HESI A2 Study Schedule: Your Complete Week-by-Week Plan
The HESI A2 (Health Education Systems Inc. Admission Assessment) is your gateway to nursing school — and your score directly affects your chances of admission. Unlike most exams where you simply pass or fail, nursing programs rank applicants by HESI A2 score. A higher score means a better chance of getting in.
This guide gives you a structured, day-by-day study schedule based on your available timeline. Whether you have 4 weeks or 8 weeks, there's a plan here that works.
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How Long Should You Study for the HESI A2?
The answer depends on three factors:
| Factor | Less Time Needed | More Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Science background | Recent A&P and Biology courses | Haven't taken science in 2+ years |
| Sections required | 4 sections (Math, Reading, Vocab, Grammar) | 6–8 sections (including A&P, Biology, Chemistry) |
| Target score | 75% (minimum for most programs) | 90%+ (competitive programs) |
Recommended Study Timelines
| Timeline | Best For | Daily Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks | Students who recently completed prerequisite courses and need 4 core sections only | 2–3 hours/day |
| 6 weeks | Most students; good balance of depth and urgency | 1.5–2 hours/day |
| 8 weeks | Students who need all 6–8 sections or haven't studied science recently | 1–1.5 hours/day |
| 12 weeks | Working students with limited daily time | 45 min–1 hour/day |
Most successful students study for 6–8 weeks with 1.5–2 hours of daily study. This is the sweet spot for thorough preparation without burnout.
Step 1: Take a Diagnostic Test First
Before you pick a schedule, you need to know where you stand. Spend your first study session on a diagnostic assessment:
- Take a practice test covering all your required sections
- Score each section separately
- Rank your sections from weakest to strongest
- Allocate more study time to your weakest areas
Scoring Targets by Program Competitiveness
| Program Type | Target Composite Score | Score Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Open enrollment/community college | 75–80% | Minimum acceptable |
| Moderately competitive BSN | 80–85% | Solid application |
| Highly competitive BSN | 85–90% | Strong application |
| Accelerated BSN / Direct-entry MSN | 90%+ | Very competitive |
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The 6-Week HESI A2 Study Schedule (Recommended)
This is the most popular and balanced study timeline. It assumes you need to prepare for the 6 most common sections and can study 1.5–2 hours per day:
Week 1: Math Foundations + Vocabulary Start
| Day | Focus Area | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Math: Basic operations, fractions, decimals | 90 min | Review rules, work 20 practice problems |
| Tue | Math: Percentages, ratios, proportions | 90 min | Word problems, conversion practice |
| Wed | Math: Measurement conversions + Roman numerals | 90 min | Metric/household conversions, military time |
| Thu | Vocabulary: Word roots, prefixes, suffixes | 90 min | Create flashcards for 50 terms, context clues |
| Fri | Vocabulary: Medical and academic terms | 90 min | Practice questions, flashcard review |
| Sat | Math + Vocab combined review | 120 min | Timed practice test for both sections |
| Sun | Rest or light flashcard review | 30 min | Review missed questions only |
Week 1 Goal: Math should feel automatic. Vocabulary flashcard deck should be 100+ terms.
Week 2: Grammar + Reading Comprehension
| Day | Focus Area | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Grammar: Parts of speech, sentence structure | 90 min | Identify subjects, verbs, objects in practice sentences |
| Tue | Grammar: Subject-verb agreement, pronoun use | 90 min | Error identification practice |
| Wed | Grammar: Punctuation, capitalization, commonly confused words | 90 min | Which/that, their/there/they're, affect/effect |
| Thu | Reading: Main idea, supporting details | 90 min | Read 5 passages, answer comprehension questions |
| Fri | Reading: Author's purpose, tone, inference | 90 min | Practice with scientific and healthcare passages |
| Sat | Grammar + Reading combined review | 120 min | Timed practice test for both sections |
| Sun | Rest or vocabulary flashcard review | 30 min | Cumulative review of all flashcards |
Week 2 Goal: Grammar rules should be solid. Reading speed and accuracy should improve noticeably.
Week 3: Anatomy & Physiology (Part 1)
| Day | Focus Area | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | A&P: Skeletal system + Muscular system | 90 min | Bone classifications, major muscles, functions |
| Tue | A&P: Cardiovascular system | 90 min | Heart anatomy, blood flow pathway, blood components |
| Wed | A&P: Respiratory system | 90 min | Gas exchange, breathing mechanics, structures |
| Thu | A&P: Nervous system | 90 min | CNS vs. PNS, neuron structure, brain regions |
| Fri | A&P: Digestive system + Urinary system | 90 min | Organ functions, nutrient absorption, filtration |
| Sat | A&P comprehensive review | 120 min | Practice questions covering all systems studied |
| Sun | Rest or system diagram review | 30 min | Label diagrams from memory |
Week 3 Goal: Understand general functions of each body system. Don't over-memorize details — the HESI tests broad concepts, not minutiae.
Week 4: Anatomy & Physiology (Part 2) + Biology
| Day | Focus Area | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | A&P: Endocrine system + Reproductive system | 90 min | Major hormones, feedback loops, reproductive anatomy |
| Tue | A&P: Integumentary + Lymphatic/Immune systems | 90 min | Skin layers, immune responses, inflammation |
| Wed | Biology: Cell structure and function | 90 min | Organelles, cell membrane, diffusion/osmosis |
| Thu | Biology: DNA, RNA, protein synthesis | 90 min | DNA replication, transcription, translation |
| Fri | Biology: Cellular respiration + Photosynthesis | 90 min | ATP production, glycolysis, Krebs cycle basics |
| Sat | A&P + Biology combined review | 120 min | Timed practice test covering all science content |
| Sun | Rest or weak area review | 30 min | Focus on lowest-scoring science topics |
Week 4 Goal: Science sections should be at or near your target score on practice tests.
Week 5: Comprehensive Review + Weak Area Focus
| Day | Focus Area | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Full-length practice exam (all sections) | 120 min | Simulate real testing conditions — timed, no breaks between sections |
| Tue | Review practice exam — identify weak areas | 90 min | Categorize every missed question by topic |
| Wed | Weakest section deep dive #1 | 90 min | Targeted study on your lowest-scoring section |
| Thu | Weakest section deep dive #2 | 90 min | Second-lowest section or continued focus |
| Fri | Mixed practice: 20 questions from each section | 90 min | Randomized review to build test-taking stamina |
| Sat | Second full-length practice exam | 120 min | Compare scores to Week 1 diagnostic — track improvement |
| Sun | Light review or rest | 30 min | Review flashcards, get organized for final week |
Week 5 Goal: Scores should be within 5% of your target on practice tests.
Week 6: Final Review + Exam Prep
| Day | Focus Area | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Quick review of all Math formulas and conversions | 60 min | Formula sheet review, 10 practice problems |
| Tue | Quick review of Vocabulary + Grammar rules | 60 min | Final flashcard pass, grammar rule summary |
| Wed | Quick review of A&P systems + Biology concepts | 60 min | One-page summary per system, key biology facts |
| Thu | Final practice exam (if time allows) | 90 min | Focus on pacing and confidence |
| Fri | Light review + exam logistics prep | 45 min | Know your testing location, what to bring, when to arrive |
| Sat | REST — no studying | 0 min | Relax, get good sleep, prepare mentally |
| Sun | EXAM DAY | — | Arrive early, confident, well-rested |
Week 6 Goal: You're not learning new material — you're reinforcing what you know and building confidence.
The 4-Week Accelerated Schedule
For students who recently completed prerequisites and need only core sections:
| Week | Focus | Daily Time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Math + Vocabulary (fundamentals) | 2–3 hours |
| Week 2 | Grammar + Reading Comprehension | 2–3 hours |
| Week 3 | A&P + Biology (if required) | 2–3 hours |
| Week 4 | Full practice exams + weak area review | 2–3 hours |
Warning: The 4-week schedule is only recommended if you scored 70%+ on a diagnostic test without any preparation. If your diagnostic score is below 70%, use the 6-week or 8-week schedule.
The 8-Week Relaxed Schedule
For working students or those who prefer a gentler pace:
| Week | Focus | Daily Time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Math fundamentals | 60–75 min |
| Week 2 | Vocabulary + Grammar | 60–75 min |
| Week 3 | Reading Comprehension | 60–75 min |
| Week 4 | Anatomy & Physiology (Part 1) | 60–75 min |
| Week 5 | Anatomy & Physiology (Part 2) | 60–75 min |
| Week 6 | Biology + Chemistry (if needed) | 60–75 min |
| Week 7 | Full practice exams + gap analysis | 75–90 min |
| Week 8 | Final review + weak area focus + rest | 60 min, then taper |
Section-by-Section Scoring Tips
Math (Most Improved Section for Most Students)
- Memorize conversions: 1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 cup = 8 oz
- Practice word problems daily — the HESI presents math as healthcare scenarios
- Use the on-screen calculator wisely — it's basic (four-function only)
- Roman numerals appear — know I through X minimum (some questions use them for medication doses)
Reading Comprehension
- Read the questions first, then the passage — you'll know what to look for
- Focus on main idea questions — they're the most common type
- Healthcare passages are common — practice with scientific articles
- Don't bring outside knowledge — answer based only on what the passage states
Vocabulary
- Academic definitions, not colloquial — the HESI tests formal/clinical definitions
- Learn word parts: If you know 50 common prefixes, suffixes, and roots, you can decode hundreds of words
- Context clue strategy: Even if you don't know a word, the surrounding sentence often reveals the meaning
- Focus on commonly confused words: affect/effect, complement/compliment, discrete/discreet
Grammar
- Subject-verb agreement is the #1 tested concept
- Know your comma rules — commas before conjunctions in compound sentences, commas after introductory phrases
- Commonly confused: their/there/they're, its/it's, who's/whose, your/you're
- Sentence types: simple, compound, complex — know the difference
Anatomy & Physiology
- Study general concepts, not minutiae — the HESI tests understanding, not memorization of every bone name
- Focus on how systems interact — How does the cardiovascular system support the respiratory system? How do hormones affect organ function?
- Know the basics of each system: main organs, primary functions, common disorders
- Organ functions > organ locations for most HESI questions
Biology
- Cell structure is high-yield — know organelles and their functions
- DNA/RNA basics — replication, transcription, translation (the central dogma)
- Photosynthesis vs. cellular respiration — inputs, outputs, where each occurs
- Genetics fundamentals — dominant/recessive, Punnett squares, phenotype vs. genotype
What to Expect on HESI A2 Exam Day
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, proctored |
| Location | Your nursing school's testing center (not Pearson VUE) |
| Sections | Determined by your program (typically 4–8 subtests) |
| Time per section | Varies; typically 25–50 minutes per subtest |
| Total time | 3–5 hours depending on number of sections |
| Calculator | On-screen four-function calculator for Math only |
| Results | Immediate — scores appear on screen after submitting |
| Retakes | School-specific policy; usually 1–2 retakes allowed with waiting period |
| Cost | $40–$100 depending on school and number of sections |
Exam Day Checklist
- Valid photo ID (must match your school registration)
- Arrive 15–30 minutes early
- No phones, smart watches, or electronic devices in testing room
- No scratch paper in most testing centers (some provide a whiteboard)
- Eat a good breakfast — the exam can take 3–5 hours
- Get 7–8 hours of sleep the night before
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- All major subtests — Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, A&P, Biology
- Practice questions matching the actual HESI format
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Official Resources
- Elsevier HESI A2 Official Page — Official exam provider
- National Student Nurses' Association — Nursing student resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nurses — Career outlook