What Is On The HESI A2? | Sections, Scores, Study Plan

The HESI A2 usually tests math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, and science subtests selected by your nursing program.

If you’re getting ready for nursing school admissions, this test can feel fuzzy at first. Schools use the HESI A2 in different ways, so the exact mix of sections on your exam may not match someone else’s version. That’s the part that trips people up.

Here’s the plain answer: the HESI A2 is a menu-style admissions exam. Your school picks the subtests it wants, sets score targets, and may set timing or retake rules. You need to know both the standard HESI A2 subjects and your program’s local rules before you build a study plan.

This article gives you the full picture of what is commonly on the HESI A2, what each section asks you to do, how scoring works, and how to study in a way that fits the test you’ll actually take.

What The HESI A2 Measures For Nursing School Admissions

The HESI Admission Assessment (often called HESI A2) checks academic readiness for health program applicants. It is not one single fixed test form used the same way at every school. Programs can require different subtests, so two students may both say “I took the HESI A2” and still have taken different section sets.

Most schools use it to screen for core skills used in early nursing coursework: reading, grammar, vocabulary, and math. Many programs also add science sections, especially anatomy and physiology. Some schools include extra assessments like learning style or personality profile for local use.

That means your first step is not “start studying everything.” Your first step is checking your nursing program’s admissions page, testing center page, or applicant packet and making a list of the exact HESI A2 subtests required for your application cycle.

What Students Usually Mean When They Ask What Is On The HESI A2?

Most students are asking one of three things:

• Which subjects can appear on the exam
• Which subjects are required most often
• What topics inside each subject need study time

You need all three answers. A list of subjects alone won’t help if you spend two weeks on physics and your school does not require physics at all.

Common HESI A2 Sections You May Be Assigned

The HESI A2 can include English/language, math, and science subtests. Schools choose from these options. The most common lineup for nursing applicants includes:

• Math
• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary and General Knowledge
• Grammar
• Anatomy and Physiology (often required)

Some schools also require one or more of these science subtests:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

A few programs also assign non-academic profiles such as learning style or personality profile. Those may appear in school materials even when they are not used in the admission score the same way as the academic subtests.

Why School Requirements Vary So Much

Nursing programs are built differently. One school may require anatomy and physiology before admission, while another teaches more of that content in the first term. One school may care more about math readiness, while another sets stronger cutoffs for reading and grammar. So the HESI A2 gets configured to match that program’s course sequence and admission process.

This is also why score advice online can sound messy. A “good” score depends on your program’s minimums, applicant competition, and whether your school looks at a composite score, individual subtest scores, or both.

What Is On The HESI A2? Section-By-Section Breakdown

Here’s what each common HESI A2 section is trying to measure and what students usually need to practice.

Math

HESI A2 math is usually practical and healthcare-oriented. You’re not doing advanced algebra. You’re working through arithmetic cleanly, reading the question carefully, and avoiding setup mistakes.

Topics often include fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, conversions, and basic word problems. You may also see household measures, Roman numerals, and simple dosage-style calculations depending on the school and version used.

The trap in this section is speed plus accuracy. Many students know the math but lose points on unit conversion steps or by rushing a multi-step problem.

Reading Comprehension

This section checks how well you read a passage and pull meaning from it. Expect questions on the main idea, supporting details, conclusions, and vocabulary in context. Some passages use health-related content, but the reading skill is the target, not your prior clinical knowledge.

Students who struggle here often read too fast, then answer from memory instead of returning to the passage. The better move is to treat the passage as evidence and match each answer to what is written.

Vocabulary And General Knowledge

This section mixes everyday word meaning with health-related terminology. Prefixes, suffixes, and roots can help a lot. If you know how word parts work, you can decode unfamiliar terms and cut down wrong choices fast.

Many students treat this as a memorization section only. That helps, but pattern recognition matters too. Learning common medical word parts gives you more range than memorizing a short word list.

Grammar

Grammar tests sentence correctness and standard written English. You may see punctuation, subject-verb agreement, pronouns, word usage, sentence structure, and common errors.

This section rewards steady reading. A sentence that “sounds okay” can still be wrong. Read for agreement, tense consistency, and punctuation fit.

Anatomy And Physiology

This is one of the most assigned science subtests for nursing applicants. It checks body systems, anatomical terms, and basic function relationships. Students often see questions on organ systems, structures, and normal physiological processes.

A&P can feel heavy since it spans many units. Your best gains come from core system mapping: structure, function, and how one part connects to another.

Biology

Biology may cover cells, metabolism, biomolecules, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, and general biological processes. Some programs require it, some don’t.

If biology is on your school’s HESI A2 list, don’t treat it like a side section. It can move your composite score and may have a separate minimum.

Chemistry

Chemistry may include atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, reactions, equations, and properties of matter. Most HESI A2 chemistry questions stay at intro level, though wording can still be tricky.

Students do better when they practice concept meaning, not only symbols. If you know what a question is asking in plain words, answer choices get easier to sort.

Physics

Physics is less common for many nursing programs, though some schools do include it. Topics can include motion, force, energy, waves, light, and basic mechanics.

If your school does not require physics, skip it and spend that time on assigned sections. If it is required, focus on formulas and concept meaning together instead of memorizing equations alone.

Subtest	What It Tests	What To Practice Most
Math	Arithmetic and healthcare-style calculations	Fractions, ratios, proportions, conversions, word problems
Reading Comprehension	Passage understanding and reasoning	Main idea, details, inference, context clues
Vocabulary & General Knowledge	Word meaning, medical terms, language range	Prefixes/suffixes/roots, health terms, common vocabulary
Grammar	Standard written English rules	Punctuation, agreement, pronouns, sentence errors
Anatomy & Physiology	Body structures and functions	Body systems, terminology, function relationships
Biology	General biology concepts and processes	Cells, metabolism, genetics, respiration, biomolecules
Chemistry	Intro chemistry concepts and reactions	Periodic table, bonding, equations, matter properties
Physics	Intro physics concepts	Motion, force, energy, waves, light

How To Confirm Your Exact HESI A2 Version Before You Study

This step saves time and prevents score surprises. Start with your nursing program’s admissions page and testing center instructions. Look for a section list, score minimums, retake limits, and whether they accept remote testing or only campus testing.

Some schools publish the exact subtests and question counts they use. Others list only the section names. You can also check the test registration instructions from your program and the HESI materials your school assigns. Elsevier’s official HESI resources and review materials list the common subject areas tested on admission exams, which gives you a strong baseline for planning. See the HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review page for the standard subject mix.

Then compare that baseline to your school’s published testing page. A school testing center page may show its own required sections, time rules, and retake intervals. One example is Tarrant County College’s HESI A2 exam information, which lists sections and local testing notes for its applicants.

Checklist To Verify Before You Open A Study Book

• Required subtests for your program
• Minimum score on each subtest
• Composite score target or requirement
• Retake policy and waiting period
• Testing format (campus, testing center, remote)
• Allowed tools (calculator, scratch paper rules, ID rules)
• Application deadline tied to score submission

Print this list or save it in your notes app. It will shape your study order.

How HESI A2 Scoring Usually Works

HESI A2 scoring can be confusing since schools can set their own admission rules on top of the test results. You may receive scores by subtest and a composite score. Some programs care most about the composite, while others require a minimum in each assigned section.

A student can miss admission even with a decent composite score if one required section falls below a section cutoff. That’s why balanced preparation beats putting all your hours into one favorite subject.

What A Strong Score Means In Practice

A strong score is not just “high.” It is high enough for your program and clean across all required sections. If your school posts only a minimum score, treat that as the floor, not the target. Competitive applicant pools can push practical target scores higher than the printed minimum.

If your school shares admitted-student score ranges, use those numbers to set your target. If not, aim to build a buffer above the posted minimum so one weak section does not drag your application.

Score Rule Type	What It Means For You	Study Adjustment
Composite score only	Total performance matters most	Raise weaker sections, then push strongest sections
Minimum on each subtest	One low section can block admission	Study all required sections weekly
Composite + subtest minimums	You need balance and total points	Use mixed practice and score tracking
Highest score accepted after retake	Retake can help if policy allows	Target weak sections before next attempt
Single attempt or strict retake spacing	Timing mistakes cost application chances	Start prep earlier and test under timed conditions

What To Study First For The HESI A2

Start with the sections your school requires, then rank them by score impact and your current weakness. This keeps your prep tight and cuts wasted hours.

Best Study Order For Most Students

1. Confirm required subtests and score rules
2. Take a baseline practice set for each required subtest
3. Fix math and grammar foundations early
4. Build daily reading and vocabulary reps
5. Cycle science review by topic blocks if science is required
6. Take timed mixed practice in the final stretch

Math and grammar often improve fast with targeted drilling. Reading and vocabulary improve with steady repetition. Science needs chunked review, not random cramming.

Study Habits That Raise Scores Faster

Use short sessions with clear targets. A 40-minute block on ratios and conversions beats a vague three-hour session that jumps between topics. Track misses by type, not only by score. “Missed 9 questions” tells you little. “Missed 5 conversion setups” tells you what to fix tomorrow.

Also, practice test timing. Students lose points from rushing late in a section even when they know the content. Timed practice shows where your pacing slips and where careless errors show up.

Common Mistakes Students Make On HESI A2 Prep

Studying The Wrong Sections

This is the biggest one. Students borrow a friend’s HESI A2 notes and study sections their own school does not require. Start with your program list, then build your plan.

Using Only Passive Review

Reading notes feels productive, but scores move when you answer questions, check why you missed them, and repeat the same skill until the pattern sticks.

Ignoring Reading And Grammar Because They Feel Familiar

These sections can look easier than science, so students put them off. Then a weak grammar score undercuts the application. Put English sections in your weekly plan from day one.

Waiting Too Late To Learn Test Rules

ID rules, registration steps, testing location, and retake spacing can affect your deadline plan. Get those details early so your score arrives on time and your test date fits your application window.

A Practical 4-Week HESI A2 Study Plan Template

If your test date is close, use a simple weekly cycle and adapt it to your required subtests.

Week 1: Baseline And Core Skills

Take short practice sets in each required section. Build your mistake log. Start math fundamentals, grammar review, and daily reading passages.

Week 2: Target Weak Areas

Shift more time to your weakest required sections. If A&P is required, split review by body system. If chemistry is required, review one topic block at a time and do practice questions after each block.

Week 3: Timed Practice And Mixed Sets

Run timed sections and mixed practice. Focus on pacing, question reading, and answer selection discipline. Keep your mistake log active and rework missed question types.

Week 4: Final Review And Test Readiness

Do lighter review of your strongest areas and focused drills on weak spots. Check all test-day logistics. Sleep and timing matter here. You want a clear head more than one extra cram session the night before.

What To Bring Into Test Day Mentally

You do not need to know every topic at a perfect level to earn a strong score. You need the right sections, steady pacing, and clean execution on the questions you can answer. Read closely, manage your time, and do not let one hard item derail the section.

If you’ve matched your study plan to your school’s HESI A2 setup, you’re already ahead of many test takers. That alignment is what turns prep time into score gains.