HESI Vs. TEAS Exam: The Differences Explained

The HESI A2 and the TEAS are the two entrance exams most nursing programs use to screen applicants, and they are not interchangeable. The HESI A2 runs longer, asks more questions, and leans toward healthcare content, while the TEAS focuses on general academic skills across four sections. Your school decides which test to require and what score you need, so confirm both before you start studying.

Key Takeaways

• Nursing schools use entrance exams like the HESI A2 and the TEAS to screen applicants.
• The two tests cover different content in different formats.
• Knowing each format ahead of time is the single biggest thing you can do to score well.

Most nursing programs require an entrance exam, and for the majority that means the HESI A2 or the TEAS. Your score can decide acceptance or rejection, so understand what each test measures and what programs expect before you sit down.

What is the HESI A2?

HESI stands for Health Education Systems, Inc., which publishes several healthcare exams. The A2 is its admission assessment. It has eight academic sections plus two optional assessments for personality and learning style. You may not take every section. Each school decides which ones to require.

The academic sections are:

• Reading Comprehension: 47 questions
• Vocabulary and General Knowledge: 50 questions
• Grammar: 50 questions
• Mathematics: 50 questions
• Physics: 25 questions
• Biology: 25 questions
• Anatomy and Physiology: 25 questions
• Chemistry: 25 questions

Length and minimum scores depend on the school. Many programs offer the HESI A2 on campus, and you can also test at an approved center.

What is the TEAS?

The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) measures readiness for nursing school and is published by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). The current version (TEAS 7) has 170 questions, 150 of them scored, and a time limit of 209 minutes (ATI). Alongside multiple choice, you will see fill-in-the-blank and ordered-response items.

The sections are:

• Reading: 45 questions
• Mathematics: 38 questions
• Science: 50 questions
• English and Language Usage: 37 questions

Schools that use the TEAS set their own minimum admission score.

HESI vs. TEAS: the real differences

Both tests measure readiness, but they emphasize different things. The HESI A2 runs longer and asks more questions, and it leans toward healthcare-specific content. The TEAS, as the name says, focuses on essential academic skills and covers more general knowledge you may already be comfortable with. Because the HESI A2 has more questions, any single wrong answer carries less weight on your overall score.

Schools that prefer the HESI A2 often do so for the ability to customize sections, adding a learning-style assessment or personality profile. Either way, the school sets the passing bar.

How to prepare

Understand the exam first. Review every section, learn the question formats, and note the common topics. Take a practice test early to set a baseline and find your weak spots.

Build a study schedule. Give yourself several weeks. ATI recommends six weeks for the TEAS. Cover every section, use a study guide with practice questions, and hold to the plan.

Review your answers as you go. Look at both correct and incorrect responses. The point is to learn the format and tighten your reasoning, not just to tally a score.

Take full practice tests. They train your timing and pacing and let you measure progress. Free practice tests are available online in addition to paid guides.

Manage exam day. Sleep well the night before, know where you are testing, read each question carefully, and pace yourself. Preparation is what turns nerves into confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HESI A2 harder than the TEAS? Neither is universally harder. The HESI A2 has more questions and more healthcare-specific content, so any single miss carries less weight, while the TEAS is shorter and sticks to general academic skills. The right comparison is which one your school requires and what minimum score it sets.

How many questions and how long is the TEAS? TEAS 7 has 170 questions, 150 of them scored, with a 209-minute time limit, split across Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage (ATI).

How many sections does the HESI A2 have? The HESI A2 has eight academic sections (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Math, Physics, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Chemistry) plus optional personality and learning-style assessments. Each school chooses which sections to require (Elsevier).

Can I take the HESI A2 or TEAS more than once? Usually yes, but schools cap retakes and set waiting periods between attempts. Check your program's policy before scheduling, since some count only your first or most recent score.

Which test should I study for? Study for the one your target programs require. If you are applying to schools that use different exams, prepare for both, and start with the section formats you are weakest in.

How long should I study? Give yourself several weeks. ATI recommends about six weeks for the TEAS; build a schedule that covers every section and includes full timed practice tests.