FAQ’s Regarding the HESI A ² Exam
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What is the HESI A² exam?
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The HESI A² exam is a standardized exam to asses a student’s basic academic skills that
will be needed in order to be successful in the selected Health Occupation Programs.
This exam is a computerized test which must be completed in the duration of four
hours. This exam is required for admission to the El Centro / North Lake Nursing
Program. This exam is ONLY given to students for are seeking entrance to this program.
Students may only take the exam twice a month. Students will be tested on the
following five (5) categories: Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary / General
Knowledge, Math & Anatomy & Physiology (not required for the Diagnostic Medical
Sonography, Echocardiology, Pediatric Echocardiology, or radiologic Technology
Programs) *Please note students must also take the Personality Profile and Learning
Styles sections (not graded) for application to the Health Occupation program.*
Who takes the HESI A² exam?
o
Any DCCCD student who is interesting in enrolling in El Centro / North Lake College
Nursing Program can make an appointment to take the HESI A² exam. New students that
are applying for the following programs:
1. Associate Degree Nursing (Including Long Distance)
2. LVN to RN Advanced Placement “Bridge”
3. Allied Health Programs:
a. Diagnostic Medical Sonography
b. Echocardiology and Pediatric Echocardiology
c. Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
d. Radiologic Technology
e. Vocational Nursing
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Where can a student take the HESI A² exam?
o Students can take the HESI A² exam at either El Centro or North Lake College. Students
interested in taking the HESI A² exam at North Lake College-South Campus must visit the
North Lake South Campus web page at http://northlakecollege.edu/south-campus.
Note: Students are strongly encouraged to complete the following courses before taking
the HESI A ² exam: English Composition (ENGL 1301), College Algebra (MATH 1314), &
Anatomy & Physiology I (SCIT 1407 or BIOL 2401)
When can a student take the HESI A² exam?
o A student may take the HESI A² exam once all online Registration requirements have
been met. Students should call or visit the College they plan on taking the HESI A ² exam
to schedule an appointment.
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I’m currently not a student of the DCCCD. Will this keep me from taking the HESI A² exam at
North Lake College South Campus?
○ If you plan to apply to a Health Occupation and take the HESI A² exam at a DCCCD
college, then you must first apply to a DCCCD college before making your appointment.
You will need DCCCD student ID # in order to schedule an appointment to take the HESI
A² exam.
What will I need to bring with me in order to get the referral?
○ This procedure varies among testing sites in the DCCCD colleges. In order to test at North
Lake College South Campus, you must sign up online at
http://northlakecollege.edu/south-campus
Will the student need to bring a referral slip to take the HESI A² exam?
○ Yes, you will need to bring a valid photo ID (DCCCD student ID or a government issue ID)
and know your DCCCD student ID #. At North Lake College South Campus you must bring
a printed copy of the payment made through Evolve.
Will there be a study guide available for the HESI A² Exam?
○ Yes, the study guide is called “Admission Assessment Exam Review” by HESI and the
cost is about $43. Students can obtain this book at North Lake College Follet Bookstore;
the price is subject to change. The El Centro Continuing Education Division offers a HESI
A² Prep course. Contact them at 214-860-2262 for more information.
What score must I earn to pass the test?
○ Each program has established minimum passing score for their particular program.
Please refer to the specific Health Occupation information packet.
Will scores be available once the HESI A² test is over?
○ Students have duration of five (5) hours to complete all five (5) sections of the HESI A²
exam as well as the Personality Profile and Learning Styles sections. Once the exam is
completed students will receive 2 computerized print outs of their exam scores. Students
are responsible for obtaining their own score sheet(s)
Will there be an expiration date on the HESI A² scores and may scheduled appointments be
rescheduled?
○ Yes, the HESI A² test scores will only be valid for two (2) years from the initial test date.
Scheduled appointments may not be rescheduled unless approved by the Assessment
Center Director.
If a student doesn’t pass all sections of the HESI A² can they retest?
○ Yes, please refer to the specific Health Occupation information packet for retesting
guidelines for that program. The cost will be $35 for each initial test and for retest as
well. For testing at North Lake College, students are only allowed to test twice a month.
After that they may test during the next available testing session.
Does the student have to retake the entire test or only the sections they didn’t pass?
○ Please refer to the specific Health Occupation information packet for retesting guidelines
for that particular program.