What percent do you need to pass the HESI exam?

There's no single universal passing score for the HESI exam, as each nursing school sets its own minimum requirements, but generally, a score of 75% (satisfactory) to 85% or higher (good/excellent) on sections or the cumulative score is often needed for admission or graduation, with 850 (on a 0-1500 scale) often cited as a key benchmark for NCLEX readiness, but always check your specific program's guidelines.

What's a passing score for the HESI?

What scores do I have to attain on the HESI A2 Exam? Each section must be passed with a 75% or higher.

What is a 75% on the HESI?

A 75% on the HESI exam is generally considered a satisfactory or average score, often meeting the minimum passing requirement for many nursing programs, though higher scores (80-90%+) are usually needed for more competitive entry or for higher grades within a program, with requirements varying by institution. It signifies competency but places you in a range needing potential improvement for top performance, with scores below 75% often requiring remediation, notes NursingExams.org and Smart Edition Nursing. 

What grade do I need to pass the HESI?

Score is calculated as the average amongst the 4 required sections, with a minimum score required of 75% needed (though higher is recommended).

What is a failing HESI score?

And a score below 75% on the HESI is a failure and shows that the candidate is unprepared to work with the complex reading material included in a healthcare program.

How to pass the Hesi Exit Exam and other Hesi Exams in Nursing School

Is 70 passing in nursing school?

A 70% can be passing in some nursing programs, but it's often not enough, as many schools require a C (75%) or even a B (80-83%) to pass, sometimes with specific higher thresholds for exams or clinicals, so you must check your specific school's nursing handbook. A 70% might be a passing grade but a failing requirement, especially with "70% rules" on major exams or if the overall passing standard is higher, like 75% or 80%. 

Is HESI harder than NCLEX?

Yes, for most nursing students, the HESI exit exam feels harder than the NCLEX because HESI uses static questions designed to push you, while NCLEX is computer-adaptive, adjusting difficulty based on your answers, often feeling easier if you're performing well at the passing threshold. HESI questions can be more complex and cover broader material to predict your NCLEX readiness, sometimes including questions far above the NCLEX passing level, making the NCLEX seem simpler by comparison if you've done well on HESI. 

What is a good HESI exit score?

The HESI A2 is a nursing school admissions test. The HESI Exit Exam predicts NCLEX readiness and sometimes graduation eligibility. HESI scores range from 100–1000. Generally, 850+ is considered a strong indicator of NCLEX success.

What disqualifies you from being an RN?

You can be disqualified from becoming an RN due to serious criminal history (especially violent, sexual, or drug-related felonies), substance abuse issues, fraudulent application, or certain uncontrolled health conditions that impair safe practice, with specific rules varying by state board of nursing, though felony convictions, abuse, and fraud are common hurdles. While some crimes are automatic disqualifiers, others may be reviewed based on rehabilitation, time passed, and context. 

Can you get into nursing school without passing the HESI?

Most nursing schools require applicants to take either the TEAS or HESI exam as part of the admissions process. These standardized tests help schools evaluate academic readiness. However, not every program follows this route, preferring approaches like holistic admissions instead.

Will a 3.0 get me into nursing school?

Some programs and schools will be more selective than others — many programs require a 3.0 GPA, while many two-year programs require a minimum GPA of 2.0. However, even if your GPA is below 2.0, there are programs where you can get the training you need to enter the nursing profession.

How do I know if I passed my HESI exam?

You can retrieve your HESI A2 results from your Evolve account. Step 1: Go to https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/store?role=student to access your Evolve account.

Can you retake the HESI exam if you fail?

Applicants who do not achieve a passing score on the HESI exam must wait a minimum of 7 calendar days before retaking the exam. If the applicant does not achieve a passing score on the second attempt on the HESI exam, he/she must wait 30 daysfrom the date of the last attempt to take the HESI a third time.

Is the HESI test hard to pass?

Yes, the HESI exam is generally considered challenging, especially the HESI A2 entrance exam and end-of-course exams, because it tests foundational knowledge (like A&P, math, vocabulary) and critical thinking, but its difficulty is subjective and manageable with focused preparation using study guides, practice tests, and resources like Quizlet or Mometrix. Many students find practice questions harder than the actual test, and success hinges on reviewing core concepts and understanding medical terminology. 

What is a good score on the nursing entrance exam?

TEAS Passing Score

Most nursing programs require at least a Proficient level (around 60–65%). However, some competitive programs expect 75% or higher. Always check with your target schools. As a safe strategy, aim about 10% above their stated minimum.

Is 70 a good HESI score?

HESI Entrance Exam

Direct Entry option into the Associate Degree in Nursing applicants require a cumulative score of 75% or higher. Practical Nursing program applicants must achieve a score of 70% or higher to successfully pass the exam.

Do hospitals prefer RN or BSN?

Hospitals increasingly prefer and often require nurses to have a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) over just an RN license (which can come from an ADN or diploma), due to studies linking BSN-prepared nurses to better patient outcomes, critical thinking skills, and leadership abilities, with many facilities seeking Magnet status requiring advanced degrees. While ADN-prepared nurses (RNs) can get jobs, BSNs offer better career growth, higher pay, and are vital for Magnet hospitals and many leadership roles, with some states even mandating BSNs within a few years of licensure. 

Who do nurses mostly marry?

Nurses often marry other healthcare professionals, including fellow nurses, doctors, and those in management, but also people in diverse fields like engineering, law enforcement, or truck driving, with specific patterns varying by nursing specialty, though many marry individuals who understand their demanding careers. While nurses might marry other high-earners like doctors (especially nurse practitioners), they also find partners in similar roles (like other nurses) or completely different sectors, emphasizing shared values and mutual understanding of high-stress healthcare environments.
 

Why can't nurses wear Crocs anymore?

Nurses can't always wear Crocs (or similar clogs) because many facilities ban them due to significant health and safety risks, primarily the holes, which let dangerous bodily fluids (blood, urine) onto skin and allow dropped sharps (needles) to pierce the sole, plus potential static buildup affecting equipment and slip hazards on wet floors. While comfortable and easy to clean, standard Crocs lack essential features like puncture resistance, closed heels, and non-slip soles required by modern hospital dress codes, although some newer, fully enclosed, slip-resistant styles might be permitted.
 

Is the HESI exit harder than NCLEX?

You're not imagining it—and there's actually a *good* reason why. Unlike NCLEX, which is computer-adaptive and adjusts question difficulty as you go, HESI and ATI are fixed. But they're designed to *predict* whether you'll pass NCLEX…

What happens if you fail the HESI exit exam?

If you don't pass the HESI, most colleges and universities will allow students opportunities to retake the exam. It is important to consult a school's retake policy to learn more about any applicable waiting periods or limitations of testing attempts.

What HESI score is equivalent to passing NCLEX?

While it is possible, the research suggests that the odds are in your favor that passing the HESI Exit Exam with a 900 or higher is strongly associated with passing NCLEX.

Is 2 weeks enough to study for NCLEX-RN?

Yes, two weeks can be enough time to pass the NCLEX-RN, especially if you've just graduated nursing school and focus intensely on high-volume practice questions, identifying and reviewing weak areas (like Pharmacology or OB/Peds), and mastering the computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format, rather than just reading content. While many recommend 4-6 weeks, two weeks allows for a highly focused review of question-based learning, but success depends heavily on your existing foundational knowledge and consistent practice with resources like UWorld, Archer, or Bootcamp. 

Is becoming a doctor harder than becoming a nurse?

Is it harder to be a nurse or a doctor? Each role has its unique challenges. Nursing school and medical school are both rigorous, yet medical school is generally considered more difficult due to the sheer volume of information.