How Rowan University Respiratory Therapy uses the HSRT in admissions
The Rowan University BS in Respiratory Therapy (Entry into Practice) requires a minimum composite HSRT score of 72 for admission, alongside a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.8 GPA in required science courses. The program admits a maximum of 30 students each fall and admission is competitive, so a score comfortably above 72 strengthens your application. This is the destination program for students completing the respiratory therapy 2+2 pathway at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) and Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ).
The published minimum is 72. Because only 30 students are admitted each fall and admission is competitive, aim well above 72 to be competitive in the applicant pool.
HSRT testing at Rowan University Respiratory Therapy
- Location: HSRT can be taken at the Rowan University Testing Center or through Rowan College of South Jersey (Gloucester or Cumberland campus).
Retake policy
The HSRT may be retaken no sooner than two weeks after the prior attempt, with a maximum of two retakes.
About Rowan University Respiratory Therapy's BS Respiratory Therapy (Entry into Practice) program
The Rowan University Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (Entry into Practice) is a two-year upper-division program in the Rowan-Virtua School of Nursing and Health Professions, with labs and clinical facilities at the Rowan College of South Jersey-Inspira Health Sciences Center. Students typically reach it through the respiratory therapy 2+2 pathway, completing an Associate of Science in Health Science at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) or Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) before transferring. The HSRT is the reasoning-skills gate for that transfer: a composite of 72 or higher is required, the application deadline is March 1 for a fall start, and graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
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. The Standard HSRT reports an overall score plus eight critical thinking skills: analysis, interpretation, inference, evaluation, explanation, induction, deduction, and numeracy. The HSRT-AD form reports six of those skills (it does not report interpretation or explanation separately). Programs choose which HSRT form they administer. The Standard HSRT is 38 questions in 55 minutes, and the HSRT-AD is 35 questions in 50 minutes. Confirm with Rowan University Respiratory Therapy admissions which form and time limit you will sit.
New Jersey allied health programs use the HSRT because bs respiratory therapy (entry into practice) requires strong clinical decision-making ability. The HSRT is designed to assess whether applicants can reason through novel problems, the core skill of clinical practice.
How to prepare for the HSRT at Rowan University Respiratory Therapy
Because there is no content to memorize, HSRT preparation looks different from TEAS or HESI prep. Effective preparation involves:
- Understanding the skill areas the HSRT reports (eight on the Standard HSRT, six on the HSRT-AD)
- Taking a baseline diagnostic to identify your weakest subscale
- Practicing argument analysis, inference, and logical reasoning with original HSRT-style practice questions
- Completing full-length practice exams under realistic conditions
- Reviewing every wrong answer by skill area, not just overall score
StudyBuddy is a dedicated HSRT prep platform: 1,331 questions across eight skill modules (one per reported skill) and a mixed-reasoning module, 70 interactive lessons, and 10 timed mock exams in the Standard HSRT format (38 questions, 55 minutes). It is designed to build the reasoning skills publicly described for the HSRT. Our questions are original practice material and do not reproduce the proprietary exam. If Rowan University Respiratory Therapy uses the HSRT-AD, the same course applies, and the pace per question is about the same (about 86 to 87 seconds).
Prep timeline for Rowan University Respiratory Therapy's Fall cohort application deadline
With the deadline on March 1, here are two recommended study plans:
4-week plan (recommended if you have time):
- Week 1: Analysis, Interpretation + Evaluation, learn to break down arguments, read what claims mean, and assess evidence
- Week 2: Inference, Explanation + Induction, practice drawing and justifying conclusions from incomplete data
- Week 3: Deduction + Numeracy, work through logical reasoning and quantitative scenarios
- Week 4: Full practice exams + review weak areas. Take at least 3 timed exams.
2-week sprint (if your deadline is close):
- Week 1: Take the diagnostic. Focus all study time on your 2 weakest skill areas. Complete 100+ practice questions.
- Week 2: Take 3–4 full practice exams. Review every wrong answer. Retake your diagnostic to measure improvement.
Registration at Rowan University Respiratory Therapy
Registration for the HSRT is coordinated through Rowan University Respiratory Therapy'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.
Contact: sites.rowan.edu/snhp/departments/allied-health/bsrt-eip/
