Why the length of an exam varies
The HESI exam is not one standardized test with one set length. Rather, the total time you will have to complete the exam will depend on which version of the exam you are taking and how many sections your particular nursing program requires. The HESI A2 admission exam and the HESI Exit Exam are very different in structure and total testing time. Even within the HESI A2, programs may only require some of the sections and not the full battery of tests.
HESI A2 Time Breakdown
The HESI A2 is normally the longer of the two tests because it covers a wide range of academic topics, so all sections are included:
- Mathematics - about 50 questions in about 50 minutes.
- Reading Comprehension — 60 minutes for approximately 47 questions.
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge - about 50 questions in about 50 minutes.
- Grammar – around 50 questions, around 50 minutes.
- Anatomy and Physiology—around 25 questions in around 25 minutes.
- Biology — ~ 25 questions in 25 minutes.
- Chemistry – about 25 questions in about 25 minutes.
- Physics (if required) - about 25 minutes for about 25 questions.
Depending on the number of sections your program requires, total test time including short breaks between sections can be three to five hours. However, many programs only require a subset of these sections which can greatly cut down the overall time commitment.
HESI Exit Exam Time Allocation
- The HESI Exit Exam is typically shorter than the full HESI A2 because it only includes one comprehensive test instead of several individual subject tests.
- Testing usually takes one to two hours in most cases.
- Usually the question count is in the 150-160 question range depending on the particular version given by your program.
- The Exit Exam is not subject by subject timed because it integrates content across specialties into one continuous test.
- The Exit Exam encompasses content from throughout your nursing program, so the pacing might seem different from the HESI A2. Instead of a number of shorter, subject-specific sections, the questions are fewer but more comprehensive.
Factors Affecting Your Total Time at the Testing Center
There are a few things that can add to your overall time commitment on test day, beyond the exam itself.
- Check-in procedures, including ID verification, generally require an additional 15 to 30 minutes before testing begins.
- If you have breaks between sections these can add extra time depending upon how many breaks you take and how long they are.
- You may see tutorial or instructions screens that are often seen at the beginning of computer-based exams and may add a few extra minutes to your test time before your official testing time begins.
Not every student uses all of the time allowed for each section. Differences in individual pacing.
How to Organize Your Day by Exam Length
- Knowing how long your exam will be is a useful way to plan logistics far beyond the exam itself.
- Check in advance which sections are needed for your particular program, as this will directly affect your total expected time?
- On top of your actual testing time, plan to arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes early.
- Do not plan anything right after your exam, especially for longer HESI A2 sessions, just in case check-in or testing takes a bit longer than expected.
- If possible, bring a light snack to eat during breaks – especially for longer sessions that cover multiple parts.
Time Management Tips for the Exam
Knowing how much time you have overall is helpful, but pacing yourself in each section is equally important.
- If there is a timer on the screen, then watch the timer so that you do not spend too long on any one question.
- Do not spend too long on difficult questions, because in most sections of the HESI, you cannot go back to questions you have answered.
- Do a few timed tests beforehand, so the timing on the day of the test is familiar and not stressful.
- If a section seems rushed, do not panic. Regular practice before the race develops the speed necessary to finish comfortably within the time limit.
Conclusion
The length of the exam varies greatly depending on what version you are taking and how many sections they require for your program. It can be an hour or less for a short Exit Exam to several hours for a full battery of the HESI A2. If you know this breakdown ahead of time, you can plan your test day logistics, manage your energy throughout the exam, and walk in with realistic expectations rather than uncertainty about how long you will actually be there. Combine this knowledge with regular timed practice before you take the exam and you will be well equipped to handle your pace confidently on the day of the exam itself.
