HESI A2 Exam: What to Expect and How to Prep

A plain-English guide to the HESI A2 Admission Assessment, its sections, and a realistic study plan for nursing applicants.

Reviewed by the Pop Nursing editorial team · Updated June 2026

What the HESI A2 actually is

The HESI A2 stands for the Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment, published by Elsevier. Many U.S. nursing programs use it as an entrance exam to gauge whether applicants are academically ready for the demands of a nursing curriculum. Think of it as a snapshot of your foundational skills in math, science, reading, and language, not a test of nursing knowledge itself.

One of the most important things to understand up front is that the HESI A2 is modular. Unlike some entrance exams with a fixed structure, the HESI A2 lets each school pick which sections applicants must complete. That means two students applying to two different programs may take quite different versions of the exam. Because of this, the single most useful step you can take is to contact your specific program and ask exactly which sections you need, what scores they expect, and how and where you'll test. Details genuinely vary by school and state.

The sections you may see

The HESI A2 draws from up to eight academic content areas, plus two non-academic components. Your school typically requires only a subset, often four to five academic sections. Commonly used sections include:

• Math — basic arithmetic through pre-algebra: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios and proportions, basic unit conversions, and topics like Roman numerals or military time that map to clinical settings. Advanced algebra, trigonometry, and calculus are generally not tested.
• Reading Comprehension — finding the main idea, drawing conclusions, and interpreting passages.
• Vocabulary & General Knowledge — terms often used in health and everyday academic contexts.
• Grammar — parts of speech, common errors, and sentence structure.
• Biology — cells, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, metabolism, and biological molecules.
• Anatomy & Physiology — body systems, structures, and general terminology.
• Chemistry — atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, reactions, and chemical equations.
• Physics — required less often, covering basic concepts like motion and energy.

There are also two components that are typically not scored: a Learning Style assessment and a Personality Profile. These are meant to help you understand how you study best and generally do not factor into admission decisions, though some schools still ask you to complete them.

Length, format, and timing

The HESI A2 is usually computer-based and may be taken at a campus testing center or through remote online proctoring, depending on the school. It is primarily multiple choice.

Because the exam is modular, the total number of questions and the time you're given depend on how many sections your school requires. Each section has its own approximate question count (often in the range of about 25 to 55 items) and its own time limit. Some academic sections also include a small number of unscored pilot questions mixed in, which is normal and nothing to worry about. A full multi-section sitting can run roughly three to five hours, while a typical four-to-five-section version often takes somewhere in the range of two and a half to three and a half hours. Treat these as approximate figures and confirm the exact counts and time limits with your program, since they vary by school.

How scoring works

This is where students often get confused, so it's worth being precise: there is no single, national passing score for the HESI A2. Elsevier reports your results by section as percentages, and your school decides what counts as acceptable.

Many programs publish a minimum they look for, and figures in the range of roughly 75% to 80% or higher per section are commonly cited, with some competitive programs preferring higher. But these numbers vary widely by school and program, and some schools weigh certain sections more heavily, look at a composite score, or use scores as one factor among GPA and prerequisites. Because of this, a score that's competitive at one program may not be at another. Always check your target school's published requirements rather than relying on a general benchmark.

A practical way to prepare

A steady, targeted plan usually works better than last-minute cramming. Here's an approach many students find manageable:

• Confirm your sections first. Don't waste weeks reviewing Chemistry if your program doesn't require it.
• Take a diagnostic practice test for the sections you need, then spend most of your time on your weakest areas.
• Rebuild math fundamentals by hand. Practice fractions, percentages, ratios, and conversions until they feel automatic, and check whether your school allows an on-screen calculator.
• Refresh A&P and biology with the basics, since broad foundational concepts tend to matter more than obscure details.
• Practice reading and grammar under a timer so pacing feels familiar on test day.
• Use reputable study guides and practice questions, including Elsevier's official materials, and simulate timed conditions as you get closer.

Finally, ask your program about its retake policy before test day. The number of attempts allowed and any required waiting period between attempts (often somewhere in the range of about 30 to 90 days) vary by school. Knowing the rules ahead of time helps you plan and reduces stress. This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for your school's official guidance.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not admissions, career, financial, or medical advice. Program length, cost, accreditation, and licensing requirements vary by school and by state — always confirm details with the school and your state board of nursing.