HESI A2 guide · updated 2026-09-29
HESI A2 cost, registration and retakes
There is no single national price. Schools and testing centers set the fee: Gateway Technical College charges $54 for nursing applicants and Central Texas College $65, paid through Elsevier's Evolve system. Retake rules also come from the school, for example a 30-day wait at Gateway or 60 days at Tarrant County College.
Example fees and retake rules
| School | Fee | Retake rule |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Technical College (WI) | $54 nursing, $44 dental hygiene | 30 days between attempts |
| Central Texas College (TX) | $65 | Unlimited; 5 months of remediation recommended after two fails |
| Tarrant County College (TX) | See school | Once every 60 days |
How registration works
- Create an Evolve account at Elsevier before test day. You need your Evolve username and password to log in to the exam.
- Register with the testing center or program that administers your exam, in person or through live remote proctoring if your school offers it.
- Pay the fee through Evolve or the school, as instructed.
- Confirm which sections you are assigned before you arrive.
What to bring and not bring
- A photo ID and your Evolve login.
- No personal calculator, notes or study guides. Tarrant County College provides an on-screen calculator in the math section; Central Texas College does not permit calculators. Check your site.
- Scratch paper and pencils are usually provided by the center.
Before you retake
Your score report breaks results down by section. Retake only after your practice scores in the weak sections are clearly above your program's cut, because wait periods between attempts can push you past an application deadline.
Score reports and sending results
Scores appear in your Evolve account. Central Texas College tells candidates their scores are viewable when the test is complete; Tarrant County College says results are available 48 to 72 hours after testing. If you test at one school and apply to another, ask the second school how it wants to receive results, and whether it accepts scores from another site.
Check how long your target programs accept a score. Central Texas College, for example, will not accept a HESI A2 older than two years.
Keep costs down
- Ask whether your program includes the fee in its application.
- Take full practice sections before you book. One avoided retake pays for most study material.
- Plan your attempt early in the application window so a wait period does not push you past the deadline.
Remote testing
Elsevier supports both in-person testing and live remote proctoring, and each program decides which it accepts. Remote testing usually requires a quiet private room, a webcam, a stable internet connection and a room scan before you start. Read your program's remote rules closely: an unapproved item on the desk can end the session, and some schools only accept scores taken at their own testing center. If you have a choice, a testing center removes the risk of a home internet failure in the middle of a section.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the HESI A2 cost?
It varies by school. Published examples include $54 and $65.
Can I take the HESI A2 at home?
Some schools offer live remote proctoring. Your program decides whether it accepts remote results.
Try the free HESI A2 practice test
Questions tagged to the official outline, with an explanation for every answer. 15 free a day, no sign-up.
Start freeSources: Gateway Technical College Testing Services: HESI A2 · Central Texas College: HESI A2 Exam information sheet · Tarrant County College: HESI A2 Exam Information. Independent study material. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier.