Nursing School
HESI A2HESI Admission Assessment
The HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) is the second-most-common nursing-school admission exam after the TEAS, used by many BSN and ADN programs.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the HESI A2 exam.
- Passing score
- School-specific (typical: 75–80% across required sections)
- Format & length
- Varies by school — typically 5–8 sections · 4 hours
- Voucher cost
- $45–90 per attempt (varies by school)
- Prerequisites
- None
- Validity
- Indefinite for scoring, but most nursing programs require scores within 1-2 years of application; many cap retakes at 2-3 attempts per cycle
Exam facts sourced from the official Elsevier (HESI) certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
What’s tested
Key topics on the HESI A2 exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official HESI A2 exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary & General Knowledge
- Grammar
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Personality / Learning Style (often unscored)
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Nursing-school applicants whose target program uses HESI A2 in place of (or alongside) TEAS.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
HESI A2 is the second-most-common gate into US nursing school (after TEAS), and at programs that use it, the score is typically weighted 30-50% of the admission decision alongside GPA and prereq grades. Beyond admission, HESI A2 performance is correlated with later NCLEX-RN/PN success, so a strong score is a leading indicator that the candidate will pass licensure on first attempt — something nursing schools care about because NCLEX pass rates determine program accreditation.
Sample question
What a HESI A2 question looks like.
Each finger in the human hand contains three bones. These bones are collectively called:
See the answer & explanation
Correct: A. Phalanges
Why: The three bones of each finger are called phalanges. These same bones also make up the toes. The carpals and metacarpals together form the hand, while the tarsals and metatarsals make up the foot.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
1,394 questions covering every objective on the official HESI A2 exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking HESI A2 unlocks every other Nursing School exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
HESI A2 articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about HESI A2
What is the HESI A2 exam?
The HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) is the second-most-common nursing-school admission exam after the TEAS, used by many BSN and ADN programs.
How many questions are on the HESI A2 exam, and how long is it?
Varies by school — typically 5–8 sections · 4 hours
What is the passing score for the HESI A2 exam?
School-specific (typical: 75–80% across required sections)
How much does the HESI A2 exam cost?
$45–90 per attempt (varies by school)
Are there prerequisites for the HESI A2 exam?
None
How long is the HESI A2 certification valid?
Indefinite for scoring, but most nursing programs require scores within 1-2 years of application; many cap retakes at 2-3 attempts per cycle
How many questions does the HESI A2 bank have?
1,394 questions, organized into 7 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Nursing School exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the HESI A2 content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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