Just finished taking the HESI...

Published Jul 29, 2016

44 Posts

...and I got a 92%! :) I figured I'd make a post sharing my test taking experience in the hopes that it helps someone out. I only used the Elsevier HESI A2 4th edition text to study.

A&P: 80%

This was the subject I spent the most time studying, and ironically, it was the one I scored the worst on. Lots of random trivia-type questions that I probably wouldn't have gotten right if I had another month to study. I'd say if you did well in A&P and remember most of the material then you're good to go.

Math: 98%

No big surprises, except there were a lot more word problems than I was expecting.

- Know how to solve proportion problems (e.g. 1/2 = x/10 solve for x)

- Know how to add, subtract, multiply, divide fractions and mixed numbers

- Know how to work with decimals in multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction

- Know how to derive percentages from fractions

- Know your conversion factors

- I only had 1 question on military time and no questions on roman numerals (your mileage may vary...)

Vocabulary: 100%

I didn't study for this at all. There wasn't much medical terminology, and what little of it there was was pretty straightforward. I'd say if you do any sort of recreational reading at all this section should be an easy A.

Grammar: 90%

I spent a ton of time memorizing the terminology for different types of words (e.g. direct object, indirect object, predicate adjective, predicate nominative), and none of it was on the test. I honestly feel like I could've spent no time studying and gotten the same score. Like vocabulary, if you do any sort of recreational reading this section should be pretty easy.

Most of the questions were structured in one of these 3 ways:

1. Pick out the word that is incorrectly used in the sentence (e.g. Tom gone to the mall. "Gone" would be the correct answer)

2. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word

3. Pick the sentence that is grammatically correct/incorrect (These questions were the toughest)

- Know the differences between there, they're, and their / lie and lay / here and hear / affect and effect / who and whom / good and well

- There were a few questions on apostrophe usage, but not many punctuation questions overall (again, mileage may vary...)

Reading Comprehension: 90%

No big surprises here either. Most of the answers can be pulled directly from the passages you're given to read. The only ones that require thought are questions like:

1. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

2. What idea is the author trying to convey?

3. What does the author think about X?

Hope this helps! I'll try to respond asap if anyone has any questions. Good luck on your exams!