Most nursing applicants do not need to take the HESI A2 physics section. It is one of eight academic subtests, although 4 to 6 are required for most programs, and physics is the least required of those. It is typically only needed if the course is required for a particular program and Physics is a prerequisite. This post addresses how to verify the details of your program’s actual HESI A2 physics section requirements and, if you do need it, the complete list of topics. The full details can be found in the complete 2026 HESI A2 guide.
Is There a Physics Section on the HESI A2?
Yes indeed, there is a subtest on physics. However, it is not used in the majority of applications. This is why people become confused. No matter what any individual school may require, the official Elsevier/Evolve Admission Assessment Exam Review book includes a complete chapter on physics. Students go through it and get excited, thinking they have to learn all of the information in it.
This review book includes all eight subtests. The school chooses which ones you take; physics is just added to the book because that is the one that is used in all schools across the country. There are many schools that clearly indicate that the sections that are not mandatory are not looked at by admissions at all.
So, even if physics questions may appear somewhere in your program, the question on the is physics on the HESI A2 for your program is the only one that matters. See all HESI A2 sections and question types for a complete breakdown.
How to Check If Your Program Requires Physics
The following four steps will help you be sure of your exact needs:
- Look on your program’s admissions or HESI page for a section breakdown.
- Look at the school’s testing centre page, as this is generally a separate page and more accurate than the general admissions page.
- Once you have entered your school code or department ID, you will see your required sections on the Evolve registration screen.
- Email the admissions or testing office and ask for the exact section list in writing.
The most straightforward answer to the question of whether do I need to take physics for HESI is, of course, whether that course is required for the program. If it is not a prerequisite, then you likely don’t want to take the HESI A2 physics section.
Note: Only half exams may be submitted at certain schools. You might need to attend the entire test again if you miss a mandatory part of the test, as you will need to pay another fee and wait for a new test.
If you are looking to read more, check out how nursing schools use your HESI scores and which HESI sections are optional vs required.
HESI A2 Physics Format at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Number of questions | 25, plus unscored pilot items |
| Time limit | Commonly listed as 50 minutes |
| Format | Multiple choice |
| Calculator | Basic on-screen calculator provided |
| Where it fits | Inside the overall 4 to 5.5 hour test session |
The time limit for the HESI A2 physics varies depending on the source, with some sites stating 25 minutes and most stating 50 minutes. On test day, the exact limit will be displayed on the screen; don’t take it from anywhere else. To find out how long the HESI exam takes, view the session timing.
Every Topic on the HESI Physics Section
If your program requires this section, the following table will cover the core HESI A2 physics topics you will need to know.
| Topic | What you need to know | Difficulty |
| Average speed and velocity | Basic distance-over-time calculations | Easy |
| Acceleration | Change in velocity over time | Easy |
| Newton’s laws of motion | Conceptual application, not derivation | Moderate |
| Friction | How surfaces resist motion | Easy |
| Projectile motion | Basic horizontal and vertical motion | Moderate |
| Rotation | Conceptual understanding of rotational motion | Moderate |
| Energy (kinetic, potential, conservation) | Formula-based, conceptual conservation | Moderate |
| Gravitation | Basic gravitational force concepts | Easy |
| Momentum | Mass times velocity relationships | Easy |
| Waves and sound | Frequency, wavelength basics | Easy |
| Light and optics | Basic reflection and refraction concepts | Easy |
This is conceptual, high-school physics, and light algebra. No calculus is used anywhere in this section. Most questions check for the understanding of an idea rather than its ability to solve a multi-step problem.
A common question is, “Why is a seatbelt used in a car crash to keep you in your seat? Newton’s laws answer this question. Another standard question: An object starts from rest and accelerates to 20 m/s in 4 seconds. What is the acceleration of the object? The examples are true to the actual difficulty level of theHESI A2 physics topics you’ll encounter.
HESI Physics Formulas Worth Knowing
If your program requires this section, memorize these eight formulas:
- Average speed: v = d / t
- Acceleration: a = Δv / t
- Force: F = ma
- Weight: W = mg
- Kinetic energy: KE = ½mv²
- Potential energy: PE = mgh
- Momentum: p = mv
- Wave speed: v = fλ
Throughout this section, metric units are important. The majority of lost marks are not due to the difficulty of the mathematics, but due to errors of units. The HESI A2 physics test DOES NOT provide a formula sheet, so it’s important to memorize these 8. For other math skills, refer to the maths skills the HESI tests.
How to Study for HESI Physics in a Week
If you are one of the few who are truly in need of this section, here’s a reasonable 7-day program:
- Days 1–2: The densest question days are on motion, speed, acceleration, and Newton’s laws.
- Day 3: Energy, momentum, and gravitation.
- Day 4: Friction, rotation, and projectile motion.
- Day 5: Waves, sound, light, and optics.
- Day 6: Drill the eight formulas plus a timed HESI physics practice test.
- Day 7: Review only the questions you got wrong.
The majority of students have found HESI A2 physics to be not as difficult as they thought it was, because it is simply a test of recognition of a concept and not complex problem-solving. See the toughest sections of the HESI exam and free HESI practice tests for extra practice.
3 Sample HESI Physics Questions
Try these original HESI physics questions to test your understanding.
Question 1:
A car accelerates from rest to 12 m/s in 6 seconds. What is its acceleration?
- A) 1 m/s²
- B) 2 m/s²
- C) 6 m/s²
- D) 12 m/s²
Answer: B. Using a = Δv / t, 12 ÷ 6 = 2 m/s².
Question 2:
A book sits still on a table despite gravity pulling it downward. Which of Newton’s laws explains this?
- A) First law
- B) Second law
- C) Third law
- D) Law of gravitation
Answer: C. The table exerts an equal and opposite force upward, illustrating Newton’s third law.
Question 3:
A ball at the top of a hill has mostly which type of energy?
- A) Kinetic
- B) Potential
- C) Thermal
- D) Sound
Answer: B. At rest and elevated, the ball holds potential energy, which converts to kinetic energy as it moves.
These sample HESI physics questions reflect the practical style used in a genuine HESI physics practice test.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a physics section on the HESI A2?
Yes, there is a physics subtest, but the majority of nursing programs do not require it unless physics is a prerequisite for enrollment.
- Which nursing schools require HESI physics?
This will depend on the individual school, but if physics is listed as a prerequisite course, the chances of needing it are much higher. Always check with the testing office of your school.
- How many questions are on the HESI physics section?
The HESI A2 physics section usually consists of 25 scored questions and some unscored pilot questions in a standard 50-minute time limit (may vary).
- Is HESI physics hard?
It is easier for most students to handle than they can imagine. It is a test of conceptual and high school physics and basic algebra, not complex calculations or problem solving using calculus.
- What maths do I need for the HESI physics section?
Simple algebra knowledge is required (arranging simple formulas and substituting numbers). The HESI A2 physics content does not contain any trigonometry or calculus.
To learn more about the expectations for scoring, see what counts as a good HESI score.
Conclusion
Please validate with your program before spending one hour studying HESI A2 physics. Looking for assistance with determining what you really need? Give Take My HESI Exams a call today.