What is the HESI Exam?

January 17, 2025

What is the HESI Exam?

The HESI Exam stands for “Health Education Systems, INC.”. Nursing schools generally require nursing students to take this standardized computer test before being accepted into the nursing school or program and as well as an exit exam. The entrance exam is the HESI A2 and the exit exam is the HESI. Schools use the HESI A2 test to determine if the applicants qualify for entrance into the program and the HESI exam to determine if they’re prepared to pass the NCLEX exam. Regardless if you’re interested in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or a Registered Nurse (RN), be prepared to take these exams as they’ve become a common practice.

The HESI A2 Exam

The HESI A2 Exam, or the HESI Admission Assessment Exam, is a nursing entrance exam many schools and nursing programs require in order to get accepted. The exam is used as a part of the screening process for admissions and not a graded assessment. Now, you may be thinking how can you be tested on nursing if you haven’t started the program yet? No need to panic – this exam covers general knowledge and topics.

The entrance exam consists of approximately 326 questions and has a time limit of anywhere between three to five hours. However, it’s important to note that not all nursing schools or programs give the test in its entirety. Some schools may choose to only test on a few categories. On the HESI A2 exam you can expect to be questioned on the following topics:

Reading: 47 questions
Comprehension: 47 questions
Vocabulary: 50 questions
Grammar: 50 questions
Math: 50 questions
Biology: 25 questions
Anatomy and Physiology: 25 questions
Physics: 25 questions
Chemistry: 25 questions

The HESI Exit Exam

The HESI exam is an exit exam given by nursing schools to determine if students are well-prepared to take the NCLEX. In some cases, they may even use this exit exam to determine if the student is eligible to graduate. Depending on the nursing credential students are pursuing, they’ll either take the HESI RN Exit Exam or the HESI-PN Exit Exam. The test is given during the last semester and the results will help students determine areas that may need more focus. Just like the entrance exam, schools can choose which version they give their students therefore the exam can consist of anywhere between 75-150 questions. The school may also choose different scores in order to move forward and graduate.

The HESI exit exam is based solely on the nursing curriculum and aims to mimic the NCLEX. The HESI exit exam includes the same style questions you will encounter on the NCLEX exam. The types of questions you can expect are multiple choice, fill in the blank, drag/drop, and multiple responses. Since nursing students must pass the NCLEX in order to be licensed and practice within the field, the subjects on the exam are the same subjects you’ll come across on the NCLEX. The exit exam includes the following subjects:

The Nursing Process
- Assessment, Analysis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
Client Needs
- Safe/Effective Environment, Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmaceutical and Parenteral Tx, Reduce Risk Potential, Physio Adaption.
Specialty Area
- Community Health, Critical Care, Fundamentals, Geriatrics, Maternity, Medical Surgical, Pathophysiology, Pediatrics, Professional Issues, Psychiatric/Mental Health.

How Does the HESI Impact Your Career?

For some nursing schools, passing the HESI exam is often a requirement to enter and graduate the nursing program. Therefore, if your nursing school uses the exam for nursing students then it can have a huge impact on your career as a nurse. Once you’ve completed the exam, graduated the nursing program, and passed the NCLEX, you can now move towards entering the nursing field as a professional. Depending on the program you completed, you can pursue rewarding careers such as:

Registered Nurse (RN) in NJ or NY: Registered Nurses are in high demand in both of these states due to a number of factors. There is an abundance of job opportunities for RNs in NY or NJ in hospitals, schools, clinics, and more.
Licensed Practical Nurse in NJ or NY: LPNs are a vital part of the healthcare team and play a crucial role in patient care. There is a continuous growing need for LPNs in settings such as long-term care facilities and home health.

Final Thoughts

It may feel overwhelming starting your journey towards becoming a professional nurse, but it’s a pathway towards a fulfilling career. Whether you’re aiming to become a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse, these exams ensure that you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. The demand for skilled and qualified RNs and LPNs in New Jersey and New York is continuing to grow, making now the perfect time to take that first step.