entrance test for nursing school

NEX Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

The Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) is used by nursing schools to determine if an applicant has the skills and aptitudes necessary to do well in a program of nursing education.

Take a free NEX practice test by clicking “Start Test” above!

NEX Exam Outline

The NEX contains 163 multiple-choice questions, 18 of which are unscored, and you will be given 3 hours to complete it (60 minutes per section).

The test is split into three sections.

I. Verbal (58 questions)

This section is divided into two subsections, and you will have 1 hour to complete all of the questions.

The passages will be either general or scientific in nature and will test your ability to fully grasp the information presented. The difficulty of the passages increases as you go through this subsection, starting at an 8th-9th-grade reading level and ending at a basic college reading level.

II. Mathematics (45 questions)

This section is divided into four subsections, and you will have 1 hour to complete all of the questions.

• Place value
• Percentages
• Ratios and proportions
• Order of operations (PEMDAS)

Measurement (14 scored questions) The questions in this subsection assess your ability to use and convert between different measurement systems. Some of the specifics include:

• The metric system
• The US standard system
• Dimensional analysis and conversions

Algebra (7 scored questions) The questions in this subsection assess your understanding of basic algebraic concepts and your ability to solve basic algebraic equations. Some of the specifics include:

• Solving linear equations for one variable
• Simplifying algebraic expressions
• Graphing linear equations

Data & Information (7 scored questions) The questions in this subsection assess your ability to interpret and analyze data presented in different formats. Some of the specifics include:

• Reading and interpreting tables and graphs
• Basic statistical measures
• Probability

III. Science (60 questions)

This section is divided into five subsections, and you will have 1 hour to complete all of the questions.

• Cellular structure and function
• Body systems
• Homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
• Scientific terminology

Chemistry (5 scored questions) The questions in this subsection focus on how matter behaves and interacts, with an emphasis on medication application. Some of the specific topics include:

• Elements, atoms, and molecules
• Chemical reactions
• Acids and bases
• Organic chemistry

Anatomy (11 scored questions) The questions in this subsection assess your understanding of the blueprint of the human body and the location of major organs. Some of the specifics include:

• Directional terms (superior, inferior, medial, lateral)
• Body planes and sections
• Organ systems
• Major organs and their functions

Physiology (11 scored questions) The questions in this subsection assess your knowledge of how the body’s systems work together to maintain health and applying that knowledge to patient care. Some of the specifics include:

• Function of body systems
• Homeostatic imbalances
• Cellular processes
• The immune system

Health (8 scored questions) The questions in this subsection assess your understanding of how to maintain health and prevent disease to optimize patient outcomes. Some of the specifics include:

• Fluid and electrolyte balance
• Hygiene and infection control
• Environmental health
• Health promotion and disease prevention

NEX Registration

While the exam itself is the same no matter where you take it, it is going to be administered by the school that you are applying to. So you will register for your appointment through the school. The exam fee also depends on where you are taking it but will usually range from $60 to $100.

When you register, you will have a range of dates to choose from. It is offered several times each month. Many locations will also offer a range of start times on each date so that you can find something that fits best with your schedule.

NEX Online Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online NEX prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!

Here’s what you’ll find in the NEX course:

• 70+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
• Over 450 NEX Practice Questions
• 250+ Video Tutorials
• 650+ Digital Flashcards
• Money-back Guarantee
• Mobile Access

Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the NEX online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the NEX exam.

Click below to check it out!

NEX Test Scores

When you receive your score report, you will see what percentage of questions you answered correctly in each section of the test, as well as a composite score and overall percentile rank. Since each nursing program has its own standard for acceptable scores, there is no standard passing or failing score.

How many questions are on the NEX exam?

There are 163 questions on the exam.

How long is the NEX exam?

The time limit for the exam is 3 hours.

What is the passing score for the NEX exam?

There is no set passing score for this exam. The nursing program of your choice will decide what scores they accept as passing.

How much does the NEX exam cost?

The fee for the exam will be different depending on where you take the test. Generally, it ranges from $60 to $100.

By Kate Nockunas

Kate has been Mometrix’s Nursing and Medical Editor for over four years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Vanderbilt University, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Marymount University, and a master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins. Kate is a critical care registered nurse who still works occasionally in the ICU and PACU.

Nursing School Entrance Exams – Home

by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: September 26, 2024

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HESI Practice Test

Try our free online practice tests for the HESI Admission Assessment Exam. The HESI A2 is one of the popular tests used to grant admission to nursing schools. Passing it is an important step on your path to becoming a successful healthcare professional. Our practice questions have all been updated for the 2024 version of the exam.

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What is the HESI Exam and How Do You Prepare for it?

What is the hesi exam, hesi a2 vs. hesi exit exam, hesi exam faqs, how to register for the hesi exam, how to prepare for the hesi exam, hesi prep courses & practice tests, what to do after the hesi exam.

The HESI exam is an entrance exam required for many nursing programs. It's a predictor of nursing student success, and many schools use the exam as a part of the admissions criteria for acceptance. Not all colleges and universities use HESI. However, it is becoming more common to help students study and pass their licensure exams. 

There are two main HESI exams - the HESI Admissions (A2) and the HESI Exit Exam.

What Does HESI Stand For?

Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) is a company in the United States that helps nurses prepare for and pass their licensure exams. 

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The HESI A2 is a 4-hour exam that some schools give to prospective nursing candidates. Schools may use this test to determine if the applicant qualifies for acceptance into their program. 

Schools may also customize the tests for their program and determine what a passing score is. If you are taking the HESI exam, contact your nursing program for more exam details. 

Sections of the HESI A2 Exam

There are 326 questions of the HESI A2. The test includes nine different sections in the following subjects:

• Measures the student’s ability to read about medical and health situations and make conclusions
• Comprehension: 47 questions
• Basic health-care vocabulary
• Grammar: 50 questions
• The HESI A2 covers many areas, including addition, subtraction, fractions, ratios, decimals, multiplication, household measures, and dosage calculations
• This section tests biology basics such as terminology, metabolism, cellular respiration, photosynthesis
• Questions on anatomical structures, body systems, and terminology
• Physics: 25 questions
• May include questions on chemical equations, reactions, bonding, and the periodic table

Keep in mind that schools can change the test by excluding some information. The HESI A2 exam also aims to discover candidates' learning styles, giving schools more information about the student.

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HESI Exit Exam

The HESI Exit Exam is a test given by nursing schools that helps determine if a student is prepared to pass the NCLEX exam as they approach graduation. Some schools even use the exam to determine if students will be allowed to graduate.

The company states that the HESI Exit exam predicts whether or not a student will pass the NCLEX exam with 98% accuracy.

HESI RN and LPN Exit Exams

There are 150 questions on the HESI RN EXIT exam. The HESI LPN Exit Exam has either 150 or 75 questions. Both exams aim to assess critical thinking and mimic the respective NCLEX Exams.

As a similar test to the NCLEX, the HESI Exit Exam includes the following types of questions:

• Multiple choice
• Multiple responses
• Fill in the blank

Nursing school graduates must take and pass the NCLEX to become certified and practice as a nurse. For this reason, schools want to make sure that students can pass their licensure exam following graduation. The subjects on the HESI Exit Exam are all subjects that are studied extensively in nursing schools.

HESI Exit Exam Topics 

The Nursing Process

• Nursing Diagnosis
• Implementation

Client Needs

• Safe and effective environment
• Management of care
• Infection control
• Health promotion 
• Psychosocial integrity
• Basic Care and comfort
• Pharmaceutical and parenteral treatments

Specialties

• Nursing fundamentals
• Medical-Surgical
• Critical Care
• Community health
• Mental Health

How Many Questions Are on the HESI?

There are 326 questions on the HESI A2. Students may have up to 4 hours to complete the exam depending on the nursing program.

The HESI RN Exit Exam has 150 questions, and the HESI LPN Exit Exam has either 150 or 75 questions.

How Many Times Can You Take the HESI Exam?

Students may take the HESI admission exam once every 60 days. However, there is a limit of 3 times per 12 months. Scores are valid for two years.

Can You Use a Calculator for the HESI Exam?

You may not bring your own calculator. You are only allowed to use the calculator provided on your computer screen at exam time. 

What is a Passing Score for the HESI Exam?

Passing scores for the HESI A2 are dependent on your nursing school program. Check with your program to see what passing requirements are. 

HESI Exit Exam scores provide the test taker with a prediction of how they will perform on the NCLEX. Nursing schools may also have their own passing score that students must achieve before graduation. In addition, some schools may only allow students to take the test a certain number of times, most commonly twice.

The HESI website states they can predict NCLEX passing scores with the following exam scoring:

• Above 950 - Outstanding pass probability 
• 900-940 - Excellent pass probability
• 850-899 - Average pass probability
• 800-849 - Below average pass probability
• 750-799 - Additional prep needed
• 700-749 - Serious prep needed
• 650-699 - Probability of failing
• Below 649 - Expected poor performance

How Much Does the HESI Exam Cost?

HESI exam costs depend on the institution offering the exam. However, they usually range between $40 to $100 or more.

Why Do You Need to Take the HESI Exam?

Many schools require applicants to take the HESI A2 exam as part of their admissions process. As students near graduation, the HESI Exit exam is a way to predict success on the NCLEX exam. The HESI exam also helps students find the areas where they need to improve before taking the NCLEX exam.

You must register to take any HESI exam, receive test results, register for distance exams, and make payments. To do this, you will also need to create a student account.

• Step 1: Set up an account at https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/ 
• Step 2: Select “I’m a student.”
• Step 3: On the next screen, select “Register for Distance Testing” 
• Step 4: On the next screen, click “Register” and make the payment or provide a promotion code.

Keep in mind that your institution may have other instructions for you regarding making an Elsevier account registering for a HESI exam. Check with your instructors to see if they have any additional requirements for registration.

Studying for the HESI exam might seem like a monumental process now, but if you plan ahead and understand the details about the test, you can succeed! You will likely need to prepare for a HESI exam before being accepted to a nursing program again as you approach graduation.

Here are a few helpful HESI exam tips:

• Know what subjects will be on your exam. Each nursing program can decide which parts of the HESI exam they will give students. It is essential to know what they are so that you can focus on areas of importance.
• Know how many questions there will be on the test and how long you have to take it.
• Understand that you will not receive a traditional letter grade score, but a score from 100-1000. The higher the score, the better; however, each nursing program may have its own criteria for passing the test. Talk to administrators in your program for more details.
• Use a HESI study guide.
• Use HESI flashcards or make your own.
• Have a study schedule.
• If you are already in your nursing program, use the HESI practice tests as a way to find your weak spots. 

HESI offers its own “assignable and gradable” quizzes for self-practice. Self-quizzing throughout your nursing program will best prepare you for answering questions on your licensure exam. It also provides you with details into the subject areas you are underperforming in. 

Several other companies also offer HESI prep courses online. Some of the most popular courses include:

• Nursing.com *
• Pocket Prep

Prep courses are an excellent way to prepare yourself for the NCLEX throughout your program. You can also focus your energy on taking practice tests that align with the coursework you are currently studying.

Prep courses allow you to answer thousands of potential test questions in the same topics you will be tested on during HESI and NCLEX exams.

How Long Does it Take to Get Results?

You will receive your HESI score shortly after your exam. Your score and a remediation plan are sent to you within two weeks of completing the exam. 

What Happens if You Fail the HESI Exam? 

The HESI exam is not a traditional pass/fail exam. It gives you a numerical score between 100-1000. The higher the number, the better you performed on the exam. 

Your nursing institution may have a score that you must meet for program acceptance. You need to speak with your administrators to see what the minimum accepted score is. 

Most nursing schools require that students take the HESI before graduation to ensure they are ready to take the NCLEX. Many nursing programs require a score of 850 or higher because that indicates you will most likely pass the NCLEX.

If your score is too low, you will need to retake the exam. Before you do, make sure that you study with HESI prep courses that will help you perform better the next time. 

No matter what nursing program you go to, you will need to study to pass your courses and licensure exams. The HESI exams are a great tool to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge to earn licensure and perform as a nurse. The testing may seem daunting, but you will succeed if you study hard, focus, and use preparation courses.

Sarah Jividen , RN, BSN, is a trained neuro/trauma and emergency room nurse turned freelance healthcare writer/editor. As a journalism major, she combined her love for writing with her passion for high-level patient care. Sarah is the creator of Health Writing Solutions , LLC, specializing in writing about healthcare topics, including health journalism, education, and evidence-based health and wellness trends. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two children. 

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), National University - Los Angeles Bachelor of the Arts (BA) in Journalism, California State University - Chico

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