Why You Can Trust These Resources
- NurseHub provides free, realistic diagnostic tests that replicate exam format and difficulty.
- Mometrix offers comprehensive HESI A2 courses, study guides, flashcards, and video tutorials; also provides detailed outline and scoring breakdowns.
- Elsevier develops the official HESI test, ensuring content is reliable and aligned with academic standards.
6. Prep Tools Breakdown
| Resource | Offers |
|---|---|
| Nurselytic | Free diagnostic tests in grammar, math, biology, A&P, and more |
| Nokea | 3,200+ practice questions, 170+ video tutorials, flashcards, checklists |
| Elsevier (HESI) | Official test developer and exam blueprints |
7. Final Takeaways
- The HESI A2 includes up to 275 scored questions across seven subject areas, plus experimental items.
- Preparation should be multifaceted: diagnose, study content, simulate exams, and master strategy.
- Percentile-based scoring demands subject balance—a high total score can hide weaknesses in key areas. Aim for 90%+ in your weakest sections.
Prepare Effectively for the HESI A2 with Nokea
At Nokea, we deliver expert-reviewed, exam-aligned HESI A2 question banks, including subject diagnostics, full-length simulations, and detailed answers. We empower you to target weak spots, master formats, and enter your nursing school with confidence.