HSRT vs. TEAS — What's the Difference?

The HSRT (Health Sciences Reasoning Test) and the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) are both used as admissions tests for nursing and allied health programs, but they test fundamentally different things. The TEAS tests content knowledge — science, math, reading, and English. The HSRT tests critical thinking and reasoning ability only, with no content knowledge required. Your program requires one or the other — rarely both.
FeatureHSRTTEAS 7
What it testsCritical thinking & reasoningAcademic content knowledge
Science required?NoYes — A&P, biology, chemistry, physiology
Math required?NoYes — arithmetic, algebra, data interpretation
Test format~33 multiple-choice reasoning items170 questions (120 scored) across 4 sections
Timed?NoYes — 3 hours 29 minutes
Test makerInsight AssessmentATI (Assessment Technologies Institute)
Retake policySet by your programSet by your program (ATI allows unlimited)
Primary useMN nursing, TX/NJ/OR allied healthNationwide nursing and allied health
StudyBuddy prep460+ questions, 64 lessons, 10 examsFull course available

Minnesota nursing schools that switched from TEAS to HSRT

The most significant shift in nursing entrance exams over the past five years has happened in Minnesota. After the MANE (Minnesota Association for Nursing Education) consortium dissolved, individual programs gained autonomy over admissions criteria. Several moved to the HSRT — specifically because research links critical thinking ability at admission to program completion rates and clinical performance, not content knowledge scores.

If you are applying to a Minnesota nursing program, verify which exam your specific school requires. The programs below have confirmed HSRT requirements as of 2026:

SchoolProgramHSRT Minimum
Anoka-Ramsey CCNursing RN74
M StateNursing RN/PN, Med Lab, Sonography60–73%
Central Lakes CollegeNursing RN/PN65–70
Northwest Technical CollegeNursing RN/PN70
Century CollegeHealth SciencesRequired
South Central CollegeNursingRequired
RCTCNursingRequired

The HSRT is scored differently from the TEAS — there is no percentile rank, only a raw score out of 100. Most Minnesota programs set minimum scores in the 60–74 range, but competitive applicants typically score 75 or above. Unlike the TEAS, which has a national normative database, the HSRT score is interpreted solely against your program's cutoff. Preparation strategy is different: you are not competing against national averages, you are clearing a program-specific threshold.

“The HSRT and TEAS test entirely different cognitive skills — choosing the wrong exam to prep for costs weeks of study time.”

— StudyBuddy Doctoral Faculty

How to find out which exam your program requires

The fastest way is to search your program's admissions page for the words "HSRT," "TEAS," "HESI," or "entrance exam." If it is not on the admissions page, call or email the program directly and ask: "What standardized test do I need to take to apply to your program?"

If your program is in Minnesota and is a nursing program, there is a high probability it uses the HSRT — particularly if it was previously part of the MANE consortium (Anoka-Ramsey, M State, NTC, Central Lakes, Century College, South Central, RCTC). If your program is in Texas and is a respiratory care or dental hygiene program, check the list of confirmed HSRT Texas programs.

How to prepare if you are not sure which exam to take

If you are applying to programs that use different exams, the most efficient approach is to identify your top 2–3 programs and find out which exam each requires, then focus preparation on the exam required by your highest-priority program.

If you have time, taking a practice test for both gives you real data on where you stand. Some students find they perform better on one format. Use that information to choose your exam strategically if your programs allow a choice.

HSRT vs. TEAS questions

Is the HSRT harder than the TEAS?
They test different things, so "harder" depends on the student. The TEAS requires memorized content knowledge (science, math, vocabulary). The HSRT requires no memorization — it tests reasoning ability. Students who study well for content-heavy exams sometimes struggle with the HSRT's reasoning format, and vice versa.
Can I take both the HSRT and the TEAS?
Yes. They are different exams from different companies. Some students preparing to apply to multiple programs take both. StudyBuddy covers both exams.
Are nursing schools switching from TEAS to HSRT?
Some are. Minnesota programs that previously used TEAS (or no entrance exam) have adopted the HSRT after the MANE consortium dissolved and schools moved toward holistic admissions models. The trend is driven by research suggesting critical thinking ability is a stronger predictor of clinical success than content knowledge at admission.
Which is more expensive — the TEAS or the HSRT?
Both exams have registration fees set by the testing organizations and are typically in the $60–$100 range. The TEAS is administered by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute). The HSRT is administered through your school via Insight Assessment. Contact your program for specific fee information.
Which Minnesota nursing schools switched from TEAS to HSRT?
Several Minnesota programs moved to the HSRT after the MANE consortium dissolved in the early 2020s. Confirmed HSRT programs include Anoka-Ramsey CC (min. 74), M State (min. 60–73% depending on program), Central Lakes College (min. 65–70), Northwest Technical College (min. 70), Century College, South Central College, and RCTC. These programs previously used a mix of TEAS and locally-developed assessments. The shift was driven by research linking critical thinking ability — not content knowledge — to clinical success and program completion rates.
If my school accepts either TEAS or HSRT, which should I take?
Choose based on your strengths. If you are strong in science and math and comfortable with content review, the TEAS may suit you. If you are strong in analytical and logical thinking, the HSRT may be the better choice. Take practice tests for both to assess where you stand before registering.

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