How Central Lakes College uses the HSRT in admissions
Central Lakes College requires a minimum HSRT score of 65. RN: 70% minimum. LPN/PN: 65% minimum. Advanced Standing (LPN to RN Bridge): HSRT NOT required — requires MN LPN license instead. Rolling admission while seats are available..
CLC uses rolling admission — earlier applicants with qualifying scores get seats first. Do not wait. RN applicants should aim for 75+; PN applicants for 70+.
HSRT testing at Central Lakes College
- Location: Central Lakes College — Brainerd Campus only. In-person; no remote option.
- Fee: $49 (non-refundable)
- Format: 35 multiple-choice questions, 50 minutes time limit. Unanswered questions scored as incorrect. You can navigate forward and backward during the exam.
Retake policy
Up to 2 attempts per application cycle. Must wait 14 days between attempts. Scores expire 2 years from test date. For accommodations, contact accessibilityservices@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8056 at least 7 days before test date.
About the HSRT exam
The Health Sciences Reasoning Test is developed by Insight Assessment. Unlike the TEAS or HESI, it does not test science, math, or vocabulary. It measures five critical thinking skills: analysis, inference, evaluation, inductive reasoning, and deductive reasoning. At Central Lakes College, the HSRT consists of 35 questions with a 50 minutes time limit.
Minnesota nursing programs adopted the HSRT after the MANE consortium dissolved, shifting toward holistic admissions models that emphasize critical thinking ability over content knowledge. Research in nursing education suggests that reasoning ability, more than prerequisite GPA, predicts clinical performance and NCLEX success.
How to prepare for the HSRT at Central Lakes College
Because there is no content to memorize, HSRT preparation looks different from TEAS or HESI prep. Effective preparation involves:
- Understanding the six skill areas tested on the HSRT
- Taking a baseline diagnostic to identify your weakest subscale
- Practicing argument analysis, inference, and logical reasoning with HSRT-format questions
- Completing full-length practice exams under realistic conditions (50 minutes time limit at Central Lakes College)
- Reviewing every wrong answer by skill area, not just overall score
StudyBuddy is the only dedicated HSRT prep platform, 1,000+ practice questions across 10 skill assessments, 64 interactive lessons, and 10 timed practice exams, all built for the specific format and skill areas that Central Lakes College tests.
Registration at Central Lakes College
Registration for the HSRT is coordinated through Central Lakes College's admissions office. You will receive a direct link and access code to the Insight Assessment online testing platform. Do not attempt to register independently, the test requires a program-issued access code.
