The HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) is Elsevier’s entrance exam that many nursing schools use to screen applicants before they let you in. It is modular: your program picks which sections you sit, usually four to six from math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, and the sciences. Most programs want at least 75–80%, and competitive BSN programs often expect 85% or higher.
Key takeaways
- The HESI A2 is an entrance exam that screens you into a nursing program — it is not the HESI Exit Exam, which comes near graduation to predict NCLEX readiness.
- It is modular: your school chooses your sections, typically 4–6. Math and Reading Comprehension are almost always required and weighted heavily.
- Each section is scored as a percentage (0–100%), and you also receive a cumulative (composite) average across the sections you took.
- A common minimum is 75–80%; competitive BSN programs often want 85%+, and top-tier or accelerated programs may want 90%+. Always confirm your program’s cutoff.
- A typical 4–6 section sitting runs about 3–4 hours (closer to 5 if every section is taken).
- Retake rules are set by your school, not HESI — usually a waiting period and a limited number of attempts.
What the HESI A2 actually is (and what it is not)
HESI A2 stands for Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment, version 2. Elsevier publishes it and delivers it through the Evolve platform. Schools use it much like other programs use a placement test: as one measure of whether you are academically ready for the first year of nursing coursework. It checks the fundamentals — medication-style math, reading a dense passage, and recalling basic body-system facts — before a program commits a seat to you.
People mix this up with the HESI Exit Exam all the time, and the difference matters. The A2 is an admission test you take before you start. The Exit is a graduation-era test that predicts how likely you are to pass the NCLEX. If you are researching the one taken at the end of a program, read our HESI Exit Exam format and scoring guide instead. You will meet HESI again as specialty and exit exams during the program — our HESI test banks cover that later coursework — but the A2 you are studying for now is a separate, admission-level test.
Many schools accept either the HESI A2 or the ATI TEAS as their entrance exam, and some let you choose. If yours does, our ATI TEAS 7 complete guide and our head-to-head TEAS 7 vs HESI A2 comparison help you pick the one that plays to your strengths.
The HESI A2 sections (and why it is modular)
The full HESI A2 covers eight academic subjects, but you almost certainly will not sit all of them. Because the exam is modular, each school builds its own combination. The “core four” — Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, and Grammar — are nearly universal, and most programs add Anatomy & Physiology and sometimes one more science.
| Section | Typical # questions | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | Fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages, measurement conversions, basic algebra, military time, Roman numerals |
| Reading Comprehension | 47 | Main idea, inferences, tone, and supporting details in short passages |
| Vocabulary & General Knowledge | 50 | Everyday and health-related word meanings |
| Grammar | 50 | Parts of speech, sentence structure, and common usage errors |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 25 | Body systems, structures, and their functions |
| Biology | 25 | Cells, metabolism, molecules, water, and basic genetics |
| Chemistry | 25 | Matter, atomic structure, reactions, and the periodic table |
| Physics | 25 | Motion, force, and energy (least commonly required) |
Some programs also assign a Critical Thinking section (about 30 questions) and two non-academic parts — a Learning Style inventory and a Personality Profile. Those last two are not scored for pass or fail; they generate study-strategy suggestions in your report.
Which sections does your school require?
This is the single most important thing to nail down before you register. One school may require six sections; another only four. Check your program’s admission page or email an advisor, then build your study plan around your exact list — studying physics for a section your school never assigns is wasted effort.
Format, timing, and what test day looks like
Every question is multiple choice, delivered on a computer through Evolve. Section length ranges from roughly 25 to 50 questions, each timed individually. A program requiring four to six sections produces a total sitting of about 3 to 4 hours; a full eight-section battery can run closer to 5 hours. A handful of unscored “pilot” questions are mixed in that you cannot identify, so treat every question as if it counts.
The Math section provides an on-screen calculator, so you do not have to compute conversions by hand. Bring a valid photo ID and arrive early. If your school assigns the Learning Style and Personality Profile parts, answer them honestly — there are no wrong answers, and they only shape the feedback you get back.
How the HESI A2 is scored
Each section is reported as a percentage from 0 to 100%. You also receive a cumulative score — the average of your section percentages — which many programs use as your headline result. Behind the scenes, HESI uses a scaled model and a conversion score that weighs the difficulty of the specific questions you saw against the item bank’s average, so two people who miss the same number of questions can end up a point or two apart. You do not calculate any of this; the report does it for you.
Your report also shows useful context: comparison figures such as class and national averages, plus flags for any topic areas where you scored below the benchmark, so you know what to review if you retake. If your school required the non-academic parts, you will also see a learner profile summarizing your preferred study style. Results usually post to your Evolve account soon after you finish.
What counts as a good HESI A2 score
There is no single national passing score; each program sets its own bar, but the ranges below reflect what most schools publish. Some competitive programs also require a minimum on each individual section, not just the composite.
| Composite score | What it usually means for admission |
|---|---|
| Below 75% | Below most program cutoffs; a retake is likely |
| 75–79% | Meets the minimum at many ADN / associate-degree programs |
| 80–84% | Competitive across a broad range of programs |
| 85–89% | Strong; competitive for most BSN programs |
| 90% and up | Excellent; top-tier for accelerated and direct-entry BSN |
So if you scored 82%, that is a solid result at most schools — but it might sit just under the line at a selective BSN program that wants 85%. That is why “Is 80% good?” has no universal answer: the only cutoff that matters is the one on your program’s admission page. When in doubt, aim higher than the stated minimum, because admissions is competitive.
Retake policy: know your school’s rules
HESI itself does not cap your attempts — your school does. Typical policies require a waiting period of 60 to 90 days between attempts and limit you to two or three tries per year. A few programs are stricter: some accept only your first attempt, and others average your attempts rather than taking the highest. Because these rules affect strategy, confirm them before you sit — if your school counts only the first try, going in underprepared to “see the test” can sink your application.
How to prepare: a study plan that works
You do not need six months. A focused 5 to 6 week plan at 30 to 60 minutes a day is enough for most applicants, provided you study the right sections. Start by confirming your school’s section list, then follow this order.
- Diagnose first. Take one full-length practice test in week 1 to get a baseline. Your weakest sections tell you where the hours should go.
- Prioritize Math and Reading. They are almost always required and heavily weighted. Drill conversions, ratios, dosage-style word problems, and passage analysis until they feel routine.
- Rebuild your science base if it is tested. For the Anatomy & Physiology section, review each body system’s structures and functions. Working through extra self-assessment questions with written rationales — for example, our anatomy & physiology test banks — reinforces the same facts the A2 checks and shows you why an answer is right.
- Master vocabulary and grammar with short daily reps. Ten to fifteen new health-related words a day plus a quick grammar review add up fast.
- Simulate the real thing. In the final two weeks, take timed, full-length practice tests so pacing and screen fatigue stop being surprises.
For resources, the official Elsevier Admission Assessment Exam Review book maps directly to the test, and reputable free practice tests help you gauge readiness before test day.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HESI A2 the same as the HESI Exit Exam?
No. The HESI A2 is an admission exam you take before nursing school to prove academic readiness. The HESI Exit Exam is taken near graduation and predicts how likely you are to pass the NCLEX. They share the HESI brand but test different things for different reasons, so prep materials for one do not cover the other.
How many sections do I have to take on the HESI A2?
It depends entirely on your school. Most programs require four to six sections, almost always including Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Grammar, plus Anatomy & Physiology and sometimes another science. Check your program’s admission page for the exact list before you register, because studying sections you will not sit wastes time.
What is a passing HESI A2 score?
There is no single national passing score. Most programs set a minimum composite around 75–80%, while competitive BSN programs often want 85% or higher and some top-tier programs expect 90%+. A few also require a minimum on each individual section. Always confirm the cutoff with your specific school.
How long does the HESI A2 take?
Plan for about 3 to 4 hours for a typical four-to-six section sitting. Each section is timed separately, and a full eight-section version can run closer to 5 hours. Arrive early, since check-in and ID verification add time on top of the exam.
Can I use a calculator on the HESI A2 math section?
Yes. The Math section provides an on-screen calculator within the testing platform, so you do not need to bring your own or work conversions by hand. Practice with a basic calculator beforehand so the tool feels natural, and still know the underlying math — the calculator helps with arithmetic, not with setting up the problem.
How many times can I take the HESI A2?
Retake limits are set by your school, not by HESI. Common policies allow a retake after a 60-to-90-day wait, with two or three attempts per year. Some programs accept only your first attempt or average multiple scores, so confirm the rules before testing and prepare to do your best on the first try.
Conclusion
The HESI A2 is very passable once you strip away the confusion: it is a modular entrance exam, your school decides your sections, and each is scored as a percentage with a cumulative average. Know your program’s required sections and its cutoff, then give Math, Reading, and any tested sciences the bulk of your study time.
If you want extra self-assessment practice with clear answer rationales while you prep — especially the science content that carries into your first year — browse our edition-matched anatomy & physiology test banks or the full range in the Guider Store shop. They are study aids for practicing with rationales, not the exam itself, and consistent practice is what moves your score.
Sources & further reading
- Elsevier HESI — official publisher page for the HESI exam solutions, including the Admission Assessment (A2)
- Nurse.org — what the HESI exam is and how to prepare (2026 guide)
- Good Nurse — HESI A2 breakdown: every section explained (2026)
- OpenExamPrep — HESI A2 sections, scores, and study plan (2026)
