Need help preparing for the Hesi A2 Entrance Exam

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

I bought the study guide but I have heard it is not much help when preparing for this test. I will be taking it in Nov at MCC. I was wondering if anyone bought "Hesi Test Secrets" from Morrison Media. It is $40, but it is worth it?

Any study advice would be appreciated!

Just took the Hesi A2 again today (new school won't accept old scores) so if anyone has any questions let me know as it is all fresh in my mind! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi foreverlaur,

I'm taking the HESI A2 test over the summer for TX A&M in Corpus Christi and UT Health Science Center in Houston for the spring semester. Can you give me some tips as to what I need to focus on preparing for the test? Also everyone is talking about a study guide but I'm not sure which ones will be the most helpful since I've read mixed reviews about them. Any sort of assisntance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi foreverlaur,

I'm taking the HESI A2 test over the summer for TX A&M in Corpus Christi and UT Health Science Center in Houston for the spring semester. Can you give me some tips as to what I need to focus on preparing for the test? Also everyone is talking about a study guide but I'm not sure which ones will be the most helpful since I've read mixed reviews about them. Any sort of assisntance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hey roe,

I used the official study guide put out by Evolve. I would focus on the sciences as they are the most difficult part of the exam.

The math is very basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions and decimals), basic unit conversion, roman numerals, etc. The official study guide does a good job of preparing you for this and letting you know what will be on the exam. Some schools offer a calculator for this section and some don't (I had one of each).

The reading comprehension has you read short stories (a few paragraphs) and make certain inferences from the story - some are fact based you can pull directly out of the story and others are more asking you what the author meant or the point the author was trying to make. Again, the study guide gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

The vocab part has a combination of basic English words as well as basic medical terminology. There are a lot of practice questions in this area and I didn't find any of the words difficult (and I didn't do so hot on the verbal section of the SAT)

The rest is biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. I found these to be rather difficult, but scored an 88% in the sciences so I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought. My score jumped 8% points by briefly reading through the study guide so I figured it must be pretty good. I thought it did a good job in biology and chemistry. Anatomy and physiology are such broad topics that it was hard to really focus on any one area.

My school required a 75% cumulative to have a passing score to get in. There was not a minimum per section so you could ace the non-sciences and bomb the sciences and still be ok!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks foreverlaur. That's really helpful. I've been hearing that science sure is the part to really focus on and that is exactly what I plan to do. I'm guessing you took it more than once? Three of the schools I'm applying for require it. Can I just send my scores to all three or do each school have their own specifications about the test and have to take it particularly just for that said school? Also, I've seen that the price range from $45 to $100 dollars. That's what has me thinking that there might be different versions of the HESI A2.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks foreverlaur. That's really helpful. I've been hearing that science sure is the part to really focus on and that is exactly what I plan to do. I'm guessing you took it more than once? Three of the schools I'm applying for require it. Can I just send my scores to all three or do each school have their own specifications about the test and have to take it particularly just for that said school? Also, I've seen that the price range from $45 to $100 dollars. That's what has me thinking that there might be different versions of the HESI A2.

I took it at two different schools. My cumulative score only varied by 1% point but my science was higher and my math went down (got a 100% the first time because I had a calculator haha). The basis of the test was identical. The only real difference was the number of questions in each section varied by 5-10 questions. One test was not any harder or easier than the other one. Schools won't accept each others scores, at least in my experience. I paid $85 the first time and $45 for the second school - same test, same testing center! Boo to that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What? I think that's ridiculous. I mean if it's the same test, pretty much the same questions, then why can't one test be acceptable to both schools? These tests are not cheap to take and I don't see the point in taking the same thing twice. Anyway, how much time did you allot for studying before taking the test?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What? I think that's ridiculous. I mean if it's the same test, pretty much the same questions, then why can't one test be acceptable to both schools? These tests are not cheap to take and I don't see the point in taking the same thing twice. Anyway, how much time did you allot for studying before taking the test?

The first time - none. The second time - about 6 hours. Keep in mind that I had taken anatomy, biology, and chemistry already and I already have a bachelors degree and I've always been good at math so factor that in when considering my study times :) I honestly didn't think the test was bad though... easier than the ACT/SAT in my opinion!!

And I agree - completely ridic. I bet schools make a profit off it though! My local CC requires that you stick your parking pass on your window (can't tape it on) and the stickers DO NOT come off. If you don't want to ruin your windshield, you have to buy THEIR approved parking pass holder for $12. Ridiculous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I made A's in all my science (A&P, micro, chem) and math (college algebra, stat) prerequisites but I still worry about it. I think a little bit of worrying will help me focus and prepare for the test instead of being complacent and lax.

I guess they're just full of ideas in order to keep those dollar signs coming. Haha. Thank you, thank you. You've been tons of help with all these nursing applications craziness.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I had the hardest time with trying to figure out inferences. Often they gave 2 words that were very similar and could easily have both been right. "Was this author feeling pessimistic, or gloomy?" However, the other 2 types of questions, the answer is usually right there in the paragraph. It will ask you if something was stated, and all you have to do is go back and ......

OMG YESITSLAURA,

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!! thank you for all your help..what study guide are you referring to?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
ArtofGrace do you think you can send me those 2 practice test you have? I cannot PM here since I'm fairly new to this forum. My email is [email protected]. Thank you!

hey did you get the study guide from that other person? can you please email it to me? [email protected]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

foreverLaur

what were some A&P type of questions? did they have anything about immune system like active and passive immunity?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hey does anyone know if the grammar sections contain questions about adverbs or prepositional phrases, adjectives..etc??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment