Here is the honest answer most prep sites skip: you usually do not choose between the TEAS 7 and the HESI A2 — your nursing program decides which one you sit. The ATI TEAS 7 is a fixed, four-section exam of 170 questions in about 209 minutes. The HESI A2 is modular, so your school picks which sections you take. Understanding both still helps you prepare with confidence.
Key takeaways
- The TEAS 7 has 4 fixed sections — Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage — with 170 questions (150 scored, 20 unscored).
- The HESI A2 is modular: schools choose from up to 8 academic sections, so no two programs’ versions look identical.
- Both exams report percentage scores (0–100%), and each program sets its own cutoff — there is no universal pass mark.
- On the TEAS, Science (especially anatomy & physiology) carries the most weight; on the HESI, weighting depends on the sections your school requires.
- Neither test is objectively harder — the tougher exam is simply the one you prepared for less.
- Cost differs: the TEAS runs roughly $70–$120, while the HESI A2 is often $40–$100, depending on the testing site.
You usually don’t pick the exam — your program does
Before you spend a single evening studying, check your application requirements. Almost every nursing program specifies one entrance exam, and it is fixed for that admissions cycle. You cannot submit a TEAS score to a school that wants the HESI A2, or the reverse. So the practical question is rarely “which is better for me?” It is “which one does my school require, and how do I score well on it?”
There is one real exception. If you are still shortlisting programs that accept different exams, understanding both lets you factor testing into your decision — a student strong in reading but shaky in chemistry might prefer a program whose HESI version skips the science modules. For everyone else, this comparison is about smart preparation, not choice.
TEAS 7 at a glance
The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), currently in Version 7, is published by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute). It is the same four-part exam everywhere, which makes it predictable to prepare for.
- Reading — 45 questions, 55 minutes. Key ideas, main idea, inference, and interpreting graphics.
- Mathematics — 38 questions, 57 minutes. Numbers, algebra, ratios, and data. A basic four-function calculator is built in.
- Science — 50 questions, 60 minutes. This is the heaviest scored area, and anatomy & physiology dominates it.
- English & Language Usage — 37 questions, 37 minutes. Grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Total testing time is about 209 minutes, with an optional 10-minute break after the Math section. Of the 170 items, 150 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest questions mixed in — you cannot tell which is which, so answer every one carefully. ATI reports a percentage score plus a proficiency level (Developmental, Basic, Proficient, Advanced, or Exemplary). For a full walkthrough of pacing and section strategy, see our complete ATI TEAS 7 study guide.
HESI A2 at a glance
The HESI A2 (Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment) is published by Elsevier and delivered through the Evolve platform. Its defining feature is that it is modular: the full exam contains up to eight academic sections, and each school selects the ones its applicants must complete. Most programs require four or five.
| Section | Questions | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 50 min |
| Reading Comprehension | 47 | 60 min |
| Vocabulary & General Knowledge | 50 | 50 min |
| Grammar | 50 | 50 min |
| Biology | 25 | 25 min |
| Chemistry | 25 | 25 min |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 25 | 25 min |
| Physics | 25 | 50 min |
Across every section the exam holds up to 326 questions, but almost no one takes all eight. A typical four-to-five section sitting runs about 2.5 to 3.5 hours; the rare full version can reach 4 to 5 hours. Each section is scored on its own 0–100% scale, and your school sees a cumulative average across the sections you took. Because the mix varies, always confirm which modules your program requires. Our HESI A2 exam guide breaks down each section in depth.
One quick clarification that trips people up: the HESI A2 is an entrance exam taken before you start nursing school. It is not the same as the HESI Exit Exam, a separate predictor test you take near the end of your program to gauge NCLEX readiness. If that is the one you are searching for, read our HESI Exit Exam format and scoring guide instead.
TEAS 7 vs HESI A2: side-by-side
Here is the fast comparison of the two entrance exams. Treat every number as a general benchmark and verify the specifics with your own program, because schools control cutoffs, cost, and retake rules.
| Feature | ATI TEAS 7 | HESI A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) | Elsevier / Evolve |
| Sections | 4 fixed: Reading, Math, Science, English & Language Usage | Modular; school picks from up to 8 subjects |
| # of questions | 170 total (150 scored + 20 unscored) | Up to 326 total; most schools use 4–5 sections |
| Testing time | ~209 minutes | ~2.5–3.5 hrs for 4–5 sections |
| Timing style | Timed per section | Timed per section |
| Scoring | Percentage + composite; proficiency levels | Percentage per section + cumulative average |
| What a good score is | Often 65–70%+ (program sets it) | Often 75–80%+ (85%+ for competitive BSN) |
| Typical cost | ~$70–$120 | ~$40–$100 |
| Retake rules | Often up to 3/year, ~30-day wait | School-set; often 2–3/year, 60–90-day wait |
What overlaps and what’s different
The two exams test more of the same ground than students expect. Both assess reading comprehension, math skills, science knowledge, and English or grammar. If you build a solid foundation in those four areas, you are well-positioned for either test. The difference is structure, not subject matter.
The TEAS is fixed and bundled: everyone answers the same four sections, and Science — heavy on anatomy & physiology — is the single largest scored block. The HESI is modular and split apart: math, reading, vocabulary, and grammar each stand alone as full sections, and science is broken into separate biology, chemistry, A&P, and physics modules that your school may or may not include. That is why a HESI at one program can feel completely different from a HESI at the school across town, and why there is no universal “hardest part” the way A&P dominates the TEAS.
Which schools use which exam?
There is no clean geographic or degree-level split. Both exams appear at community colleges and universities, in ADN and BSN programs alike. Some regions lean one way out of habit, but you cannot assume — the only reliable source is your program’s official admissions page or an email to the nursing advisor.
When you check, confirm four things: which exam is required, the minimum score, how many attempts you get, and — if it is the HESI — exactly which sections you must complete. Miss that last detail and you can waste weeks studying physics for a version that never included it.
Which exam is harder?
This is the question everyone wants answered, and the honest response is that they are broadly comparable in difficulty. Neither is a trick test. Both reward steady content review and timed practice more than raw talent.
The exam that feels harder is the one that hits your weak spots. If chemistry makes you nervous, a HESI that includes the Chemistry module will feel brutal; if long timed passages drain you, the TEAS Reading section may be your wall. Difficulty is personal. Rather than asking which test is harder in the abstract, look at each exam’s content, find where you would lose points, and study exactly there.
How to decide and how to prepare
If your program has already named an exam, your decision is made — skip straight to preparation. If you genuinely have a choice, weigh which exam’s content plays to your strengths and whether a school’s HESI version lets you skip a section you dread. It is a small edge, but on a competitive application, small edges matter.
Preparation looks similar for both:
- Diagnose first. Take one timed practice test to find your weakest sections. Do not study evenly — study lopsidedly toward your gaps.
- Rebuild the fundamentals. For most students that means math operations and, above all, anatomy & physiology, which shows up heavily on the TEAS and as its own HESI module.
- Practice under a timer. Both exams are timed per section. Pacing is a skill you build by rehearsing it, not by reading about it.
- Review with rationales. Understanding why an answer is right sticks far better than memorizing that it is. Work questions that explain the reasoning.
That last point is where practice question banks earn their keep. Working exam-style questions and reading the rationales trains both recall and test-taking instincts. Our ATI & TEAS practice question banks and HESI practice question banks are edition-matched, rationale-first study aids for drilling the exact content areas each exam covers. Use them for self-assessment alongside your school’s recommended review book — not as a shortcut around learning the material.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the TEAS instead of the HESI A2?
Only if your program accepts it. Nursing schools specify one entrance exam, and admissions systems are built around that choice. If your school requires the HESI A2, a TEAS score will not be accepted, and vice versa. Always confirm the required exam on the official admissions page before you register or study.
Is the HESI A2 harder than the TEAS 7?
Not inherently. The two are comparable in overall difficulty, and both reward consistent content review. What makes one feel harder is your own preparation. A student weak in chemistry may struggle with a HESI that includes that module, while a slow reader may find the TEAS Reading section tougher. Study your weak areas and either exam becomes manageable.
What is a good score on each exam?
There is no universal pass mark — each program sets its own cutoff. On the TEAS, many programs look for roughly 65–70% or higher, with competitive schools wanting more. On the HESI A2, common targets are 75–80% for ADN programs and 85%+ for competitive BSN programs. Check your specific school’s minimum, then aim comfortably above it.
How many questions are on each test?
The TEAS 7 has 170 questions total — 150 scored and 20 unscored pretest items — across four sections. The HESI A2 contains up to 326 questions across all eight possible sections, but most students only take the four or five sections their program requires, so their actual question count is much lower.
Can I retake the entrance exam if I fail?
Yes, but rules vary by program. TEAS retakes are often capped at about three per year with a roughly 30-day wait between attempts. HESI A2 retake limits are set by each school, commonly two to three attempts a year with a 60–90-day wait. Each attempt requires a new fee, so prepare thoroughly before your first sitting.
Conclusion
The TEAS 7 and HESI A2 are two paths to the same door: nursing school admission. The TEAS is fixed and predictable; the HESI is modular and program-specific. In almost every case your school makes the choice for you, so the real work is scoring well — and both reward the same habits of diagnosing your weak spots, rebuilding fundamentals, and practicing under a timer.
Once you know which exam you face, drill it with realistic, rationale-backed questions. Browse our edition-matched ATI & TEAS study aids or HESI study aids, or explore the full nursing study-aid shop to build a focused, honest prep plan.
Sources & further reading
- ATI — Official TEAS exam details, sections, and timing
- Elsevier Evolve — HESI A2 Admission Assessment resources
- Nurse.org — HESI exam guide and preparation overview
- Mometrix Academy — TEAS test breakdown and scoring
