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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Academic Testing
Exam Format
315 min
170-235 (varies by sections required)
Varies by institution (typically 75-90% composite)
Admission Assessment
Registration
35-100
Prometric Testing Centers, Institution-specific testing centers, College/University testing centers
Validity
Varies by institution (typically 1-2 years)
Retake exam if score expires or is insufficient for admission; Retake specific sections as permitted by institution
HESI-A2 Exam Topics and Domains
HESI-A2 is organized into 10 weighted domains.
1
Mathematics
20%
Roman NumeralsReading and Writing Roman Numerals
Applied Healthcare MathematicsDrug Dosage Calculations
Basic Arithmetic Operations
Addition and SubtractionMultiplication and Division
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages
FractionsDecimalsPercentages
Ratios and Proportions
RatiosProportions
Measurement Systems and Conversions
Household MeasuresMetric SystemUnit Conversions
2
Reading Comprehension
20%
Context and VocabularyFinding Meaning of Words in Context
Logical InferencesMaking Valid Conclusions
Main Idea Identification
Identifying Central ThemesDistinguishing Main Ideas from Supporting Details
Passage Comprehension
Understanding Explicit InformationUnderstanding Implicit Information
Passage Analysis
Author's Tone and PurposeText Structure
3
Vocabulary and General Knowledge
20%
General Academic VocabularyAdvanced English Vocabulary
Critical Thinking and General KnowledgeLogical Reasoning
Healthcare Terminology
Medical and Nursing VocabularyAnatomical and Physiological Terms
4
Grammar
10%
Parts of Speech
Nouns and PronounsVerbsAdjectives and AdverbsPrepositions and Conjunctions
Sentence Structure
Sentence Types and PatternsSubject-Verb Agreement
Punctuation and Mechanics
Commas, Semicolons, and ColonsCapitalization and Spelling
Common Grammatical Errors
Frequently Occurring MistakesSentence Clarity and Precision
5
Biology
7.5%
Water and Its PropertiesWater as a Biological Molecule
Biology Basics
Characteristics of LifeLevels of Organization
Biological Molecules
CarbohydratesLipidsProteinsNucleic Acids
Cell Biology
Cell StructureCell Processes
Metabolism
Anabolism and CatabolismEnzymes and Metabolic Pathways
Cellular Respiration
Aerobic RespirationAnaerobic Respiration
Photosynthesis
Light-Dependent ReactionsLight-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)
6
Chemistry
7.5%
Matter and Its Properties
States of MatterPhysical vs. Chemical Properties
Atomic Structure
Subatomic ParticlesElectron Configuration
The Periodic Table
Organization and TrendsCommon Elements
Chemical Bonding
Ionic BondingCovalent BondingHydrogen Bonding
Chemical Equations and Reactions
Writing and Balancing EquationsTypes of Chemical Reactions
Nuclear Chemistry
RadioactivityNuclear Reactions
Solutions and Acids/Bases
SolutionsAcids and Bases
7
Anatomy and Physiology
7.5%
Integumentary SystemSkin Structure and Function
Reproductive SystemMale and Female Reproductive Structures
General Terminology
Anatomical Position and Directional TermsBody Planes and SectionsBody Cavities and Regions
Skeletal System
Bone Structure and TypesMajor Bones and Joints
Muscular System
Muscle TypesMuscle Function
Nervous System
Central Nervous SystemPeripheral Nervous SystemNeurons and Nerve Function
Cardiovascular System
Heart Structure and FunctionBlood VesselsBlood Components
Respiratory System
Respiratory StructuresGas Exchange and Breathing
Digestive System
Digestive OrgansDigestion and Absorption
Urinary System
Urinary System StructureKidney Function
Endocrine System
Major Endocrine GlandsHormone Function
Immune/Lymphatic System
Lymphatic StructuresImmune Function
8
Physics
7.5%
RotationRotational Motion
FrictionTypes of Friction
GravitationGravity
Motion and Forces
KinematicsNewton's Laws of Motion
Energy
Forms of EnergyHeat and Temperature
Light and Optics
Properties of LightOptics
Waves and Sound
Wave PropertiesSound
Electricity and Magnetism
Electric Charge and CurrentMagnetism
9
Learning Style Assessment
Learning Style IdentificationLearning Preferences
10
Personality Profile
Personality Related to LearningPersonality Traits
How do I earn this certification?
Passing HESI-A2 earns the N/A - Admission Assessment Only certification. It sits in the Nursing Education Pathway track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- N/A - Program Enrollment 2-year nursing program leading to RN licensure eligibility
- N/A - Program Enrollment 4-year nursing program leading to RN licensure eligibility
- N/A - Program Enrollment Intensive nursing program for students with prior bachelor's degree
- N/A - Program Enrollment 1-year program leading to LPN/LVN licensure eligibility
- HESI Specialty Exams In-program exams testing clinical nursing content areas during nursing school
- HESI Exit Exam (RN or PN) - HESI Exit Exam End-of-program exam predicting NCLEX readiness
- NCLEX-RN - National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
- NCLEX-PN - National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses
Alternative Paths
HESI-A2 with Critical Thinking - HESI A2 + Critical Thinking Section Some institutions require additional critical thinking section
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for HESI-A2 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024 (6th Edition Study Guide Released)
Updates
- Evolve Testing Platform Current Provides secure online delivery, multiple test versions, and immediate preliminary scoring • Release date: Ongoing
- HESI Remediation Tools Integrated with assessments Personalized study recommendations based on individual performance help students target weak areas • Release date: Ongoing
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Nursing program applicants (RN programs) and Practical Nursing program applicants (PN/LPN programs).
- Completion of high school-level mathematics
- Strong reading comprehension skills (8th-9th grade level minimum)
- Basic science coursework (Biology, Chemistry, A&P as applicable)
- Grammar and English language proficiency