North Mankato, Minnesota·Community College·Official program page ↗

South Central College: HSRT Requirements

South Central College in North Mankato, MN requires the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) for admission to its ASN / PN program. The published minimum score is 70. ASN: 74; PN: 70; must test at SCC. The HSRT is a critical thinking exam — it tests reasoning ability, not science or medical content knowledge.

Last verified: March 2026 · Verify with program ↗

70
Published min.
33
Questions
Untimed
Format

How South Central College uses the HSRT

South Central College requires a minimum HSRT score of 70. ASN: 74; PN: 70; must test at SCC.

Published minimums are floors, not targets. Competitive applicants typically score 5–10 points above the minimum. Aiming for 78 or above is advisable at South Central College.

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. The exam is approximately 33 questions and is not timed — most students complete it in 45–90 minutes.

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 South Central College

Because there is no content to memorize, HSRT preparation looks different from TEAS or HESI prep. Effective preparation involves:

  1. Understanding the five skill areas tested on the HSRT
  2. Taking a baseline practice test to identify your weakest subscale
  3. Practicing argument analysis, inference, and logical reasoning with real HSRT-format questions
  4. Completing full-length timed mock exams under realistic conditions
  5. Reviewing every wrong answer by skill area, not just overall score

StudyBuddy is the only dedicated HSRT prep platform — 463 practice questions, 38 interactive chapters, and 10 timed mock exams, all built for the specific format and skill areas that South Central College tests.

Registration at South Central College

Registration for the HSRT is coordinated through South Central 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.

Contact: southcentral.edu/nursing/nursing-application

South Central College HSRT questions

Does South Central College require the HSRT?
Yes. South Central College in North Mankato, Minnesota requires the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) for admission to its ASN / PN program. The HSRT is a critical thinking assessment developed by Insight Assessment — it does not test science or medical content knowledge.
What HSRT score do I need for South Central College?
South Central College requires a minimum HSRT score of 70. ASN: 74; PN: 70; must test at SCC. Published minimums are the floor — competitive applicants typically score higher. Ask the program what the average HSRT score was among last year's admitted cohort.
How do I register for the HSRT at South Central College?
Registration for the HSRT is coordinated through South Central 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 is access-code protected.
Can I retake the HSRT if I don't meet South Central College's requirement?
Retake policies are set by South Central College, not by Insight Assessment. Most programs allow 1–2 retakes per application cycle. Contact the admissions office directly for the current retake policy before testing.
How is the HSRT different from the TEAS or HESI?
The TEAS and HESI test academic content knowledge — science, math, reading, and English. The HSRT tests only critical thinking and reasoning ability across five domains: analysis, inference, evaluation, inductive reasoning, and deductive reasoning. No science or medical knowledge is required. South Central College uses the HSRT rather than the TEAS to emphasize clinical reasoning ability over content memorization.
How long does it take to prepare for the HSRT for South Central College?
Most students benefit from 4–8 weeks of structured HSRT preparation. Because the HSRT tests reasoning skills rather than memorized content, preparation involves practicing argument analysis, inference, and logical reasoning — not reviewing science notes. StudyBuddy's 8-week study plan covers all five HSRT skill areas with 463 practice questions and 10 timed mock exams.

Prepare for the HSRT at South Central College

463 practice questions, 10 timed mock exams, AI tutor — the only dedicated HSRT prep platform.

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