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HESI Exam Frequently Asked Questions
The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) is designed to assess the academic and personal readiness of prospective students for higher education. It is particularly well suited for prospective students in the health science fields, though it is applicable to basic skills for all potential students. The HESI A2 consists of nine different exams, seven of which focus on academic subject areas and two on personal assessment.
Individual component scores as well as composite scores are provided for the total number of academic exams that are administered.
These academically oriented subjects include:
· Basic Math
· Reading Comprehension
· Vocabulary and General Knowledge
· Grammar
· Chemistry
· Biology
· Anatomy and Physiology
The Learning Style and Personality Profile exams are available for the purpose of offering insights about student study habits, learning preferences, and dispositions as they relate to academic achievement. Schools of nursing decide which HESI A2 components will be required for their own applicants to complete.
These requirements as well as minimum cut scores are also decided by faculty who are guided by research and data. These requirements can change from one year to the next and from school to school, so be sure to carefully read your program’s requirements.
Many schools of nursing also include HESI’s Critical Thinking exam as an additional requirement of the entrance exam.
Applicants to the UTRGV nursing program must achieve 75% or higher on the required individual components of the HESI A2 Exam and a 750 or higher in Critical Thinking.
The UTRGV School of Nursing requires:
· Reading Comprehension
· Grammar
· Vocabulary and Knowledge
· Anatomy and Physiology
· Basic Math
· Critical Thinking
Students can prepare for HESI using the HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review Manual. The Review Manual contains a 25-question pre-test at the beginning of the text which helps you assess your areas of strength and weakness before using the text. Applicants also can practice on a 50-question comprehensive post –test is included at the back of the text and covers all of the subject areas included on the exam. The questions will also include rationales for correct/incorrect answers. There is also an Evolve companion site with two comprehensive practice exams to further assist your review and preparation for the HESI Admission Assessment Exam. Applicants may purchase this manual either from the UTRGV bookstore or directly online by following this link:
Yes, applicants may retest on Version 2 of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam for any components where the minimum score was not achieved.
While there is no minimum for the Cumulative score, it counts 20% of your rank points. To obtain a new Cumulative score, all components except Critical Thinking
must be taken in one sitting again.
HESI scores are only accepted until the application cycle closes; late scores are NOT accepted.
Applicants choosing to retest only need to test on the sections where the minimum score was not achieved.
The HESI A2 Exam cannot be split into individual parts, so the exam is delivered with all components in-tact and the cost remains the same regardless of how many components you are testing on.
Yes, late scores are NOT accepted after the cycle closes. Applicants should plan accordingly. There is a three-week waiting period before retesting.
HESI policy requires a waiting period of three weeks before students are allowed to retest. UTRGV SON applicants are allowed ONLY two HESI exam attempts during an academic year (September 1-August 31).
HESI scores are only accepted until the application cycle closes; late scores are NOT accepted.
Applicants may schedule a second attempt three weeks after your original test date. Use your time between attempts to complete meaningful remediation by targeting your knowledge gaps. Make use of the online content provided on Evolve by reviewing missed content and completing the online item banks.
HESI scores are only accepted until the application cycle closes; late scores are NOT accepted.
Yes, since the HESI A2 is a weighted percentage of the admission criteria, some students choose to retest even when the 75% minimum or 750 for Critical Thinking is met. Retesting in these cases is not required. 20% of your rank points come from your Cumulative score. 20% of your rank points come from your Critical Thinking score. To obtain a new Cumulative score, all components except Critical Thinking must be taken in one sitting again.
HESI scores are only accepted until the application cycle closes; late scores are NOT accepted.
Per UTRGV admission policy, HESI A2 scores are valid for one year from the date of testing. Applicants may submit scores from other institutions. HESI Scores must be less than one year old from the date you submit your application.
There is no minimum requirement for the Cumulative score. However, the Cumulative score counts for 20% of an applicant’s rank points.
To obtain a new Cumulative score, all components except Critical Thinking must be taken in one sitting again.
Access content relevant to your missed test items on the HESI A2 through your HESI Student Access link on Evolve.
HESI policy requires a wait period of three weeks before students are allowed to retest. UTRGV SON applicants are allowed two attempts at the HESI exam during an academic year (September 1-August 31).
Applicants choosing to retest only have to test on the sections where 75% was not achieved.
Applicants choosing to retest will be tested on an alternate version of the HESI A2. Same content but different test items.
Be advised that the Admission Assessment Exam cannot be split into individual parts, so the exam is delivered with all components in-tact and the cost remains the same regardless of how many components you are testing on.
- HESI Scores for Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary & Knowledge, Anatomy and Physiology and Math; and
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HESI Critical Thinking