One of the most common questions nursing applicants and students ask is:
“Can you retake the HESI?”
The short answer is:
Yes - but policies vary by school.
Whether you are taking the HESI A2 for nursing school admission or the HESI Exit exam before graduation, understanding retake rules can reduce anxiety and help you build a smarter plan.
If you're unsure how scoring works before considering a retake, review our guide on what counts as a strong HESI score for A2 and Exit exams.
This article explains:
- How many times you can retake the HESI
- Waiting period rules
- Section retake policies
- Whether schools keep your highest score
- How to improve before retesting
Planning a HESI Retake?
Join 5,000+ nursing students using GoodNurse for targeted remediation, section-based practice, and adaptive study plans designed to raise weak scores before retesting.
Can You Retake the HESI A2?
Yes, most schools allow HESI A2 retakes.
However, policies vary in:
- Number of attempts allowed
- Required waiting period
- Whether you can retake specific sections
- Whether highest or most recent score counts
Typical HESI A2 retake patterns:
| Policy Area | Common Rule |
|---|---|
| Number of Attempts | 2–3 attempts per year |
| Waiting Period | 30–60 days |
| Section Retakes | Often allowed |
| Score Usage | Highest score or most recent (school dependent) |
Always verify with your nursing program.
Can You Retake the HESI Exit Exam?
Yes, most nursing programs allow Exit exam retakes — but with structured remediation.
Unlike admissions retakes, Exit retakes are often tied to:
- Mandatory review modules
- Faculty-supervised remediation
- Limited retake attempts
- Delayed graduation clearance
Typical Exit retake structure:
| Policy Area | Common Rule |
|---|---|
| Attempts | 1–3 attempts |
| Waiting Period | Program-defined |
| Remediation | Often required |
| Graduation Impact | May delay clearance |
If you have not reviewed how the Exit exam is scored, read our complete HESI Exit exam explanation and passing score guide.
How Long Do You Have to Wait Before Retaking HESI?
Waiting periods vary by school.
Common ranges:
- 30 days
- 45 days
- 60 days
Why the waiting period?
Schools want to ensure:
- Meaningful study improvement
- Not immediate retesting
- Genuine remediation
Use this time strategically.
If you plan to retake, do not repeat the same study strategy. Identify weak sections and restructure your preparation plan.
Can You Retake Just One Section of the HESI?
For HESI A2:
Many programs allow section-specific retakes.
Example:
If math is 70% but reading is 88%, you may only need to retake math.
If math is your weakness, review our complete HESI math practice guide with step-by-step solutions before retesting.
For Exit exams:
Section-specific retakes are less common. Most programs retest the full exam.
Does HESI Keep Your Highest Score?
This depends entirely on your program.
Schools may:
- Keep the highest composite score
- Keep the highest section score
- Use the most recent attempt only
- Average attempts
Confirm directly with your admissions office.
Should You Retake the HESI?
Consider retaking if:
- Your score is below minimum requirement
- One section is dragging down your composite
- You have time before deadlines
Do NOT retake immediately without a plan.
If you need structured pacing, follow our full 30-day HESI study plan for A2 and Exit exams before scheduling a retake.
Scheduling a retake too quickly without analyzing your weak areas. Retesting without strategic adjustment rarely improves scores.
How Much Can You Improve on a HESI Retake?
Students commonly improve:
- 5–15 percentage points on A2
- 50–100 scaled points on Exit
Improvement depends on:
- Weak section targeting
- Structured review
- Practice under timed conditions
3-Step HESI Retake Improvement Plan
Step 1: Analyze Score Report
Identify:
- Lowest-performing section
- Question type patterns
- Timing weaknesses
Step 2: Focus on High-Yield Areas
For A2:
- Math
- A&P
- Reading
For Exit:
- Prioritization
- Pharmacology
- Safety
Step 3: Simulate Testing Conditions
Before retesting:
- Complete full timed practice
- Track accuracy under pressure
- Review rationales carefully
Structured adaptive review inside our HESI exam prep platform built for nursing students can help target weaknesses efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can you retake the HESI?
Most schools allow 2–3 attempts per year, but policies vary.
Do nursing schools look at all HESI attempts?
Some use highest score; others use most recent. Always confirm.
Can you retake HESI immediately?
Usually no. Waiting periods are common.
Is it bad to retake HESI?
No. Many students improve significantly on a second attempt.
Does the HESI get harder on a retake?
No. Questions change, but difficulty level remains consistent.
Final Takeaway
Yes, you can retake the HESI.
But improvement requires strategy.
- Confirm your school’s policy
- Identify weak sections
- Follow a structured study plan
- Practice under timed conditions
A retake can significantly strengthen your admission or graduation outcome when approached correctly.
