HESI A2 Practice Test
Thinking about applying to a nursing program? Chances are, you’ll need to take the HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) exam as part of the admissions process. This guide offers essential information, tips, and free sample questions to help you prepare for the test.
Note: While we don’t yet offer a comprehensive HESI A2 prep pack, our TEAS 7 materials cover many of the same core subjects and provide strong preparation support.
What is the HESI A2 exam?
The HESI entrance exam is a computerized multiple-choice test used to screen applicants and test academic readiness for nursing schools and programs in the United States. The HESI exam consists of eight main sections: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics. Before preparing for the test, make sure to ask your desired school or program which of the sections you will take during the test, as most schools only choose between 5-6 of the sections for the applicants to take.
The following table summarizes the structure of the HESI entrance exam:
Section | Number Of Questions | Time Limit |
HESI A2 Math | 50 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 50 Minutes |
HESI A2 Reading | 50 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 60 Minutes |
HESI A2 Vocabulary | 50 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 50 Minutes |
HESI A2 Grammar | 50 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 50 Minutes |
HESI A2 Biology | 25 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 25 Minutes |
HESI A2 Chemistry | 25 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 25 Minutes |
HESI A2 Physics | 25 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 50 Minutes |
HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology | 25 Questions + 5 unscored questions | 30 Minutes |
Total | 335 questions | 335 Minutes |
Improve Your Nursing Entrance Exam Score
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How to Study for the HESI?
- Create an organized study plan and stick to it. Understand how much time you have until you are going to take the HESI A2 and create a breakdown of what you are going to study each day or week. We suggest you focus on specific topics each week, so that each day you can cover a different subtopic. However, you should schedule the study plan that you feel most comfortable with, as you know yourself the best.
- Understand what your weakest subject is and focus on it when you begin your studying. A good way to identify this is by using free HESI practice test or HESI exam sample questions.
- Utilize Practice resources. The best way to prepare for testing day is to practice under real-life testing conditions, and answer the types of questions that you will face on the real HESI exam. Make sure you treat each HESI A2 practice test as if it’s the real test. The sooner you do this in your studies, the more likely you will get to testing day with less stress and pass it with ease.
Thinking about applying to a nursing program? Chances are, you’ll need to take the HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) exam as part of the admissions process. This guide offers essential information, tips, and free sample questions to help you prepare for the test.
Free HESI Practice Test Questions
HESI A2 Math sample question
The Math subtest is mainly comprised of these topics: fractions, ratios, proportions, percentages, word problems, and other basic math skills. About 60%-70% of the questions will most likely be on those subjects. Other subjects you might encounter are: Rate, Military Time; and Algebra. You will have 50 questions to answer with a 50 minute time limit and you are allowed the use of a 4-function calculator.
Here is a math question you are likely to encounter in the real HESI Math:
In one classroom, 12.5% of the students own at least one pet. If there are 32 students in the classroom, how many students do not own any pets?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"As a nursing student, you'll use percentage calculations constantly! Whether you're calculating medication dosages (if 25% of patients respond to a treatment, how many out of 80 patients will respond?), understanding infection control statistics, or interpreting lab values, this skill is fundamental. In clinical practice, you might need to quickly calculate what percentage of your patients have allergies or how many require specific interventions. Master this now—it's not just test prep, it's career prep!"
Ready to boost your score? Get our HESI Math PrepPack—packed with practice questions, step-by-step explanations, and all the tools you need to master the math section.
HESI A2 Reading sample question
The Reading subtest will present the test taker with short passages, short stories, excerpts from magazines and academic papers followed by a series of questions on each of these examples. The questions will concentrate on: Main ideas, Supporting details, topic sentences, tone and mood, authors purpose, and distinguishing facts and opinions. There will also be questions that would require you to interpret pie charts, flow charts, maps, bar graphs etc. You will have 50 questions to answer with a 60 minute time limit
Here is a reading question you are likely to encounter in the real HESI Reading:
Read the passage below before answering the question.
PhD students who are interested in tutoring BA students are asked to submit their nominations to the secretary of the PhD department no later than Friday, July 25. For a complete list of all exercises, see attachment.
Which of the following is the most likely reason for using an underline in the above message?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Reading comprehension isn't just about passing tests—it's about patient safety! As a nurse, you'll read physician orders, medication instructions, policy updates, and research articles where missing key details could be dangerous. When you see emphasized text (underlined, bolded, or highlighted) in clinical documents, it's usually highlighting critical information like dosage limits, contraindications, or time-sensitive procedures. Train yourself now to identify why authors emphasize certain information—this skill will help you catch important details that could save lives!"
HESI A2 Vocabulary sample question
The Vocabulary subtest covers the following topics: root words, prefixes, suffixes, context clues, and multiple meaning words. Most questions will require you to understand a specific word and its meaning, and to answer those questions you will need an extensive knowledge of the concepts presented above. You will have 50 questions to answer, with a 50 minute time limit.
Here is a vocabulary question you are likely to encounter in the real HESI Vocabulary:
It is very rare to see green turtles off the coast of California; ________, during the summer they can be found among the rocks. Which of the following words best completes the sentence above?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Strong vocabulary skills are essential for nursing! You'll encounter medical terminology, patient education materials, and research studies that use precise language. Understanding transition words like "however" helps you interpret complex medical literature correctly. For example, a study might say "The medication showed promise in trials; however, side effects were significant." Missing that "however" could lead to misunderstanding the study's conclusions. Plus, when documenting patient care or communicating with families, using precise language ensures clear, professional communication that builds trust and prevents misunderstandings."
HESI A2 Grammar sample question
The Grammar subtest is comprised of the following subjects: identifying grammatically correct sentences, punctuation rules, identifying complete and incomplete sentences, how to use the various parts of speech, and using homophones and homographs correctly in a sentence. You will have 50 questions to answer, with a 50 minute time limit.
Here is a grammar question you are likely to encounter in the real HESI Grammar:
Which of the following phrases follows the rules of capitalization?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Proper grammar and capitalization are crucial for professional nursing documentation! When you chart patient information, write incident reports, or communicate with other healthcare providers, incorrect capitalization can make you appear unprofessional or even create confusion. For example, writing "dr. smith" instead of "Dr. Smith" in official documentation looks unprofessional. More importantly, medication names have specific capitalization rules—some are brand names (capitalized) while others are generic (lowercase). Getting these details right shows attention to detail, which is essential for safe patient care. Your written communication reflects your competence!"
HESI A2 Biology sample question
The Biology HESI test focuses on: Tissues, Organs Macromolecules, Metabolism, Cells, Cellular Respiration, Mitosis and Meiosis, Photosynthesis, and Genetics and Heredity. Make sure that you also understand the scientific method as well (question, research, hypothesis, experiment, evaluation, and conclusion). You will have 25 questions to answer with a 25 minute time limit.
Here is a biology question you are likely to encounter in the real HESI Biology:
Small, lipid-soluble molecules move in and out of cells by___
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Understanding cellular transport is fundamental to nursing practice! This knowledge directly applies to how medications work in your patients' bodies. For example, anesthetic gases like isoflurane are lipid-soluble and cross cell membranes via simple diffusion—that's why they work so quickly. Oxygen therapy works because O₂ diffuses easily into tissues. When you understand WHY medications cross cell membranes, you'll better understand their onset times, side effects, and why some drugs are given IV while others are oral. This isn't just memorization—it's understanding the science behind every medication you'll administer!"
HESI A2 Chemistry sample question
The Chemistry section of the HESI A2 typically covers a broad spectrum of fundamental concepts. These include basic chemical concepts such as acid-base reactions and the formation of salts. A solid understanding of atomic structure is also expected, encompassing topics like isotopes, the subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons), atomic number, atomic mass, the arrangement of elements in the periodic table, and electron configurations within shells.
What will adding an acid to a base always yield?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Acid-base chemistry is everywhere in nursing! Your patients' blood pH must stay between 7.35-7.45, and you'll monitor this closely. When patients have metabolic acidosis, their bodies use bicarbonate (a base) to neutralize excess acid—forming salts and maintaining pH balance. You'll administer medications like sodium bicarbonate to treat acidosis, or understand why antacids (bases) neutralize stomach acid (forming salts). Even wound care involves pH—infected wounds are often alkaline, while healing wounds are slightly acidic. Understanding these reactions helps you recognize why certain treatments work and anticipate patient responses!"
HESI A2 Physics sample question
The Physics HESI test is comprised of: Newton’s laws of Motion, Velocity, Rotation, Energy, Friction, Optics, Acceleration, and Waves. It is important to note that most nursing schools do not require students to take this subtest, so you should ask your desired nursing school if you need to take it. You will have 25 questions to answer, with a 50 minute time limit.
A race car accelerates uniformly from 20.5m/s to 38.5m/s in three seconds. What is its acceleration?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Physics principles apply directly to nursing care! Understanding acceleration helps you grasp how quickly medications take effect or how rapidly a patient's condition can change. For example, when you push IV medications, you're controlling the "acceleration" of drug concentration in the bloodstream. Too fast, and you could cause dangerous side effects; too slow, and the medication won't be effective. When monitoring patients on cardiac monitors, you're watching for changes in heart rate—essentially looking at the "acceleration" or "deceleration" of cardiac function. This mathematical thinking helps you anticipate and respond to patient changes more effectively!"
HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology sample question
The Anatomy & Physiology subtest covers the following topics: Body planes, Cells and Tissues, Histology, Mitosis and Meiosis, skeletal system, muscular system, circulatory system, immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system. You will have 25 questions to answer, with a 30 minute time limit.
Here is a A&P question you are likely to encounter in the real HESI A&P:
Which of the following is not carried out by the respiratory system?
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"Understanding what each body system does (and doesn't do) is critical for nursing assessment and intervention! When a patient has breathing problems, you know to focus on oxygenation and acid-base balance—not toxin removal. But if a patient has liver disease, you'll monitor for toxin buildup because their body can't process harmful substances effectively. This system-specific knowledge helps you prioritize care, anticipate complications, and educate patients. For example, if someone asks why they feel short of breath when their blood is too acidic, you can explain how the respiratory system tries to compensate by breathing faster to blow off CO₂ and restore pH balance. This foundational knowledge makes you a more confident, competent nurse!"
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Understanding HESI Exam Scores
The HESI test scores are given in percentages, on a 0%-100% scale. The applicant gets a percentage score for each of the HESI’s subtests. In addition, a cumulative score (in other words – a general score) is given based on the average of all of the subtests scores.
It is important to know that each nursing school or program sets its own passing grade, though usually the passing composite score ranges between 70%-90%. Therefore, when preparing for the HESI exam, we advise students to check the admission requirements of their desired program.
Test-takers will receive their score right after they finish submitting the test, as it will appear on their computer.If you are thinking about the TEAS Test you can read about the TEAS Scores.
Is the HESI A2 Difficult?
The HESI test can be a challenging test to pass. The average cumulative score on the test is 49%, while most nursing programs require a passing score of at least 75%. With the right study plan and practice materials though, you will find that getting your desired score could be much easier.
Here are a few tips to help with your upcoming test:
- When taking the test, make sure to read the question carefully before answering it. The test makers tend to create distracting answer choices, so make sure that you don’t overlook any important details of the question.
- In the Math section, make sure you have mastered basic concepts such as conversions, ratios, and fractions. The math section heavily relies on these concepts.
- In the Anatomy & Physiology section, focus your attention on general concepts such as: Hormones, Cellular transport, general anatomy, etc. and don’t get stuck on tiny details. Because this section involves a lot of material that you will need to memorize and understand, make sure you start going over it early on in your studying.
- In the Reading Comprehension section most passages are short, so we advise that you read through the passage first and then look at the question carefully and try to understand exactly what the question is asking.
- In the Grammar section of the test make sure you understand how to correctly spell words (go over words that are tricky to spell like scissors, accommodate, etc), when to capitalize certain words, the correct use of punctuation, differences between the various parts of speech and how to use them, and how to identify different types of sentences.
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HESI vs TEAS: What Is the Difference Between the Exams?
The HESI and TEAS are the two most common tests taken by applicants for nursing programs in the United States, and they play the determining factor for entering into such programs. The contents and format of the tests are very different. The main difference between the two is the number of topics they cover. The TEAS 7 covers fewer subjects than the HESI A2 (which also results in fewer questions), so each question in the HESI has a smaller impact on the overall test-taker’s score, than in the TEAS 7.
The HESI tends to focus more on medical-related topics while the TEAS covers more general knowledge subjects that were mostly learned during high-school.
The table below shows the comparison between the two tests, HESI VS TEAS, point by point. This will help you understand more thoroughly the difference between the two tests:
| HESI A2 | TEAS 7 | |
| Subjects | Reading Comprehension Vocabulary Grammar Mathematics Biology Chemistry Anatomy and Physiology |
Reading Mathematics Science English and Language Usage |
| Number of questions | 335 Questions | 170 Questions |
| Time Limit | 335 Minutes | 209 Minutes |
| Cost | 40$-100$ (depends which of the sub-tests you are required to take) | The cost varies per institution but usually its around 100$ |
FAQ’s
The HESI A2 has 295 questions + 40 unscored questions (not including the personality sections), and each sub-test has between 25-50 questions.
Each individual nursing program decides how many times the HESI A2 can be taken by applicants in an academic year, but most of them allow applicants to take the test multiple times in a year.
Typical cost range is between $30 to $110, depending on the testing center and whether it’s in-person or proctored online
Average fee across many institutions is around $45, with some schools adding a proctoring or scheduling fee (often $25–$35)
Yes, all the questions in the HESI A2 exam are multiple choice.
