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by
allnurses (Editorial Team / Admin)
If you had to take the HESI A2 exam before applying to nursing school, you will likely need to take another HESI at the end of each semester. HESI exams are typically scheduled around the same time as final exams, so being prepared ahead of time can make an already stressful time a little easier!
What are HESI Exams?
HESI exams are standardized tests that evaluate nursing students' readiness for the NCLEX-RN. They are typically taken at the end of each semester and cover the information taught during that semester. They cover a range of topics, including:
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Maternal-Newborn Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
Importance of HESI Exams
- NCLEX-RN PREP: HESI exams are meant to reflect the testing experience of the NCLEX exam. Since the question styles and content are very similar, this is a way of preparing for the NCLEX before you finish school!
- Curriculum Evaluation: The faculty at your school uses the insights gained from the HESI to evaluate how well the students are mastering the concepts being taught. The results help the program adjust its teachings accordingly.
- Identifying Weak Areas: HESI results are very important for students! The results provide a detailed report of content areas that need additional attention. These analytics become very important when it comes time to study for the NCLEX-RN.
- Critical Thinking Skills: Beyond content, HESI exams focus on developing critical thinking by exposing students to complex, scenario-based questions. This mirrors the decision-making required on the NCLEX and in real-world nursing practice.
What is the score needed to pass?
Nursing programs that incorporate HESI into their curriculum set their own passing scores, typically ranging between 750-900, or 75%-90%. Falling below the established threshold may result in mandatory remediation and, in some cases, repeating the nursing course. This makes thorough preparation crucial. A score of 850 is considered a strong indicator of NCLEX success.
Effective Study Strategies for HESI Exam Prep
- Understand the Exam Format: HESI exams are designed to test your critical thinking skills, just like the NCLEX exam you must take to become a registered nurse. The questions are given in NCLEX NextGen format. This means that you will have an array of question types. You can expect multiple choice, select all that apply, drag and drop, hot spot (identifying areas on an image), case studies, and more.
- Use HESI Study Materials: Your school likely provides a HESI test prep program. If not, investing in a HESI review book or online resource is advisable. This will help you prepare for the format of the exam.
- Use your study materials from the semester: Each HESI exam aims to test your knowledge of what you have learned during the semester. The exam content will be similar to what you have studied all semester. Look back through your notes and assignments. Do a quick review of the material you have a good concept of, and note the material you struggled with.
- Use mnemonic devices: Mnemonic devices help you retain more information quickly. Picmonic uses short but impactful videos to help you grasp hard concepts and strengthen your knowledge. You can search for any topics you struggled with over the semester and find helpful resources. Spend time watching these videos daily.
- Utilize Practice Questions: The more practice questions you can do, the better! Practice questions are key to your success on the HESI exams and in nursing school in general. While doing practice questions, you engage in active recall, one of the most powerful study tools. Invest in a question bank, like TrueLearn, to expose yourself to thousands of practice questions.
- Take Care of Yourself: Likely, the HESI won't be the only test you're taking at the end of your semester. With finals, HESI, and all the other things nursing school throws at you, don't overlook self-care during exam preparation. Get enough rest, eat well, and manage stress through exercise and relaxation techniques.
Helping students gauge their understanding of nursing school topics, the HESI exams are a huge part of your nursing school journey.
You can confidently take these exams with effective study strategies and quality resources!
This is a sponsored article brought to you by allnurses.com in partnership with the advertiser. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect allnurses.com, its parent company, or its staff.
