Freaking out about HESI A2

quarterlifemess, ADN, RN · Dec 27, 2016

I had to take the TEAS but the same holds true. RELAX. The test is much easier than you think it will be. You have hyped it up in your head because it is an entrance exam to something that you really, really want. If you pulled a 4.0 in your prereqs with kids and while working as an EMT-B, then you will be fine.

Make sure you get some sleep and eat before your test. You don't want to be tired or self-conscious about a growling stomach in a very quite room.

If you get distracted by noise in a quite room, see if the testing site allows you to bring ear plugs.

Make sure you are timing yourself when you are taking practice tests, this will help you greatly when it comes to the actual test. Pacing yourself on standardized tests is one of the biggest hurdles to master.

If there is a math section (again I have taken only the TEAS) and you do not know how to solve the equation, just plug the answers into the equation and see which one balances it.

crazydoglady89 · Dec 27, 2016

Awesome advice above! I have only taken the TEAS, but I hear these exams are quite similar.

If you are pulling a 4.0, you are one smart cookie. Trust your education and believe in yourself!

Why do you "feel like" you aren't going to do well? Are you failing practice tests? Do you not know the material, or are you just nervous?

I'm an anxiety-ridden test taker. I get it. I found that the best thing to do to calm my nerves was take as many practice tests as I could before the day came. Familiarizing myself with the format was probably just as important as knowing the material. When I walked in to the test, I sat down, took a deep breath and started. I felt so much better having taken practice tests, and I told myself "You've done this! You got this!", I hope you do the same.

My husband told me to treat each new question as they are, just another question. If you hit a few questions where you aren't so sure, just take a deep breath and move on. Don't get in your head too much.

Another issue I had with my anxiety was second guessing EVERYTHING. Read the question slowly to yourself, think it through, and go with your gut. Try not to go back and change answers unless you are SURE you have a better answer!

KatMill2312 · Dec 27, 2016

Thank you for the advice guys.

@crazydoglady89, I think I am just nervous. The program is competitive entry, as are most I know, and I just want to get in. I need to get into this one as it is in my hometown and down the road from where I live. Since I have 4 kids and my husband works too, this is where I have childcare set up (only 1 kid is in school right now) and it is a dual enrollment program so I can get my ADN and BSN concurrently...

So basically I think it is the pressure of needing to do well. I am struggling a bit with the math and chemistry portions, I am focusing on getting better in those areas and they are improving.

Ugh. You just have to do so much, and work so hard to even get a chance at attending nursing school. It is a lot sometimes.

Thank you again for the sound advice and words of encouragement, it means a lot!

crazydoglady89 · Dec 27, 2016

Thank you for the advice guys.
@crazydoglady89, I think I am just nervous. The program is competitive entry, as are most I know, and I just want to get in. I need to get into this one as it is in my hometown and down the road from where I live. Since I have 4 kids and my husband works too, this is where I have childcare set up (only 1 kid is in school right now) and it is a dual enrollment program so I can get my ADN and BSN concurrently...
So basically I think it is the pressure of needing to do well. I am struggling a bit with the math and chemistry portions, I am focusing on getting better in those areas and they are improving.
Ugh. You just have to do so much, and work so hard to even get a chance at attending nursing school. It is a lot sometimes.
Thank you again for the sound advice and words of encouragement, it means a lot!

Ahhh, I know! Everywhere is just SO competitive!

Be proud of your 4.0. That is worth a LOT.

I also struggled with chem as I haven't formally taken it. It is not a required pre req, which thank God, because it wasn't offered online and I would have likely had to quit my job just to take the one class. My chem is limited to what I learned in A&P, biology, and through test prep books. Thankfully, I knew enough on the TEAS to score well. I'm not sure how much chem will be on the HESI, but if you are solid in other areas, you will likely be fine!

I am lucky in that I work with numbers, so the most annoying bit of math for me was calculating the volume etc of different shapes (WHO DOES THAT ANYMORE? Haha). Keep doing those practice questions. I find I can learn math best by just doing questions over and over. Math doesn't "read" well, if that makes sense. At least not for me. Don't dismiss YouTube videos of teachers solving questions, either.

I also agree with plug and chug with math if you get stuck. A few math problems I was second guessing myself. If you have time, plug in the answer back to the equation just to check yourself. It saved me at least twice!

ChristiHamm8, CNA · Dec 27, 2016

I feel the exact same way but I think the Hesi a2 score will determine my entrance or not. It is a big deal but try to remind yourself that it is a simple general knowledge exam. You are probably doing more than most have for prep ( I am doing the same as you and I LOVE POCKET PREP!). It is a lot of pressure but you know you are smart and determined. Remind yourself that you got this and you are doing everything just as you should. I take mine 3 days after you! GOOD LUCK!

thecareerchanger, BSN · Dec 28, 2016

I took both HESI and TEAS and I found the HESI easier. I was also a nervous wreck about it but actually did well (92 average). I would suggest doing as many practice questions as possible (I did a bunch of free ones online as well as the ones in the HESI book). This helped me tremendously especially with A&P which was a struggle. I understand your pressure. I have a family too and know its not easy but I was able to get into one of my choice schools and your grades are actually better than mines. I wish you all the best

tjcnurse2b · Dec 28, 2016

You can't be a 4.0 and be dumb lol. You'll do fine. I knew we could take the test twice in an application period. So I studied hard. First time I did well. Turned in my scores and the coordinator said oh these will do fine. Not satisfied and with "experience" I took it again. Aced it. Nothing replaces experience and confidence. Maybe your program lets you take it twice. Seriously it's easy. Hope you post after you take so you can tell us "wow I was freaking out over nothing". Now lets restart the freaking out...NCLEX!

cmh4412 · Feb 13, 2017

How did you do? Any tips? I take mine in 2 days and I'm so nervous!

KatMill2312 · Feb 13, 2017

I did pretty good, 87.5 %. Chemistry kinda hurt me, I got an 84% in that. I hadn't taken a chemistry course since high school and the stuff in the review book and pocket prep app were a little off; at least for the bank of questions I got. So if you are rusty in chemistry I would recommend resources OTHER and in addition to the review book and pocket prep app. Other than that my only advice is to study the areas you're weakest in the most (obviously), eat breakfast, take your time, take the subjects that you're weakest in FIRST so that your brain is most fatigued during the subjects you're best at, and breathe, it really was easier than I thought.

Although I wish I had done a bit better. Math and chemistry just aren't my strongest areas. I was saved by my 92% in biology! Lol.

Goodluck!