Get ready for the HESI A2 nursing entrance exam
180 practice questions on math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and anatomy and physiology, each with a plain-English explanation. Then take 90-question practice exams with each section in the same proportion as the real test.
Practice by section
These are the five academic sections most nursing programs require. Each practice exam keeps the real test's proportions: the four 50-question sections get 20 questions each, and Anatomy and Physiology, a 25-question section, gets 10. Practice one section at a time, or take a full 90-question practice exam.
Math 41 questions
Fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, basic algebra, household and metric conversions, temperature, dosage and IV-rate problems, military time and Roman numerals.
Reading Comprehension 39 questions
Short passages on health and general topics, with questions on the main idea, details, inferences, word meaning in context, the author's purpose and tone, and fact versus opinion.
Vocabulary and General Knowledge 40 questions
Words used in health care and everyday English, such as adverse, patent, lethargic and exacerbate, plus common medical prefixes and directional terms.
Grammar 40 questions
Subject-verb and pronoun agreement, pronoun case, verb tenses, commonly confused words, parts of speech, sentence structure, modifiers, and punctuation and capitalization.
Anatomy and Physiology 20 questions
Anatomical terms and planes, the heart and blood, lungs, digestion, kidneys, nervous and endocrine systems, muscles, bones and skin.
What full access includes
- All 180 questions on math, reading, vocabulary, grammar and anatomy and physiology
- An explanation for every answer, with the working shown for every math problem
- Unlimited 90-question practice exams, with each section in its real share
- Practice exams for each section
- A review of every question you missed at the end of each exam
- Works on your phone, tablet or computer, with no app or account
Full access
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About the HESI A2 exam
Who takes the HESI A2?
People applying to nursing programs (RN and LPN or PN) and some other health programs. The school decides whether you take it, which sections you take and what score you need, so check your program's admission requirements first.
How is the HESI A2 structured?
It is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam from Elsevier, and each school chooses its sections. Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Grammar usually have 55 questions each (50 scored and 5 unscored pilot questions), and Anatomy and Physiology has 30 (25 scored and 5 pilot). Time limits are set by the school and vary, from about 3 1/2 to 5 hours depending on how many sections are required. Schools report that an on-screen calculator is provided for math. Check the details with your school or testing center.
What score do I need to pass?
There is no single passing score. Each program sets its own, and many ask for at least 75% to 80% on each section or on the composite score. Our practice exams use 80% correct as a benchmark (72 of 90). Check your program's minimum and aim above it.
What math is on the HESI A2?
Basic math used in health care: fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, simple algebra, household and metric conversions, dosage-style problems, military time and Roman numerals. Our math questions cover each of these and show the working in every explanation.
Does this cover Biology, Chemistry or Physics?
No. We cover the five sections most programs require: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, and Anatomy and Physiology. If your school also requires Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Critical Thinking, you will need other material for those sections.
Is this the official exam?
No. This is practice material to help you prepare, and our questions are not taken from the real exam. The HESI A2 is published by Elsevier and given at schools, at testing centers or online with a remote proctor, depending on your school. This site is not affiliated with Elsevier or any school.