Free HESI A2 practice test

Twenty minutes, the five subjects nursing programs test most, and every answer explained at the end. Find the section that would cost you your place while there is still time to fix it.

  • 20

    questions

  • 20 min

    time limit

  • Free

    score and answers

No sign-up. Every answer is explained at the end.

By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts · How the questions are made

What is on this practice test

Questions20: 6 math, 5 vocabulary, 4 grammar, 3 reading, 2 science
Time20 minutes, about the pace of the real math, vocabulary and grammar sections
CalculatorNot needed: the numbers are chosen to work by hand
NavigationForward only; skip if you are stuck
ResultScore by section and every answer explained
CostFree, no sign-up

How this HESI practice test works

The HESI A2 is really several tests: your nursing program picks which sections you sit. This practice set samples the five that programs ask for most often, in proportion to how many questions each one contributes, so a weak spot shows up quickly. Math questions are generated fresh, so a second set gives you new numbers; vocabulary, grammar, reading and science come from a bank written for this page.

Every question is original and was written and checked by the LifeScore editorial team. They have not been reviewed by a nurse educator, and the science questions stick to textbook basics. None is a real HESI question.

How to read your result

Most programs publish a minimum of 75% to 80%, often per section as well as overall (see the program table on our HESI A2 exam guide). On this set, 16 of 20 is 80%. If one section bar is clearly shorter than the others, that is your first week of study.

Treat a single 20-question set as a pointer, not a prediction: four grammar questions cannot measure your grammar to the nearest percent. Take two or three sets and look at which section keeps coming up short.

Three worked examples

A math, a vocabulary and a grammar question like the ones in the test, with the reasoning.

Example 1 · Fractions

3/4 + 1/3 = ?

  • A. 2 1/12
  • B. 1/4
  • C. 4/7
  • D. 1 1/12
Answer D. Use a common denominator of 12: 9/12 + 4/12 = 13/12, which simplifies to 1 1/12. Never add the denominators.

Example 2 · Vocabulary

The gas is inert and does not react with the metal. What is the best meaning of "inert"?

  • A. Poisonous
  • B. Highly reactive
  • C. Not chemically active
  • D. Fast-moving
Answer C. Inert means inactive: it does not react or move on its own.

Example 3 · Grammar

Choose the word that completes the sentence: "The supervisor gave the schedule to Maria and ___."

  • A. myself
  • B. I
  • C. mine
  • D. me
Answer D. After the preposition "to" you need the object pronoun. Test it alone: "gave the schedule to me", not "to I".

What this set does not cover

Biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology get only two questions here, and physics none. If your program requires those sections, a full science review matters more than any short practice test: the HESI science sections go well beyond the basics sampled here. The HESI A2 exam guide lists what each section covers.

Want a full-length nursing entrance mock?

Our TEAS-style test is 50 questions on reading, math, science and English in 60 minutes, with an estimated level and your weakest section. The subjects overlap heavily with the HESI A2.

Start the free TEAS test

Frequently asked questions

Is this HESI A2 practice test free?

Yes. The test, your score by section and every explanation are free, with no sign-up.

Are these real HESI questions?

No. They are original questions written in a similar style. LifeScore is not affiliated with Elsevier, and real HESI A2 questions are not public.

How many questions are on the real HESI A2?

It depends on the sections your program chooses. Programs and prep sites commonly list about 50 math, 47 reading, 50 vocabulary and 50 grammar questions, and 25 scored questions in each science section, with some unscored trial questions added.

What score do I need on the HESI A2?

Your program sets it. Published minimums are usually 75% to 80%, sometimes per section. Competitive programs often admit applicants well above the minimum.

How long should I study for the HESI A2?

Two to four weeks is typical if you study most days. Start with a practice set to find your weakest section, and spend most of your time there.

Should I take the TEAS practice test too?

Only if your program accepts the TEAS. The subjects overlap (reading, math, science, English), so our full 50-question TEAS-style test is still useful timed practice for the HESI.

LifeScore is not affiliated with Elsevier. HESI is a trademark of Elsevier. These are original practice questions in a similar style, not real HESI A2 questions. Reviewed 14 October 2026 by the LifeScore Editorial Team.