HESI A2
Offered by Elsevier
The HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2) is Elsevier's modular nursing-admissions exam. Unlike the TEAS, there is no single national form: your nursing program chooses which academic sections you take (commonly math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, and anatomy & physiology; some also require biology, chemistry, or physics) plus optional learning-style and personality inventories.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Testing time
5
hours
Sections
6
Passing score
Varies
set by program
Cost
Set by the school or testing site (often about $40–$100 USD plus any proctor fee)
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What the exam covers
Mathematics
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary and General Knowledge
Grammar
Anatomy and Physiology
Biology / Chemistry / Physics (if required)
About the HESI A2 exam
There is no universal passing score. Schools set section cutoffs, retake rules, and whether you test on campus, at a center, or remotely. Always study the exact section list your program publishes.
Who it’s for
Applicants to nursing and some allied-health programs that require the HESI A2 instead of (or in addition to) the TEAS.
- Format
- Modular computer-based sections chosen by the school (academic subtests plus optional learning style / personality). Question counts vary by section
- Testing time
- Set by the school; taking every academic section is often about 4–5 hours total
- Delivery
- School testing center, Elsevier Evolve, or school-approved remote proctoring
- Passing score
- No universal pass mark — each program sets section (and sometimes composite) cutoffs, commonly in the mid-70s to 80% range
- Validity
- Schools typically accept scores for about two years; confirm with each program
- Prerequisites
- None from Elsevier; you register with the department ID and section list your school provides
Official exam page· Details verified September 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Get the official section list, score cutoffs, and retake policy from every school you are applying to — do not study a generic 'full HESI.'
02
Build a study calendar around the required sections only; A&P and math are the usual bottlenecks.
03
Practice dosage-style math (ratios, conversions, household measures) without relying on a personal calculator.
04
Time each section the way your school times it; HESI is several short tests, not one blended composite like TEAS.
05
If you also need the TEAS for other schools, keep separate plans — the outlines overlap in science but the timing and scoring do not.
FAQ
Is HESI A2 the same as the TEAS?
No. TEAS is a fixed four-section ATI exam. HESI A2 is modular: your school picks the sections and the scores that count. Prep materials are not interchangeable.
How do I make a HESI study plan?
Start from your school's required sections and cutoffs. Schedule the longest weak section first (often A&P or math), then add shorter daily vocab/grammar drills, then timed section practice.
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