How Do I Prepare for the HSRT Exam in 2026?
The HSRT is a timed critical thinking exam required by nursing and allied health programs in Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, and Oregon. The Standard HSRT has 38 questions in 55 minutes. The HSRT-AD (Associate Degree form) has 35 questions in 50 minutes, so confirm with your program which form you will take. Unlike the TEAS or HESI, it tests reasoning ability, not medical knowledge, across eight reported skills: analysis, interpretation, inference, evaluation, explanation, induction, deduction, and numeracy (the HSRT-AD reports six of them). There is no universal passing score, because each program sets its own minimum and receives both your overall score and a score for each skill.
Updated September 2026
What's included
- 1,331 Questions
- 70 Interactive lessons
- 10 Full mock exams
- 17 Video lectures
- AI tutor + personalized study plan
1,331
Questions
All 8 reported skills
70
Structured Lessons
Interactive textbook
10
Full Mock Exams
38 questions, 55 minutes
17
Video Lectures
Doctoral faculty
What is the HSRT?
The Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) is a timed, multiple-choice assessment developed by Insight Assessment. The Standard HSRT has 38 questions in 55 minutes and reports eight critical thinking skills: Analysis, Interpretation, Inference, Evaluation, Explanation, Induction, Deduction, and Numeracy. The HSRT-AD (Associate Degree form) has 35 scenario-based questions in 50 minutes and reports six of those skills. Programs choose the form, so confirm which one you will take. No prior medical knowledge is required. All information needed is provided within each question. Most programs require scores of 65–74%, and most students need 4–6 weeks to prepare effectively.
Get 5 free HSRT practice questions with full explanations
One question per skill area (Analysis, Inference, Evaluation, Induction, Deduction) with full explanations. Faculty-developed.
HSRT Resource Hub
Everything you need for the HSRT
Which programs require HSRT, score minimums by state
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Minimum scores by school, what counts as competitive
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70 lessons, 1,331 questions, 10 mock exams
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How StudyBuddy compares to free resources
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Format, skills tested, who requires it, complete guide
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Original sample questions with full explanations, no sign-up
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Structured prep plan covering every HSRT skill area
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Which exam does your program require?
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Reasoning vs content, two different exams compared
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Every MN nursing program requiring HSRT with minimums
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TX respiratory care, dental hygiene, OTA programs
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How 19 programs use the HSRT differently in admissions
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What you actually need at each school, not just the floor
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Attempts, waiting periods, and score validity by school
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30+ answers covering format, scoring, schools, and prep
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Identify claims, evidence, and assumptions in passages
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Draw conclusions best supported by evidence
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12 logical fallacies + judging argument quality
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Generalizing from specific evidence, sample quality
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4 conditional patterns: modus ponens, modus tollens
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What the HSRT tests
Eight critical thinking domains
The Standard HSRT reports a score for each of these eight skills, and the HSRT-AD reports every one except Interpretation and Explanation. StudyBuddy tracks your performance in each domain and routes more practice to your weak areas.
Analysis
Break down clinical scenarios to identify decision-critical elements and underlying assumptions.
Interpretation
Work out what information means in context, and what it does not say.
Inference
Draw warranted conclusions from evidence, neither too strong nor too weak.
Evaluation
Assess the credibility of sources and the logical strength of arguments.
Explanation
Give the evidence, reasons, and assumptions behind a judgment.
Induction
Make reasoned judgments in ambiguous, uncertain, or risky situations.
Deduction
Apply formal logic to reach certain conclusions from given premises.
Numeracy
Interpret data, statistics, and quantitative reasoning in clinical contexts.
Exam comparison
HSRT vs. TEAS vs. HESI
Not sure which exam your program requires? Check your state below.
| Feature | HSRT | TEAS 7 | HESI A2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | Critical thinking only | Science, math, reading, English | Science, math, reading, English |
| Questions | 38 (HSRT-AD: 35) | 170 | ~300 |
| Time | 55 min (HSRT-AD: 50 min) | 209 minutes | ~5.25 hours |
| Science knowledge needed? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Who uses it | MN nursing; TX allied health | Most US nursing programs | Many BSN/ADN programs |
| StudyBuddy coverage | ✅ Full course | ✅ Full course | ✅ Full course |
Not sure which exam your program requires? Check your state →
“StudyBuddy is built specifically for the HSRT’s critical thinking skills, not repurposed TEAS content, not generic logic drills.”
Verified 2026
Schools that require the HSRT
Ready to start your HSRT prep?
1,331 questions, 10 full-length timed mock exams, AI tutor, and video lectures, built for the HSRT. HSRT-AD takers use the same course.
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See exactly what students experience
Click through the reader, flashcards, AI tutor, practice questions, and mock exams, exactly as your students will see them.
Get 5 free HSRT practice questions with full explanations
One question per skill area (Analysis, Inference, Evaluation, Induction, Deduction) with full explanations. Faculty-developed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HSRT exam?
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The Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) is a timed multiple-choice exam that measures critical thinking and logical reasoning. The Standard HSRT has 38 questions in 55 minutes, and the HSRT-AD (Associate Degree form) has 35 questions in 50 minutes, so confirm with your program which form you will take. It is required for admission to nursing and allied health programs primarily in Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, and Oregon. Unlike the TEAS or HESI, no medical knowledge is tested, all needed information is in the question.
Which schools require the HSRT?
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Minnesota has 7 nursing programs requiring HSRT: Anoka-Ramsey CC (min. 74%), M State (min. 60–73%), Northwest Technical College (min. 70%), Central Lakes College (min. 65–70%), South Central College (min. 70–74%), Century College, and RCTC. Texas allied health programs at Lone Star College, HCC Coleman, and Palo Alto College also require it. See the full list at studybuddy.live/exams/hsrt/schools.
What is a good HSRT score?
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For Minnesota nursing programs, 70–74% is competitive. Anoka-Ramsey requires a minimum of 74%. For Texas programs, there is no published minimum, higher always improves your ranking. A score above 70% puts you in a strong position at most programs.
Is the HSRT harder than the TEAS?
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Most students find HSRT harder because reasoning skills cannot be memorized, they take weeks to develop. TEAS tests facts you can study; HSRT tests how you think.
Can I retake the HSRT?
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Yes. Most programs allow retakes with a 14-day waiting period, up to 2 retakes per admission cycle. HSRT scores are typically valid for 1–2 years. Check your specific program for exact policy.
How long should I study for the HSRT?
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Most students need 4–6 weeks. Because HSRT tests reasoning rather than content, effective prep requires deliberate practice with feedback, not passive review.
Dig deeper into the HSRT
Every HSRT-requiring state works differently. Here's what students in each market actually face, score thresholds, application weighting, and how competitive your target program really is.
Practice
A free HSRT practice test, what to expect before you pay for prep
Sample questions with full answer explanations so you can try HSRT-style reasoning before committing to a course.
Plan
How to prepare for the HSRT, a 4-week study plan
Week-by-week roadmap built around the reasoning skills the HSRT reports, with daily practice targets.
Study Guide
The HSRT critical thinking domains, here's each one
From Analysis to Numeracy. What each reported skill measures and how to practice it.
Comparison
HSRT vs TEAS, why they're completely different exams
TEAS prep won't help you on the HSRT. Here's why they test different skills and what that means for your study approach.
Minnesota
Minnesota HSRT score requirements by program (2026)
Every confirmed MN nursing program requiring HSRT, published minimums and what competitive actually looks like.
Texas
Texas allied health programs that require the HSRT
Respiratory therapy, dental hygiene, and OTA programs across Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio that use HSRT in selection.
New Jersey
New Jersey HSRT nursing programs
RCSJ and Rowan University both require the HSRT in NJ. How their selection works across nursing, allied health, and respiratory therapy.
Oregon
Oregon HSRT nursing programs. COCC, PCC, Columbia Gorge
Most OR programs use HSRT as a Phase II screen after an initial ranking. Here's how each one weighs it.
Scoring
HSRT score requirements by program (all 31+ schools)
Consolidated table of published minimums, weighting models, and competitive score targets for every HSRT-requiring institution.