It’s no secret that the world of nursing is full of acronyms and abbreviations nurses must know to be successful. But there’s one that most aspiring nursing students need to think about before they even enter nursing school – HESI.
The HESI Exam, or Health Education Systems Incorporated Exam, is a standardized, online test that assesses your academic readiness for nursing programs and finishing nursing school. HESI (the company) creates standardized testing for a whole host of other vocations like massage therapy, veterinary technology, and dental hygiene. But its assessments for nurses are considered a standard in the profession.
What is the HESI Exam?
The first thing to know about the HESI exam for nurses is that it’s actually two separate, main assessments.
The HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment) serves as an entrance exam to screen nursing school applicants. The HESI Exit Exam evaluates how prepared students are for the NCLEX exam, the final step to becoming a licensed nurse.
The HESI A2 exam
The HESI A2 Exam’s principal purpose is to ensure that prospective nursing students have the necessary foundation to succeed in their education and ultimately in their nursing careers.
The exam is comprehensive, divided into four sections, and evaluates your knowledge and skills in various academic areas:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Grammar
- Basic math skills
The HESI A2 also includes additional sections, such as critical thinking and a personality profile, which are important for assessing your potential success in a nursing program.
Though not all schools require new students to have taken the HESI A2 as part of the admissions process, it’s becoming more common.
Some basic information regarding the HESI A2:
- Time limits vary by institution, but most give students anywhere from three to five hours to complete the exam. Each section of the exam has its own time limit.
- Each section has anywhere from 25-50 questions, totaling around 330 questions.
- You can take the HESI A2 once every 60 days but only three times every 12 months.
- HESI A2 scores are only valid for two years.
- The cost to take the HESI A2 varies but ranges from $35 to over $100.
The HESI Exit Exam
The HESI Exit Exam gauges a nursing student’s readiness to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exams. Students will take either the HESI RN Exit Exam or the HESI-PN Exit Exam depending on their path.
The HESI Exit Exam is usually given during the last semester of nursing school, and the results can reveal those areas where a student may need remediation.
It consists of between 75-150 questions divided across various subjects, depending on which version of the exam is given by the school.
Though the HESI Exit Exam is not a pass/fail assessment, different schools require different scores to move forward. If you don’t pass, you’ll be able to retake it.
You’ll need to check your school’s retake policy and waiting periods before you start planning your remediation strategy. It may not be necessary to retake the entire test and instead only retake certain sections.
It’s important to know that the HESI Exit Exam covers the entire nursing school curriculum across three main subject areas:
- Nursing process
- Client needs
- Specialty care
Each of these subject areas are broken down into many subtopics, all of which you’ll have covered during your studies.
It’s crucial to adequately study and prepare to maximize your chances of success and ultimately pass the NCLEX.
How to study
Studying for the HESI exams requires a structured and comprehensive approach. One of the most effective ways to prepare is by using HESI practice tests and study guides.
There are free practice resources for both the HESI A2 and the HESI Exit Exam. There are paid options for each as well. Most practice tests (especially for the HESI A2) are broken down by subject, letting you focus on those area you need the most.
These practice tests are specifically designed to help you familiarize yourself with the format and content of the exams, identify areas of strength and weakness, and practice answering questions similar to those found on the actual exams. There are also many study guides and review books available.
Don’t forget to also practice time management and test-taking strategies to ensure that you can complete the exam within the allotted time.
The HESI Exam is a crucial step in your nursing journey and requires adequate preparation and study. By following these tips, you can improve your chances of passing and launching a promising nursing career.
