The HESI test is an exam designed for those students who are seeking admission in health schools to pursue a career in nursing. Health schools use it to make sure that one faces academic deficiencies head-on so that any potential setback can be avoided once the students have begun their core coursework. Health schools offering nursing courses can pick different types of the HESI test they want to use in their curriculum. Most schools require that their students pass the exam that includes sections regarding physiology, reading, math, grammar, and anatomy. Other health schools require their applicants to pass the HESI specialty content area tests for major courses before they can receive any credit. In most cases, these programs usually conclude with an all-inclusive exit test that students have to pass in order to graduate. The HESI specialty tests comprise very tough questions that are designed to evaluate the candidate’s critical thinking skills.

The HESI test is a series of exams used by health care schools to assess mastery of program and course content in a range of health science courses, including:

• Radiotherapy
• Respiratory care
• Massage therapy
• Veterinary technology
• Dental assisting and dental hygiene
• Registered and vocational nursing

Most of the HESI tests take 4 hours, but this can change depending on the kind of exam that a school chooses. In some instances, a school may list prerequisite courses for taking this test, which usually include English, Anatomy-Physiology, and college-level Math. The students taking the HESI test can view score results immediately after completing the exam. Interestingly, they are also able to see their scores while they are taking the test. In other words, the scores can be analyzed section by section. The individuals usually receive official score reports by email, and they are usually sent to them within 24 hours to two weeks after completing the test.

The HESI test can be retaken if a student fails to attain the passing score. One is allowed to retake it after six months from the date of the first attempt. The HESI test scores are not considered valuable for a lifetime. They are usually considered current for a period of two years. In other words, the results expire after 2 years, and an individual is required to take the exam again.