HESI A2 Experience

Published Sep 29, 2016

15 Posts

So, today I took the HESI A2, and I got a 92% overall. I had to take the math, reading comprehension, vocab, grammar, chemistry, biology, and A&P sections. I just thought I would share my experience and scores. I was extremely nervous going into the test even though I studied for the past month. You have 4 hours for the test. You can pick what order you take the sections in! I took the reading and math first because I wanted to get the more time consuming sections completed first. I hear the official Elsevier book is very helpful, but I didn't have enough time to get a copy of the book. However, I found a few others at Barnes and Noble that proved to be useful!

I used Trivium Test Prep HESI A2 Study Guide. I felt the sections that covered all the study material for the various topics were pretty helpful. The practice test was helpful except for the math and chemistry sections. Those two practice tests had a lot of types of questions that weren't even on the test. For practice tests, I suggest McGraw-Hill's 3 Evolve Reach (HESI) A2 Practice Tests. The math tests are very similar to the actual test.

Math section: I got a 96%. Again the practice tests in the McGraw-Hill book helped me a lot. Know how to do equations with fractions, decimals, ratios, and memorize your conversions including metric and english conversions!!! If you are scoring well on those practice tests, you will be fine on the real exam. Also, yes a calculator is provided on the computer.

Reading section: 92% I only took one practice test from the McGraw-Hill book. I suggest just taking a few practice tests because they ask the same type of questions as the real exam.

Chem: 84% I felt lost as far as what to study for this section because all my books had very detailed questions. However, the real test has VERY basic questions. The practice tests weren't helpful but the information provided in the Trivium book in the chemistry section was for the most part.

Biology: 100% The material in the Trivium book was helpful for review as again it was VERY basic bio questions. The practice tests were in more detail than the actual test. In the McGraw-Hill it gives a list of bio topics the test covers. Know the basics of those topics.

Vocab: 90% I studied the list of terms given in the Trivium book. Also, I suggest doing the vocab tests in the Mcgraw book. I recognized words from both study aids.

Grammar: 90% The test has the same type of questions as the McGraw-Hill book. This section is just a matter of taking the practice tests and improving on the type of questions you miss.

A&P: 96% I felt like the questions were also pretty basic. The Trivium book has about 20 something pages on anatomy that covers all the body systems. knowing the muscular system is helpful. The practice tests in both books were helpful.

I think my best advice is to keep taking practice tests!! Preparation is key! I would read the study material in the books a good 3 times and make flash cards on anything I didn't know. Also, I watched videos on youtube on any topics in math or science I wasn't sure of. Try to use as many resources as you can to improve your score. :) Good luck to everyone out there.