HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam FAQs

The HESI A2 Exam is an admission requirement for all applicants to Chamberlain College of Nursing’s BSN and ADN programs. Find the answers to some frequently-asked questions about the exam below:

What is the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam?

The HESI A2 Exam consists of seven academic exams and a personality profile that identifies the applicant’s learning style. All applicants for pre-licensure programs are required to complete the HESI A2 Exam prior to admission.

Total time allotted to complete the exam is 5.25 hours. Applicants must schedule the exam during their admission interview.

What is tested?

English Language

• Exam 1 — Reading Comprehension: Provides scenarios in order to measure reading comprehension, including identifying the main idea, finding meaning of words in context, and making logical inferences.
  • 50 items
• Exam 2 — Vocabulary & General Knowledge: Tests knowledge of everyday vocabulary terms, as well as vocabulary used in healthcare fields.
  • 50 items
• Exam 3 — Grammar: Assesses knowledge of basic grammar, including parts of speech, important terms and their uses in grammar, commonly occurring grammatical errors and more. 
  • 50 items

Math

• Exam 4 — Basic Math Skills: Focuses on math skills needed for healthcare fields, including basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, decimals, ratio and proportion, household measures and general math facts.
  • 50  items

Science

• Exam 5 — Biology: Covers biology basics, water, biological molecules, metabolism, cells, cellular respiration, photosynthesis and more.
  • 25 items
• Exam 6 — Chemistry: Contains test items that cover matter, chemical equations and reactions, the periodic table, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, chemical bonding and more.
  • 25 items
• Exam 7 — Anatomy & Physiology: Provides coverage of general terminology and anatomical structures and systems.  
  • 25 items

Personality Profile

• Personality Profile: Uses concepts related to introversion and extroversion to classify the student’s personality style.
  • 15 items
• Learning Style: Assesses the preferred learning style of the prospective applicant and offers test-taking and study tips suited for that learning style.
  • 14 items

How should I prepare?

A study booklet, Admission Assessment Exam Review (Elsevier Health Services), can be purchased at each Chamberlain campus or ordered. Chapter 8: Physics will not be included in testing.

What should I bring with me?

Bring only photo identification to testing. Testing supplies will be issued, including paper, a pencil and calculator. Do not bring any personal items to testing.

What if I don’t pass the HESI the first time?

Students have the option to retake the test one time within a 12-month timeframe.  Students will retest with a different version of the exam— no student will have the same exam items twice.

Students may retake the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam only after a three-day waiting period and within 30 days of submitting the application for admission at no charge. A retesting fee will apply after 30 days from application.

Do you have more questions about the HESI A2 Exam? Our Chamberlain admission advisors are happy to help! You can reach out to your advisor directly, or call us at 855-294-7205.