When you decide to take admission in a nursing school, you have to decide which entrance exam you should take. There are two options to choose from: either HESI A2 or the TEAS 7. The score in these exams decides if you get admission to your desired nursing school or not. That’s why it is important that you understand the requirements of both exams before you start preparing for one. In this blog, we will give you a clear HESI vs TEAS comparison so you can easily decide which one feels easier for you based on your skills and goals.
What Is the HESI A2
The HESI A2 exam is used by nursing schools to determine if the students can handle the nursing coursework and if they have knowledge related to health care. The HESI A2 has multiple sections related to different subjects, but it also has personality and learning style assessments. These two tests don’t usually count towards your total scores, but might be a factor in the acceptance of your application.
HESI A2 exams can be taken online as well as in person. If you are just starting your preparation, you can take the Online HESI exam help for proper preparation and practice tests right from the beginning.
HESI A2 Exam Sections and Question Breakdown
In a HESI A2 exam, these are the sections you are tested on. We have also listed the number of questions for you below.
- Reading Comprehension: 47 questions
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge: 50 questions
- Grammar: 50 questions
- Mathematics: 50 questions
- Biology: 25 questions
- Anatomy and Physiology: 25 questions
- Chemistry: 25 questions
- Physics: 25 questions
In your HESI exam, you will have to answer 150 to 200 questions, but they can also vary by different schools. They are mostly multiple choice, except for the personality and other assessments your school might add. Since it has more questions so getting one or two wrong answers won’t affect your final score greatly.
What Is the TEAS 7 Exam
The TEAS 7 exam checks your general academic skills to see if you can handle the coursework of nursing school. This exam is standardized, which means that it is the same for every school and does not vary from school to school like the HESI exam. It also doesn’t have any additional personality tests.
The TEAS exam has a total of 170 questions and only tests you across four main subjects:
- Reading: 45 questions
- Mathematics: 38 questions
- Science: 50 questions
- English and Language Usage: 37 questions
The TEAS exams have multiple-choice questions, but sometimes there can be ordered-response or fill-in-the-blank as well. Because the number of questions is less, that means you even one wrong answer can impact your score badly. Moreover, in TEAS exams, schools have a minimum score criterion you need to meet to get admission. But competitive programs will give admission to those higher scores of 75% or more.
HESI A2 vs TEAS 7: The Differences That Matter
A lot of students ask Which is easier, HESI or TEAS?” but this answer depends on what you consider difficult or easy based on your skill. In this section, you will get to know the differences between the two exams in terms of content, number of questions, and the test format. Both of these are entrance exams for nursing schools, but they are different in terms of the content they test, the number of questions, and the structure they have. Now you have seen the differences, so it is easier for you to know the HESI vs TEAS difficulty.
Quick Comparison Table: HESI A2 vs TEAS 7
| Factor | HESI A2 | TEAS 7 |
| Content Focus | Nursing-specific and science-heavy | General academic skills |
| Total Questions | Varies by school, usually 300+, depending on required sections | Fixed 170 questions |
| Sections Included | Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Math, Biology, Chemistry, A&P, Physics | Reading, Math, Science, English, and Language Usage |
| Difficulty Experience | Harder if weak in science or medical concepts | Harder if weak in reading, reasoning, or time management |
| Structure Consistency | Changes from school to school | Same format for everyone |
| Score Impact per Wrong Answer | Less impact because more total questions | Higher impact because fewer total questions |
Things to Check Before Choosing Your Nursing Entrance Exam
Before you decide which exam you are going to take, it is important to check your school’s requirements first. So, you don’t start studying the wrong test or waste your time.
School Requirements
Here are the things you should check;
- Required test: Check if your specific school or program accepts HESI or TEAS because there are someprograms that accept only one test of their choice.
- Minimum scores for each section: Check the score for passing or any other score requirements for competitive programs.
- Retake rules: understand how many times you can retake the test and what the waiting periods are.
- Testing location or online options: check if the test is available online or only in person, so you can plan ahead.
- Recommended study materials: see if your school has any recommended guides or study materials that match the test format.
Also, if you’re taking the HESI, plan around the Best Time to Take the HESI A2 to maximize preparation and align with application deadlines.
Match the Test to Your Strengths
Check both of the tests’ requirements to see which one you can easily prepare for based on your strengths.
- TEAS 7: Choose TEAS if you are good at general academics and have strong skills in reading comprehension, basic science, and math.
- HESI A2: Choose HESI if you have strong concepts in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and healthcare-related concepts.
Consider Test Style and Personal Skills
- If you struggle with long exams, TEAS 7’s shorter format may be less overwhelming.
- If you prefer multiple-choice questions with room for error, HESI A2 may feel safer.
Planning for Multiple Schools
If you are applying to multiple schools, then you need to check each school’s requirements for each program. You should find the test that is accepted by most programs to avoid taking both exams.
This approach answers the common question, “HESI A2 vs TEAS 7: which should I choose?”
How to Prepare for Either Exam
No matter the exam you choose, you need to prepare for it to succeed in your exam.
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Understand the Exam Format
Get clear about the questions, the section, and the number of questions for the specific exam you choose to prepare for.
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Take a Practice Test Early
Take a diagnostic test before you start your study to know your weak and strong areas. This will help you to focus your time on your weak areas, and you won’t waste time on topics you are already good at.
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Create a Study Schedule
Create a study schedule of 1 to hours of study per day over a period of four to six weeks of study. Short, focused sessions are more effective than studying whole day.
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Review Mistakes Carefully
Take a practice test and review where you keep making mistakes and work on them.
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Use Reliable Study Materials
Use the material that is recommended by your school. Don’t use a lot of materials, as this will only confuse you.
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Practice Time Management
Both of these exams have strict time limits. You need to train yourself to answer questions according to the time so you can complete your exam easily.
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Seek Support
Getting support from friends, study groups, or tutors can make your journey easy. Joining different groups will give you motivation from other people who are studying the same thing as you.
Final Thoughts
It is a question for many students: Which is easier HESI or TEAS?” But the answer is not a simple yes or no. The difficulty or ease of the exam depends on your skills and strengths. If you have strong general academic skills, then TEAS 7 can be the best choice for you. But if you have strong skills in nursing-specific content and science, then you should take the HESI exam.
But deciding which exam to take first and foremost depends on your school. There are a lot of schools that only allow one exam. So you need to check your school’s exam requirements and score before you start preparing for any one of these exams.
Lastly, no matter the exam you choose, practicing regularly and improving your weak areas will help you get admission to your desired nursing school.
FAQs
What is the difference between HESI and TEAS exams?
HESI focuses on nursing-specific topics, TEAS tests general academic skills.
How do the HESI and TEAS test formats differ?
HESI has more questions and varies by school; TEAS has 170 fixed questions.
Which exam is better for first-time nursing students?
It depends on your strengths. HESI is better for science-focused students, TEAS for general academics.
Can I retake HESI or TEAS if I don’t score well?
Yes, but retake rules depend on your school and test provider.
Is there help available for online HESI or TEAS practice?
Yes, you can use Online HESI exam help or TEAS practice platforms.