What I Wish I Would Have Known About the HESI A2 Entrance Exam!

Nursing Students HESI

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So before I begin to explain the title of my thread, I would first like to state I received an overall score of an 88.86% on the exam, which I do not think is half bad considering the circumstances. The school I am applying for was only looking for a 70% cumulative. I was tested on 7 sections:

1) Math

2) Vocabulary and General Knowledge

3) Grammar

4) Chemistry

5) Biology

6) Reading Comprehension

7) Anatomy and Physiology

I took the test on February 28,2015. The test was not "hard", but it definitely can be challenging if you have not taken any A&P classes or chemistry. Those were the ones I struggled with the most. Just like most people will tell you, I recommend the Elsevier Admission Assessment Exam Review, 3rd Edition.

This book helped me a lot in the categories of math, which I received 94%. The book goes into great detail about how to solve the math problems and takes you step-by-step to solving the problem. There are A LOT of fraction problems and a TON of word problems and conversion problems in the math section of the exam, but if you do all of the problems provided in the book and the practice test at the end of the book, I promise you will be just fine! They are all problems straight from the book!

As for the vocabulary (84%) and grammar (92%) section, the book was also very useful. Memorize all of the vocabulary words provided in the book, and you are good to go! If English is your first language, the grammar section will be a BREEZE. If you need a little refreshing about the rules of grammar definitely use this book. You do not have to go any further than that. To study for the reading comprehension (88%) section, I still utilized the book and did all of the practice problems at the end of the chapter and also the practice test at the end of the book. I kept retaking the tests until I got every question right and understood WHY that was the correct answer.

The biology section (100%), was obviously the easiest section for me. It was really basic things that is taught from high school all the way to college. The book helps somewhat, but you are better off using cliff notes to review. Cliff notes does a better job of going more into depth about what you need to know.

CHEMISTRY! Study your notes from class, study your chemistry book. The review book literally skims the details you need to know. So please if chemistry is not your strongest subject, STUDY! I received an 84% on this subject, which I believe was pure luck!

Lastly, the A&P (80%) section, dig into this also! The book does not really help, but still review everything in the book. Some of the HESI hints may be really useful to you. With ALL of the science sections in the book, I recommend you read the book, but also use cliff notes or something else that goes deeper into the subjects. Especially with A&P. Basically if you know where all the muscles/bones/organs are located, then you are going to do wonderful! But for anyone like me, where A&P was never their strongest subject, study hard!

The reason I said there were some things I wish I would have known is because while I was trying to find the best ways to study for the HESI, I would look on websites like this one and also on YouTube. Unlike me, a lot of people only has to take 4 out of the 7 sections I had to take so I never got a full understanding of how to study and for the sections that were never mentioned I just "winged" it during the test. I studied seriously for the test for about a month before the test. I personally recommend to start studying a little earlier than that so you can have more than enough time to know what you need to know without cramming anything.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you have any questions because I did not explain it well enough or you just have questions more about the test and my experience... just ask! I will reply as fast as possible!

Best wishes!

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Hey!

Im taking my entrance exam next month and im stressing like crazy!! Math is not my subject, and I am studying everything in the book you stated in your post. I am going to be taking Math, Reading, Vocabulary, and Grammar. I memorized all the vocabulary words in the book but is that enough? Do all the words come from the book? Also, for the grammar portion what exactly do they ask? Was it tough? English is my first language so I am kind of skeptical about this part. As for the reading part, what do you suggest on working on?

My MAIN concern is the math. I am so scared to take the exam because of this portion. I am studying all the fractions and conversions. Any suggestions for the math portion would be much appreciated!

Im so sorry for all of the questions. I just do not know anybody that took it and your post seemed to help me a lot.

Thanks!

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You did great i passed the hesi with an 80 percent. So you did way better than me. Congrats

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I am scheduled to take this beast tomorrow morning at 10:00... to say that I am terrified would be a gross understatement, but your post has really helped to put my mind at ease a great deal. Thanks again OP for a very informative and mind easing post. :yes:

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Hey!

How did you do? I take mine April 16th. Im worried about the math. Let me know :)

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Hi,

Reading- I know you post this a few weeks back I take my hesi in a few weeks and I am stressing the reading compensation. English is my first language but, I think some of the questions are tricky I have took practice test online and did not do as good as I thought I did any advice?...Also with each reading passage how many questions were they?

-Math, I am not to worries

-Grammar: I took a few practice test and I see I need to sharp up but not to worried.

-Vocabulary: I know you say get all 122 words down but my question is out of 55 questions how many did you see on the test that came from the book?

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Please anyone know of any good study guides for anatomy and vocab?

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Specializes in Hospice care.

For anatomy I would use the flashcards on quizlet.com. Just go through each chapter and work on them :)

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my school still has not given out the information on it but this is very helpful . i need help in a&p 2 and microbiology can you give me any tips on taking notes for those classes

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Thank God this is over. I was scared to my bones when preparing for this exam. Finally, I made 92 in math, 98 in A&P, 98 in grammar, and 78 in reading. Just study, study, study! I studied for 6 months, and it paid off. Believe in yourself!

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Thank God this is over. I was scared to my bones when preparing for this exam. Finally I made 92 in math, 98 in A&P, 98 in grammar, and 78 in reading. Just study, study, study! I studied for 6 months, and it paid off. Believe in yourself![/quote']

curious to know how long your study sessions were? daily? ive been studying close to the same amount as you but only can do a little everyday without feeling bored or too confident. my test in two months away.

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curious to know how long your study sessions were? daily? ive been studying close to the same amount as you but only can do a little everyday without feeling bored or too confident. my test in two months away.

I studied 5 days a week for 2-3 hours morning and evening from July 2015 to January 2016. When I'm not studying, I'm watching videos or quizzing myself. 2 months is still a lot of time just don't let your books off your site. Saturdays and Sundays were my days off. I wish you the best

One more thing, the screen calculator won't help you when answering decimal portion of the exam. Please...please know the rules of decimals. I have answered about 3 questions before I realized that the calculator wasn't helping. Practice, practice, practice! Good luck

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