Nursing Admissions · HESI A2

HESI A2 Preparation.

Comprehensive HESI A2 preparation with personalized one-on-one instruction by Mr. Sharma.

The HESI Admission Assessment (A2), published by Elsevier, is a modular nursing-program entrance exam. Programs choose which subtests to require. Mr. Sharma covers every academic subtest, with a specialty in Mathematics and the science subtests.

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Exam Snapshot

The HESI A2 at a glance.

The format, subtests, and scoring every HESI A2 candidate should know before beginning preparation.

Format
Computer-based · multiple choice (4 options)
Structure
Modular — programs select which subtests to require
Academic Subtests
Mathematics · Reading Comp · Vocabulary · Grammar · A&P · Biology · Chemistry · Physics
Non-Academic
Learning Style · Personality Profile (when required)
Typical Subtest Length
50–55 items, 50–60 minutes
Calculator
On-screen four-function calculator provided
Scoring
Percentage per subtest
Common Cut Score
Most programs require ~75% per required subtest
Retake Policy
Set by each program (typically 60–90 day wait)

Section 01

HESI A2 Overview

The HESI A2 is delivered as a battery of subtests; your target program decides which ones you take. Mathematics, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Anatomy & Physiology are required almost everywhere. Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are required by some programs.

Section

Mathematics

Items
50
Time
50 min
Calc
On-screen
Section

Reading Comprehension

Items
50
Time
60 min
Passages
Mixed
Section

Vocabulary & General Knowledge

Items
50
Time
50 min
Focus
Medical context
Section

Grammar

Items
50
Time
50 min
Focus
Conventions
Section

Anatomy & Physiology

Items
30
Time
25 min
Focus
All major systems
Section

Biology

Items
30
Time
25 min
Focus
Cell & molecular
Section

Chemistry

Items
30
Time
25 min
Focus
General chemistry
Section

Physics

Items
25
Time
25 min
Focus
Algebra-based

Section 02 · Mathematics · Our Specialty

Mathematics

Strong nursing-focused arithmetic: basic operations, fractions/decimals/percents, ratios and proportions, measurements, conversions, and dosage-style word problems.

Duration

50 minutes

Items

50

Calculator

On-screen four-function

Core

Numbers & Operations

Operations

  • Integers
  • Fractions
  • Decimals
  • Percent

Number Theory

  • Order of operations
  • Factors & multiples

Ratios & Proportions

  • Ratios
  • Proportions
  • Rates
Core

Measurement & Algebra

Measurement

  • Metric ↔ U.S. Customary
  • Time, mass, volume, length

Algebra

  • Linear equations
  • Inequalities
  • Word problems

Nursing Applications

  • Dosage calculations
  • IV drip rates
  • Body-weight dosing

Section 03 · Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension

50 questions in 60 minutes drawing on short healthcare-themed and general-interest passages.

Duration

60 minutes

Items

50

Passages

Healthcare & general

Main Idea & Details

Identifying central claims and the supporting details that justify them across short, dense passages.

Inference & Logical Conclusions

What the passage permits the reader to conclude, distinguished from what it explicitly states.

Author's Purpose & Tone

Recognizing why the passage was written and the attitude conveyed — informational, persuasive, instructive.

Section 04 · Vocabulary & General Knowledge

Vocabulary & General Knowledge

50 questions emphasizing medical and healthcare vocabulary alongside general English.

Medical-Context Vocabulary

Common terms encountered in nursing coursework and clinical practice — many drawn from Latin and Greek roots.

General English Vocabulary

Roots, prefixes, suffixes, and context-clue strategies for unfamiliar words.

Section 05 · Grammar

Grammar

50 questions covering the conventions of standard written English with a focus on healthcare communication.

Sentence Structure

Run-ons, fragments, parallel structure, and modifier placement.

Usage & Mechanics

Subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, verb tense, capitalization, and punctuation.

Section 06 · Anatomy & Physiology · Our Specialty

Anatomy & Physiology

30 questions covering all major body systems and the principles of organization, anatomical terminology, and homeostasis.

Duration

25 minutes

Items

30

Scope

All major systems

Core

Body Systems

Cardiovascular & Respiratory

  • Heart anatomy
  • Circulation
  • Lungs
  • Gas exchange

Nervous & Endocrine

  • CNS / PNS
  • Reflex arcs
  • Major glands & hormones

Musculoskeletal & Integumentary

  • Bones
  • Joints
  • Muscle types
  • Skin layers

Digestive, Urinary & Reproductive

  • GI tract
  • Nephron
  • Male & female reproductive
Core

Foundations

Organization

  • Cells
  • Tissues
  • Organs
  • Systems

Terminology

  • Directional terms
  • Body planes & cavities

Homeostasis

  • Negative & positive feedback
  • Fluid & electrolyte balance

Section 07 · Biology

Biology

30 questions on the foundations of life science most directly relevant to nursing practice.

Duration

25 minutes

Items

30

Focus

Cell & molecular

Core

Cell & Molecular Biology

Cell Biology

  • Cell structure
  • Membrane transport
  • Cell cycle
  • Mitosis & meiosis

Molecular Genetics

  • DNA structure
  • Replication
  • Transcription
  • Translation

Inheritance

  • Mendelian genetics
  • Pedigrees
  • Punnett squares
Core

Metabolism & Microbiology

Metabolism

  • Enzymes
  • Cellular respiration overview
  • Photosynthesis overview

Microbiology Basics

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Innate vs. adaptive immunity (intro)

Macromolecules

  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic acids

Section 08 · Chemistry · Our Specialty

Chemistry

30 questions covering general chemistry foundations: matter and atomic structure, bonding, reactions, and acid-base chemistry.

Duration

25 minutes

Items

30

Focus

General chemistry

Core

Matter & Atomic Structure

Matter

  • States of matter
  • Phase changes
  • Density

Atomic Structure

  • Subatomic particles
  • Isotopes
  • Electron configuration

Periodic Table

  • Trends
  • Groups & periods
Core

Bonding & Reactions

Chemical Bonding

  • Ionic
  • Covalent
  • Polar vs. nonpolar

Stoichiometry

  • Mole concept
  • Balancing equations
  • Limiting reagent

Acids & Bases

  • pH scale
  • Strong vs. weak
  • Neutralization

Solutions

  • Concentration
  • Molarity
  • Dilution (C₁V₁ = C₂V₂)

Section 09 · Physics · Our Specialty

Physics

25 algebra-based questions covering the mechanics and energy concepts most relevant to clinical reasoning.

Duration

25 minutes

Items

25

Math Level

Algebra-based

Core

Mechanics

Kinematics

  • Distance, velocity, acceleration
  • Free fall

Forces

  • Newton's laws
  • Friction
  • Normal force

Rotation & Equilibrium

  • Torque (intro)
  • Static equilibrium
Core

Energy, Waves & Electricity

Energy

  • Work
  • KE & PE
  • Conservation of energy
  • Power

Waves & Sound

  • Wave properties
  • Frequency
  • Speed of sound

Electricity (basics)

  • Charge
  • Current
  • Voltage
  • Ohm's law

Optics (intro)

  • Reflection
  • Refraction

Section 10 · Learning Style & Personality

Learning Style & Personality Assessments

When required, these non-academic subtests are unscored in the academic sense — they help your program understand how you learn and work best. There are no wrong answers.

Learning Style

Identifies preferred learning modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) so programs can support strong study strategies.

Personality Profile

Identifies temperament patterns relevant to clinical environments. Programs use this to advise — not to gatekeep.

Section 11 · Skills Tested

Underlying Skills

What the HESI A2 actually measures across its academic subtests.

  • Quantitative reasoning with conversions
  • Anatomy & physiology fluency
  • Cell & molecular biology
  • General chemistry foundations
  • Algebra-based physics reasoning
  • Close reading & inference
  • Medical & general vocabulary
  • Grammar mastery
  • Multi-section endurance

Section 12

Skills Tested

The HESI A2 measures the science, math, language, and reasoning foundations of successful nursing students.

Skill

Anatomy & Physiology Fluency

Confident, organized recall of every major body system.

Skill

Quantitative Reasoning

Fractions, decimals, percents, and proportions applied to dosage-style problems.

Skill

Chemistry Foundations

Atomic structure, bonding, reactions, acids/bases, and solution concentration.

Skill

Physics Reasoning

Algebra-based mechanics, energy, waves, and basic electricity.

Skill

Biology Foundations

Cell biology, molecular genetics, metabolism, and microbiology basics.

Skill

Close Reading

Extracting main idea, evidence, and inference from healthcare-themed passages.

Skill

Grammar Mastery

Sentence structure, usage, and mechanics — taught rule-by-rule.

Skill

Vocabulary Depth

Medical and general English vocabulary with roots-and-affixes work.

Skill

Endurance

Sustained focus across multiple subtests in a single sitting.

Section 13

Common Student Challenges

The patterns Mr. Sharma sees most often on the HESI A2 — and how each one is addressed during tutoring.

Section 14

Mr. Sharma's Teaching Process

A six-step path from diagnostic to test day, used with every HESI A2 student.

  1. Step 01

    Initial Diagnostic Assessment

    A full-length diagnostic establishes the student's true starting point across every tested area.

  2. Step 02

    Identify Strengths & Weaknesses

    Results are mapped to specific subtopics — not just section scores — so the plan targets the right work.

  3. Step 03

    Build Conceptual Foundations

    Underlying content is rebuilt where needed so test strategies have something solid to stand on.

  4. Step 04

    Practice Official-Style Questions

    Curated, exam-aligned problems are worked through together on the digital whiteboard.

  5. Step 05

    Learn Time-Saving Strategies

    Pacing, elimination, and figure-reading techniques tuned to this exam's format.

  6. Step 06

    Build Confidence Through Full-Length Practice Tests

    Regular timed practice tests turn preparation into performance — and reveal exactly what to refine next.

Section 15

Why Students Choose Mr. Sharma

What candidates consistently point to when describing HESI A2 preparation with Mr. Sharma.

Included

30+ Years Teaching Experience

Decades of one-on-one and classroom instruction across every level of mathematics and science.

Included

Individualized Instruction

Every session is built around the student in front of the camera — never a group class.

Included

Concept-Based Learning

Students learn why the material works, not just which button to press.

Included

Digital Whiteboard Lessons

Live, written, step-by-step instruction that mirrors a real classroom whiteboard.

Included

Customized Homework

Assignments written for the student's plan — never generic worksheets.

Included

Progress Tracking

Clear, ongoing measurement so families see exactly where their student stands.

Included

Flexible Online Scheduling

Sessions fit around school, sports, and family life — anywhere in the country.

Included

Patient Teaching Style

Questions are welcomed, not rushed. Students learn to think out loud.

Included

Exam-Oriented Preparation

Every lesson connects back to how the concept actually appears on the exam.

Section 17

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions parents and students ask most often about this exam and how Mr. Sharma prepares his students.

Advanced STEM Library

Comprehensive Formula Sheet & Free Resources

Downloadable formula sheets, study guides, and reference materials for HESI A2 Nursing Admission Tutoring — curated by Mr. Sharma and continuously expanded as part of the Advanced STEM Library.

Coming Soon

Comprehensive Formula Sheet

Every formula, identity, and relationship a student needs for HESI A2 Nursing Admission Tutoring — organized by topic and printable in one page.

Publishing shortly
Coming Soon

Concept Study Guide

A structured written companion covering the core content areas tested on HESI A2 Nursing Admission Tutoring, section by section.

Publishing shortly
Coming Soon

Topic Review Notes

Concise topic-by-topic reviews with worked examples — designed to be re-read the week before test day.

Publishing shortly
Coming Soon

Practice Plan Templates

Four-, eight-, twelve-, and sixteen-week study calendars aligned to a student's timeline and current level.

Publishing shortly
Coming Soon

Common Mistakes Reference

The specific errors that quietly cost points on this exam — with the fix Mr. Sharma teaches for each.

Publishing shortly
Coming Soon

Score-Building Question Set

A curated set of exam-aligned practice questions targeting the highest-yield subtopics.

Publishing shortly

The Advanced STEM Library

One growing library of formula sheets, study guides, and topic reviews.

Every resource on this page will live in the Advanced STEM Library — a single, expanding home for the formula sheets, study guides, topic reviews, encyclopedia entries, practice plans, and reference materials Mr. Sharma uses with his own students.

Open the Advanced STEM Library

Ready When You Are

Ready to Hit Your HESI A2 Targets?

Whether you are taking a four-subtest battery or the full academic eight, Mr. Sharma provides personalized HESI A2 instruction tailored to your required subtests and your target program's published minimums.

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Begin

Start with a focused strategy conversation.

The strategy session is the first step of working together — a focused academic planning and diagnostic conversation used to understand the student before any ongoing academic support begins.

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