How do you study for the HESI A2 exam?
Find out which HESI A2 sections your nursing program requires, then study those first. Review math, reading, vocabulary and grammar, plus the science sections your school picked, such as anatomy and physiology. Do practice questions after each topic, use flashcards for terms, and take a timed practice test. Repeat weak topics until you can explain them.
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In more detail
The HESI A2 is an admission exam for nursing and other health programs. Schools choose which sections you must take and what score they want, so start by asking your program. Typical sections are math, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, and sciences like anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry and physics.
Math is where practice pays most: fractions, ratios, unit conversions and word problems. Practice the setup by hand until it is automatic. Reading, vocabulary and grammar improve with timed practice, and anatomy and physiology needs many terms, so flashcards and labeled diagrams earn their place.
A weekly plan beats cramming. Pick two sections per week and end each session with questions. Take a timed practice test about two weeks before your date, then use the results to decide where your last days go.
Step by step
- 1
Ask your program which sections and scores it requires.
- 2
Take a practice test first to see your baseline in each section.
- 3
Rank the sections by weakness and plan your weeks around them.
- 4
Study one topic at a time and finish with practice questions.
- 5
Use flashcards and labeled diagrams for anatomy and physiology terms.
- 6
Take a timed practice test, review every miss, and repeat weak topics before test day.
How StudyPDF helps
Upload your anatomy notes, math review pages or prep book chapters, and StudyPDF builds flashcards, quizzes and a practice exam from them. It can build image-occlusion cards from a labeled anatomy diagram, so you recall each label. Set your test date in the Plan tab. It does not include official HESI questions.
See also
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More questions
How long should you study for the HESI A2?
Many applicants plan a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how long ago they took the math and science courses. Start with a baseline practice test so you can see which sections need the most time.
What score do you need on the HESI A2?
It depends on your school. Each program sets its own minimum scores per section, so check the admissions page or ask the program directly.
What is the hardest part of the HESI A2?
For many people it is the math or the science sections, because they use content from earlier classes. A baseline practice test shows you which one it is for you.
Do it on your own course
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