Why Retest Policies Are in Place
Nursing programs understand that a single attempt on a test may not accurately reflect a student’s academic readiness due to factors such as test anxiety, being unfamiliar with the test format, or not having enough preparation time prior to a first attempt. For this reason, most programs have a formal retest policy as part of their admissions process rather than considering a single low score a final, unchangeable outcome.
Common HESI A2 Retake Policy Features
- While specific policies will vary from institution to institution, most nursing programs’ retest policies have a few things in common.
- The time required between your first attempt and your retake, which can be anywhere from weeks to months.
- A restriction on the number of tries allowed during a specific admissions cycle or school year.
- Specific sections you may have to retake, which may not include the entire exam battery but only the sections you failed.
Some programs allow documentation or remediation requirements before a retest is officially allowed.
Typical waiting times
- Waiting periods are there to give students time to review and improve before they retake the exam.
- Waiting periods are shorter for students who came close, but not quite, to their required score (generally two to four weeks).
- Students with larger discrepancies between their score and the benchmark may have to wait longer, sometimes for several months.
- Some programs let you schedule a retest after the minimum waiting period, but do not give you a specific retest date.
How Many Attempts Are Usually Given?
Most nursing programs will limit the number of HESI A2 attempts you can take. However, the number varies widely by institution. Most schools have a standard policy of two total attempts in an admissions cycle. Some programs may permit three or more attempts, especially if there are enough intervals and remediation steps taken in between attempts. In a few limited cases, certain programs may allow additional attempts beyond this threshold (e.g., documented extenuating conditions).
Do you have to retake the whole exam?
This varies greatly depending on the policy of your individual program, but many schools use a section-specific retest model, which means that you typically only have to retake the sections that you did not score high enough on, not the entire HESI A2 battery.
Some schools may require a full retest no matter what specific sections you did not score well on — check with your program directly. Know how your scores are averaged, some programs take your highest score in each section from all the times you take it others take your most recent score.
However, what if you hit your attempt limit?
Depending on the institution, there may be different consequences if you use all of your allowed attempts and do not achieve your program’s required score. Some programs have a formal appeals process, particularly when there are documented extenuating circumstances.
Some programs may have a longer wait time (such as waiting until the next full admissions cycle) before being eligible to test again. There are instances where hitting your limit might affect your acceptance into that particular program. It is good to know this well in advance before you make your first attempt.
How to Efficiently Prepare for a Retest
If you are studying for a retest, then utilizing your waiting time can really make a difference in your results.
- Look at the detailed score report from your last try to figure out exactly where you need to focus the most.
- Do not just revert to how you studied before, especially if it did not work the first time.
- Use remediation resources available through your program, such as tutoring or structured review sessions.
- Practice in timed, realistic conditions, particularly if time pressure was a problem in your previous attempt.
Questions to Ask Directly of Your Program
So before you assume there is a general retest policy for you, it is worth checking on these details with your particular nursing program.
- How long do I have to wait before I can retest?
- How many total attempts do I have?
- Do I have to retake the entire exam or just the portions I failed?
- What if I don’t get the required score in the number of attempts I am permitted to make?
Closing Thoughts
Many students will need to retake the HESI A2 test as part of the nursing school admissions process, and most programs have built-in policies to accommodate this scenario. The first and most important step is to check directly with your specific program because individual institutions have very different policies regarding waiting periods, try limits, and section requirements. If you know your program’s requirements and approach your waitlist strategically and purposefully, a retest can be a positive step toward your admissions goals—not a discouraging setback.
