HESI A2 Chemistry exam-day guide
HESI A2 Chemistry · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered under. Most testing centers require it for admission; confirm the exact accepted forms and name-match rules with your school or testing provider before test day.
Admission ticket or registration confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your appointment time, location, and any candidate ID number. Some sites ask for it at check-in; confirm whether a printed copy is required with the provider.
Know your test location, parking, and arrival time
Do a practice run or check the route and parking options ahead of time. Arrive earlier than your appointment; the exact check-in window and late-arrival policy vary by site, so confirm with the provider.
Approved calculator policy
The chemistry section is mostly arithmetic-based (molar mass, mole conversions, dilution, gas laws), but calculator rules vary by administration. Confirm whether an on-screen calculator, your own approved model, or no calculator is allowed, and do not assume.
Scratch paper and pencil rules
Many testing centers supply scratch materials and prohibit bringing your own. Confirm what is provided and what is banned so you are not surprised at the door.
Personal items plan
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are typically not allowed at the workstation. Plan where they will go (locker, car, or left at home) and confirm the site's storage policy.
Know the section structure and timing
The A2 has multiple timed sections; chemistry is one of them. Confirm the number of chemistry questions and the time limit for your specific administration, since versions differ.
Review high-yield chemistry formulas
Be able to recall and apply: molar mass from atomic masses, moles = mass/molar mass, molarity = moles/liter, dilution (M1V1 = M2V2), percent composition, and the ideal gas law PV = nRT. Practice using them without notes.
Practice unit conversions and significant figures
Expect to convert grams to moles, mL to L, and between metric prefixes, and to report answers with reasonable precision. Do timed practice so arithmetic is fast and accurate.
Plan food, water, and medication
Eat a normal meal and stay hydrated before you arrive. If you take scheduled medication or have an accommodation, confirm the site's policy in advance with the provider.
Sleep and a backup alarm
Get a normal night's sleep and set two alarms. Being rested matters more for arithmetic accuracy than last-minute cramming.
Confirm scoring and score-report timing
Understand how your chemistry score is reported and when results are released; these details vary by school and provider, so verify them rather than relying on rumor.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating high-yield material. Write out the core formulas on one sheet from memory, then check them. Do one or two timed chemistry practice sets under exam-like conditions and review every miss to find the underlying concept gap, not just the right answer.
Drill the calculation types most likely to appear: molar mass, mole-to-mass and mass-to-mole conversions, molarity and dilution, percent composition, limiting-reagent-style reasoning, and gas-law plug-ins. Practice reading word problems carefully to identify what is given and what is asked.
Confirm logistics: exact address, arrival time, ID requirements, calculator and scratch-paper rules, and what is prohibited. Resolve any uncertainty with your school or testing provider now rather than on test morning.
Do a light review only: formula sheet, unit conversions, and a handful of practice problems. Stop heavy studying early enough to sleep well. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place.
Set out clothing and transportation plans, check the weather and traffic outlook, and set two alarms. Avoid cramming new topics the night before; it tends to increase anxiety without improving accuracy.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and arrive early. Leave your phone and notes secured as the site requires. Do a brief mental warm-up with two or three easy conversions to get your arithmetic brain going, without opening prohibited materials.
Read each chemistry question twice and identify the given values and target units before calculating. Write out the setup with units so they cancel correctly, and estimate the answer first so you can catch calculator or arithmetic slips.
Pace yourself against the section clock. If a calculation stalls, mark it, move on, and return if time allows. Watch for unit traps (mL versus L, grams versus kilograms) and for questions asking for the closest answer rather than an exact one.
Use the periodic table or reference information only if the administration provides it, and confirm in advance what is supplied. Check that your final answer's units and magnitude make chemical sense before submitting.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name. Exact accepted forms and name-match requirements vary, so confirm with the provider before test day.
Follow all check-in and security procedures, including any bag, phone, or smartwatch restrictions. Do not bring notes, textbooks, or unauthorized electronic devices to the workstation.
Use only calculators and scratch materials that the site permits. Confirm the policy in advance rather than assuming your own calculator is allowed.
Breaks are typically limited and may be scheduled between sections; the exact policy varies by site and administration. Confirm break rules and whether you may leave the testing room with the provider.
Scoring is section-based, and the chemistry score is one component of your overall A2 result. Confirm how your target program uses the chemistry score and whether a minimum is required.
Do not attempt to record, photograph, or share test content. Test-security and misconduct rules apply and can lead to score cancellation; review the provider's candidate agreement.
If you need accommodations, request and confirm them well before test day through the proper channel; do not assume they will be granted on the spot.
Arrive on time. Late-arrival and rescheduling policies differ by site, so confirm the cutoff and any fees with the provider in advance.