Using This Practice Set
Before you get started, here are a few strategies to consider getting the most value out of these sample questions.
- Try each question before reading the explanation, rather than skipping ahead.
- Even for questions you got right, review explanations to make sure you were right for the right reasons and not just lucky.
- Organize your results according to subject; identify specific areas that need study that is more concentrated.
- Go back to missed questions after a few days to help with long-term retention, not just short-term memorization.
Math and Dosage Calculations (10 Questions)
Questions on math will test your basic arithmetic and your applied dosage calculation ability. Sample topics may include:
- converting metric units,
- solving simple ratio and proportion problems,
- calculating medication dosages based on a patient’s weight,
- Determining IV flow rates and working through percentage-based calculations.
When practicing these questions, concentrate on setting up each problem in a methodical way. Identify what is given, what is being asked, and what formula or ratio applies before you calculate.
Explanation approach: Work through the setup of each math question, rather than jumping straight to a formula. Before you calculate, check that all units are consistent and then verify that your final answer makes sense in a realistic clinical setting.
Reading Comprehension (10 Questions)
Reading questions test your ability to read passages accurately and quickly.
You will be asked to identify the main idea of a passage, locate specific supporting details, draw reasonable inferences, determine an author’s purpose, and interpret vocabulary from context clues in a passage.
Explanation approach: When answering main idea questions, look for the general point supported by the entire passage, not just one detail. Inference questions require you to choose the best answer based only on what the passage suggests and to avoid adding anything that is not suggested in the passage.
Vocabulary & Grammar (10 Questions)
This section is a mix of general vocabulary, medical terminology and grammar rules.
Sample topics include finding the correct word usage in context, recognizing common medical prefixes and suffixes, correcting subject-verb agreement errors, identifying correct punctuation usage, and distinguishing between commonly confused word pairs.
Explanation approach: For vocabulary questions, use the context clues in the surrounding sentence to help you determine the most logical meaning. For grammar questions, first identify the main subject and verb of a sentence, before attempting to figure out if the rest of the sentence is properly constructed.
Anatomy and Physiology (10 Questions)
These questions test your knowledge of body systems and their functions.
Some of the topics include identifying the function of major organs; understanding the path of blood flow through the heart; recognizing basic nervous system structures; understanding the sequence of the digestive process; and identifying major bones and joint types.
Explain approach: Link structure to function, not just memorize a term; understand why that structure is important in its larger system. This approach makes it easier to reason about unfamiliar questions on similar topics.
Biology and Chemistry (10 Questions)
In this section, you will learn about some basic science concepts related to health care.
Sample topics include basic cell structure and function, the difference between mitosis and meiosis, fundamental concepts of genetics, basic atomic structure, and principles of pH and acid-base balance.
How to explain: In Biology and Chemistry questions, do not memorize things in isolation. Try to focus on the logic behind each concept. Grasping why a process occurs makes it much easier to answer variations of the same basic concept.
General Tips for Working with Sample Questions
- Time yourself under exam conditions, especially as your exam date approaches.
- Keep a running list of the types of questions you miss, and look over this list regularly until you stop making those particular mistakes.
- Do not just do sample questions – mix practice with targeted content review in any consistently weak areas.
- Instead of trying to answer all 50 questions in a single sitting, break up your practice over a few days or weeks.
Final Thoughts
Passively reviewing content is not sufficient to be ready for the exam. Reviewing practice questions with detailed explanations is an active process that translates content knowledge into exam readiness. By studying all the major HESI content areas, reviewing the rationale for each answer, and tracking your patterns of mistakes, you can build the knowledge and confidence you need to perform well on exam day. Consider each practice question to be a learning opportunity, not just a right-or-wrong checkpoint, and you will experience steady, measurable improvement throughout your HESI preparation.
