HESI A2 Admission Assessment Overview
Key Takeaways
The HESI A2 has up to 326 questions across 8 scored academic sections, each containing 25-55 items
Total testing time is approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes with no scheduled breaks between sections
The exam fee is typically $58, though some institutions charge additional proctoring fees
There is no universal passing score — each nursing program sets its own cutoff, typically 75-80% or higher
Testing is administered at Prometric test centers, remotely via Prometric ProProctor, or directly at institutions using the Elsevier/HESI platform
Scores are generally valid for 1-2 years depending on the nursing program requirements
The HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) is a standardized entrance exam used by over 1,000 nursing programs across the United States to evaluate applicants' academic readiness for nursing school. The exam is developed and administered by Elsevier, a leading healthcare education company.
Exam Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI A2) |
| Also Known As | HESI Entrance Exam, HESI A2, Evolve Reach |
| Developer | Elsevier |
| Exam Fee | ~$58 (may vary by institution) |
| Total Questions | Up to 326 (25-55 per section) |
| Time Limit | 4 hours 15 minutes (5 hours 15 minutes with personality/learning style) |
| Scored Sections | 8 academic sections |
| Passing Score | Set by each nursing program (typically 75-80%) |
| Testing Format | Computer-based, linear (not adaptive) |
| Testing Locations | Prometric test centers, Prometric ProProctor (remote), or institutional testing centers |
| Score Validity | 1-2 years (program-dependent) |
| Retake Policy | Program-dependent; some allow 2-3 attempts per year |
The 8 Scored Academic Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 55 | 50 min | ~15% |
| Reading Comprehension | 55 | 60 min | ~15% |
| Vocabulary & General Knowledge | 55 | 50 min | ~10% |
| Grammar | 55 | 50 min | ~10% |
| Biology | 30 | 25 min | ~15% |
| Chemistry | 30 | 25 min | ~10% |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 30 | 25 min | ~15% |
| Physics | 30 | 25 min | ~10% |
Note: Not all nursing programs require all 8 sections. Some programs only require math, reading, vocabulary, and grammar. Check your specific program's requirements before registering.
Scoring
Unlike many standardized tests, the HESI A2 does not use a universal passing score:
- Each section is scored individually on a percentage scale (0-100%)
- Nursing programs set their own minimum score requirements — typically between 75% and 80% per section
- Some programs use a composite score (average of all required sections)
- Others require you to meet the minimum on each individual section
- Higher scores improve your competitiveness for program admission
- A score of 90% or above on any section is considered excellent
Additional (Unscored) Sections
Some institutions include optional personality and learning style assessments:
| Section | Questions | Time | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personality Profile | 15 | N/A | Identifies personality traits for nursing |
| Learning Style | 14 | N/A | Identifies preferred learning approach |
| Critical Thinking | 30 | 30 min | Sometimes required separately |
These sections do not count toward your academic score but may be used by programs for advising purposes.
HESI A2 vs. Other Nursing Entrance Exams
| Feature | HESI A2 | ATI TEAS | NLN PAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Elsevier (HESI) | Assessment Technologies Institute | National League for Nursing |
| Sections | 8 academic + optional | 4 sections (Reading, Math, Science, English) | 3 sections (Verbal, Math, Science) |
| Total Questions | Up to 326 | 170 | 214 |
| Time | ~4h 15min | 3h 29min | ~3 hours |
| Fee | ~$58 | $120 plus tax via ATI or PSI; school prices vary | ~$60-$75 |
| Physics | Yes | No | No |
| Anatomy & Physiology | Separate section | Within Science section | Within Science section |
| Scoring | Percentage per section | Composite score (0-100) | Composite + percentile |
| Usage | ~1,000+ nursing programs | ~1,500+ nursing programs | ~500+ nursing programs |
Which exam you take depends entirely on your nursing program's requirements. Some programs accept multiple entrance exams; others require a specific one. Always check with your program before registering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a calculator on the HESI A2? A: Yes, but only the on-screen calculator provided during the Mathematics section. Personal calculators are not allowed.
Q: How long are HESI A2 scores valid? A: Score validity varies by program — typically 1-2 years. Check with your specific nursing program.
Q: What happens if I don't pass a section? A: Most programs allow retakes (typically 2-3 per year) with a waiting period of 30-60 days. You may need to retake the entire exam or just specific sections.
Q: Is the HESI A2 adaptive like the NCLEX? A: No. The HESI A2 is a linear (non-adaptive) exam. Every test-taker receives questions of similar difficulty, and the total number of questions is fixed.
Q: Which sections are the hardest? A: This varies by student. Science students often find Math and English harder, while English/humanities students often find Science sections harder. Anatomy & Physiology and Mathematics are commonly reported as the most challenging sections.
How many scored academic sections does the HESI A2 exam contain?
4 sections
6 sections
8 sections
10 sections
What is the typical passing score range set by most nursing programs for the HESI A2?
50-60%
65-70%
75-80%
90-95%
What is the approximate total testing time for the HESI A2 academic sections?
2 hours
3 hours
4 hours 15 minutes
6 hours
The HESI A2 exam is developed and administered by _____, a leading healthcare education company.
Type your answer below
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.