Passed the hesi a2 8/5/14 my advice

Published

Hi All!

So I just wanted to share my experience with the HESI exam that I literally just finished an hour ago. My composite score was 87.33%. I am going to attend Olivet Nazarene Univ. in Illinois. In order to get into the nursing program the HESI required (1) Reading & Comprehension (55q's), (2) Vocab and general knowledge (50q's), (3) Grammar (50q's), (4) Basic math skills (55q's), (5) Biology (30q's), (6) Anatomy and physiology (30q's), (7) Learning style (14q's), (8) personality profile (15q's), and finally (9) critical thinking (4 categories). In order to pass the test I had to score a composite score of 77% or higher, basic math skills 75% or higher, and Anatomy and physiology 60% or higher.

So starting with reading comprehension: very short and concise essays to read and answer questions on. Mainly conclusion type questions and what the author thinks questions. Pretty simple. I scored an 82% on this section, which was surprising because I'm typically good at this subject. There really is no way to prepare for this section.

Vocab: pretty easy but the way I studied was using quizlet and searching HESI AS, the vocab flashcards I found were almost identical to the ones on the exam. Its more medical terms and descriptive terms. I scored a 90% on this section.

Grammar: not bad at all considering this is my weakest subject. But it was very basic just asking questions to plug in the correct word in the sentence, correct forms of words, which word is wrong in the sentence, and so on. Overall pretty basic. I scored an 88% on this section.

Basic math skills: I was very surprised how easy this section was. Very few metric conversions but know how to convert, grams to kilograms, milliliters to liters, ounces to milliliters, and vice versa. A lot of proportions/ ratios but very simple. Some addition and subtraction of decimals and fractions. Reminder: add and subtract fractions need a common denominator. There was simple multiplication and division as well. There were a few word problems but very easy to figure out. I scored a 96% on the math section.

Biology: know your cells organelles and the functions, same for plant cells, know genes and punnett squares, know DNA replication/transcription/translation and the specific enzymes required for each step. That was pretty much it for biology. I scored an 84% on this section.

Anatomy and physiology: this i thought to be the hardest section on the exam. Very random questions and somewhat specific. I had questions about the dermis, certain endocrine glands, certain nervous system cells, cavities throughout the body, and a few muscle/bone questions. I scored an 84% on this section as well.

The last three sections: critical thinking, learning style, and basic math skills were all about you and how you learn. There are no right and wrong answers. The critical thinking section would give you a scenario and you would select the answer of how you would handle the situation. On my report it didn't say what score I got. It just says I have a kinesthetic/ global learning style and that my personality style is creative/ leader. I don't know the results of my critical thinking. These three sections didn't count in the overall composite score.

I would say that I am happy with my score considering I studied for only two days before the exam and never purchased and study guide or book. I used a lot of youtube videos for biology, I used my past class notes for anatomy and physiology, I used quizlet for vocab. I also found a few practice tests for grammar. I did not study for math or reading at all. I just memorized conversions for math. The test only took about 3 hours, you get an overall time limit of 5 hours, individual sections are not timed and you get to take the tests in whichever order you prefer. Hope this helps & good luck. If you guys have questions feel free to comment. (:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for sharing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks! I just printed this out, I am going to take this after A/P classes are done:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Awesome info thanks a bunch

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, sbutera. I just found out this morning that my school, UNG (University of North Georgia), has switched to the HESI A2 for admissions. They switched from the TEAS up until the end of this month and I'm supposed to take the TEAS in two days! I'm desperate to find out all I can about the HEAS A2 because I can take either one.

Can you tell me truthfully though, are you a really good student? Sounds like you had no problem with the test so I'm thinking you already have an awesome GPA and are pretty smart. I'm 44 and taking my pre-reqs and I have a 3.0 but I can't seem to get better than a 77 on the TEAS with lots of studying. I'm thinking of not taking it, losing the money, and gearing up for the HESI A2. Thanks for any info and all the info above! Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the information! It helps! For the math section are there a lot of word problems? Any tips?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did U buy the book?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

TWO DAYS?! That's impressive! Congrats! As far as conversions go, is that all we need to know? Or are there more conversions we should be aware of?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I'm taking HESI A2 in a month. The school that i'm applying to is requiring Reading, A &P, Biology, and Math. It's my first time to take the exam. My question is how do i skip the modules that i don't have to take. I talked to testing center at school that i'm going to take this exam at. The person said that i have to basically take all the modules and the other person said i can "Christmas- tree?" on the modules that i don't need. Any suggestion?. Do i have to enter the modules and answer them quick? or is there another way that i don't enter these modules?. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey, so you did not have physics and chemistry part of the HESI a2 exam?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey,

I took the TEAS and the Hesi A2. I got a 78 on my TEAS and a 90 on my HESI. I thought the TEAS was a lot harder but i had to take it in a distracting environment. Maybe that's part of the reason. The HESI was easier for me. The TEAS ATI Testing study guide was really helpful, though. Without it i don't think i would have even got a 78. The HESI relies more on knowledge you actually will need for the nursing program. The TEAS Math portion had a lot more information i learned from my statistics class. I've started my nursing program and we never use that type of math. If you get the choice i recommend the HESI.

Good Luck on you test!

AG

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion