What Is the HESI Exam? FAQ and Guide
If you’re in the process of applying to nursing school, you may have heard of the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) nursing exam. But what is the HESI exam and what is it used for? This comprehensive test evaluates your grasp of core academic subjects and critical thinking skills in nursing. Its primary goal is to help schools determine whether you’re prepared to succeed in nursing courses and ultimately pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
Wondering how you can prepare for this test? This article dives deep into the exam content, preparation strategies, and study resources to help you feel confident and ready for test day.
What Is the HESI Exam for Nursing?
The HESI nursing exam is an academic evaluation administered to assess the academic readiness of prospective or current nursing students. Developed by Elsevier, this exam is used by many nursing schools as either an entrance exam for applicants or an exit exam for graduating students.
HESI isn’t a single, uniform test. Instead, it encompasses a variety of exams and prep tools that schools can select based on their curriculum needs. These may include admission assessments taken before entering the program, subject-specific exams given during coursework, and a final comprehensive exit exam that reviews the entire nursing curriculum.
The two most common versions of the HESI exams are the HESI Admission Assessment Exam (A2) and the HESI Exit Exam (E2). There are also HESI specialty exams to test students on specific nursing subjects.
| HESI A2 | HESI E2 | HESI Specialty Exams |
|---|---|---|
| The HESI Admission Assessment Exam is the standardized and proctored entrance exam used by some nursing schools. It helps determine the chances that a prospective nursing student will make it through the program. Not every school uses this tool, but it’s a common part of the nursing school admissions process. | The HESI Exit Exam is usually taken towards the end of nursing school. It mirrors the NCLEX-RN, so it reveals the nursing student’s likelihood of success on the NCLEX itself. As with the HESI A2, some nursing schools use this tool, while others don’t. | HESI specialty exams test students on specific aspects of nursing, such as dosage calculations, assessments, medical-surgical nursing, and more. Specialty exams and their remediations help students understand which subjects they grasp and the ones that need more attention. Nursing schools may use these specialty exams to help students master specific subjects before taking the NCLEX exam. |
What Is the HESI Exam Going to Test You On?
The topics you’ll need to review will depend on which version of the HESI nursing exam you’re taking — whether it’s the admission exam (HESI A2), the exit exam (HESI E2), or a specialty test. HESI exams are also customizable, allowing nursing programs to tailor content to their curriculum. Below are the common topics used for the A2 and E2 exams, but be sure to check with your school for the most accurate info.
| Feature | HESI A2 | HESI E2 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Assesses readiness for entry into nursing programs | Assesses end-of-program clinical knowledge and NCLEX readiness |
| Timing | Before entering a nursing program | Near the end of a nursing program |
| Content areas | Schools may customize the content, but here is the list of topics the exam can include these topics:
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This exam is structured to align with the NCLEX test plan and features content similar to the NCLEX, including the following:
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HESI specialty exams are designed to evaluate a student’s knowledge in specific areas of nursing, and the content can vary depending on the specialty being tested. For example, a pharmacology exam will focus on drug classifications and safe medication administration, while a pediatrics exam will assess knowledge of child development and pediatric care.
How Long Is the HESI Exam?
The allotted time frame for the HESI exam varies based on your unique situation, such as your testing location, the type of test, the number of sections you are completing, or your specific testing accommodations. However, most test takers can expect to receive approximately four hours to complete the exam.
The number of questions on the HESI exam can also vary. To give you a general idea of what to expect, here’s an example of a HESI A2 test and its question breakdown.
- Grammar: 55 questions
- Math: 55 questions
- Reading comprehension: 55 questions
- Vocabulary and general knowledge: 55 questions
- Biology: 30 questions
- Anatomy and physiology: 30 questions
- Chemistry: 30 questions
- Learning style: 14 questions
- Personality style: 15 questions
The total number of questions will also depend on how your school configures the exam. Some institutions include all available sections, while others only require a select few. For example, the HESI E2 may include around 160 questions, whereas the HESI A2 could have up to 339 questions. Be sure to check with your program for the exact structure and content of your exam.
What Is the HESI Exam Scoring System?
For the HESI E2, scores range from 0 to 1,500, with a recommended passing score of 900. Your final score isn’t just based on how many questions you answer correctly — it also takes into account the difficulty level of the questions. Each item is calibrated to be answered correctly by 39% to 99% of test takers, depending on its complexity.
Historically, scoring 850 or higher has been a strong indicator of NCLEX success — research shows that 92% or more of students who reach that benchmark pass the NCLEX on their first try.
Unlike the E2, the HESI A2 gives you a percentage score for each section. A score of 75% or above is usually acceptable for RN programs, though the requirements can vary depending on the school.
3 HESI Exam Preparation Tips
So, what is the HESI exam study plan that’s best for you?? Nursing programs often provide or recommend specific study resources, as the test is tailored to their curriculum. Here are three tips to help you study effectively and feel more confident on test day:
1. Take Practice Tests
Practice tests mentally prepare you by revealing what to expect on the actual exam. They also show you the content you know well and the content you need to study more deeply. If the HESI practice test questions provide explanations for correct answers as you advance through the questions, read them carefully.
Identify patterns in the HESI nursing exam questions you got wrong. If you notice you’re having trouble with a particular topic, this is your cue to spend more time studying it and related subjects.
It’s a good idea to disregard time constraints the first few times you take practice tests. That’s when it’s best to simply get accustomed to the exam format. Wait until after the first practice exam to begin timing yourself.
2. Create a Study Plan
A clear study plan can keep you organized and reduce stress as you prepare for the HESI. Use the SMART goals method to structure your plan — set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, instead of vaguely planning to study pharmacology, aim to complete 50 pharmacology questions by Friday.
Don’t wait until days before the exam to begin preparing. Give your brain time to soak in the information instead of resorting to procrastination.
Keep in mind that you’ll see many of these subjects again while taking the NCLEX, and you may have to apply them in your practice. Study for the sake of gaining knowledge that may help you in the future instead of solely to pass the test.
3. Consider HESI Prep Courses
Investing in HESI prep courses gives you exposure to information and study techniques that you may not have considered on your own. On top of that, they help ensure you’re regularly reviewing the material. And remember, you can optimize how you study for the NCLEX by fine-tuning the way you studied for HESI.
What Is the HESI Exam? FAQs
What happens if you fail the HESI nursing exam?
The way institutions handle students who fail the HESI exam can vary — it’s up to their discretion. Thankfully, it’s common for students to be allowed a retake. If you fail the retake, check with the institution where you’re taking the exam for further instructions.
How does HESI relate to NCLEX?
A high HESI score doesn’t promise you’ll pass the NCLEX, but it shows you have a great chance of doing so. Most students who score 850 and above pass the NCLEX.
Both HESI and the NCLEX focus on critical thinking. However, while some of the HESI topics are broad, such as biology and grammar, the NCLEX remains specific to nursing — like safe nursing care and health promotion.
What study tools can I use to prepare for the HESI exam?
There are a variety of helpful resources available to prepare for the HESI exam. Here are a few to get you started:
What is the HESI exam registration process?
Each institution manages HESI registration differently, so your first step should be to check with your school’s nursing department or exam coordinator for specific instructions. In most cases, you’ll be asked to create an Elsevier Evolve account, which is the official platform for HESI exams. Your school will instruct you on how to schedule your exam. Some schools administer the test on campus at set times, while others may use third-party testing services (like Prometric) or remote testing.
How long does it take to get results?
Since HESI is a computerized exam, you’ll view your overall result right away. However, you will receive a more detailed report sometime during the week following the exam.
What is the HESI exam cost?
The HESI typically costs between $30–$110. The exact price depends on your nursing school and the facility where you’re taking the exam, and there are sometimes additional costs if you’ll be taking the exam online. Check with your testing institution about their fees.
TEAS vs. HESI: What’s the difference?
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a standardized exam, developed by the ATI Nursing Education company, and it’s also used by schools to evaluate the academic skills of students applying to nursing and allied health programs. Unlike the HESI A2, which can vary depending on the school, the TEAS has a fixed format, with the same number and type of questions across all test takers. Both HESI and TEAS are well-respected tools used to evaluate students’ foundational knowledge and skills.
Ready to Pursue a Great Career?
What is the HESI exam preparing you for? The end goal is to ensure you’re ready for your nursing career. Put all this preparation to good use by finding a job that meets your needs through IntelyCare.