HESI A2 Exam: Sections, Scoring and How to Prepare
The HESI A2 exam, short for the Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment, is an entrance exam used by many nursing and allied health programs. Elsevier publishes it, and it works differently from most standardized tests: instead of one fixed exam, it is a menu of sections, and your program decides which ones you take. Two applicants sitting for the same exam can face different subjects, different minimum scores, and different retake rules, so the first job in preparing is finding out what your program requires.
The descriptions here reflect Elsevier's exam design as documented in nursing program testing guides. Counts and rules vary by program and exam version, so confirm the details with the program you are applying to.
How the HESI A2 Exam Works
The HESI A2 is a computer-based, multiple choice exam. Each section is timed separately, and at many programs you cannot return to an earlier question or an earlier section once you move on. Some programs let you choose the order in which you take the sections. You register through an account on Elsevier's Evolve site using the code for your program so your scores reach the right place.
Who Decides Which Sections You Take
Your program does. Some require four sections, some require five or six, and a few require every section Elsevier offers. Many programs ask for reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, math, and anatomy and physiology, while biology, chemistry, and physics are required less often. Look for a published list on your program's admissions requirements before you buy any study materials.
HESI A2 Sections
The table shows the sections Elsevier offers and what each one tests. Question counts are the figures commonly listed in program testing guides.
| Section | What it tests | Commonly listed length |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Main ideas, supporting details, meaning in context, inference, and tone | 55 questions |
| Vocabulary and General Knowledge | Everyday and healthcare-related vocabulary | 55 questions |
| Grammar | Parts of speech, common sentence errors, and correct usage | 55 questions |
| Math | Operations, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, percentages, and conversions | 55 questions |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Body systems, structures, and terminology | 30 questions |
| Biology, Chemistry, and Physics | Foundational science, required by fewer programs | Varies |
| Critical Thinking | Reasoning through scenarios, offered with the exam | Varies by program |
| Learning Style and Personality Profile | Self-assessments, not scored as academic subjects | About 15 questions each |
HESI A2 Scoring
You receive a percentage score for each section you take. There is no national passing score for the HESI A2, so the numbers only mean something relative to your program's rules. Some programs set a minimum for each required section, and others also calculate a composite from a set of sections, commonly reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, math, and anatomy and physiology.
Minimums vary widely. One college's RN program requires 75% on each of five sections, while another program at the same college requires 65% on three. The learning style and personality profile are not scored as academic subjects. Always ask how your program uses each score before you decide where to focus.
Registering and Retaking the HESI A2
Fees depend on your program and testing site, and Elsevier makes more than one version of the exam, so some programs prevent you from seeing the same version twice. Retake rules are set by programs, not by Elsevier. A wait of 30 days between attempts is common, many programs limit attempts per year, and score validity ranges from one to two years at the programs we reviewed. Build a possible retake into your timeline from the start.
How to Study for the HESI A2 Exam
Because the exam is modular, the best study plan starts by listing exactly which sections your program requires and which score each one needs. Then you match your hours to those sections and to your own weak spots.
Study Habits for the HESI A2 Exam
- Start with a baseline. Take mixed practice across your required sections and record each percentage.
- Study the sections that carry the program minimum. A weak score in a required section can end an application even when the rest is strong.
- Practice reading actively. Find the main idea, the evidence, and the author's purpose before looking at the answer choices.
- Build vocabulary through context. Learn word parts and practice inferring meaning from a sentence.
- Review the reason for every miss. Understanding why an option is wrong is more durable than memorizing the right one.
Science Sections Reward Application
Anatomy and physiology and the other sciences are where many applicants feel least confident. The questions often ask how a system responds to a change, not just which structure does what. Practicing with explanations that walk through the reasoning is the most direct way to move from recall to understanding.
Section-by-Section Tips
- Reading comprehension: read the question first, then find the sentence in the passage that answers it, and avoid answers that sound reasonable but add information the passage does not support.
- Vocabulary and general knowledge: break unfamiliar words into prefixes, roots, and suffixes, and use the sentence around the word.
- Grammar: check subject and verb agreement first, then pronouns, then punctuation.
- Math: write out each step, convert units before you calculate, and estimate to catch obvious mistakes.
- Anatomy and physiology: study systems as connected processes, such as how the heart, lungs, and kidneys respond together.
Pacing and Test Day
Every section has its own clock, and you may not be able to return to earlier questions, so steady pacing matters more than speed. Practice with a timer until you know how long a typical question takes you in each section. Confirm your program code, bring identification that matches your registration, and review the testing site's rules for calculators and scratch paper before you arrive.
PrepNurse.ai includes a Nursing Entrance Exams program for applicants. The free plan has the Question of the Day plus Quick 10 and Quick 20 sets, and every question includes an explanation. You can browse the quiz modes to choose a format that fits your schedule.
Timed practice is a Premium feature. You can compare the free and Premium plans and begin on the free plan without a credit card.
If Your Program Requires a Different Exam
Some programs require the TEAS instead, and some accept either exam. The TEAS test guide covers the ATI exam in detail.
If you are weighing the two, the TEAS and HESI comparison sets them side by side.
For the larger picture of timelines and application steps, see the entrance exam application guide.
The nursing exam preparation resources show how entrance exams connect to licensure and advanced practice.
If you would like help choosing a study path, you can talk with the support team.
HESI A2 Exam Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the HESI A2 exam?
Elsevier offers eight academic sections: reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, math, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics. It also offers critical thinking, a learning style assessment, and a personality profile. Your program chooses which of these you take.
How many questions are on the HESI A2 exam?
The total depends on the sections your program requires. Program testing guides commonly list 55 questions each for reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, and math, and 30 for anatomy and physiology. Confirm the counts for your version with your program.
Is there a passing score for the HESI A2 exam?
There is no national passing score. Each program sets its own minimum for each required section and may also set a composite minimum. A score that qualifies at one program can fall short at another, so always check the numbers your program publishes.
How long is the HESI A2 exam?
Each section is timed, and the total depends on how many sections your program requires. Some programs list roughly four to five hours for a full set of sections. Ask your program for its schedule, since section order and timing can differ.
Can I retake the HESI A2 exam?
Usually yes, but the rules come from your program. A 30-day wait is common, many programs limit attempts per year, and some accept scores only from the past one to two years. Elsevier also offers more than one version of the exam, so some programs require a different version on a retake.
What is the difference between the HESI A2 and the TEAS?
The HESI A2 is published by Elsevier and is modular, so your program picks the sections. The TEAS is published by ATI and has four fixed sections, 170 questions, and 209 minutes. Programs decide which exam they accept, and scores from one do not substitute for the other.
Start Practicing at Your Own Pace
Entrance exam prep works best when it is steady and honest about weak areas. PrepNurse.ai offers a free plan that needs no credit card, so you can start answering questions, read the explanations, and see where you stand.
PrepNurse.ai is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier, which publishes the HESI A2. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. PrepNurse.ai is a study aid and does not guarantee an exam result or an admission decision.