How to Prepare for the HESI A2 Exam

What the HESI A2 Exam Measures

The HESI A2 is used because it is a statistically valid predictor of student success within rigorous programs. CNM is committed to student success, so it is important for students to have basic proficiencies demonstrated prior to entering the programs. Please remember that this test measures high-school level proficiencies.

How to Prepare

Study Guides and Textbooks

This exam is designed to test high school proficiencies. There are study guides available.  You can check the CNM library to see if it has preparation materials, or visit a local bookstore or online retailer to purchase your own study guide.

If it has been a while since you took math, science, and English courses, you could check out some textbooks from the CNM library and review. There are also great online textbooks for chemistry, biology, elementary and intermediate algebra available through free Openstax resources.

CNM libraries have purchased some study guides; however, please note this link will only work on a CNM computer.

To access these off campus, please do the following:

  1. Go to the CNM Libraries Exam Prep page
  2. Click on Mometrix on the left side of the screen
  3. Click on the picture of the yellow study guide
  4. Enter your CNM log in and password
  5. Click on Nursing when you see the Study Guides list

Brightspace Modules

HESI A2 review modules are also available in Brightspace. These self-paced modules can help students prepare to take the HESI exam. The modules are not designed to replace taking courses; they are for brushing up on knowledge and identifying gaps. All CNM students can access these modules by logging into Brightspace and then clicking "Course Catalog." View the step-by-step instructions for more information. 

CNM Tutors

Visit a CNM tutor in any subject area that was challenging for you and take your study guide with you. Work on some questions or problems together. It is a good idea to have specific questions prepared when coming to the tutoring center.

Practice Quizzes

Take some practice quizzes and try to re-create the testing environment as much as possible. For example, take the quizzes using a timer, and use only the materials allowed in the real exams. Use the textbooks above to review concepts that you missed when doing practice questions in the study guide.

You can access practice TEAS questions using a CNM computer:

  1. Create an account in BrainFuse
  2. Click on 'Skill Surfer'
  3. Click on 'College Entrance Test Prep'
  4. Click on 'TEAS' under 'Nursing'

If You Don't Pass

The First Attempt

  1. The HESI Evolve site provides remediation feedback. Log in to your exam account to view this content. 
  2. Look back at your study guide and textbooks to reinforce areas that you missed.
  3. Read the exam information carefully to understand the retake policy.
  4. Make sure you remediate on all test areas, not just the ones where you didn’t make the required score.

The Second Attempt

The entrance exams are not intended to be punitive in nature or to screen out applicants. The purpose is to ensure that students are armed for success once they begin our rigorous programs. The expectation is that if you are struggling to meet minimum competencies, then it is an indication to invest the time in taking classes that will help bridge those gaps in knowledge.

  • Consider taking a 1000-level class to improve your overall understanding of the information.
  • If you are hoping to enter the Nursing program, consider taking other classes at CNM to fulfill lower division, general education core requirements (Eng 1102, a fine arts class, a foreign language, social science classes, humanities, etc). This way you’ll continue to make real progress towards your bachelor’s degree while honing your basic knowledge of science, math, and English.