Which Schools Require the HSRT Exam?
The Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) is required by 19 nursing and allied health programs across four states — Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, and Oregon. This is the only complete, hand-verified list.
Quick answer
Minnesota has the most HSRT-required nursing programs (7 schools, min. scores 65–74%). Texas uses the HSRT for allied health programs — dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, and OTA — primarily as a competitive ranking tool with no published minimum. New Jersey (Rowan College) and Oregon (COCC, PCC) also require it for nursing. No other state currently mandates the HSRT for program admission.
Minnesota
7 programsNursing-focusedMinnesota is the HSRT’s stronghold for nursing. All seven programs use holistic admissions — the HSRT score is typically the primary quantitative metric alongside GPA.
| School | Min. HSRT Score |
|---|---|
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN | 74% |
| M State (Minnesota State) Moorhead, MN | 60–73% |
| Northwest Technical College Bemidji, MN | 70% |
| Central Lakes College Brainerd, MN | 65–70% |
| South Central College North Mankato, MN | 70–74% |
| Century College White Bear Lake, MN | No published minimum |
| Rochester Community & Technical College Rochester, MN | No published minimum |
Texas
5 programsAllied health-focusedIn Texas, the HSRT is used primarily for allied health admissions — not nursing. Most Texas nursing programs use HESI A2 or TEAS 7. Texas programs typically use HSRT as a ranking tool rather than a hard cutoff.
| School | Min. HSRT Score |
|---|---|
| Lone Star College — Dental Hygiene Kingwood, TX | Competitive ranking |
| Lone Star College — Respiratory Care Kingwood, TX | Competitive ranking |
| HCC Coleman — Respiratory Therapy Houston, TX | No minimum |
| HCC Coleman — Occupational Therapy Assistant Houston, TX | No minimum |
| Palo Alto College San Antonio, TX | Competitive ranking |
New Jersey & Oregon
3 programs| School | Min. HSRT Score |
|---|---|
| Rowan College of South Jersey Sewell, NJ | No published minimum |
| Central Oregon Community College Bend, OR | No minimum |
| Portland Community College Portland, OR | Phase II only |
What is a good HSRT score?
HSRT scores are reported as a percentage (0–100%). The interpretation depends on your target program:
- Minnesota nursing programs: Aim for 74%+ to be competitive at Anoka-Ramsey (the strictest program). A score of 70% meets minimum requirements at most MN programs.
- Texas allied health programs: No published minimums. Scores are used for ranking — any score above 70% is competitive, and 75%+ puts you in a strong position.
- Oregon nursing programs: HSRT is one weighted factor; higher is always better.
Unlike the TEAS or HESI, there is no national percentile report for HSRT scores. Each program interprets scores independently.
HSRT vs. TEAS — what’s the difference?
| Feature | HSRT | TEAS 7 |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Critical thinking & reasoning | Science, math, reading, English |
| Science knowledge needed? | No | Yes — A&P, biology, chemistry |
| Duration | ~40–50 minutes | 209 minutes |
| Score format | Percentage (0–100%) | Percentage composite |
| Who uses it | MN nursing; TX allied health | Most US nursing programs |
| Study approach | Reasoning skills & logic | Content memorization |
How to prepare for the HSRT
The HSRT is the only major nursing admissions exam with no dedicated third-party prep materials — until now. Students commonly report "paradigm shock": they expect to study science facts and instead encounter pure logic puzzles.
Effective HSRT preparation focuses on six reasoning skills: analysis, evaluation, inference, deduction, induction, and quantitative reasoning. These are skills, not content — which means practice and feedback matter more than memorization.
The only dedicated HSRT prep
StudyBuddy HSRT Course
38 lessons · 463 practice questions · 17 video lectures · 10 full-length timed mock exams · 15 reading comprehension passages
Start HSRT Prep — $29/monthFrequently asked questions
Do all nursing schools require the HSRT?
No. The HSRT is required by a small subset of programs — primarily in Minnesota and Oregon for nursing, and in Texas for allied health. The majority of US nursing programs require TEAS 7 or HESI A2 instead.
Can I retake the HSRT if my score is too low?
Retake policies vary by program. Anoka-Ramsey allows one retake after 30 days. Most other programs allow retesting after a similar waiting period. Check your specific program's admissions page for exact retake policies.
Is the HSRT harder than the TEAS?
Most students find the HSRT harder because it requires genuine critical thinking — there is no content to memorize. With the TEAS, you can study A&P facts and math formulas. With the HSRT, you must develop reasoning skills that take more time to build.
Where can I take the HSRT?
The HSRT must be taken at an authorized testing center — typically on-campus at the school requiring it. Some schools partner with regional testing centers. Unlike the TEAS, you cannot take the HSRT at an ATI testing center. Contact your program's admissions office for testing site details.