What Are the Types of HESI Exams?

HESI exam is designed for nursing students and health professions students in several other fields.

HESI nursing exams are offered in programs for the following roles:

• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

HESI exams for health professions include tests in fields like:

• Dental assisting
• Dental hygiene
• Radiography
• EMT
• Respiratory care
• Massage therapy
• Medical assisting
• Medical insurance billing and coding
• Veterinary technology
• Paramedicine

What Is the HESI Exam Used For?

HESI exams for nursing and health professions students are not limited to a single test. Instead, they are a series of exams and preparation products used by schools to assess the mastery of their students in the course and program content.

Health care schools offering programs in the fields listed above can pick and choose the different types of exams they wish to employ in their curricula.

For example, many schools require students to pass an HESI admissions test (the HESI A2) that includes sections on reading, grammar, math, anatomy, chemistry, biology, and physiology.

Other schools require students to pass HESI specialty content area exams that are used as a class’s final exam or mid-curricular exam. For example, the HESI nursing exams include specialty tests that cover such areas as nutrition and pharmacology. There are 18 specialty exams for RNs, 14 for LPNs/LVNs, and three for APRNs. Health professions exams covering key content areas, such as community health principles and CPR, are also offered.

These programs might also conclude with a comprehensive exit exam. Mobility exams are also conducted for transition programs, such as LPN to BSN programs or EMS to ADN programs.

What Are the Benefits of Taking the HESI Test?

Schools use HESI admissions exams to make sure you address academic deficiencies head-on and avoid potential setbacks once you begin your core coursework.

HESI specialty exams, on the other hand, feature tough questions that test your critical-thinking skills in the same way that board examinations do, meaning that you’ll already be familiar with these types of questions by the time you sit for your licensing exam. Though this method of preparation can be difficult and often frustrating, it’s designed to help you feel more comfortable once the test day arrives.

The cumulative exit exams are also designed to closely mirror both the style and content of the NCLEX and other board examinations. Because of these similarities, your scores can be an accurate prediction of how you’ll fare on the real exam.

How Do I Register for the HESI Exams?

To register for an HESI test, you have to first create an account on the website of Evolve Elsevier. After signing up, you can register for an HESI testing appointment on the site or through your school’s testing center. Test prices vary depending on the HESI exams being taken.

How Can I Prepare for the HESI Exams?

Some schools recommend completing prerequisite courses before you attempt a HESI admissions test. You might also consider taking advantage of your school’s student success or academic services center, which can offer workshops, practice tests, and study tips to get you ready for HESI admissions exams as well as any specialty tests.

Additionally, Elsevier recommends a series of textbooks, online courses, practice tests, e-books, and mobile apps to assist students, some of which might be provided by your school. Several online courses cover relevant topics. These Study.com resources, for example, include short video lessons and self-checking quizzes you can use to brush up on fundamental concepts. These include:

• HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) Exam Prep Course
• College Readiness: Reading, Writing, and Math
• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Nursing Fundamentals
• Nursing Hygiene
• Critical Care Nursing
• Dental Hygiene Flashcards

What Happens After I Finish an HESI Test?

Test scores are issued right after you finish your HESI nursing test or other HESI exam. Around three days later, you’ll also be able to review your performance and identify weaknesses through a remediation report that gives personalized feedback about the incorrect answers and tracks your progress. Armed with this knowledge, you can develop a study plan to shore up these deficiencies and ensure a more satisfying result on your board or licensure exam.