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Your FREE HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) Practice Test 2026 – 1280+ Q&A

Prepare with realistic, HESI A2 exam-style questions — take the full test or focused section drills.

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Click Start Test above to launch a full-length HESI A2 practice test, or drill a single section — Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, or Physics. Every question includes a detailed explanation so you learn the reasoning, not just the answer.

The HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) by Elsevier is an entrance exam many nursing and allied-health programs use to screen applicants.[1]Your program picks which sections you take, so the best way to prepare is targeted, section-by-section practice. That’s what these free HESI A2 practice tests and test prep are built for.[2]

HESI A2 at a Glance

HESI A2 at a glance
DetailHESI A2
QuestionsUp to 340 on a full 8-section form (300 scored + 40 unscored pilot)
SectionsUp to 8 (your program selects which)
Academic sectionsMath, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar (≈55 each)
Science sectionsBiology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics (≈30 each)
Passing scoreNo universal cutoff — set by your program (often 75–80% per section)
Time≈ 5 hours for a full 8-section exam; each section is its own timed block, with limits set by your program
Exam fee4040–100 (set by the school/site)
RetakesAllowed; limited by your program's policy

What Is on the HESI A2 Exam?

The HESI A2 covers up to eight sections: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics.[1]Most nursing programs require the academic sections plus one or two sciences, with Anatomy & Physiology the most common.

A full 8-section sitting runs up to 340 questions (300 scored plus 40 unscored pilot items), with the four English/Math sections at about 55 questions each and the four science sections at about 30 each.[3] Because the exam is modular, your total length depends on which sections your program requires. This practice test simulates the full-length form so you are ready for any configuration.

Weight your studying toward your program’s required sections — and toward A&P, Chemistry, and Math, where points are most often lost:

HESI A2 practice weighting (by section)
Mathematics16% · ~55 Qs (50 scored)
Reading Comprehension16% · ~55 Qs (50 scored)
Vocabulary and General Knowledge16% · ~55 Qs (50 scored)
Grammar16% · ~55 Qs (50 scored)
Anatomy & Physiology9% · ~30 Qs (25 scored)
Biology9% · ~30 Qs (25 scored)
Chemistry9% · ~30 Qs (25 scored)
Physics9% · ~30 Qs (25 scored)

Section sizes vary by program; the chart shows a representative full-exam mix. Confirm your program’s required sections.

Practice the HESI A2 by Section

Take the full timed test from the Start Test button above, or target one section at a time with the drills below — each pulls from hundreds of realistic, explained questions.

HESI A2 Math Practice Test

Basic math skills: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios and proportions, and dosage-style word problems. Use the Mathematics drill to build speed and accuracy.[3]

HESI A2 Reading Practice Test

Reading comprehension: main idea, supporting details, inference, and author’s purpose from passages. Use the Reading Comprehension drill to practice timed, close reading.

HESI A2 Vocabulary Practice Test

Vocabulary and general knowledge, with an emphasis on medical and everyday terms. Use the Vocabulary and General Knowledge drill to lock in high-frequency words.

HESI A2 Grammar Practice Test

Grammar and sentence structure: parts of speech, common errors, and usage. Use the Grammar drill to master the rules that recur on the test.

HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology Practice Test

Anatomy & Physiology — the highest-yield science section for most programs, covering body systems, structures, and functions. Use the Anatomy & Physiology drill, where many points are won or lost.

HESI A2 Biology Practice Test

Biology: cells, metabolism, genetics, and biological molecules. Use the Biology drill to firm up core concepts.

HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test

Chemistry: atomic structure, the periodic table, reactions, and chemical bonds. Use the Chemistry drill — a common stumbling block — to build confidence.

HESI A2 Physics Practice Test

Physics (required by some programs): motion, force, energy, and basic equations. Use the Physics drill if your program includes this section.

How Is the HESI A2 Scored?

The HESI A2 is scored as a percentage for each section plus a cumulative composite result.[2] There is no single national pass mark — each program decides which sections count and what score you need.

What Score Do You Need to Pass the HESI A2?

Most programs require around 75–80% on each required section, and competitive programs expect higher.[2]Always confirm your target program’s exact cutoff and which sections it requires.

75–80%
Typical section cutoff
competitive programs higher
Up to 340
Questions on a full form
300 scored + 40 pilot
≈ 5 hrs
Full 8-section time
each section timed

What to Expect on Exam Day

On HESI A2 exam day, expect a full 8-section test of about five hours, with each section its own separately timed block. Because your program chooses which of the up-to-eight sections you take, your total testing time varies.

[1] You’ll test either at your school’s testing center or through Elsevier/HESI remote proctoring, so confirm the format with your program ahead of time. Bring a valid government photo ID, arrive early, and expect to leave personal items and phones outside the testing area.

Scores are typically available immediately after you finish. The closer your prep mirrors the real thing, the calmer you’ll be — simulate the per-section timing with the practice tests above so each block’s pacing feels familiar.

How to Use HESI A2 Practice Tests

  • Know your required sections. Confirm which sections your program requires, then focus there.
  • Diagnose, then drill. Take a full test to find weak spots, then drill that section until it clears your cutoff.
  • Prioritize A&P, Chemistry, and Math. They’re the most-missed.
  • Practice timed. Each section is its own timed block — build per-section pacing.[2]
  • Aim above your cutoff. If your program wants 75%, practice to 85% for a margin.

HESI A2 Practice Test FAQ

The HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) by Elsevier has up to eight academic sections — Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics. A full 8-section form is up to 340 questions (300 scored plus 40 unscored pilot items). Each nursing program chooses which sections you must take, so confirm your program's required sections.

References

  1. 1.Elsevier. “HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam.” Evolve / Elsevier, 2026.
  2. 2.Elsevier. “HESI A2 Student Guide (Own Device).” Evolve / Elsevier, 2024.
  3. 3.Elsevier. “HESI Exam Solutions for Nursing.” Elsevier.
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