HESI Requirements:

The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) is a computerized test. The HESI A2 must be taken prior to submitting your application. The HESI A2 Examination is required for all ABSN and Generic BSN applicants.

Applicants must achieve a score of 75% or higher on the required components of the HESI A2 Exam (Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Math, Anatomy and Physiology, and Critical Thinking of minimum score of 750).  Applicants not meeting the minimum score requirements are not processed or considered. 

• There are two HESI score sheets that must be uploaded to the application portal (Critical Thinking is on a separate score sheet).
• There is not a minimum Cumulative score requirement, but it counts 20% towards your total ranking. To improve a Cumulative score, the applicant must take all components, except Critical Thinking, in one sitting. Critical Thinking may be taken with the exam if applicant wishes to improve their score, but it is not part of the cumulative score.

Scheduling your HESI Exam:

HESI exams must be taken on-site at UTRGV  or on-site at another college or university Testing Center. 

Applicants may elect to take the HESI exam at an authorized Prometric in person only, but applicants must follow and take the exam via HESI Distance Testing instructions on UTRGV Testing Center’s website only.   The UTRGV School of Nursing does not accept any "at home testing" results.

IMPORTANT:  Applicant who choose the distance testing route, registration must be completed through the UTRGV Testing Center only, as SON will not accept distance testing results facilitated by other institutions. Any distance exams not complying with the above will not be accepted and applicant must reapply for the next cycle or retake the exam if a second attempt in an academic year has not been completed.

Remember to

• Test early to enable you to retake the exam should you not meet the minimum score or wish to take the exam or any component over again before the cycle closes.
• Take into consideration that there is a three-week waiting period before you can retest, and late scores are not accepted.

See UTRGV Testing Center Information for HESI Cost and Scheduling

Missing or Invalid HESI Scores:

Applications will be marked incomplete and will not be ranked or considered if the required and valid HESI scores for each component are not uploaded to the application system before the cycle closing date (upload early to allow for any technical difficulties).

Invalid HESI scores include the following:

• Late HESI exam scores taken and submitted after the cycle closing date (late scores are not accepted).
• Missing HESI scores reports that are not uploaded to the application (ensure that you upload the second score sheet with your Critical Thinking score).
• Expired HESI scores (over one year from the application submission).
• Cumulative HESI scores will not be valid or considered if a student did not take all sections in one sitting. The only section that is not required to be taken in a sitting is the Critical Thinking section.
• HESI exam(s) or any section more than twice in an academic year.
• HESI exam retests taken before the three-week waiting period.
• Submitting two of the same versions of the HESI exam; a second exam must be marked with Version 2 (V2).
• If taking the exam via distance testing, and not registering to take HESI through the UTRGV Testing Center and in person at an authorized Prometric Center only. No other distance testing service may be provided.
• Taking the HESI exam at home.

HESI Guidelines:

The following guidelines must be followed when applying to the BSN and 2nd Degree BSN programs.

• HESI exam scores are valid one year from the date you take the exam until the date you “submit” your completed application.
• Applicants choosing to retest must 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 score requirement for the Cumulative score, it counts 20% of your rank points. Cumulative score must not be over one year old for date of submission.
• Applicants retesting must retest on Version 2 of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam for any components where the minimum score was not achieved.
• The UTRGV School of Nursing requires a 3-week waiting period before you can retest for HESI (applicants must adhere to this requirement if testing in person at another institution and plan accordingly in case they need to retest while the application cycle is still open).
• HESI scores, including the Critical Thinking score sheet must be submitted via the application portal before the cycle closes as late HESI scores are not valid or accepted (the Critical Thinking score sheet is separate from other scores)
• The HESI exam  or any section may not be taken more than twice each academic year (September 1 through August 31).
• Your highest valid HESI score that meets the minimum score requirement and submitted is considered (submit all your valid score sheets if you would like us to consider your highest score from each exam).
• Adhere to all UTRGV Testing Center or other college or university testing instructions and requirements for scheduling and test-taking.
• Applicants not meeting the minimum HESI requirements, and/or submitting scores that do not meet the minimum score requirements, will not have their applications considered or processed.

Applicants must read the HESI FAQS for additional important information, including HESI preparation recommendations.

The above information is subject to change and any updates will be published on this webpage.