HESI A2 exam-day guide
HESI A2 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current, unexpired photo ID with your name spelled exactly as it appears on your registration. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID are the usual accepted forms; confirm the exact ID rules with your testing provider before test day.
Appointment / registration confirmation
Bring a printed or digital copy of your appointment confirmation, confirmation number, and any student or school ID number your program requires. Some schools issue an authorization code that must be entered at the testing center; confirm with your provider whether you need one.
Written confirmation of which sections you are taking
Schools choose which HESI A2 sections to require (commonly Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar, Basic Math Skills, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, and sometimes Physics, plus non-scored Learning Style and Personality profiles). Print or screenshot the section list and any time limits from your provider so you know what to expect.
Your program's minimum score and retake policy
Know the score cutoffs your school uses and how many attempts you are allowed, so you can set a target before you begin. Policies differ by institution; get this in writing from your program, not from other students.
Directions, arrival time, and parking plan
Confirm the testing center address, the arrival window, and where to park or which entrance to use. Many centers recommend arriving well before your appointment so you can complete check-in without rushing; ask your provider for the specific arrival time they recommend.
Remote-proctoring setup (only if testing online)
If you are taking the exam remotely, confirm the required browser, webcam, microphone, and system-check steps in advance, and run the equipment test the day before. Have a quiet, private, well-lit room and a stable internet connection ready.
Calculator policy confirmed
Many HESI A2 administrations provide an on-screen basic calculator for the math section, and personal calculators are usually not permitted. Do not assume either way; confirm with your provider and practice mental math and conversions as backup.
Scratch paper and writing utensil policy confirmed
Scratch paper and pencils are typically supplied by the proctor and must be turned in at the end. Ask your provider what is allowed so you are not surprised at check-in.
Leave phone, smartwatch, and study materials behind or in a locker
Personal electronics and notes are generally not allowed in the testing room. Plan to store them in your car or a provided locker, and expect to be asked to empty your pockets.
Water and a light snack for the break
Bring a small snack and water in case a break is offered between sections. Break policies vary by testing site, so confirm in advance whether food and drink are permitted and where you may keep them.
Comfort items and layers
Testing rooms are often cool and you may sit for several hours. Wear comfortable layers that can be adjusted without leaving the room, and avoid anything that requires removal for security screening beyond what is necessary.
Approved accommodations arranged in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, these must be requested through the testing provider or your school well before test day, typically with documentation. They cannot usually be granted on the spot.
Plan the day
Re-confirm your appointment date, time, location (or remote session), and the list of sections you are taking. Re-read your school's minimum score and retake policy. Do one light review pass over your weakest content area and the math conversions and dosage-calculation formulas you tend to forget, then stop adding new material.
If testing remotely, complete the full equipment and system check now rather than the morning of. If testing in person, finalize your transportation and parking plan and check the weather and traffic patterns for that time of day.
Pack your bag: photo ID, confirmation, section list, snack, water, layers. Lay out clothes. Charge your devices and, if remote, charge backups. Do not start a new topic or take a full-length practice test this late; a short flashcard pass of vocabulary, A&P terminology, and metric conversions is enough.
Set two alarms, go to bed at a normal hour, and avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine late in the evening. Eat a normal dinner. If you take daily medication, keep to your routine.
Eat a real breakfast with protein and drink water, but not so much fluid that you are uncomfortable during a long timed section. Re-check your bag against the checklist before you leave.
Arrive at least as early as your provider recommends so check-in, ID verification, and any locker storage are unhurried. If testing remotely, log in early, close every other application, and silence notifications.
Do not cram in the parking lot or waiting room. A brief glance at a formula sheet is fine; heavy review right before the exam tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Work through each section at a steady pace and keep an eye on the section timer. If a question stalls you, choose your best answer, flag it if the interface allows, and move on; return only if time remains.
Read the math and science questions twice and check units before answering; many errors are unit or sign errors rather than knowledge gaps. For reading comprehension, answer strictly from the passage, not from outside knowledge.
Use any offered break to stand, stretch, use the restroom, and eat your snack, then reset your focus. Before submitting a section, use remaining time to review flagged items, since you may not be able to return to a section once it closes.
Rules to check
You must present valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification that matches your registered name. Candidates without acceptable ID are generally turned away, and confirming the accepted ID forms in advance is your responsibility.
Personal electronics, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are not permitted in the testing room. Expect to empty your pockets and store belongings as directed; keep your phone off and out of reach for the entire session.
Sections are individually timed. In most administrations you cannot return to a section once it has closed, so budget your time within each section rather than counting on going back later. Confirm the exact navigation rules with your provider.
Break policy varies by testing site and by whether you test in person or remotely. Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or counted against your time, and whether you may leave the testing room.
The exam is scored per section as a percentage, and each school sets its own minimum scores and weighting; there is no single universal passing score. The Learning Style and Personality profiles are typically not used for admission decisions, but confirm how your program uses them.
Retake rules, waiting periods between attempts, and limits on the number of attempts are set by the school or testing provider, not by the exam itself. Get your program's policy in writing before you sit for the exam.
All work must be your own. Talking, sharing materials, using unauthorized aids, or attempting to capture exam content is a violation of testing policy and can void your score and be reported to your program.
If you need accommodations, request them through the testing provider or your school well in advance with the required documentation; accommodations generally cannot be arranged on test day.