HESI A2 Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The HESI A2 Admission Assessment is made up of modules in mathematics, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology; each program chooses which modules to require (Elsevier HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review, 6th edition). Passing scores are set by each program: school documents used 70 or higher on reading and math, while a 75 percent benchmark is commonly cited but is not published by Elsevier. This portal's practice set has 310 multiple-choice questions across the seven subjects.

A strong HESI A2 score is often a deciding factor in admission to competitive nursing and allied health programs.

Applicants to nursing, practical nursing and allied health programs that require the HESI A2, and applicants retaking it.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

Retake rules belong to the program: school documents allowed two or three attempts, a 30-day wait between attempts in one case, and remediation windows of up to twelve months. Check your program's admission page.

There is no single passing score: each nursing or allied health program sets minimum scores per section or for a composite. Examples seen were 70 or higher on reading and math, and a few programs ask for 80 percent on every scored section. Format: computer-based modules chosen by your program, mostly multiple choice. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The HESI A2 Admission Assessment is made up of modules in mathematics, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology; each program chooses which modules to require (Elsevier HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review, 6th edition). Passing scores are set by each program: school documents used 70 or higher on reading and math, while a 75 percent benchmark is commonly cited but is not published by Elsevier. This portal's practice set has 310 multiple-choice questions across the seven subjects. Computer-based modules in math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry and anatomy and physiology · programs choose the modules and score requirements. There is no single passing score: each nursing or allied health program sets minimum scores per section or for a composite. Examples seen were 70 or higher on reading and math, and a few programs ask for 80 percent on every scored section.

• Mathematics17.7%
• Reading Comprehension17.7%
• Vocabulary17.7%
• Grammar17.7%
• Biology9.7%
• Chemistry9.7%
• Anatomy and Physiology9.7%

The content outline spreads questions across 7 areas: Mathematics (17.7%); Reading Comprehension (17.7%); Vocabulary (17.7%); Grammar (17.7%); Biology (9.7%); Chemistry (9.7%); Anatomy and Physiology (9.7%).

Elsevier publishes the assessment and its review book, but each admitting program decides who must test, which modules apply, what scores count and how many attempts are allowed. Start from your program's admission requirements page.

Costs vary by school: handouts listed about $40 to $50 per sitting; rescheduling after a missed test cost about $50 at one school. No Elsevier list price was found.

Scores are commonly accepted for about two years, but that varies by institution; ask your program.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Mathematics (17.7%); Reading Comprehension (17.7%); Vocabulary (17.7%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 310 questions in one sitting.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check your program and Elsevier before you register.