Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 Practice Exam

The Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2, or the HESI Admission Assessment Exam, is an entrance exam used by nursing schools to evaluate prospective students’ academic readiness for nursing programs. It tests essential subjects like math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, anatomy, and physiology. The HESI A2 is a critical factor in admissions decisions, providing nursing programs with a clear understanding of a candidate's academic abilities and potential to succeed in nursing school.
Why is Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 important?

• Assesses academic readiness for nursing school.
• Standardized measure for evaluating prospective nursing students.
• Covers critical subjects essential for nursing education.
• Used by nursing programs to make admissions decisions.
• Predicts success in nursing school and licensing exams (NCLEX).
• Helps candidates identify strengths and weaknesses before entering a nursing program.

Who should take the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 Exam?

• Aspiring Nursing Students
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Candidates
• Registered Nurse (RN) Program Applicants
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Applicants
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Applicants

Skills Evaluated

Candidates taking the certification exam on the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 is evaluated for the following skills:

• Mathematical skills related to healthcare (basic math, dosage calculations).
• Reading comprehension and the ability to understand health-related materials.
• Vocabulary and grammar usage essential for healthcare communication.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology relevant to nursing practice.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills applicable to patient care.

Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 Certification Course Outline
The Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 Certification covers the following topics -

• Reading Comprehension – The reading test questions evaluate a student’s ability to comprehend health related reading passages. There are 47 questions and students are given one hour to complete. Students must understand word meanings, identify main themes, create logical inferences, and understand passages.
• Vocabulary and General Knowledge – Students are presented with various vocabulary words and expected to determine their definitions. Many of the vocabulary words are health related. Students are given 50 minutes to answer 50 questions.
• Grammar – Students must display their knowledge of basic grammar concepts. Students must show their comprehension of parts of speech, typical grammar errors, and important grammatical concepts. The HESI grammar test is 50 questions and students are given 50 minutes to complete.
• Math – The HESI math questions evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of basic mathematical concepts. The math skills tested typically have some correlation to health related scenarios. Students are expected to have a strong grasp of the following math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, proportions, ratios, and decimals. Questions will also be presented on roman numbers, calculating dosages, household measures, and conversions. The exam is 50 minutes long and consists of 50 questions.
• Physics – The physics test will cover general physics concepts such as: rotation, friction, gravitation, energy, average speed, Newton’s Laws of Motion, projectile motion, light, optics and acceleration. Test takers are given 50 minutes to answer 25 questions. The physics test is usually only required for Nursing programs that require Physics as a pre-requisite course.
• Biology – The biology questions are focused on general biology topics including: biology basics, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, metabolism, biological molecules, and cells. The HESI biology exam contains 25 questions and students are given 25 minutes to complete. The biology test is not required by all Nursing programs.
• Anatomy and Physiology – The Anatomy and Physiology test is often referred to as the A&P exam. The A&P exam evaluates a student’s understanding of fundamental Anatomy and Physiology concepts such as: anatomical systems, structures and general terminology. Students are given 25 minutes to complete 25 questions. The A&P exam is not required by all Nursing schools.
• Chemistry – Students knowledge of general Chemistry principles are assessed. Specifically, students are quizzed on: the periodic table, chemical equations, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nuclear chemistry and chemical reactions. The exam is 25 minutes long and consists of 25 questions. The chemistry exam is usually only required by Nursing schools that require chemistry as a pre-requisite