Free HESI A2 practice test
Free HESI A2 practice questions for every section, playable on this page with no account: math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry and physics. Each question has an explanation. Below them: the exam format, what each section covers, and how to study for it.
Updated October 2026
Section 1
One question from each section
Answer, check, read the explanation. Each section has its own set of ten below.
Free set · all sections
1 of 8What is the value of 3 + 4 × 5 when the order of operations is followed?
Rationale
Multiplication comes before addition, so 4 × 5 = 20 and 3 + 20 = 23. The answer 35 comes from wrongly adding first.
Answer: B
A passage on dehydration in older adults is followed by the choice 'Nurses prevent all patient complications.' What is wrong with it?
Rationale
The sweeping claim sounds authoritative but the passage never supports it. Too-broad answers introduce claims beyond the text.
Answer: C
In health care, "microbes" are best described as tiny organisms such as which of the following?
Rationale
Microbes are tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites and fungi. B cells and T cells are immune cells that defend against them.
Answer: C
In the sentence 'Swimming strengthens cardiovascular endurance,' the word 'swimming' is best described as which of the following?
Rationale
A gerund is an -ing verb form used as a noun. Here 'swimming' is the subject of the sentence.
Answer: B
Which pair of terms correctly describes structures on the same side of the body and on opposite sides?
Rationale
Ipsilateral means on the same side, as with the left arm and left leg, and contralateral means on the opposite side. Bilateral and unilateral refer to both sides versus one side.
Answer: A
Why can most animals not digest cellulose although they digest starch?
Rationale
Cellulose is joined by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds, whose geometry most animal enzymes cannot hydrolyze. Starch has α-1,4 linkages.
Answer: B
Which sequence lists the media in order of fastest to slowest diffusion?
Rationale
Diffusion is fastest in gases, then liquids, then gels, then solids. Particles in gases move most freely. Diffusion in solids is tiny but rises with temperature.
Answer: D
An object moves around a circle at constant speed. Why is it accelerating?
Rationale
Acceleration occurs when speed, direction or both change. In uniform circular motion only the direction changes, but velocity is still changing.
Answer: A
Section 2
HESI A2 exam format
The HESI A2 is Elsevier's admission exam for nursing and health programs, delivered through Evolve. Your school chooses which sections you sit and the score it accepts.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| MathematicsOn-screen calculator | 55 |
| Reading Comprehension | 55 |
| Vocabulary and General Knowledge | 55 |
| Grammar | 55 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 30 |
| BiologyOptional science section | Set by your school |
| ChemistryOptional science section | Set by your school |
| PhysicsOptional science section | Set by your school |
Total time, fees and the scoring cutoff depend on your school and testing center.
Section 3
Practice questions by section
Ten free questions per section, each with an explanation, plus everything the section covers.
Mathematics
Fractions, decimals, ratios, conversions, dosage, algebra, graphs.
Reading Comprehension
Main idea, details, inference, purpose, fact versus opinion.
Vocabulary and General Knowledge
Health care words, medical terms, roots and prefixes, context clues.
Grammar
Parts of speech, agreement, pronouns, tense, punctuation.
Anatomy and Physiology
Terminology and every major body system.
Biology
Biomolecules, cells, metabolism, cell division, genetics.
Chemistry
Matter, atoms, bonding, reactions, moles, solutions, acids.
Physics
Motion, Newton's laws, energy, waves, electricity, fluids.
Section 4
How to study for the HESI A2
01
Find out which sections you take.
Your school picks them and sets the cutoffs. Study only what is on your test.
02
Take a diagnostic first.
One mixed set shows which section is costing you the most, so the hours go there.
03
Drill one section at a time, then mix.
Blocked practice builds the rules; mixed practice is what the exam feels like.
04
Read the explanation on every question.
Including the ones you got right. A lucky guess is a miss you have not met yet.
FAQ
HESI A2 practice test FAQ
What is on the HESI A2?
The HESI A2 is Elsevier's admission exam for nursing and health programs. Sections include math, reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, grammar, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry and physics. Your school picks which ones you take.
How many questions are on the HESI A2?
It depends on the sections your school requires. Reading, vocabulary, grammar and math have 55 questions each, and anatomy and physiology has 30.
What is a passing score on the HESI A2?
There is no single passing score. Each school sets its own cutoffs, sometimes per section and sometimes as an average, so check your program's admissions page.
How long is the HESI A2?
The time limit depends on which sections you take and is set by your school or testing center. Check with them before test day.
Is there a calculator on the HESI A2?
Yes, for the math section. An on-screen calculator is provided.
Are these HESI A2 practice questions free?
Yes. Ten questions per section are free on this site with no account. A free Nursia account adds more practice questions in every section and a full-length mock test.
Which HESI A2 sections should I study?
Your school decides which sections you sit and what score it accepts, so check its admissions page before you book.
Guides
More on the HESI A2
Practise every HESI A2 section free.
Practice questions with explanations in all eight sections, and a full-length mock test that shows where you stand.
Free practice questions in every section, plus a free mock test