HESI is a very commonly known entrance exam, taken by aspiring nurses. HESI is a company which conducts several exams through which one can get enrolled in healthcare courses. The company HESI also creates standardized tests for various other careers. It conducts online tests to evaluate how much you are prepared academically to become a professional nurse.
Aspiring nurses must take help from online courses or professionals for this test. Just like you pay someone to do your dissertation, you can also pay someone to help you kick start your HESI preparation journey. Many institutes recognise this test, so if you are aspiring nurses who want to know about the HESI entrance exam and how you must study to crack it then this guide is for you.
What is HESI?
Many aspiring nurses ask others, can you take my HESI exam for me? Because of lack of familiarity. Well, Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) is the company which conducts this test for the nurses. Nursing schools use this test to evaluate the readiness of aspiring nurses. It is not mandatory to become a nurse but do help institutes to recognize which students are well-suited for this particular program.
What is on the test?
The test comprises 9 different content areas. These content areas include reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, critical thinking skills, and anatomy and physiology. Different content areas are assessed through this test which is necessary for performing a job as a nurse. There are more than 300 questions in this test divided into different sections.
The test might include sections on learning style and personality style, but these sections do not contribute to the overall test score. Whether these sections are included can also vary depending on the school.
Following are some of the other important aspects which must be considered while taking the test;
- 3-5 hours are given to complete the test
- Every section has a specific timing
- Each section has around 25 to 50 questions
- In 2 months, this test can be taken once but can not be taken more than three times in a year.
- Scores are valid for two years.
- The cost of the exam is from 35 dollars to over 100 dollars depending majorly on the testing centre.
HESI Test Format
HESI test format has about eight sections with an additional screening time test of personality section. The rest of the sections are divided as follows:
- Mathematics – 50 questions
- Vocabulary – 50 questions
- Reading Comprehension – 47 questions
- Anatomy and Physiology – 25 questions
- Biology – 25 questions
- Chemistry – 25 questions
- Physics – 25 questions
- Grammar – 50 questions
How to study for HESI A2?
Studying for the entrance exam can be overwhelming because if you will not be able to make it to the merit list of your desired nursing school, it can be heartbreaking. Therefore, prepare well so that you do not need to go through any such trauma. If you want to feel confident, focused and relaxed on the day of your test then prepare it well, otherwise, anxiousness is inevitable. Following are some key points to help you start and stay on track with your entrance exam preparation as a nurse.
Familiarize yourself with the exam.
After studying hard, it is important to also get to know the real HESI exam. Gain a deeper understanding of every section which will not only increase your confidence but will also positively influence your performance on the day of the test. Anticipate the questions and make sure you are ready to answer them all. The best way to get familiar with the test is to take a practice test and that too with a time limit just as allocated by the real exam. Simulate the real exam experience it will help you in gearing up well for the actual day.
Practice time management
Do not forget to practice managing your time during the exam and using effective test-taking strategies. This ensures you can finish all sections within the allotted time. When you practice these skills, you become more comfortable and confident in handling the exam. Being well-prepared is the key to success and can make a big difference in your performance on test day. Practicing time management helps you stay focused and organized during the exam, reducing stress.
Managing time is the best way if you want to prepare well for the real exam day. If you set a timer and then practice the question, it will train your brain to solve questions in that particular timeframe. It will also ensure that you have ample time to complete all questions which will make you feel comfortable and confident.
Remember, being prepared not only boosts confidence but also enhances your overall test-taking experience. When you are well-prepared, it makes a big difference on the day of the test otherwise not preparing well will only make you stressed, anxious, and confused which will badly impact your performance even if you know the content.
Practice as many online and offline practice tests as you can. Check the answers yourself and learn from your mistakes. If you will effectively look into your mistakes then the chances of committing the same mistake again decrease. So, make sure that you improve yourself with every practice test you are taking.
A study guide for the HESI exam
The HESI study guide is an excellent method to prepare for the HESI entrance exam. Aspiring nurses should obtain multiple guides from different sources online as well as offline. It ensures comprehensive coverage of the material tested. For instance, McGraw Hill’s practice exam booklet is an excellent resource to know the format of the test. And for the most comprehensive study guide, consider Elsevier’s book. It is produced by the same company that creates the HESI A2 exam. Purchasing, reading, and practising its questions will help to give you a clear understanding of what to focus on for the exam.
Familiarizing yourself with multiple guides can be beneficial because each guide may feature different types of questions. Therefore, explore various options until you find one that suits your needs.
Double-check your answers
The HESI test overall has a set total time limit, but each section within it is untimed. Take your time for each section and you can even revisit a question which you are not sure about. This flexibility is especially beneficial for the Mathematics section, allowing you to double-check your work and ensure accuracy. So make sure that you wisely utilize time for effective output. Find out your weak areas and start improving them and also finish off the ones which you are good at first because it will give you more time to focus on the difficult sections calmly.
Conclusion
HESI is an important exam for aspirants of nursing. Master the skills that are essential for finishing the HESI Exam within the given time limits. The HESI Exam is a significant milestone for aspiring nurses which they must achieve to get enrolled in their desired institute. It demands careful preparation and dedicated study. By following the guide of this article, you can enhance your chances of success in a fulfilling nursing career. Hope you find this article helpful and best of luck.