HESI Practice Exam 2026

Prepare for the HESI A2 nursing entrance exam with free practice tests covering anatomy, math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, chemistry, and critical thinking.

ATI - HESIBy Dr. Sarah MitchellApr 2, 202656 min read
HESI Practice Exam 2026
⏱️4 HoursTime Limit
📝326Questions
75%Passing Score
💵$35+Exam Fee
📊0-1000Score Range
🖥️CBTFormat
🔄VariesRetake Policy
🏢ElsevierProvider
📍PrometricTest Centers
🩺NursingField
💻OnlineAvailability
🎓AdmissionType

Did you know? Most nursing programs require a composite score of 75% or higher on the HESI A2 exam, but competitive programs often look for scores above 90%. Focus on your weaker subjects using our HESI A2 practice test free resources to maximize your overall score. Try our NCLEX practice test.

Hesi Exam - HESI (ATI) study guide

ATI Practice Test Questions

Prepare for the ATI - HESI exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.

ATI HESI Biology

ATI Exam Questions covering HESI Biology. Master ATI Test concepts for certification prep.

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ATI HESI Critical Thinking

Free ATI Practice Test featuring HESI Critical Thinking. Improve your ATI Exam score with mock test prep.

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ATI HESI Physics

ATI Mock Exam on HESI Physics. ATI Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

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ATI HESI Reading Comprehension

ATI Test Prep for HESI Reading Comprehension. Practice ATI Quiz questions and boost your score.

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ATI HESI Anatomy And Physiology Practice Test

ATI Questions and Answers on HESI Anatomy And Physiology Practice Test. Free ATI practice for exam readiness.

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ATI HESI Chemistry Practice Test

ATI Mock Test covering HESI Chemistry Practice Test. Online ATI Test practice with instant feedback.

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ATI HESI Grammar Practice Test

Free ATI Quiz on HESI Grammar Practice Test. ATI Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.

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ATI HESI Mathematics Practice Test

ATI Practice Questions for HESI Mathematics Practice Test. Build confidence for your ATI certification exam.

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ATI HESI Math Practice Exam

ATI Test Online for HESI Math Practice Exam. Free practice with instant results and feedback.

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ATI HESI Physics Practice Test

ATI Study Material on HESI Physics Practice Test. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.

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ATI Mathematics Practice Test for the HESI...

Free ATI Test covering Mathematics Practice Test for the HESI® exam. Practice and track your ATI exam readiness.

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ATI Vocabulary Practice Test for the HESI®...

ATI Exam Questions covering Vocabulary Practice Test for the HESI® exam. Master ATI Test concepts for certification prep.

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HESI A2 Flashcards

Quick review for the HESI entrance exam

🦴What is the longest bone in the body?

The femur (thigh bone). It is the longest and strongest bone in the human skeleton.

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✍️Which word is a noun?

"She runs quickly.""She" (pronoun acting as noun subject). "Runs" is a verb, "quickly" is an adverb.

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HESI A2 Exam Study Guide

Mastering the HESI A2 admission exam requires a strategic approach. Our comprehensive HESI study guide breaks down the essential information you need, from registration details to exam format. Use the tabs below to explore key aspects of the HESI test and prepare effectively for your nursing school application.

What is the HESI A2 exam?
The HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) is a standardized HESI examination used by nursing and allied health programs to assess academic readiness.
Who takes the HESI exam?
Prospective nursing students (RN and LPN/LVN) and applicants to other health profession programs take the HESI A2 as part of their admission process.
Is the HESI A2 hard?
The difficulty varies by student, but the HESI A2 anatomy and physiology and math sections are often considered the most challenging. Consistent practice is key.
What is the difference between HESI A2 and TEAS?
Both are nursing entrance exams, but the HESI A2 allows schools to choose specific subtests, whereas the TEAS has a fixed structure. HESI is often considered slightly more focused on specific science topics.

HESI Test Format

The HESI A2 exam is modular, meaning schools select which sections applicants must take. However, most nursing programs require the core subjects listed below. Understanding this format is crucial for your HESI prep.

➗Mathematics / Essential

Focuses on math skills needed for health care fields, including dosage calculations.

FractionsDecimalsRatiosConversions
  • Topics: Basic operations, algebra, household measures
  • Questions: 55 questions (50 scored)
📖Reading Comprehension / Essential

Assesses ability to understand and analyze written text, specifically health-related scenarios.

MainIdeaInferencesVocabulary
  • Topics: Identifying details, author's tone, conclusions
  • Questions: 55 questions (50 scored)
🦴Anatomy & Physiology / Core Science

Covers general anatomical structures and physiological systems of the human body.

BodySystemsTerminologyFunctionsStructures
  • Topics: Biology, chemistry, body planes
  • Questions: 30 questions (25 scored)
✍️Vocabulary & Grammar / English

Tests knowledge of basic English grammar and specific medical terminology.

DefinitionsWordUsagePartsSpeechSentences
  • Topics: Medical terms, subject-verb agreement
  • Questions: 55 Vocab / 55 Grammar
🧪Biology & Chemistry / Sciences

Evaluates understanding of basic biological and chemical principles relevant to nursing.

CellsMetabolismAtomicStructureEquations
  • Topics: Photosynthesis, genetics, periodic table
  • Questions: 30 questions each
🧠Critical Thinking / Advanced

Measures ability to analyze data and make logical decisions in healthcare contexts.

ProblemSolvingPrioritizationEthicsAnalysis
  • Topics: Clinical scenarios, logical reasoning
  • Questions: 30 questions (scored)
💡 HESI Study Tip

The HESI A2 anatomy and physiology section is often cited as the most difficult. Dedicate extra study time to memorizing body systems and medical terminology using our free flashcards and practice tests.

HESI Score Calculator

Total Scored Questions

150

0105150

105 out of 150 correct

70%

Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)

Your Score: 105 correctPASS

HESI Score Interpretation

Understanding your HESI A2 scores is crucial for admission success. Most schools look for a composite score above 75%, with competitive programs often requiring 90%+. Try our PAX exam practice test.

Score RangeInterpretationPercentileRecommendation
🏆 90% - 100%ExcellentTop 10%Highly Competitive
✅ 80% - 89%Very GoodTop 25%Likely Admitted
🆗 75% - 79%SatisfactoryAverageMeets Minimums
⚠️ 70% - 74%Needs ImprovementBelow AverageRetake Recommended
❌ Below 70%PoorBottom 25%Remediation Needed

💡 Score Validity

HESI scores are typically valid for 1 to 2 years depending on the nursing program. Check with your specific school for their expiration policy and retake policy.

HESI Exam Registration

The registration process for the HESI A2 admission exam varies by school. Unlike national exams like the NCLEX, the HESI is often coordinated directly through your prospective nursing program. Follow these steps to register.

📝
Week 1

Evolve Account

Obtain the specific "Department ID" code from your nursing program's admissions office.
🆔
Week 2

Department

Visit the Elsevier Evolve website and create a student account using your email.
📅
Week 3-4

Schedule

Use your Department ID to locate the correct exam cohort and register.

HESI Exam Cost

The cost of the HESI A2 exam varies significantly depending on whether you take it at a Prometric center or on-campus. Below are the typical costs associated with the HESI entrance exam.

💵$35 - $100Exam Fee Varies by nursing school
🏦$25+Prometric Fee Additional facility fee
🔄$35+Retake Fee Per attempt cost
📚$0 - $50Study Prep Books & practice tests
📅$15Rescheduling If changed <24h prior
📨$15Transcript Fee Sending scores to schools

Expect to spend between $50 and $150 total for your HESI A2 testing experience, including registration and study materials. Many schools incorporate the fee into their application process.

Hesi A2 Exam - HESI (ATI) study guide
Ready to Pass the HESI A2? - HESI (ATI)

HESI Career Paths

👩‍⚕️

Registered Nurse

(RN)Requires HESI A2 for admission. Will take HESI Exit Exam before NCLEX. Median Salary: $81,000+.

🏥

LPN

/ LVNRequires HESI A2 or HESI for LPN entrance. Focuses on fundamentals. Median Salary: $54,000+.

🦷

Dental Hygienist Some

dental programs require the HESI exam for admission. Focus on Bio/Chem. Median Salary: $81,000+.

☢️

Radiologic Tech Radiography

programs often use HESI for entrance. Physics may be required. Median Salary: $67,000+.

👶

Specialty Nursing Future

specialties like Pediatric or Maternity Nursing often use HESI specialty exams during school.

HESI Testing Contacts

For questions regarding HESI exam registration, scores, or accommodations, contact the official providers below.

🏢

Elsevier (HESI)Exam

Provider

Website: evolve.elsevier.com

Services: Registration, Scores, Study Materials

Contact: 1-800-222-9570

📍

Prometric

Testing Center

Website: prometric.com

Services: Scheduling, Locations, Test Day Info

Contact: Check local center

💻

Proctor URemote

Testing

Website: proctoru.com

Services: Online Exam Monitoring

Contact: Support Chat

HESI Test Day Checklist

Ready to Pass the HESI A2?

Join thousands of nursing students who passed their entrance exam with our free HESI practice questions. Start studying today and secure your spot in nursing school.

If you are preparing for a career in nursing, you may also find these related practice tests helpful:

Prepare for the CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant — the foundational certification for nursing assistants, covering patient care, vital signs, and daily living activities.

Prepare for the NCLEX - National Council Licensure Examination — the national licensure exam for registered nurses, testing clinical judgment and patient safety across all nursing domains.

Prepare for the TEAS - Test of Essential Academic Skills — a standardized admissions test for nursing programs, assessing reading, math, science, and English language skills.

Prepare for the CCRN - Review — a specialty certification for nurses working in critical care units, covering hemodynamic monitoring and ventilator management.

Prepare for the PCCN - Exam — the Progressive Care Certified Nurse exam for nurses in step-down and telemetry units.

HESI Questions and Answers

About the Author

Dr. Sarah MitchellRN, MSN, PhD

Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

Dr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.