Florida · Palm Beach County

HESI A2 at Palm Beach State College

PBSC requires an 80 composite and 80 math on the HESI A2 for nursing admission. Here's exactly what you need to know — and how to hit that score without paying $330 for a Saturday class.

PBSC HESI A2 Requirements at a Glance

Minimum Composite Score
80
Minimum Math Section Score
80
Sections Required
All 9
Retake Wait Period
61 days
Max Attempts Per Year
3 per calendar year
Score Validity
2 years

Source: Palm Beach State College Library Guide & Testing Center, verified 2025.

PBSC Offers Its Own Prep Course — Here's the Math

Palm Beach State's Corporate & Continuing Education division offers an in-person HESI review: 6 Saturdays, 9 AM–2 PM, Lake Worth campus.

OptionCostFormatStarts
PBSC CCE Prep Course$330In-person, Saturdays onlyJune 13, 2026
StudyBuddy HESI Prep$59 / 3 monthsSelf-paced, any deviceToday

Same goal. 5× cheaper. No commute to Lake Worth.

StudyBuddy includes 4,000+ practice questions, AI-powered diagnostic, video lectures, and a full HESI A2 prep course developed by doctoral-level health sciences faculty.

What PBSC Tests You On (All 9 Sections)

PBSC administers the full HESI A2. Every section counts toward your composite score. An 80 in each is what you're targeting.

Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary & General Knowledge
Grammar
Math
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy & Physiology
Personality Style
Learning Style

Personality Style and Learning Style are unscored — they don't affect your composite. Focus your prep energy on the 7 scored sections.

Retake Strategy for PBSC Nursing Applicants

With only 3 attempts per year and a 61-day wait between tests, you don't want to walk in underprepared. Here's how to use your attempts strategically:

1
Attempt 1 — Diagnostic
Take the exam to establish a baseline. PBSC uses your best valid score within 2 years, so your first attempt doesn't have to be perfect. Use the results to identify your weakest sections.
2
Attempt 2 — Target 80+
After targeted prep on your weak sections (especially Math — PBSC requires 80 specifically), attempt 2 should be your score submission. Aim above 80 to improve your ranking in a competitive applicant pool.
3
Attempt 3 — Hold in reserve
Keep your third attempt available. If your score is below 80 on attempt 2, you still have a third shot before the application cycle closes.

Where to Take the HESI A2 at Palm Beach State

Lake Worth Campus
Walk-in available before 1:45 PM (11:45 AM on Fridays)
Palm Beach Gardens Campus
Appointment required
Belle Glade Campus
Appointment required
Boca Raton Campus
Appointment required

Testing fee: $30 PBSC proctoring fee + Evolve exam fee paid on test day. Create your Evolve account at evolve.elsevier.com before arriving.

Ready to hit 80 on the PBSC HESI A2?

StudyBuddy's HESI A2 prep includes 4,000+ practice questions, AI-powered diagnostic, video lectures, and full section coverage — developed by doctoral-level health sciences faculty. $59 for 3 months. Start today.

Get the free HESI A2 section guide

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