Free sample — 4,000+ total questions in the full HESI A2 course

Free HESI A2 Practice Test with Answers

The HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admissions Assessment) is a modular nursing admissions test used by hundreds of programs nationwide. Unlike the TEAS, which is standardized for all test-takers, the HESI A2 is section-based — your program selects which sections to require. Core sections include Anatomy and Physiology, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, and Grammar. Most programs require a minimum score of 75–80% per section.

Below are 5 free HESI A2 practice questions — covering Anatomy and Physiology, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, and Grammar — with full explanations. These questions are developed by doctoral-level health sciences faculty and reflect the format and difficulty of the actual HESI A2. The full StudyBuddy HESI A2 course includes 4,000+ practice questions, an AI-powered diagnostic, and faculty-developed section guides.

📋

Want 10 more free HESI A2 practice questions?

Enter your email for 10 additional HESI questions covering Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Grammar, and Vocabulary. No credit card required.

HESI A2 practice questions

Question 1 — Anatomy & PhysiologyHESI A2 format

Which structure in the nephron is primarily responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids after filtration?

A) Loop of Henle
✓B) Proximal convoluted tubule
C) Distal convoluted tubule
D) Collecting duct

✓ Why B is correct

The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) is the site of most obligatory reabsorption in the nephron. Approximately 65% of filtered water is reabsorbed here, along with virtually all filtered glucose and amino acids (via active transport), sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The PCT is the first segment of the renal tubule following the Bowman's capsule.

Why the other options are wrong

Option A (Loop of Henle) primarily concentrates urine by creating an osmotic gradient in the medulla — not the primary site of glucose/amino acid reabsorption. Option C (Distal convoluted tubule) is involved in fine-tuning electrolyte balance under hormonal control (aldosterone, PTH). Option D (Collecting duct) responds to ADH to regulate final water reabsorption but does not reabsorb glucose or amino acids.

Question 2 — MathematicsHESI A2 format

A nurse must administer 0.4 mg of a medication. The medication is available as 0.2 mg per mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?

A) 0.5 mL
B) 1.0 mL
✓C) 2.0 mL
D) 4.0 mL

✓ Why C is correct

Use the formula: Volume to administer = Desired dose ÷ Concentration = 0.4 mg ÷ 0.2 mg/mL = 2.0 mL. This is a standard dosage calculation. The desired dose (0.4 mg) is divided by the available concentration (0.2 mg per mL) to find the required volume.

Why the other options are wrong

Option A (0.5 mL) would deliver only 0.1 mg — one quarter of the required dose. Option B (1.0 mL) would deliver 0.2 mg — half the required dose. Option D (4.0 mL) would deliver 0.8 mg — double the required dose. Always verify: volume × concentration = dose (2.0 mL × 0.2 mg/mL = 0.4 mg ✓).

Question 3 — Reading ComprehensionHESI A2 format

Read the following passage and answer the question. "Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Despite this, compliance rates among healthcare workers remain below 50% in many facilities. Studies indicate that the primary barriers to compliance include time pressure, inconvenient placement of hand sanitizer dispensers, and lack of perceived risk. Educational campaigns alone have been shown to produce only short-term improvements." Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage?

A) Healthcare workers do not understand the importance of hand hygiene
B) Educational campaigns should be eliminated from infection control programs
✓C) Structural and environmental factors play a significant role in hand hygiene compliance
D) HAIs are primarily caused by inadequate antibiotic stewardship

✓ Why C is correct

The passage explicitly identifies "inconvenient placement of hand sanitizer dispensers" (an environmental factor) and "time pressure" (a structural/workflow factor) as primary barriers. This directly supports the conclusion that structural and environmental factors significantly influence compliance. The passage provides evidence for this conclusion without requiring inference beyond the text.

Why the other options are wrong

Option A overclaims — the passage identifies "lack of perceived risk" as one barrier, but does not say workers don't understand hand hygiene's importance. Option B is too extreme — the passage says educational campaigns produce only short-term improvements, not that they should be eliminated. Option D introduces antibiotic stewardship, which is not mentioned in the passage at all.

Question 4 — GrammarHESI A2 format

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

A) The patient, along with her family members, were informed of the diagnosis.
✓B) The patient, along with her family members, was informed of the diagnosis.
C) The patient along with her family members was informed of the diagnosis.
D) The patient, along with her family members, have been informed of the diagnosis.

✓ Why B is correct

"The patient" is the grammatical subject — singular. The phrase "along with her family members" is a parenthetical modifier set off by commas, not part of the subject. Because the subject is singular ("the patient"), the verb must also be singular: "was informed." The commas correctly set off the non-essential phrase.

Why the other options are wrong

Option A uses "were" — a plural verb — but the subject "the patient" is singular. "Along with" does not create a compound subject the way "and" does. Option C is missing the comma after "patient," making the prepositional phrase appear to modify the subject differently. Option D uses "have been" — plural and present perfect — inconsistent with the singular subject and simple past context.

Question 5 — Anatomy & PhysiologyHESI A2 format

A patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results show: pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base disturbance do these values indicate?

A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Metabolic alkalosis
✓C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis

✓ Why C is correct

pH 7.32 = acidosis (below 7.35). PaCO₂ 52 mmHg = elevated (normal 35–45 mmHg) — indicates CO₂ retention, which is a respiratory cause. HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L = normal (normal 22–26 mEq/L) — meaning no metabolic compensation has occurred yet, consistent with an acute respiratory process. Conclusion: respiratory acidosis from CO₂ retention (e.g., hypoventilation, COPD exacerbation).

Why the other options are wrong

Option A (Metabolic acidosis) would show low HCO₃⁻ with normal or low PaCO₂ (compensatory hyperventilation). Option B (Metabolic alkalosis) would show elevated pH and elevated HCO₃⁻. Option D (Respiratory alkalosis) would show elevated pH and decreased PaCO₂ — the opposite of what is seen here.

How to evaluate your score

If you answered 4–5 correctly, you have solid foundational knowledge for the HESI A2. Target your remaining prep on the sections where you missed. If you answered 2–3 correctly, identify whether your gaps are in science content (A&P) or skills-based sections (math, grammar) — they require different study approaches. If you answered 0–1 correctly, budget 8–10 weeks before your test date.

The A&P questions in this set (Questions 1 and 5) are representative of the clinical reasoning the HESI A2 tests. Unlike basic anatomy recall, many HESI A2 science questions require you to apply knowledge to a clinical scenario — identifying an acid-base disturbance from lab values, interpreting a drug calculation, or explaining why a physiological process occurs. Content knowledge alone is not sufficient — you need practice applying it.

Get the free HESI A2 section guide

Section-by-section strategy, score targets, and a study schedule. Know which sections your program requires and how to prioritize your prep time. Faculty-developed.

Get the free HESI A2 section guide

Section-by-section strategy, score targets, and a study schedule. Faculty-developed.

HESI A2 section breakdown

Anatomy & Physiology30 scored questions

Topics: Body systems, organ functions, physiological processes, clinical application

Study tip: The lowest-scoring section nationally. Prioritize cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and nervous system content. Many questions are clinical — practice applying A&P to patient scenarios, not just memorizing structures.

Mathematics55 questions (50 scored)

Topics: Fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, dosage calculations, Roman numerals

Study tip: A basic calculator is provided in the testing software. Focus on dosage calculation setups — desired dose ÷ available concentration × volume. Know your metric conversions and fraction-to-decimal conversions cold.

Reading Comprehension47 questions (44 scored)

Topics: Main idea, author's purpose, supporting details, inferences, vocabulary in context

Study tip: All answers are in the passage — do not use outside knowledge. Read the question first, then scan the passage for the relevant section. Time management matters: budget about 1.5 minutes per question.

Grammar55 questions (50 scored)

Topics: Subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, punctuation, sentence structure, word choice

Study tip: Subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases is the most tested concept. When in doubt, mentally remove the phrase between the subject and verb and check agreement directly. Review commonly confused words (affect/effect, their/there/they're).

Vocabulary & General Knowledge55 questions (50 scored)

Topics: Medical terminology, context clues, word roots, prefixes, suffixes

Study tip: Learn common medical prefixes and suffixes (brady-, tachy-, -itis, -ectomy, -plasty). Context clues in the question often help narrow the answer even if you don't know the word directly. This section rewards broad exposure over deep memorization.

Ready for the full HESI A2 prep course?

These 5 questions are a sample. The full course includes 4,000+ practice questions across all HESI A2 sections, a diagnostic that identifies your weakest areas, AI tutoring, and faculty-developed section guides — everything you need to hit your program's minimum score.

View pricing — $29/monthHESI A2 course overview →

HESI A2 frequently asked questions

What is on the HESI A2 exam?
The HESI A2 includes up to 10 sections, though most nursing programs require only a subset. Core sections include Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, and Anatomy and Physiology. Some programs also require Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Each section contains approximately 25–55 questions. Check your specific program's requirements — not all programs require all sections.
What is a good HESI A2 score?
Most nursing programs require a minimum composite score of 75–80%. Competitive programs at large universities often require 80% or above on required sections. The HESI scores each section separately (as a percentage), and programs may set different minimums for different sections — for example, requiring 75% on all sections or 80% on A&P specifically. Check your program's admissions page for exact requirements.
How is the HESI A2 different from the TEAS 7?
Both are nursing admissions tests, but they differ in structure and emphasis. The TEAS 7 is standardized — all test-takers take the same sections. The HESI A2 is modular — programs select which sections to require. The HESI A2 includes a Personality Profile and Learning Style assessment (not scored for admissions). The TEAS 7 tends to be more widely used nationally; the HESI A2 is preferred by programs using Elsevier (Evolve) learning resources.
How many times can you retake the HESI A2?
Elsevier (the HESI publisher) allows retakes, but individual programs set their own policies. Many programs require a waiting period of 60–90 days between attempts and limit the number of attempts per application cycle (often 2–3 times). Some programs average multiple scores; others take the highest. Verify your program's retake policy before registering.
What is the hardest section on the HESI A2?
Anatomy and Physiology is consistently the lowest-scoring section for most test-takers. It requires detailed knowledge of body systems, organ functions, and physiological processes — content that students without recent A&P coursework find challenging. The Chemistry section is also difficult for students without recent science coursework. Grammar and Math tend to produce higher scores on average.
How long should I study for the HESI A2?
Most students need 4–8 weeks of structured preparation. Students with recent A&P and science coursework may be ready in 3–4 weeks. Students who have been out of school or who are weak in science typically need 6–10 weeks. Focus your study time on the sections your program requires — do not waste time on sections your program does not test.
Does the HESI A2 have a calculator?
A basic four-function calculator is available within the testing software for the Mathematics section. You cannot bring your own calculator. The math tested is primarily arithmetic, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, and basic dosage calculations — no algebra or advanced math. The built-in calculator is sufficient for all HESI A2 math questions.
Which nursing schools require the HESI A2?
The HESI A2 is required by hundreds of nursing programs nationwide, with the highest concentration in Texas, Florida, and the Southeast. Major Texas programs requiring the HESI A2 include Houston Community College, Tarrant County College, Austin Community College, Dallas College, and UT Health Houston. Check StudyBuddy's HESI school requirements pages for confirmed minimums by program.