Hesi Entrance exam tips

[carriea34]

I just took the Hesi a2 entrance exam and wanted to pass on some tips. My overall score was 96.6%. I spent about three weeks studying. I used the Elsevier Hesi Admission Assessment book and the Macgraw-Hill practice tests. I went through each section in the Hesi book and took all the practice tests. I used additional books for chemistry and biology. The Macgraw-Hill practice tests where incredibly helpful. I also used the Cram website to play games when I didn't really feel like studying. It was helpful for vocab and math conversions.

Math – 98%

The only surprise for me in the math section was how many fill in the blank questions there where. Probably a third of my math section was fill in the blank. All of the problems where just like the study guide. Know how to do fractions in your sleep.

Reading Comprehension – 90%

I was worried about this section, not because it is hard but it is long and boring. I don't have the best attention span and toward the end I lost focus and just wanted to be done with this part. I probably should have taken a break half way through. When studying for this, I would recommend doing a few practice tests with 50 questions so you get a feel for how long and boring this section is.

Vocab – 98%

Maybe half of the vocab words came from the study guide and the practice tests I used. Most of the questions gave a sentence and I had to fill in the blank with the best word. Looking at the context of the sentence made it fairly easy to guess the correct word even if I wasn't sure of its definition.

Grammar – 94%

The best advice for this section is to practice from the study guide and the practice exams. All of the questions where the similar to the study guide.

Biology – 100%

The first time I took the Macgraw-Hill practice test, I maybe got half the questions correct. I was super stressed and the Elsevier study guide didn't go into much detail. I went to the library and grabbed some bio study guides. The two I found most helpful where AP Bio Crash Course and the GRE Bio Study Guide. I only focused on the sections outlined in the Elsevier book. The actual questions on the exam weren't as difficult as the Macgraw-Hill practice tests but they where random so you really have to have a decent grasp on everything in the bio section of Elsevier book.

Chemistry – 100%

I'm not sure how I got 100% in chemistry! I was most worried about this section. Chemistry has always been my nemesis. The chemistry section in the Elsevier guide is dismal at best, especially if you haven't taken a chemistry class in almost twenty years. I got the Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry from the library and this book saved me! The exam questions where basic but if chemistry isn't your thing this book will help out a lot. I also memorized the first 20 elements on the periodic table which turned out to be helpful.

Each section had an additional five questions that don't count towards your score. If you feel like you are bombing a section, don't lose hope! Of course you don't know which five won't count but keep trying and maybe you will be surprised.

I took my exam at a Prometric test center since the school I'm applying to is half way across the country. My school said I had 4.5 hours to take the exam but when I got to the test center, they said I only had four hours. Time didn't turn out to be an issue for me but it did add additional stress before the test even started since I had planned out how much time I had for each section. I would recommend contacting your school and test center (if you are doing a distance test) and make sure the time limit is the same.

Good luck to everyone taking the Hesi and I am more than happy to answer any questions about this horribly stressful test!

[MegElizabethMorehead]

What can I expect specifically from A&P? I have the Elsevier book and I am wondering what things to memorize? My test is scheduled for March 11th. I've done well on the Biology and Chemistry practice tests, with almost perfect scores. Have not taken math, vocabulary reading or grammar, as I feel like those are my strong points.

Also the Physics, I have not even looked at. I know nothing about Physics other than what they teach you in 8th grade.

Thank you in advance and congrats!

[born_this_way]

WOW Carriea34 , this post is amazing!!! Thank you for the tips :)

Did you make any quizlet cards from your study material? I would truly appreciate if you can send me via email or post link in thread. Thanks so much :)

[carriea34]

I didn't have to take the A&P section so I can't give any advice for this section. But, having taken the bio and chemistry part, it seems like anything is fair game! I would definitely suggest going over some of the math practice tests. I have always been strong in math but for the life of me I couldn't remember how to do anything with fractions. I have no advice on the physics part but I would guess being strong in math will benefit you! Good luck!