HESI Exam Information

Please use the links below to learn more about taking the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 Admission Exam.

• What is covered on the nursing admission test (A2)?

  • The A2 covers several different areas: Math, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, critical thinking, A&P and learning styles (not scored). There are approximately 55 questions in each section. The total time to complete this test is approximately four hours.

  • Math :
    • focuses on the math skills needed for the calculation of drugs and other solutions. Topics covered can include:
      • Addition
      • Subtraction
      • Multiplication
      • Division
      • Fractions
      • Decimals
      • Ratio and Proportion
      • Household Measures
      • General Math Facts (Roman Numerals, Military Time, etc.)
  • Reading Comprehension:
    • involves reading scenarios that are health related.
  • Vocabulary and General Knowledge:
    • contains basic vocabulary that is often used in health care fields, but is not necessarily medical terminology.
  • Grammar :
    • contains basic grammar, including parts of speech, important terms and their uses in grammar, commonly occurring grammatical errors, etc.
  • Anatomy & Physiology:
    • general overview of basic anatomy and physiology.
  • Learning Styles:
    • examines your preferred ways of learning (not graded).
  • Personality Profile :
    • examines personality related to preferred learning style (not graded).

  • How do I prepare for the exam?

    There are several ways to prepare to take the A2. You may purchase the HESI Admission Study Guide through Elsevier or another bookseller of your choice. There are also copies available for review in the library. Free practice videos and test questions are available here.

    What is the score I want to achieve?

    The total percent correct score will be used to determine your competitive admission points for the ADN program.

    Only the A&P, Math, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary and General Knowledge subtests are scored. The goal score on each subtest is 75 and a cumulative score of 75% or better.

    The results of the Learning Style and Personality Style subtests are for your benefit to help you understand your learning and personality style and are not considered in the passing score. Scores are valid for 5 years.

    Anything else I should know?

    At the conclusion of the test you will be given your scores and an information sheet that will help you to interpret your scores.

    Additional Questions?

    Please review the Frequently Asked Questions Page, which will provide more information.

• Steps for Registering and Paying for the HESI A2 Exam

  1. Step 1:

     • Register as a student on Evolve
       • Go to evolve.elsevier.com
       • Select I’m a student
       • Select Sign-In in the upper right hand corner
       • If you are a new student, select Create Account and fill in required fields
       • Select Submit

     This link will take you to the following page:
     

  2. Step 2:

     • Select Register for HESI Testing
       • On the bottom of the main page, select Register for Results and Remediation
       • You should see HESI Assessment HESI Registration
       • Select Register
       • Select Checkout/Redeem (this will need to be done on two separate screens)

  3. Step 3:

     • Pay for the exam ($64.00)
       • Select My Evolve at the top of the screen
       • Select HESI Assessment Student Access
       • Select the Payments tab
       • Type in Payment ID:
         
         • First time test takers: 27650
         • Second time test takers: 23470
       • Select Search
       • Complete Billing Information
       • Select Proceed to Checkout
       • Print Receipt and bring on test day as proof of payment
         

         For any issues, please call (800) 222-9570, select the Student prompt and a representative can assist you.

     You are now signed up for the HESI A2 Exam. Please call the Student Success Center at 231-995-2134 or visit MySuccess to schedule an appointment. You will need to bring your photo ID and payment receipt on testing day. The exam may take as long as four hours to complete.

• Steps for Taking the HESI Exam

  • The HESI A2 Admission Exam must be taken at the Student Success Center (or approved proctoring site). Please verify hours prior to arriving as the exam may take up to four hours. Please bring your photo ID and printed receipt of payment for exam.

    When you are ready to begin, log in to the HESI Testing Website.

    Once there, select “Take my exam”:
    

    Once there, enter your Evolve Account login information:
    

    Once you log on, you will be prompted to provide the access code given to you by the proctor.

    If you have forgotten your username/password, select the link and your information will be sent to the email provided with your account. If you have not set up an account, you can also do that by selecting the link.

    If you are having issues with the process as noted above, please call (800) 222-9570 and select the Student prompt and a representative can assist you.

• Information for After You Test

  • Please read this document after taking the HESI Admission Assessment™ (A²). This will explain how to interpret your scores.

    Which score will be used to determine my competitive admission points?

    The total percent correct score will be used to calculate competitive admissions points. Please review the competitive admission rubric for ADN students for more information.

    What do my scores mean?

    Vocabulary and General Knowledge:

    • 90% and Above
      • A well-read individual whose vocabulary skills are at the tenth to the eleventh grade level. Should be successful in reading and understanding nursing textbooks.
    • 80-89%
      • Should be successful in your nursing program but may need to carefully reread areas you do not understand and look up words you do not know the meaning of in an effort to increase your vocabulary skills.
    • 70-79%
      • Keeping up with reading assignments may be more difficult and you may need to seek additional tutoring services.
    • 70-74%
      • Review using the HESI Admission Assessment Study Guide as well as other vocabulary and critical thinking skills review workbooks.
    • 69% and Below
      • Should seek additional assistance as well as utilizing the review materials available in the library, for purchase online, and online review.

    Math

    • 90% and Above
      • Should be able to calculate all levels of medication administration problems.
    • 80-89%
      • Should be able to calculate basic medication administration problems.
    • 70-79%
      • Will require varying degrees of assistance to be successful with medication calculations.
    • 70-74%
      • Review using the HESI Admission Assessment Study Guide as well as other mathematics review workbooks..
    • 69% and Below
      • Should seek additional assistance by contacting your nursing advisor.

    Reading Comprehension

    • 90% and Above
      • Should be able to read and comprehend nursing textbook content.
    • 80-89%
      • Should be successful in understanding most nursing textbook content although may need to reread more difficult material.
    • 75-79%
      • Will have difficulty in keeping up with heavy reading assignments.
    • 70-74%
      • Review using the HESI Admission Assessment Study Guide as well as other reading comprehension review workbooks. Retake after a minimum of two months.
    • 69% and Below
      • Should seek additional assistance by contacting your nursing advisor.

    Grammar

    • 90% and Above
      • Students should be able to complete written assignments with no difficulty in terms of writing grammatically correct assignments.
    • 80-89%
      • Students should be able to complete written assignments in terms of writing grammatically correct assignments. However, written assignments may need to be reviewed by a knowledgeable person prior to submitting them for grading.
    • 75-79%
      • Students will have difficulty with grammar when completing written assignments and when speaking to clients, teachers, etc. Obtaining outside assistance in English/Grammar will probably be helpful.
    • 70-74%
      • Review using the HESI Admission Assessment Study Guide as well as other grammar review workbooks.
    • 69% and Below
      • Enrolling in an English/Grammar remediation program is likely to be required in order to be successful in a nursing or health professions program.

    Anatomy & Physiology

    • 90% and Above
      • Students should be able to demonstrate competency in the nursing process without difficulty.
    • 80-89%
      • Students should be able to demonstrate competency in the nursing process; however, may need additional assistance with more complicated concepts.
    • 75-79%
      • Students will have difficulty with competency in the nursing process and will need to review basic anatomy and physiology concepts to be successful.
    • 70-74%
      • Review using the HESI Admission Assessment Study Guide as well as other anatomy and physiology review workbooks, retake after a minimum of two months.
    • 69% and Below
      • Enrolling in an Anatomy and Physiology remediation program prior to program entry is likely to be required in order to be successful in a nursing or health professions program.

Please contact the nursing department if you have any questions:

Betsy Boris, Director of Nursing and Allied Health
bboris@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1246

Melanie Griffith, Nursing Office Assistant
mgriffith@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1238