Hesi A2-----Not what you think

[Graduate2010, BSN]

Evening all those who are anxiously awaiting to take the Hesi A2. This is not a post to tell you what was on the Hesi but to give you insite of what areas to focus and study. My Hesi A2 scores were not (to me) that greatest 77% cumulative with a bench mark of 880 in Critical thinking. for my BSN program I had to take Math, Reading and Comp, Vocabulary, Grammer, Biology, Antatomy and Physiology, Chemsitry with Critical thinking and personailty test which is not graded. I'm hoping this is enough to make the final cut of the admission process for Hampton Univeristy LPN-BSN program in Virginia.

I took my Hesi a2 on Thursday May 16, 2013. I took advice from previous post that stated to take Math, Reading and Comprehension first. Well I did do Math first then vocabulary, chemsitry, AP, then then reading. Bad mistake!!!! Take Math, Reading, and Vocab FIRST!!! They are the longest (50 questions). The others are 25 and 30.

Math: I urge you to make a point to know proportions, metric measurements (oz-pints, lbs to kg etc), fractions (adding, substraction, dividing and multiplying) Lots of those questions military time and I had no roman numerals but know basic just incase. They were very basic math questions. PLEASE DONT STRESS-----honestly. Math not my strong suit but achieved a 78% which is good for me.

Vocabulary: Look over your stduy guide. I used Mcgraw- HIlls Nursing School Entrance Exams, McGraw-HIlls Evolve Reach (Hesi)A2 Practice test (great book) and quizlet. I feel as though several words came from these books. To me it had more medical terms in it for example "patent"= to keep open.

Chemistry: This sections was to me my NIGHTMARE!!! I used those above books mentioned and quizlet. Very basic information. Know metals and nonmetals, basic definitions, reactions, protons, neutrons and electron charges. Honestly, I just weeded out the wrong answere narrowed it to two and just clicked. I did this through this section and got 84%. My worst subject in the world----go figure--lol

Grammer: Know how sentences should be writtend. KNow word usage like when to use their,there or they're. Looking for incorrect sentences with mispelled words!!!! Read slowly because you can miss them if you read to fast. But remember you are on a time limit!

Biology: Basic knowlege. I used the Mcgraw-Hill Evolve Reach Hesi A2 practice test for this. I have already taken biology and A/P and it's basic stuff. Cell, cell functions ex: mitochondrion. Know parts and what they do. Know recessive gene, the difference between osmosis and diffiusion. Brush up on RNA and DNA. Those kinds of things.

Anatomy/Physiology: Study the planes, medical terminology (basic) used in eveyday conversation. Know heart and how blood travels. Study Meiosis and mitosis. Don't let this area freak you out---it was basic. Nothing like and regular antatomy class. DO NOT STRESS. Scored low 72%. Weird thing is I felt good about that sections. Test anxiet kicked in at the start of test.

Reading/Comp: Know how to identidy main idea. Study your books. Very common questions like: "What was the quthor trying to tell in passage". No more than 2-3 short paragraphs to read. 4-5 questions to answer. Could have been between 8-9 passages to read. Read sentence to figure out definitions of certain words in passage.

Critical thinking/Personlity test: Not able to study for. Just scenarios and you critically think about what patient to attend first based on scenario. Scored 880/1000 (bench mark that colleges use) Some colleges/univesities want 850 and higher. Keep that in mind. Personality test is to determine what type of learner you are, how you work with others, how you learn and if you are a leader.

Overal guys, I'm was the one searching all over the internet and allnurses trying to find out how I needed to study for this test. I was a complete mess. I only had less than 8 days to study because they sent my provisional acceptance on 5-4 and I had to committ by 5-8 and take the test on 5-16. No real time to prepare but overall I feel ok with my score. I wanted atleast to be 80%. Those who achieve in 90% are good test takers. I suffer from test anxiety and it shows on recent class scores. For those who are going through the same anxiety. It's really not as bad as it seems. Take if from someone who has these entrance test. I hope my score and benchmark is good enough. I didn't come this far to fail. It's in GOD's hands now.

Good luck to you all! STOP STRESSING----Just know basics and you will do great!

Stephanie E, LPN