The Exit HESI Exam RN tests nursing students in their final ADN or BSN semester, differing from the fundamentals proctored exam you completed. Elsevier designs this comprehensive exam to assess nursing knowledge and critical thinking across NCLEX-RN areas: safe care, health promotion, psychosocial integrity, and physiological adaptation. It predicts NCLEX-RN success with 98% accuracy, serving as a key graduation requirement for many nursing programs. While the fundamentals exam targets basic skills (e.g., patient safety, vital signs), the Exit HESI evaluates broader competencies. Students need a 850–900 score (out of 950–1500) to graduate; lower scores prompt remediation. Elsevier’s Evolve platform delivers the exam, often with online or in-person proctoring, preparing you for NCLEX-RN challenges.
Requirements:
- Academic Prerequisites: Finish all core nursing courses (e.g., fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing) in an accredited ADN or BSN program. Your fundamentals proctored exam builds foundational knowledge, but no prior HESI exams are necessary. Some programs require a minimum GPA (e.g., 2.5–3.0) for eligibility.
- Hardware: For online proctored exams, use a desktop or laptop (Windows 10+ or macOS 10.13+; no Chromebooks, mobiles, or tablets). Equip your device with a functional webcam, microphone, speakers, and stable internet (10 Mbps upload/download, wired preferred) to support tools like ProctorU.
- Environment: Create a quiet, well-lit, private space with a clear desk, free of notes, phones, or extra devices to meet proctoring rules. Keep a government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) ready for webcam verification.
- Registration & Fees: Your school enrolls you via Elsevier’s Evolve platform, charging $40–$100 per attempt. Check retake policies (typically 2–3 attempts) and deadlines with your advisor.
- Study Materials: Study with Elsevier’s HESI Comprehensive Review book, Evolve practice tests, or apps like UWorld. Build on your fundamentals exam knowledge (e.g., infection control) and target weak areas like pharmacology or prioritization.
Duration:
- Exam Length: The Exit HESI Exam RN contains 150 questions (some versions 75–160) and lasts up to 4 hours, though most students complete it in 2–3 hours. Questions mimic NCLEX-RN formats: multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spots, and drag-and-drop. Online proctored setups add 10–30 minutes for pre-checks: webcam test (5–10 minutes), ID scan, and 360° room scan (5–15 minutes). Log in 15 minutes early to avoid delays; arriving 60+ minutes late risks rescheduling without refunds.
- Preparation Time: Study for 2–4 weeks (20–50 hours), leveraging your fundamentals proctored exam experience. Practice 50–100 questions daily, aiming for a 900+ score to ensure NCLEX readiness. If fundamentals were challenging, add 5–10 hours weekly for remediation. Schools typically schedule the exam in your program’s final month.
Platforms:
- Testing Platform: Elsevier’s Evolve platform hosts the Exit HESI Exam RN, accessible via secure browsers (Google Chrome or Firefox, latest versions). Your school’s LMS (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard) may link to Evolve for scheduling or score viewing.
- Proctoring Tools: Online exams often use ProctorU, Respondus LockDown Browser, or Elsevier’s proctoring system. Install the HESI extension or LockDown Browser at launch to secure your screen and block apps. Disable VPNs, firewalls, and pop-up blockers. Mac users (Catalina 10.15+) grant screen recording permissions in System Preferences. An on-screen calculator eliminates the need for personal devices.
- System Check: Test hardware and internet 24 hours prior on Evolve or ProctorU’s portal. Non-proctored exams (rare) run via Evolve or your LMS, requiring only Chrome/Firefox.
- Study Platforms: Prepare with Evolve’s practice tests, Elsevier’s HESI Review resources, or tools like UWorld, NurseTim, Nurselytic, or Quizlet. Reddit’s r/StudentNurse offers peer insights.
Duration:
- Exam Length: The Exit HESI Exam RN includes 150 questions (some versions 75–160) and lasts up to 4 hours, though most students finish in 2–3 hours. Question types mirror NCLEX-RN: multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spots, and drag-and-drop. Online proctored setups add 10–30 minutes for pre-checks: webcam test (5–10 minutes), ID scan, and 360° room scan (5–15 minutes). Log in 15 minutes early to avoid delays; arriving 60+ minutes late may require rescheduling without refunds.
- Preparation Time: Dedicate 2–4 weeks (20–50 hours) for focused study, building on your fundamentals proctored exam experience. Practice 50–100 questions daily, targeting a 900+ score for strong NCLEX prediction. If you struggled on fundamentals, allocate extra time (5–10 hours weekly) for remediation. Schools may schedule the exam in the final month of your program, so plan accordingly.
Platforms:
- Testing Platform: The Exit HESI Exam RN runs on Elsevier’s Evolve platform, accessed via a secure browser (Google Chrome or Firefox, latest versions). Your school’s LMS (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard) may link to Evolve for scheduling or score access.
- Proctoring Tools: Online exams often use ProctorU, Respondus LockDown Browser, or Elsevier’s proctoring system. Install the HESI extension or LockDown Browser during launch to lock your screen and block external apps. Disable VPNs, firewalls, and pop-up blockers. Mac users (Catalina 10.15+) must grant screen recording permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy. An on-screen calculator is provided—no personal devices allowed.
- System Check: Run a compatibility check 24 hours prior on Evolve or ProctorU’s portal to confirm hardware and internet readiness. Non-proctored exams (less common) are browser-based via Evolve or your LMS, requiring no extra software beyond Chrome/Firefox.
- Study Platforms: Prep with Evolve’s practice tests, Elsevier’s HESI Review resources, or third-party tools like UWorld, NurseTim, Nurselytic, or Quizlet.