The Most-Tested Topics of the HESI A2 nursing entrance exam

How do I study for the HESI?

There are several different topics the HESI nursing entrance exam will cover. What’s important to remember is that it is more of a foundational exam than minute details. We have broken down each section into general concepts.

These topics are almost ALWAYS asked on the HESI Exam.

We recommend you look up each vocabulary word or concept and look up the chapter summary of each theory.

How Do I Know Which Subjects To Study For The HESI?

For example, if you see Body Planes, look up the body planes chapter of your anatomy textbook and memorize and understand those vocabulary terms.

If you see acids and bases for Biology, go to your Bio and Chem textbooks, and look at the chapter summaries of these concepts. Knowing the general knowledge and truly understand it will allow you to answer the HESI exam questions.

Anatomy and Physiology - 25 Questions

• Body Planes
• Nervous System
• Functions
• Circulatory System
• Heart flow
• Muscular System
• Reproductive System
• Endocrine System
• Glands and Hormones
• Body Senses
• Ear, Nose, Eyes
• Respiratory System
• Skeletal System
• Tendons and Ligaments

Biology - 25 Questions

• Acids and Bases
• Bacterial Infections
• Biology Basics
• Catalysts
• Cell Genetics
• Cell Reproduction
• Cellular Membrane
• Cellular Respiration
• Histology
• Meiosis vs Mitosis
• Metric Measurements
• Aerobes and Anaerobes

Chemistry - 25 Questions

• Acids and Bases
• Atomic number, mass, and structure
• Chemical Reactions
• Oxidation and Reduction
• Solutions, solvents, and solutes
• Compounds
• Alloys
• Emulsions
• Amino Acids

Math - 50 Questions

• Decimals
• Multiplying decimals
• Changing Decimals to Fractions
• Comparing decimals
• Fractions
• Ratios and proportions (number and word problems)
• Changing Fractions to Decimals
• Dividing Fractions
• Multiplying, dividing, adding, subtracting fractions
• Measurements
• Teaspoons to mL
• Tablespoons to mL
• Cups to Ounces
• Algebra
• Solving for X in ratio and proportion
• Using Percent Formula
• Solving equations for a variable

Reading Comprehension - 50 Questions

• Identifying a Writer’s Purpose and Tone
• Identifying Supporting Details
• Identifying the Main Idea
• Finding the Meaning of Words in Context
• Distinguishing between Fact and Opinion
• Making Logical Inferences
• Summarizing

Grammar - 50 Questions

• Adjective
• Adverb
• Confusing Word Pairs
• Affect vs Effect
• Among vs Between
• Good vs Well
• Bad vs Badly
• Farther vs Further
• Hear vs Here
• Lie vs Lay
• Eight Parts of Speech
• Pronoun Use
• Independent and dependent clauses
• Subject and Verb Agreement

Vocabulary - 50 Questions

• General Terminology
• Meaning of Words through context clues

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