The HESI A2 is the main alternative to the ATI TEAS, used by hundreds of nursing programs, primarily on the East Coast. The catch most candidates don't catch in time: the HESI A2 is modular. Your specific exam depends on which sections your target school requires. There is no single 'length' or 'score.' Before you study a page, get your program's section list in writing. Studying for Physics when your school doesn't require it costs you two weeks. Skipping Anatomy & Physiology when your school does require it costs you the entire admissions cycle.
HESI-A2
HESI A2
HESI Admissions Assessment Exam
Get accepted to your nursing program with strong HESI A2 scores.
Free forever. No credit card. Aligned to the Elsevier (HESI) blueprint.
At a glance
HESI A2 exam facts
- Questions
- Varies by school (typically 25-55 per section, total 200-300+)
- Duration
- Up to 5.25 hours (full battery); most schools test a subset
- Passing score
- Varies by program, most require 75-80%; competitive programs require 85-90%+
- Cost
- $35-$100 depending on school and delivery method
- Format
- Multiple choice; computer-based
- When offered
- At nursing schools or approved Prometric/proctored locations year-round
The single biggest HESI A2 mistake isn't studying too little, it's studying the wrong sections. Confirm your required sections in writing before anything else.
Live practice bank
1,600
HESI A2 questions in our database right now, with full rationales on every choice.
Exam blueprint
What the HESI A2 tests
The categories below come from the current Elsevier (HESI) test plan. Weights are the published ranges; the actual percentage varies slightly between exam forms.
Mathematics
50 questionsBasic operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios and proportions, algebraic equations, and dosage-calculation-style word problems. On-screen calculators are usually permitted.
Reading Comprehension
47 questionsMain idea, supporting details, vocabulary in context, author's purpose, and logical inference from health-related passages.
Vocabulary and General Knowledge
50 questionsMedical and general vocabulary. HESI's vocabulary is notoriously broader than TEAS, many words come from the healthcare context.
Grammar
50 questionsParts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, common errors, and tense agreement.
Biology
25 questionsCellular biology, biological molecules, genetics, evolution, and ecosystems. Often optional depending on program.
Chemistry
25 questionsAtomic structure, the periodic table, chemical reactions, solutions, acids/bases, and the basics of biochemistry.
Anatomy and Physiology
25 questionsStructure and function of major body systems. The gatekeeper section at most programs that test it, often weighted higher than the others.
Physics (optional)
25 questionsRequired only by a minority of programs. Covers motion, forces, energy, waves, and basic electricity. Don't study unless required.
Ready to practice?
Start practicing free, 1,000+ HESI A2-style questions
Full rationales on every question. Adaptive practice that mirrors the real exam. No credit card required.
Free forever. No credit card.
Understanding HESI A2's modular structure
No two HESI A2 test takers necessarily sit the same exam. Your school decides which sections you must complete. Common combinations:
- Academic core only: Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar (~4 hours).
- Academic + science: Adds Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology.
- Full battery: All academic + science + Physics + Critical Thinking + Learning Style + Personality Profile.
Before you register, get your program's official requirements list in writing. Studying for sections you don't need wastes weeks. Missing a required section means a retake, and a delayed application.
How HESI A2 scores work
Each academic section is scored as a percentage of correct answers. Score reports also produce a cumulative average across academic sections and individual section scores you can use to identify weak areas.
Program cutoffs:
- Entry-level programs: typically 75%.
- Competitive ADN/BSN: 80-85%.
- Accelerated or graduate-entry: 90%+.
The Anatomy and Physiology section is the most common single-section gatekeeper, many programs require A&P to score *higher* than the rest. If your program tests A&P, treat that score as the one that decides admission.
Anatomy and physiology: the section that decides most outcomes
If your program tests A&P, and most do, this is the single highest-leverage section in your study plan. Expect detail-rich questions on every major body system:
- Cardiovascular: chambers, valves, conduction system, circulation pathways.
- Respiratory: structures from nasal cavity to alveoli, gas exchange.
- Renal: nephron structure and function, urine formation.
- Nervous: CNS vs. PNS, neuron parts, action potentials, brain regions.
- Endocrine: glands and the hormones they secrete.
- Musculoskeletal, digestive, integumentary, reproductive, immune: identification and function.
Don't skim. A&P questions are detail-rich and rarely conceptual, you either know what the loop of Henle does or you don't.
Study strategy for the HESI A2
A typical successful plan runs 6 to 10 weeks:
- Week 1: Inventory required sections. Take a diagnostic to spot weak areas.
- Weeks 2-4: Daily content review and 30-50 questions per section, weighted toward weak areas. Most candidates need more A&P time than they expect.
- Weeks 5-6: Drill vocabulary using flashcards. Vocabulary is pure exposure, 20 new words a day for 6 weeks adds up.
- Weeks 7-8: Full-length practice tests using the exact sections you'll take on exam day.
- Final week: Light review. Confirm testing location, ID, registration.
HESI publishes very limited official practice content. Use a reputable third-party question bank that mirrors the section structure your school requires, and ignore any practice for sections you're not taking.
Sample questions
Practice HESI A2 questions
Reveal each answer and rationale to see how Precision Nursing teaches the reasoning behind every question.
Question 1
MathematicsA patient must drink 1,500 mL of water over 12 hours. About how many ounces should the patient drink each hour? (1 oz = 30 mL; round to one decimal place.)
- A.4.2 oz
- B.5.0 oz
- C.6.3 oz
- D.8.3 oz
Show answer & rationale
Correct answer: A
Per hour: 1500 mL / 12 h = 125 mL/h. Convert to oz: 125 / 30 = 4.166... rounded to 4.2 oz. The other choices reflect missed conversions or arithmetic errors.
Question 2
Anatomy and PhysiologyWhich of the following is the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs?
- A.Trachea
- B.Bronchioles
- C.Alveoli
- D.Pleura
Show answer & rationale
Correct answer: C
Gas exchange happens across the thin walls of the alveoli where they meet the pulmonary capillaries. The trachea and bronchioles are conducting structures; the pleura is the membrane covering the lungs.
Study tips
What works for HESI A2 prep
Confirm in writing which HESI A2 sections your program requires before you study a single page.
Treat Anatomy and Physiology as the gatekeeper section if your program tests it.
Build a daily vocabulary habit, 20 new words a day for 6 weeks adds up.
Use the on-screen calculator during practice if your test allows it.
Memorize unit conversions and basic dosage-calculation patterns cold.
Sit at least one full-length practice using the exact sections you will take.
Read the question carefully, HESI is famous for distractors that change a word or two.
FAQ
Common questions about HESI A2
What is a good HESI A2 score?
Most competitive nursing programs require 75-85% on the academic sections, with a higher cutoff (often 80-90%) on Anatomy and Physiology. Confirm your program's specific requirements.
How long is the HESI A2?
It depends on which sections your school requires. The full battery is about 5.25 hours; an academic-only configuration is typically 4 hours.
How much does the HESI A2 cost?
Between $35 and $100, depending on your school and the delivery method.
Can I retake the HESI A2?
Yes, but most schools cap the number of attempts per admissions cycle (commonly 2) and require a wait period (often 60 days) between attempts.
TEAS vs. HESI A2, which is harder?
They test similar skills but in different ways. The HESI A2 has a heavier vocabulary section; the TEAS science section emphasizes anatomy more uniformly. Pick the one your target program requires.
Do I need to take the Physics section?
Only if your program requires it. The majority do not.
Is there a personality test on the HESI A2?
Yes, the Personality Profile and Learning Style assessments are part of the full battery, but they are not scored against a cutoff. Schools typically use them for advising, not admissions.
Honest answers
Before you sign up, three things you're probably wondering
“Is the free tier actually useful, or just a teaser?”
1,000+ full-rationale questions across every HESI A2 blueprint category. No time limit. No paywall after the first five.
“Is it like the real exam?”
Same format, same difficulty curve, same item types, built directly against the Elsevier (HESI) published test plan. We're not the test-makers, but we follow their blueprint.
“Why not use the official free samples?”
Use both. The official samples are small and authoritative. We give you the volume, the rationales, and the weak-area analytics on top.
Your HESI A2 prep starts here
Drill HESI A2-style questions until passing is the obvious outcome
Thousands of HESI A2-aligned questions. Full rationales on every answer, right and wrong. Adaptive practice that mirrors the real exam. No credit card required to start.
Free forever. No credit card. Aligned to the Elsevier (HESI) published test plan.