Any advice on HESI testing?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2006

I dont know about any HESI test book. But, using the NCLEX study books available at book stores, along with the computer programs that supplement the study books will help. Also dont be afraid to review and go over your notes from class, highlighting any areas the test books reflect you are weak in.

Half of a class failing HESI is a poor showing for your school. Dont take it lightly, make sure you study. It will help in the long run with your NCLEX anyway.

HyperRNRachel · Mar 11, 2006

Yes, review any NCLEX study guides that you have. I always did well on all of my HESI exams and looking back they were much easier than NCLEX.

ArmyKitten · Mar 11, 2006

Toss out the HESI book and get a Saunders NCLEX review book, and the Saunders Q&A book. My school has administed the HESI as an exit exam for several years now, and the passing rates significantly improved when students used NCLEX study materials as opposed to HESI study materials. My class was a "test" group in that we were not given any HESI study materials at all and were told to use the Saunders book. The pass rate went from 50% to 90%, and all students passed on their second attempt.

sensweet · Mar 11, 2006

Toss out the HESI book and get a Saunders NCLEX review book, and the Saunders Q&A book. My school has administed the HESI as an exit exam for several years now, and the passing rates significantly improved when students used NCLEX study materials as opposed to HESI study materials. My class was a "test" group in that we were not given any HESI study materials at all and were told to use the Saunders book. The pass rate went from 50% to 90%, and all students passed on their second attempt.

Thank you for advice. I was thinking already about getting another kind of book besides HESI.

Soon-to-be-NurseJess · Mar 11, 2006

I would just like to post a comment about the HESI test. If you don't pass on your first attempt, don't let it time get you down. 16 of 26 in my class failed the first time...but we all passed with flying colors the first time when we took a professionally administered Kaplan NCLEX review test. I don't think the HESI is a very accurate reflector of your chances of passing NCLEX. Everyone in our class has thus far passed NCLEX on the first try with 75 questions. I just don't want your results on HESI to cause you undue stress when it comes time to take your NCLEX as it did for so many people in my class.

My personal opinion is that the HESI should be required PRACTICE for NCLEX, but should not be a requirement for passing your nursing classes.

Anyway...just my :twocents: GOOD LUCK

:nurse: Jess

a_clay · Mar 12, 2006

Of those of you who have already taken the HESI, how does the scoring go? I am wanting to work at a hospital after I graduate that requires a final score of 880 or above on the HESI.

Soon-to-be-NurseJess · Mar 13, 2006

HESI scoring is based on the difficulty of the questions you get correct. The questions considered easy by HESI are worth fewer points than the more difficult ones, thus you gain or lose points based on the difficulty.

You may only miss 3 questions the first time and have a score of 780 (because you missed 3 very difficult questions) and the second time miss 14 easy questions but get a score much higher than your first.

:nurse: Jess

RNiel · Mar 13, 2006

I agree with Jess's comments on students doing poorly on the HESI yet doing well on the NCLEX. This is exactly how things happened at my school also. Many of the students in my class (Spring 05) did poorly on the HESI causing them much undo stress. As far as I know only 2 of the students in my class did not pass the NCLEX the first time. Additionally, everyone I know passed the NCLEX w/ 75 questions.

jodyangel, RN · Dec 27, 2006

I'm in an LPN to RN bridge and they are requiring us to pass the HESI before allowing us to take the boards. First try will be in April. Then one more chance before graduation. If we don't pass that time we do Not walk for graduation. And will Not be released to take the boards until we pass.

Talk about pressure!!

Euphrosyne7, MSN, RN · Dec 27, 2006

Hi:

I passed the HESI exit exam on the 1st try with a score of 1048. Although I did go through the Hesi book once, I focused most of my studying on Saunders NCLEX review book and did some practice questions from Kaplan. I don't think the Hesi book was much help. Saunders is much more comprehensive and it will also prepare you for the NCLEX.

Good Luck!