About the HSRT exam
What is the HSRT?
The HSRT is the Health Sciences Reasoning Test, a critical thinking exam published by Insight Assessment. It is required by 19+ nursing and allied health programs across Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, and Oregon. Unlike the TEAS or HESI A2, the HSRT does not test scientific facts — it tests reasoning skills like analysis, inference, and evaluation across five subscale areas.
Who publishes the HSRT?
The HSRT is published by Insight Assessment, a subsidiary of California Academic Press. Insight Assessment specializes in critical thinking measurement instruments. The HSRT was developed specifically for health sciences admissions and program assessment.
How is the HSRT different from the TEAS?
The TEAS tests content knowledge — anatomy, physiology, math, reading, English. The HSRT tests reasoning skills using passages and arguments. TEAS prep involves memorization. HSRT prep involves practicing logical analysis, inference, and evaluation. Most students who do well on the TEAS still need separate preparation for the HSRT because the skills barely overlap.
How is the HSRT different from the HESI A2?
The HESI A2 is a content-knowledge admissions exam covering math, vocabulary, reading, grammar, biology, chemistry, and anatomy. The HSRT is a critical thinking test with no content prerequisites. The HESI is published by Elsevier; the HSRT is published by Insight Assessment. Some programs require both — they measure entirely different skills.
Is the HSRT the same as the HSRT-AD?
The HSRT-AD is the standard version of the HSRT, with 33 questions covering five reasoning skill areas. There is also an HSRT-PN (33-item, slightly lower difficulty) used by some practical nursing programs. When most schools say "HSRT," they mean the HSRT-AD. Always confirm which version your program requires.
How many questions are on the HSRT?
The standard HSRT-AD has 33 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 50 minutes. The HSRT-PN is also 33 items. Each question has one correct answer; there is no penalty for guessing.
How long is the HSRT?
The HSRT-AD has a 50-minute time limit for 33 questions — about 90 seconds per question. Some test centers may allow up to 60 minutes; check with your program. The exam is delivered online, typically at a proctored testing center or via remote proctoring.
HSRT scoring
How is the HSRT scored?
The HSRT reports an overall score (0-33 raw, often expressed as a percent or scaled score) plus five subscale scores: Analysis, Inference, Evaluation, Inductive Reasoning, and Deductive Reasoning. Some programs use only the overall score; others use specific subscales. Insight Assessment provides percentile ranks comparing your score to a national health sciences applicant pool.
What is a good HSRT score?
Most HSRT-requiring programs set minimum cutoffs in the 60-75% range. Competitive admissions typically require 75-85%. Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Minnesota requires 74. M State requires between 60-73% depending on program. Programs at Lone Star College and Houston Community College do not publish minimums but use HSRT scores in ranking. Always verify the cutoff at your specific target program.
What is the average HSRT score?
According to Insight Assessment normative data for health sciences applicants, the mean HSRT-AD overall score is approximately 18-21 out of 33 (roughly 55-65% correct). Strong applicants typically score 24-27 (73-82%). The 90th percentile is generally above 27.
Which HSRT subscale matters most?
Analysis is the highest-stakes subscale at several Minnesota programs because it is used as the first tie-breaker between applicants with equal total points. Other programs weight Inference and Evaluation more heavily. M State publishes that Analysis correlates with clinical reasoning ability, which is why it is prioritized. For ranking-based programs, all five subscales contribute equally to the overall score.
What is a passing HSRT score?
There is no universal passing score for the HSRT. Each program sets its own cutoff. Some programs treat the HSRT as a gate (must score X or higher to apply). Other programs use it as a ranking factor (your score contributes to a points-based admission decision). Check your specific program for the exact requirement.
Are HSRT scores percentiles or raw scores?
Both. Insight Assessment reports your raw score (out of 33), an overall percentage, and a percentile rank comparing you to a normative population. Most programs use the percentage or the percentile. Check what your program asks for.
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StudyBuddy is the only dedicated HSRT preparation platform. 463+ practice questions across all 5 reasoning skill areas, 10 timed mock exams, faculty-developed strategy content. Practice exam 1 is free with email registration.
Try free HSRT practice test →Schools that require the HSRT
Which schools require the HSRT?
The HSRT is required by 19+ programs across Minnesota (Anoka-Ramsey, M State, Central Lakes, Northwest Technical, Century College, South Central, RCTC), Texas (Lone Star College, Houston Community College, College of the Mainland, Palo Alto College, Texas Southern University), New Jersey (Rowan College), and Oregon (COCC, Clatsop, PCC). Most are nursing programs in Minnesota; in Texas, the HSRT is more commonly used in allied health.
Does Anoka-Ramsey Community College require the HSRT?
As of recent admissions cycles, Anoka-Ramsey has used the HSRT as part of its nursing program admissions, with a minimum score requirement of 74. The HSRT contributes 55% to the total admissions score (alongside experiential factors and essay). Verify current requirements directly with Anoka-Ramsey before applying since admissions criteria can change.
Do all Minnesota nursing programs require the HSRT?
No. Several Minnesota nursing programs require the HSRT, but not all. Notable HSRT-requiring MN programs include Anoka-Ramsey, M State, Central Lakes College, Northwest Technical College, Century College, South Central College, and RCTC. Other MN programs use the TEAS or have no standardized admissions exam. Check your specific target program.
Do Texas nursing programs require the HSRT?
Most Texas nursing programs require the HESI A2 or TEAS, not the HSRT. However, several Texas allied health programs (respiratory care, dental hygiene, OTA) use the HSRT for admissions ranking. Lone Star College, Houston Community College, College of the Mainland, Palo Alto College, and Texas Southern University all have HSRT-requiring programs in allied health.
Why does my program require the HSRT?
Programs use the HSRT because clinical judgment correlates with reasoning skill better than with content knowledge. The TEAS and HESI test what you know; the HSRT tests how you think. Programs that have switched to the HSRT report that it predicts clinical reasoning ability more accurately than content tests, which is why it is gaining adoption in nursing and allied health admissions.
Preparing for the HSRT
How do I study for the HSRT?
Practice with HSRT-format questions, not content review. The HSRT does not test memorizable facts. Effective preparation involves working through reasoning passages, learning to identify argument structure (Analysis), drawing supported conclusions (Inference), spotting logical fallacies (Evaluation), evaluating sample quality (Inductive Reasoning), and applying conditional rules (Deductive Reasoning). Plan 4-8 weeks of structured practice for most students.
How long does it take to study for the HSRT?
Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of structured preparation. Students with strong reasoning backgrounds (philosophy, debate, law, prior LSAT prep) may need only 2-3 weeks. Students newer to formal logic should plan for 6-8 weeks. Daily practice is more effective than long weekend sessions for this type of skill-based preparation.
What books should I use to prepare for the HSRT?
There is no widely available HSRT-specific textbook. The closest analog is introductory informal logic texts (such as "Thinking Critically" by John Chaffee). Some students use LSAT Logical Reasoning materials because the question types are similar, though more difficult. StudyBuddy is the only dedicated HSRT prep platform built specifically for the exam.
Are there free HSRT practice tests?
Yes — StudyBuddy offers a free HSRT practice exam with email registration at /exams/hsrt/practice-test. Insight Assessment (the publisher) does not offer free public practice materials. There are no widely available free HSRT practice tests outside of StudyBuddy.
Can I prepare for the HSRT in 2 weeks?
Possible if you have strong reasoning skills already. Most students benefit from at least 4 weeks. A 2-week intensive can work if you focus on practice questions (not content review) and spend 1-2 hours per day. Two weeks is unrealistic if you have not done formal logic or critical thinking exercises before.
What is the best HSRT prep course?
StudyBuddy is the only dedicated HSRT prep platform. Generic critical thinking or LSAT Logical Reasoning courses cover related skills but are not built around the HSRT format or its specific subscale structure. The closest free alternative is Insight Assessment's test description page, but it provides format information without practice materials.
HSRT retakes and policies
Can I retake the HSRT?
Yes, the HSRT can be retaken. Retake policies are set by your program, not by Insight Assessment. Some programs allow unlimited attempts; others limit you to 2-3 per application cycle. Most programs require a waiting period between attempts (typically 30-90 days). Check your specific program for the exact retake policy.
How long are HSRT scores valid?
HSRT scores are typically valid for 2-3 years for admissions purposes, though policies vary by program. Some programs accept scores up to 5 years old; others require scores within 1 year of application. If you took the HSRT more than 2 years before applying, verify with your program whether your score is still valid.
How much does the HSRT cost?
HSRT pricing varies by institution. Some schools include it in application fees; others charge separately, typically in the $30-60 range. Insight Assessment publishes the test through institutional accounts, so individual students cannot register directly with Insight Assessment — you register through your program.
Where do I take the HSRT?
The HSRT is administered by your program, typically at a proctored testing center on campus or at a partner testing site. Some programs offer remote proctoring options. Contact your specific program admissions office for HSRT scheduling and location information.
HSRT vs other exams
HSRT vs TEAS — which is harder?
They test entirely different skills. TEAS questions have right answers based on factual knowledge — if you have studied A&P, you can answer A&P questions. HSRT questions require careful reading and reasoning even when you know the topic. Most students find the HSRT harder because the test format is unfamiliar and content review does not help. Students with strong reading comprehension typically find the HSRT easier than TEAS Science.
HSRT vs HESI A2 — which should I take?
You take whichever your program requires. Some programs require both. The HESI is content-based (vocabulary, math, reading, science). The HSRT is reasoning-based (analysis, inference, evaluation). They are not interchangeable. Confirm your program's specific requirement before deciding.
HSRT vs Kaplan Critical Reading test — are they the same?
No. The HSRT (published by Insight Assessment) and the Kaplan Critical Reading test are separate exams with different formats and scoring. The Kaplan test is administered as part of Kaplan's admission product. The HSRT is administered by individual programs through Insight Assessment. Some schools accept either; most accept only one.
Is the HSRT like the LSAT?
The HSRT shares some skills with the LSAT Logical Reasoning section — argument analysis, inference, identifying assumptions, and evaluating reasoning. However, the HSRT is shorter (33 questions vs 50+ on each LSAT section), has a different scoring system, and uses healthcare-context passages. LSAT Logical Reasoning practice can build relevant skills, but is harder than the HSRT on average.
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One question per skill area (Analysis, Inference, Evaluation, Induction, Deduction) with full explanations. Faculty-developed.