Pass Your HESI A2 Exam

What is the HESI A2 Exam?

The Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI A2), also called HESI A2CT (Computerized Test), is a standardized nursing entrance exam developed by Elsevier and required by hundreds of nursing schools throughout the United States for admission to associate degree, bachelor's degree, and diploma nursing programs. The HESI A2 evaluates academic readiness in core subject areas essential for nursing education success including mathematics, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and physics. Many programs also include personality profile and learning style assessments to evaluate non-academic factors influencing nursing student success.

Unlike the TEAS exam which is standardized across all testing institutions, HESI A2 requirements vary significantly by nursing program - schools select which sections to require and set their own minimum score requirements. Common configurations include all academic sections (8 subjects), core academic sections only (Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Biology, Anatomy), or program-specific combinations. The exam is computer-based with adaptive questioning (question difficulty adjusts based on previous answers), administered at Elsevier testing centers, designated nursing schools, or via remote proctoring. Total testing time ranges from 4-6 hours depending on number of required sections.

HESI A2 scores are reported as percentage scores for each section (0-100%) and composite scores (average across required sections). Most competitive BSN programs require composite scores of 80-90%+ with minimum section scores of 75-80%. ADN and diploma programs typically require composite scores of 75-85%+ with section minimums of 70-75%. Top-tier nursing programs like Duke University School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, and Emory University require 85-90%+ composite scores. Failed attempts or below-threshold scores delay nursing school admission and many programs limit retakes to 1-2 attempts with 30-60 day waiting periods between tests.

HESI A2 Exam Structure and Content

Mathematics (55 questions, 50 minutes)

The Mathematics section assesses quantitative skills essential for nursing medication calculations, dosage determinations, IV drip rates, and unit conversions. Content includes basic operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division including complex multi-step problems), ratios and proportions (solving for unknown values, setting up proportions for dosage calculations), percentages (calculating percentage increase/decrease, finding percentages of quantities, percentage word problems), and measurement conversions (converting between metric units, household measurements, and apothecary systems commonly used in medication administration). Algebraic problem-solving includes solving one-variable equations and word problems translating verbal descriptions into mathematical expressions. Calculators are NOT permitted, requiring mental math proficiency and fraction/decimal manipulation without calculator assistance.

Reading Comprehension (55 questions, 60 minutes)

The Reading Comprehension section evaluates ability to understand, analyze, and apply information from nursing-related texts including textbook passages, medical research articles, patient education materials, and clinical documentation. Questions assess identifying main ideas and supporting details, making inferences and drawing conclusions, determining author's purpose and tone, identifying fact versus opinion, understanding cause-and-effect relationships, summarizing passages, and interpreting context clues. Passages typically cover health-related topics including disease processes, treatment modalities, nursing interventions, public health issues, medical ethics, and healthcare systems. Test-takers must demonstrate critical reading skills essential for processing complex medical information encountered throughout nursing education and clinical practice.

Vocabulary and General Knowledge (55 questions, 50 minutes)

The Vocabulary section assesses knowledge of medical and healthcare-related terminology essential for understanding nursing textbooks, clinical documentation, physician orders, and professional communication. Questions present vocabulary words in context-based sentences requiring test-takers to select correct definitions or synonyms. Content emphasizes medical terminology including anatomical terms (anterior, posterior, proximal, distal, ventral, dorsal), pathophysiological conditions (hypertension, tachycardia, dyspnea, edema), medical procedures (catheterization, intubation, debridement), pharmacological terms (analgesic, antibiotic, anticoagulant, diuretic), and general academic vocabulary appearing frequently in nursing literature. Understanding Greek and Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes is essential as most medical terminology derives from classical languages.

Grammar (50 questions, 50 minutes)

The Grammar section evaluates written communication skills necessary for professional nursing documentation including patient charts, care plans, incident reports, and interdisciplinary communication. Content includes eight grammar categories: parts of speech (identifying nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions), subject-verb agreement (ensuring verbs agree with subjects in number and person), verb tenses (proper use of past, present, future, and perfect tenses), pronoun usage (pronoun-antecedent agreement, proper case), sentence structure (identifying complete sentences, fragments, run-ons, comma splices), punctuation (commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, quotation marks), capitalization rules, and commonly confused words (accept/except, affect/effect, their/there/they're, its/it's). Questions present sentences with errors requiring identification and correction.

Biology (30 questions, 25 minutes)

The Biology section tests foundational biological concepts prerequisite to nursing pathophysiology, microbiology, and pharmacology courses. Content includes cellular biology (cell structure, organelle functions, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division - mitosis and meiosis), genetics (Mendelian genetics, Punnett squares, chromosomal inheritance, DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis - transcription and translation), macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids - structure and functions), and general biology concepts (taxonomy, biological organization levels, metabolism, homeostasis, evolution). Understanding cellular processes, genetic inheritance patterns, and molecular biology fundamentals is essential as these concepts underpin human physiology and disease mechanisms studied throughout nursing curricula.

Chemistry (30 questions, 25 minutes)

The Chemistry section assesses knowledge of chemical principles essential for understanding pharmacology, acid-base balance, fluid and electrolyte management, and biochemical processes. Content includes atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons, electron configurations, periodic table organization), chemical bonding (ionic bonds, covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, electronegativity), chemical reactions (balancing equations, identifying reaction types - synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement), states of matter (solids, liquids, gases, phase changes), solutions (molarity, dilution calculations, solubility), and acid-base chemistry (pH scale, identifying acids and bases, buffer systems, neutralization reactions). Understanding chemical principles is crucial for medication calculations, understanding drug mechanisms, and comprehending physiological processes like respiration and metabolism.

Anatomy and Physiology (30 questions, 25 minutes)

The Anatomy and Physiology section is the most critical science component, testing detailed knowledge of human body systems essential for all nursing courses. Content comprehensively covers all 11 body systems: integumentary system (skin layers, functions, accessory structures), skeletal system (bone types, major bones, joints, bone tissue physiology), muscular system (muscle types - skeletal, smooth, cardiac - muscle contraction mechanisms, major muscle groups), nervous system (CNS and PNS organization, neuron structure, synaptic transmission, brain regions and functions, spinal cord), cardiovascular system (heart anatomy, cardiac cycle, blood vessel types, circulation pathways, blood composition), respiratory system (respiratory anatomy, gas exchange, ventilation mechanisms), digestive system (digestive organs, enzymatic digestion, nutrient absorption), urinary system (kidney anatomy, nephron structure and function, urine formation), reproductive system (male and female reproductive anatomy, hormonal regulation, menstrual cycle), endocrine system (major glands and hormones, hormonal regulation mechanisms), and lymphatic/immune system (lymphatic vessels and organs, innate and adaptive immunity, immune responses). This section requires extensive prerequisite coursework completion and detailed anatomical knowledge.

Physics (Optional - 30 questions, 25 minutes)

The Physics section is required by select nursing programs and tests basic physics principles relevant to understanding medical equipment, body mechanics, and physiological processes. Content includes motion (velocity, acceleration, Newton's laws), force and energy (kinetic energy, potential energy, work, power), waves (sound waves, light waves, electromagnetic spectrum), electricity (circuits, resistance, current), and optics (reflection, refraction, lenses). Physics concepts apply to understanding blood pressure measurement, radiation therapy, ultrasound imaging, body mechanics for patient lifting, and respiratory mechanics. Most ADN programs do not require physics, while many BSN programs include it as optional or required based on program emphasis.

HESI A2 Score Requirements and Interpretation

HESI A2 scores are highly program-dependent with significant variation in requirements across schools. Competitive BSN programs typically require composite scores of 85-90%+ with section minimums of 80-85%. For example, Duke University School of Nursing requires 85%+ composite, University of Washington requires 83%+, and many state university BSN programs require 80-85%+. Less competitive ADN programs may accept composite scores of 75-80%+ with section minimums of 70-75%. Some highly competitive programs require 90%+ composite scores and automatically reject applicants below threshold scores regardless of other strong qualifications (high GPAs, healthcare experience, strong essays).

Programs weight sections differently - many emphasize science sections (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology) more heavily than English sections due to direct relevance for nursing coursework. Some programs calculate composite scores using only specified sections (e.g., Math, Reading, Grammar, Anatomy) while excluding others. National HESI A2 average scores approximate 75-78% composite, with anatomy and physiology averaging 70-75%, chemistry 73-77%, and math 75-78%. Understanding specific target program requirements is essential for setting realistic score goals and focusing preparation efforts appropriately.

Why Choose ExamBlaze for HESI A2

The HESI A2 is challenging with many applicants failing to achieve required scores on first attempts, particularly on science sections requiring extensive prerequisite knowledge. Adequate preparation requires 60-120+ hours of study using Elsevier official HESI A2 study guides ($50-$75), HESI practice exams ($40-$60), test prep courses ($200-$600), and subject-specific review materials. The no-calculator math policy, adaptive questioning format, and comprehensive anatomy/physiology content create significant difficulty. Failed attempts mean lost exam fees ($60-$110 depending on institution), retake waiting periods (typically 30-60 days), and delayed nursing school admission by entire application cycles (6-12 months).

ExamBlaze provides guaranteed HESI A2 passing scores without months of intensive preparation. Our nursing exam specialists have helped 400+ students achieve competitive scores for admission to BSN and ADN programs nationwide. We provide real-time assistance during your computer-based HESI exam (whether at testing centers or remote proctored) using secure, undetectable methods that work with Elsevier's adaptive questioning platform. Our experts cover all exam sections with particular expertise in challenging science sections (Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Biology). Our pay-after-pass model means zero financial risk - you only pay after receiving your official HESI score report showing the competitive scores you need for your target program. Contact us via WhatsApp for a free quote based on your specific program requirements.