Study guide · Healthcare & Nursing
HESI A2: the nursing school gatekeeper, decoded
Your HESI A2 score is often the single biggest factor in a competitive nursing school application. Here’s which sections matter, what scores actually get admits, and how to prep each one.
The exam at a glance
| Full name | HESI Admission Assessment (A2), by Elsevier |
| Sections | Up to 8 academic sections. Each school picks which ones it requires |
| Common core | Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar. Nearly every program requires these |
| Science sections | Anatomy & Physiology (most common), Biology, Chemistry. Required by competitive programs |
| Format | Computer-based, mostly multiple choice; calculator provided on-screen for Math |
| Passing score | There isn't one. Each program sets its own cutoffs (75% is a common minimum; competitive programs want 85%+) |
Do this first: look up your target program's requirements page. Which sections, what minimum scores, and whether they average sections. This determines your entire study plan. Never study for a section your school doesn't test.
Section by section
| Section | What it really tests | Score target |
|---|
| Math | Fractions, ratios, unit conversions, dosage-style word problems. Nursing math, not calculus | 85%+ is very achievable; many admits are 90%+ |
| Reading | Passages with main-idea, inference, and meaning-in-context questions | 80%+ |
| Vocabulary | Health-context vocabulary, with words like "adverse," "contingent," "distended" | 80%+ (highly drillable) |
| Grammar | Subject-verb agreement, pronouns, commonly confused words | 80%+ |
| Anatomy & Physiology | The differentiator: body systems, directional terms, structures and functions | Competitive programs effectively expect 80%+ |
| Biology / Chemistry | Cell biology, macromolecules; atomic structure, bonding, solutions | 75–80%+ where required |
How to prep it (4–6 weeks)
- Week 1: Map everything. Run Smart Quiz sessions across every section your program requires. Your plan is now obvious: rank sections by gap, not by preference.
- Weeks 2–3: Math and A&P daily. These two respond best to spaced repetition and carry the most admissions weight. Vocabulary rides along at 10 minutes a day; it's the cheapest points on the exam.
- Week 4: Reading & grammar polish. Timed passage practice; grammar is a finite rule set you can close out in days.
- Weeks 5–6: Simulate. Full multi-section simulations under time. Retest weak categories until your readiness score holds green at your program's cutoff plus a safety margin.
Mistakes that cost admits
- Studying sections your school doesn't test. A week of chemistry prep for a program that only wants A&P is a week stolen from A&P.
- Ignoring vocabulary because it "seems easy". It's the most memorization-friendly section and admissions math treats every section point the same.
- First full-length timing on test day. Fatigue is real across a multi-hour exam; simulate the full session at least twice.
HESI A2 FAQ
How many times can I take the HESI A2?
Elsevier doesn't set a universal limit; your school does. Common policies: once per admission cycle, or a 60-day wait between attempts. Many programs also take your most recent (not best) score, so don't sit it "just to see."
What's a good score?
75% clears many minimums, but nursing admissions are competitive rankings, so aim for 85%+ composite with nothing under 80% and you're competitive at most programs.
Is the HESI A2 harder than the TEAS?
They're comparable; HESI leans harder on A&P and vocabulary while TEAS leans on science reasoning. Your school chooses the exam, so the real answer is: prep for the one your program requires.
How long is my score valid?
Typically 1–2 years, set by the school. Time your attempt so the score is fresh for the application cycle you actually want.