Search Reddit for the HESI A2 and the same handful of questions come up again and again. Here are plain, honest answers to the ones applicants ask most — and a short drill so you can see where you stand.
For most people it is a fair test of high-school-level academics, not a trick exam. The pressure comes from breadth and timing rather than depth: you are asked to be competent across math, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and sciences in one sitting. Applicants who prepare across all required sections — rather than leaning on their strong ones — tend to find it manageable.
There is no universal passing score; each program sets its own bar. Many nursing programs look for a cumulative score in the mid-to-high range (often cited around 75–80% or higher), and competitive programs expect more. The only number that matters is your program's — confirm it before you build a study plan around a target.
Yes — the Math section provides a basic on-screen calculator. You do not need to bring one, and you should practise with a simple four-function calculator so the tool is familiar. The challenge in Math is setting up the problem, not the keystrokes.
Retakes are allowed, but the rules — how long you must wait and how many attempts you get in a window — are set by your program, not a single national policy. Check your school's retake policy before your first attempt so you know what a second try would involve.
Most applicants spread preparation over a few weeks rather than cramming. The honest answer depends on your starting point: take a short diagnostic across the sections your program requires, then spend the most time on whatever is furthest from your target. Steady practice beats one long session.
Tap an answer to check it instantly. These 5 questions are free; the full timed exam has the rest.
1. Thirst often becomes a less reliable signal as people age. Older adults also tend to have less total body water than younger adults, and some take medications that increase fluid loss. As a result, they can become dehydrated before they feel the need to drink. For this reason, many caregivers offer fluids at regular intervals instead of waiting for a request. What is the main idea of this passage?
Answer: C. The passage describes several reasons older adults are vulnerable to dehydration and concludes that caregivers should offer fluids before they are requested.
2. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Answer: B. The subject 'nurse' is singular, and the phrase 'along with two students' does not change it, so the singular verb 'is' is correct.
3. Evaluate: 18 + 6 × (9 − 4) ÷ 3
Answer: B. Following the order of operations, 9 − 4 = 5, then 6 × 5 ÷ 3 = 10, and 18 + 10 = 28.
4. A nurse reads in a patient's chart that a medication is contraindicated for the patient. What does this mean?
Answer: B. A contraindication is a condition or factor that makes a particular treatment or drug inadvisable because it could be harmful.
5. A nurse describes a wound on the patient's forearm as being located proximal to the wrist. Which statement best explains this term?
Answer: B. Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment to the trunk, so a site proximal to the wrist lies closer to the elbow.
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The common consensus is that it is a fair high-school-level academic test, and the difficulty comes from breadth and timing rather than depth. Applicants who prepare across all required sections, not just their strong ones, generally find it manageable.
There is no universal passing score — each program sets its own. Many programs look for a cumulative score around 75–80% or higher, and competitive programs expect more. Confirm your own program's requirement.
Yes. The Math section provides a basic on-screen four-function calculator. The hard part is setting up each problem correctly, not the arithmetic itself.
Retakes are allowed, but the waiting period and attempt limits are set by your nursing program rather than a single national rule. Check your school's retake policy.