HESI A2 guide · updated 2026-09-29
What is a passing score on the HESI A2?
There is no national passing score. Each program sets its own minimum, usually 75% to 80% per section or on a composite. Central Texas College, for example, requires 80% in Math, Reading and Vocabulary and 60% in Anatomy and Physiology.
How the HESI A2 is scored
Each section is reported as a percentage score, and many programs also look at a cumulative score across the required academic sections. The Learning Style and Personality Profile results are descriptive and do not count toward a pass or fail.
Because schools choose the sections and set the cut, two applicants with the same scores can be admitted at one school and turned away at another.
A real example
This is one program's published requirement, shown so you can see how cuts are usually set. Science sections often have a lower minimum than the Core Four. Always use your own program's numbers.
| Section | Central Texas College minimum |
|---|---|
| Math | 80% |
| Reading Comprehension | 80% |
| Vocabulary and General Knowledge | 80% |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 60% |
Minimum versus competitive
A minimum only makes you eligible. Competitive programs rank applicants, and the HESI A2 score is often one of the biggest factors. If your school admits by rank, aim well above the minimum, often into the high 80s or 90s in the sections that are weighted most.
What to aim for in practice
- At least 85% on timed practice in every section you must sit, which gives a margin over an 80% cut.
- Math is the section where practice pays fastest: it is procedural and you can reach 90% with drills.
- Reading and Vocabulary move more slowly. Start them early.
- If you are sitting sciences, Anatomy and Physiology is the one most programs count.
How long scores last
Programs decide how old a score they will accept. Central Texas College, for example, does not accept HESI A2 exams more than two years old.
How programs use the composite
Many schools calculate a cumulative score as the average of the required academic sections. Others require a minimum in each section and also rank applicants by the cumulative score. A few weight sections differently, for example counting Math and Reading more than Grammar. Read your program's admission criteria for three facts: which sections, the minimum in each, and whether ranking uses the cumulative score.
If you missed the cut
Look at the section scores first. A composite just under the cut often hides one weak section, and raising that one section is faster than studying everything again. Check your program's retake rules and wait period, then build a plan around the weak section with timed practice. Vocabulary and Reading need several weeks to move; Math and Grammar can move in one or two weeks of daily drills. Some applicants also send scores to a second program with a lower cut while they retest for their first choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is 75% a good HESI A2 score?
It meets some programs' minimums but is rarely competitive. Check your school's cut and its ranking method.
Can I retake only the sections I failed?
Some schools allow it and some require the whole exam. Ask your program before you register.
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: 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.