HESI A2 math word problems and algebra: what is tested and how to set each one up

What word problems and algebra the Math section includes

Elsevier does not publish a public blueprint, so the best detail comes from schools that give the exam. The Texas State Technical College library guide lists Math topics as whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, converting among them, ratios and proportions, solving problems using algebra, time and Roman numerals, and measurement conversion. It describes about 50 questions with a suggested 50 minutes.

Germanna Community College's preparation guide (updated January 2023) says students answer numerical or word problems using the four operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals, set up and solve proportions, and complete some basic algebra problems. Its version lists 55 Math questions, which shows that counts differ by program, so check yours. Odessa College's guide also lists mean, median and mode.

A five-step setup that works on every word problem

First, read the last sentence and write down exactly what is asked, including the unit. Second, list every number with its unit beside it. Third, cross out numbers the question does not need, because distractor values are common in story problems. Fourth, write one relationship: a proportion, a percent statement, or an equation with one unknown.

Fifth, solve, then check the answer against the story. If a sale price comes out higher than the original price, or a dose per tablet is larger than the total, something was set up backwards. This last check takes ten seconds and matters more than usual: Germanna's guide notes that students cannot skip questions or go back to earlier ones.

Four worked examples

Proportion: a nurse works 36 hours over 3 shifts; how many hours in 5 shifts? Write 36 over 3 equals x over 5. Cross multiply: 3x equals 180, so x is 60 hours. Ratio: a unit staffs 1 nurse for every 4 patients and has 28 patients. Set 1 over 4 equal to x over 28, so x is 7 nurses.

Percent: scrubs cost 28 dollars at 25 percent off. Paying 75 percent of the price gives 0.75 times 28, which is 21 dollars. Algebra: a patient drank 3 equal cups plus 7 ounces of water, 25 ounces in all. Write 3x plus 7 equals 25, subtract 7 to get 3x equals 18, and divide to get 6 ounces per cup.

Traps that cost points

Percent off and percent of are different questions: 25 percent of 28 is 7, but 25 percent off 28 leaves 21. Read for the words more than, fewer than, and remaining, since a question asking how many more needs a subtraction after the main step. Unit mismatches also catch people, so convert hours to minutes or ounces to milliliters before you set up the proportion.

The calculator does not fix setup errors. Northcentral Technical College says a basic, non-scientific calculator is built into the exam, personal calculators are not allowed, and the proctor provides scratch paper. Use the paper to write the proportion or equation before you touch the calculator, then type the numbers once.

Sources

Texas State Technical College Library: HESI A2 study guide. Math topic list incl. ratios and proportions and solving problems using algebra; about 50 questions, 50 minutes suggested; basic on-screen calculator provided

Germanna Community College: HESI A2 Nursing Entrance Exam Preparation Guide (updated January 2023). Word problems with whole numbers, fractions and decimals; proportions; basic algebra; 55 Math questions in its version; basic on-screen calculator

Northcentral Technical College: HESI A2. Basic non-scientific calculator embedded in the exam; personal calculators not allowed; scratch paper provided by the proctor

Odessa College Library: HESI A2 guide. Math topics incl. ratios and proportions, percentages, algebra, mean, median and mode