The HESI exam is one of the most important milestones in a nursing student’s academic journey.
For pre-nursing applicants, the HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) determines nursing school eligibility.
For graduating nursing students, the HESI Exit exam (E2) evaluates readiness for the NCLEX.
This guide is your complete 2026 breakdown of:
- What the HESI exam is
- HESI A2 vs HESI Exit differences
- Section breakdowns
- Question counts and timing
- Scoring benchmarks
- Retake policies
- Study strategies
- How to earn a competitive score
If you want one central resource that connects everything about HESI preparation, this is it.
What Is the HESI Exam?
HESI stands for Health Education Systems, Inc.
There are two primary HESI exams used in nursing education:
- HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment)
- HESI Exit Exam (E2)
While they share a name, they serve completely different purposes.
HESI A2 vs HESI Exit: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | HESI A2 | HESI Exit |
|---|---|---|
| Who takes it | Pre-nursing applicants | Nursing students near graduation |
| Purpose | Admission readiness | NCLEX readiness |
| Content focus | Academic skills (math, reading, A&P) | Clinical judgment, prioritization |
| Score format | Percentage by section | Scaled composite score |
| Stakes | Admission eligibility | Progression / graduation clearance |
If you're unfamiliar with how the admissions version works, review the full section breakdown in HESI A2 Breakdown: Every Section Explained (2026).
For graduation-level testing, see HESI Exit Exam Explained: Passing Scores & NCLEX Prediction.
HESI A2 Deep Dive
What Is Tested on the HESI A2?
Most nursing programs require some combination of:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary & general knowledge
- Grammar
- Math
- Anatomy & Physiology
Schools choose which sections they require.
How Many Questions Are on the HESI A2?
Question counts vary by section and school requirements.
Common configurations include:
- 55 questions for Reading
- 55 questions for Vocabulary
- 55 questions for Grammar
- 55 questions for Math
- 25–30 questions for Anatomy & Physiology
Your total exam length depends on which sections your school requires.
Always verify with your program.
How Long Is the HESI A2?
Timing depends on the number of required sections.
Many programs allocate roughly:
- 50–60 minutes for language and math sections
- 25–30 minutes for A&P
Plan to build stamina for a multi-hour testing session.
HESI A2 Section Strategies
HESI Math Strategy
Math is one of the most improvable sections.
High-yield topics include:
- Conversions
- Fractions & decimals
- Ratios and proportions
- Percent calculations
- Word problems
Use a step-by-step approach found in HESI Math Practice Guide with Step-by-Step Solutions.
Tutor tip: If you miss math questions, identify whether the error was setup, arithmetic, or rushing.
Reading & Grammar Strategy
Students lose points because they:
- Overthink inference
- Rush passages
- Ignore grammar rules
Practice smaller timed sets and review every missed rationale carefully.
HESI Anatomy & Physiology Strategy
A&P tests functional understanding.
Focus on:
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Renal system
- Endocrine regulation
- System interactions
Study systems in cause-and-effect format.
For a full breakdown, review HESI Anatomy & Physiology Section Explained: Complete Guide.
HESI Exit Exam Deep Dive
The HESI Exit exam measures readiness for the NCLEX.
It emphasizes:
- Prioritization
- Safety
- Pharmacology
- Clinical reasoning
- Delegation
- Med-Surg integration
Unlike the A2, this is not academic skill testing — it’s clinical integration.
How Is the HESI Exit Scored?
Most programs reference benchmark scores such as:
- 850 (readiness threshold)
- 900 (strong readiness indicator)
Programs use these scores differently, often requiring remediation if benchmarks are not met.
See detailed explanation in HESI Exit Exam Explained: Passing Scores & NCLEX Prediction.
What Is a Good HESI Score?
HESI A2 Competitive Ranges
While program-specific, common targets include:
- 75–80% minimum eligibility
- 85%+ competitive
- 90%+ highly competitive
Full benchmark modeling available in What Is a Good HESI Score? A2 + Exit Benchmarks.
HESI Exit Competitive Ranges
Common benchmarks:
- 850 = readiness
- 900 = strong readiness
Your program determines consequences.
Is the HESI Hard?
Difficulty depends on:
- Math comfort
- A&P foundation
- Test stamina
- Anxiety level
Students often find:
- Math is procedural and trainable
- A&P requires conceptual depth
- Exit requires clinical reasoning under pressure
HESI vs ATI TEAS
Some schools require HESI A2. Others require ATI TEAS.
Compare both exams in detail in HESI vs ATI TEAS: Which Exam Is Harder?.
Broadly:
- TEAS includes broader science distribution
- HESI A2 often emphasizes deeper A&P reasoning
Your strengths determine which feels harder.
Can You Retake the HESI?
Yes — policies vary by school.
Common patterns include:
- 2–3 attempts per year
- 30–60 day waiting period
- Section-specific retakes (A2)
- Mandatory remediation (Exit)
Full explanation in Can You Retake the HESI? A2 + Exit Retake Policy Explained.
Important: A retake without strategy rarely improves scores.
How Long Should You Study for HESI?
2-Week Plan (Triage Mode)
- Focus on weakest section
- Daily timed drills
- Intensive rationale review
4-Week Plan (Most Effective)
- Week 1: diagnostics
- Week 2: section mastery
- Week 3: integration
- Week 4: simulation
Use structured pacing from 30-Day HESI Study Plan: A2 & Exit Strategy.
8-Week Plan (Maximum Confidence)
Ideal for:
- Competitive programs
- Retakes
- Weak A&P foundation
Common Mistakes That Lower HESI Scores
- Studying without a target score
- Ignoring weak sections
- Memorizing A&P without understanding
- Retaking too quickly
- Not reviewing rationales
Every missed question should become a learning moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the HESI A2?
It depends on required sections. Most sections contain 25–55 questions.
How long is the HESI exam?
Varies by school and required sections.
Is 80% a good HESI A2 score?
It may meet eligibility. Competitive programs often expect higher.
Is 850 a good HESI Exit score?
Many programs use 850 as a readiness benchmark.
Can you retake one section of HESI A2?
Often yes. Verify with your program.
Does HESI get harder on retake?
No. Question pools rotate, but difficulty level remains consistent.
Final Takeaway
The HESI exam rewards structured preparation.
Whether you're:
- Applying to nursing school
- Preparing for graduation
- Planning a retake
- Trying to move from average to competitive
Your results improve when you:
- Target weaknesses
- Follow a plan
- Practice under timed conditions
- Review rationales thoroughly
Start structured preparation here:
