HESI results and tips!!! Taken at Chamberlain College Phoenix Campus

[kcee91]

Hey y'all,

It's been one long journey since towards nursing school, but I'm glad today that I'm getting one step closer to it. I will find out this coming wednesday whether I get accepted or not. Anyways, took the HESI today and made an 85% overall on the first try with only a week to review. I just wanted to express my gratitude for all the resources provided here on the forum along with the advice from other HESi testers and their separate experiences. I also wanted to give back to our community and provide my opinion, tips for studying, and test taking.

Long story short, I was taking my Anatomy and Physiology II during the time I set up an interview at Chamberlain Phoenix Campus so I didn't have ample time to study more in depth. So for the remaining days I picked up two books, which IMHO helped with most of the HESI tests.

1.)McGraw-Hill Nursing School Entrance Exams

-in this book there are 8 practice tests along with detailed explanations of how to do the problems.

2.)McGraw-Hill Evolve Reach (HESI) A2

-in this book there are 3 full tests along with explanations.

Before even taking the test, I researched the numerous books out there regarding the HESI and many people praise the Elsevier guide since it's pretty thorough. Although, I felt that the McGraw Hill books were easier to read and follow. All in all, they provide you with the information needed to answer the questions.

**If you have taken the classes such as Biology, Chemistry, A&P I/II, you should have no problem answering the questions**

These two books above should get the job done right.

STUDYING!!!!

Step

1.)Break it up into each section of the test. For example, one day or two days spend time on the reading comprehension then move on with vocabulary

***Don't try and cram everything into one night!!!!***

I found that breaking it up into sections more manageable as well as polishing my weak areas. Moreover, repeat it over and over until you get tired of it. Remember A&P, it's just like that. The more you see the information, the easier it is to retain it. Write it out, talk it out, recite it to your dog. Study however you feel comfortable.

2.)Practice Practice Practice Practice. For example, in the math section of the review guide it talks about adding fractions. First you must find a common denominator and multiply the number you used for the denominator for the numerator as well. Finally, add them together and reduce to lowest terms. If you can instantly recognize that process, you know it.

3.)Plan ahead. Yes, planning ahead can allow you time to study. For example, if you have work that day or other obligations, find a window of time you can sit down and just review. If worse comes to worse, make a set of flashcards to flip through or even download the HESI app from itunes and study that.

4.)Break time. Yes, break time is definitely needed. Give yourself 15 minutes or whatever you feel you need to get back into the groove of studying to get your mind off things.

5.)Don't stress. Take a breath, seriously. lol I'm pretty sure you all have the ability to succeed on this test. If you stress yourself out, it is very hard to think and concentrate. Just relax, clear your mind, and just do it.

Pre-Test Day!!!

-Review your weak areas the most along with quick skimming the ones you already know just to freshen up your mind. Get lots of sleep to recharge your brain.

Test Day!!!!

-Eat a good breakfast such as peanut butter. Get that glucose up! lol Whoever took A&P know what I mean. haha Just relax and try not to stress yourself out too much. When you get to the testing center, go and review if you have time. I used this time to review my conversions such as 8 ounces = 1 cup. 4 quarts = 1 Gallon. Etc etc. You all will do fine.

I cannot stress this enough, TRUST YOUR INSTINCT!!!! Don't go and start changing answers if you feel unsure. GO WITH YOUR GUT...Yes, we all have experienced this many times in Anatomy and Physiology when we knew what the right answer was, but picked a different answer because something was slightly different.

Recap:

Study whatever material is available to you whether you purchase the study guide books, online study guides, or practice tests on the various sites. Break it into sections so the material is not overwhelming. Practice makes perfect! Get a good night's rest. Eat a hearty breakfast on test day with a form of glucose! haha And most importantly don't stress and trust your instinct. If you really feel it's right, it usually is right.

HESI Test breakdown:

Completed in 2 hours 50 minutes

Reading Comprehension

*50 questions m/c**

-Basically, there is no way to really study this except to do the practice passages and answer the questions. Just make sure to just understand what it was communicating to you as the reader. When you take the test the passage is going to appear on every question so there is no need to go back.

Vocab

*50 questions m/c*

-Same as the reading comprehension. There is no way to study this because it is random. Although, look at some of the sites such as quizlet that has sample HESI vocab on there. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Grammar

*50 questions m/c*

-This one you can study and perfect it. Again, this is where highschool and college english classes come into play. All in all, you need to be able to grammatically complete or decipher what is wrong in a sentence.

Choose the word or phrase that is grammatically incorrect.

For example, The farmer had a from from the state about irrigation.

-So the incorrect word would be from because it is form.

In other words, you all will be able to see what is wrong. Just do your practice questions 3-5 times and you should be set.

Math

*50 questions m/c and fill in the blank*

-Like I said in the beginning, do practice on everything such as adding/subtracting fractions, ratios, conversions (qt, pint, gallon) etc.

For a ratio problem, say the question asked you if 3:5, what is 4:X

So just setup the problem like in cross multiplication-----> 3 4

___=___

5 X

This will be 3X=5*4 so 3X=20. There will be multiple choice answers to choose from when you find X.

Biology

*30 questions*

-Study your basic general concepts like nucleus, ribosome, mitchondria and concepts of that nature. Wasn't as hard as I expected.

Chemistry

*30 questions m/c*

-This section in particular scared me, but it was a lot easier than the questions I practiced in the study guide books. What a surprise that was. Just study your basic isotopes, proton, neutron, etc.

Anatomy and Physiology

*30 questions m/c*

-This section also was not as bad as I though. Just study your all the body systems such as cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, etc including what they do and what they involve. Also study the basic anatomy. For example, what is the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle? Answer:Mitral Valve aka. the bicuspid valve.

Again, DON'T STRESS. This is not as hard as it seems to be.

I will update this thread if there are any more questions, thanks for reading!!!!!

[Getting To Great]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and well done on a wonderful score. Best of luck on your nursing journey.

[kcee91]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and well done on a wonderful score. Best of luck on your nursing journey.

Thanks Getting to Great!!! I'll update this thread once I find out on Wednesday.

[Normandy]

I really appreciate the information. I wish you the best on all of your endeavors!

[hazel30, BSN, RN]

Congrats on the good score! I took the hesi last week at Chamberlain-Phoenix as well. I'm retaking it this Friday because I scored a 72 in Math.

I'm super nervous.

[kcee91]

Congrats on the good score! I took the hesi last week at Chamberlain-Phoenix as well. I'm retaking it this Friday because I scored a 72 in Math.

I'm super nervous.

Glad to know you also are in Phoenix. Good luck and if you have further questions pm me for math. It's pretty basic fractions, ratios, word problems.

[kcee91]

I wouldn't be nervous. Just practice and practice. What did you get overall?

[hazel30, BSN, RN]

I got your message but it wouldn't let me respond because I'm a newbie on here. I'm having a hard time remembering the metric conversions. I've made some flash cards and I've been studying a lot. Hopefully, this helps me next time. Overall I made an 80.

[kcee91]

That's not bad at all. You should be fine. Just know the ins and outs of converting. So be able to go back and forth per say between like gallons to quarts or gallons to cups.

[Rachelj1222]

Just looking at this post I know you are going to be an awesome nurse some day! Thank you so so so much. I take my test tomorrow and you eased my major anxiety!

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Thank you!

Another tip I read about was listen anatomy, biology, chemistry podcasts. I have four months till test date. Is this a timed test? I always have trouble with timed test, especially reading comp.

[Tswan]

I took the Hesi a2 test about 3 weeks ago and failed by 7 points- in Math and Chem. The "advised study guide" was no help and after I studied it and took the test I realized that there were many things on the test that were not in the book. I haven't been in school for awhile and never did well in math. The best study guide I came across was free in the app store on my phone and offers flash cards for study. I'm taking it for the second time in 3 weeks and pray to god that my studying will pay off and get me closer to my dream. I've applied to Chamberlain College of Nursing her in St.Louis Mo. If anyone else has taken it and has any advice....I would greatly appreciate it!!!! =)