What topics are on the HESI A2 exam?

The HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) tests core academic subjects for nursing school entry, primarily Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology, with some schools adding Physics or Critical Thinking; it also includes optional Learning Style & Personality assessments, but you must confirm with your specific nursing program which sections they require.

What topics are on the HESI A2?

HESI A2 Exam Information

The HESI A2 is a computerized exam consisting of six (6) sections: grammar, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, biology, chemistry, and math. You will have 4.5 hours to complete the exam. Results of the exam are good for one (1) year.

How many sections does the HESI A2 have?

The HESI A2 exam consists of six multiple choice sections (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Basic Math, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and a Learning Style Assessment). The exam is three hours long. To study for the HESI A2 exam, click here.

What does the HESI A2 exam look like?

The HESI A2© consists of 8 separate test areas. Those test areas include mathematics, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and physics. The school you are applying to will tell you which of these 8 test areas you will need to take.

What is a 75% on the HESI?

A 75% on the HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) exam is generally considered a satisfactory score, often meeting the minimum passing requirement for many nursing programs, falling into the "Average" or "Satisfactory" performance category, just above the "Needs Improvement" threshold (below 75%). While some schools set higher benchmarks, a 75% indicates competency, though scores in the 80-90%+ range are often seen as stronger or excellent, depending on the specific program's competitive admissions.
 

PASSING THE HESI A2 EXAM | 90% OR HIGHER | FREE HESI A2 RESOURCES & TIPS

What is the HESI A2 pass rate?

HESI A2 Passing Scores

Passing scores for the HESI A2 will vary from one school program to another. Program admittance scores as low as 62% can be found at some schools, while others require 85-90%. The general passing range for the HESI A2 cumulative score is 75-80%.

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.

What if I fail HESI A2?

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 A2 really hard?

Yes, the HESI A2 is generally considered challenging, often due to its specific content and the high scores required by nursing programs (often 75%+), though its difficulty varies by individual student's strengths, with many finding success with focused study using guides, flashcards, and practice tests to master specific areas like vocabulary and math.
 

How difficult is the HESI A2 test?

The HESI A2 is considered moderately to very difficult, depending on your baseline knowledge, but manageable with focused study, with many finding core subjects like Reading, Vocabulary, and basic Math straightforward, while Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) and Math conversions often present the biggest challenges, requiring thorough review using practice tests and resources. Success hinges on preparation, especially in A&P and medical math, and many recommend starting prep early, using online tools like Quizlet and practice exams.
 

What level of math is on the HESI A2?

The HESI® A2 Mathematics Test covers a wide variety of basic math topics, including basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; decimals, fractions, and percentages; basic algebra; and ratios and proportions.

How can I best prepare for the HESI A2?

Study Guides and Textbooks

If it has been a while since you took math, science, and English courses, you could check out some textbooks from the CNM library and review. There are also great online textbooks for chemistry, biology, elementary and intermediate algebra available through free Openstax resources.

How many grammar questions are on HESI A2?

There are 50 questions on the Grammar section of the HESI A2 exam.

How long should I study for HESI A2?

An effective study plan for the hesi a2 exam includes: Daily Study Sessions: Dedicate at least 1 to 3 hours daily, focusing on different subjects each day. Breaks: Use study techniques like the Pomodoro Technique—study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-10 minute break to maintain focus.

Is there chemistry on HESI A2?

Chemistry (25 questions, 25 minutes)

The HESI A2 Chemistry section tests students on chemical equations, the periodic table, anatomic structure, chemical bonding and reactions, acids and bases, scientific notation, metric system, oxidation-reduction, and biochemistry.

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. 

Is one month enough to study for HESI?

1-Month: Very intense. You will need to dedicate time each day to study and prepare. 3-Months: Perfect timeframe. We recommend 3-months when preparing for this exam.

What is the hardest nursing exam?

The toughest nursing exams often cited are the NCLEX-RN (the gateway to becoming a registered nurse, testing critical thinking in high-pressure scenarios) and advanced certifications like the CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse), which demands deep knowledge of complex, multi-system critical care, with many finding the intensive study and difficult concepts challenging. Other difficult areas include pharmacology and medical-surgical subjects within nursing school itself, which weed out many students. 

Is physics on HESI A2?

HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Review Preparation

The HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review guide has sections on mathematics, chemistry and physics.

How long is HESI A2 valid for?

How long are my HESI A2 exam scores valid? Scores will be valid for 18 months from the time of exam completion. Scores must be taken from a single eligibility period.

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. 

What class do most nursing students fail in?

While it varies, Pharmacology is widely considered the most failed or difficult class in nursing school due to its vast content on drug classifications, mechanisms, and side effects, requiring intensive memorization and critical thinking. Other challenging courses often cited include Pathophysiology, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Health Assessment, and foundational science courses like Anatomy & Physiology.
 

Is nursing harder than med school?

If you wonder, “Is nursing school harder than med school?” we have the truth. Both paths are challenging, but they differ in focus and demands. Nursing school emphasizes practical skills and patient care, while med school dives deep into medical theory and research. Each has its unique stressors and rewards.

Is a 3.4 GPA impressive?

Yes, a 3.4 GPA is generally considered good, often a high B+ average, placing you above the national average and making you a competitive applicant for many colleges, though it might not be high enough for the most selective universities without strong supplemental factors like extracurriculars or essays. Whether it's "good" depends on your goals, but it demonstrates solid academic competence, opens many scholarship opportunities, and is a strong foundation for getting into a good state school or even some selective schools with a compelling overall application.
 

What is the easiest nursing school to get into?

The "easiest" nursing schools often have high acceptance rates, like Aspen University (100%), Georgia State University (100%), and the University of Texas at El Paso (100%), with many public universities in states like Texas, Ohio, and New Mexico offering less competitive entry; look for schools with high acceptance rates (90%+), lower GPA requirements (around 3.0 or less), and online/accelerated options if you need flexibility, but remember "easy" means high acceptance, not easy coursework.