If you’re applying to a healthcare training program, the HESI entrance exam may be part of the admissions process. At American Career College, the HESI exam is required for applicants to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Ultrasound Technologist programs.
The exam measures knowledge in areas such as math, reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and science. The exact scoring requirements differ between programs, so it’s important to understand what your program requires before you start studying.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect and eight HESI exam study tips that can help you prepare.
What Is the HESI Exam?
The HESI entrance exam is an admissions assessment used by some nursing and healthcare programs to evaluate applicants’ academic knowledge and readiness.
In addition to meeting other admissions requirements, applicants to ACC’s ADN and Ultrasound Technologist programs must take the HESI.
ACC does not require the HESI for every program, so students applying to other healthcare degree or diploma programs should review admissions requirements for their specific program.
What Is On The HESI Exam At ACC?
The subjects you’ll be tested on depend on the program you’re applying to.
For applicants of ACC’s ADN program, the HESI exam consists of five sections:
- Math
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
For Ultrasound Technologist program applicants, ACC requires completion of all five subject areas, including Science. Applicants can meet the requirement in one of two ways:
- Earn a minimum cumulative HESI score of 70% across all required sections, including Science, or
- Earn at least 75% when Science is excluded from the cumulative score and at least 30% on the Anatomy & Physiology portion of the Science section.
1. Know Your HESI Requirements Before You Study
Before you start studying, make sure you understand the testing policy for your program.
At ACC, ADN applicants need a minimum passing score of 75%, while Ultrasound Technologist applicants have two possible scoring pathways. Both programs require applicants to complete five HESI subject areas.
Knowing your target score can make it easier to build a study plan around the subjects that matter most.
2. Take a HESI Practice Test Before You Start Studying
A practice test can help you figure out where to focus before you spend hours reviewing material you already know.
Pay attention to your performance by subject. You might feel comfortable with reading comprehension and grammar but need more work in math or science. Your results can help you decide how much time to devote to each area.
3. Create a HESI Study Schedule
Trying to cover every subject at once can make HESI preparation feel overwhelming. Instead, break your studying into smaller sessions spread over several days or weeks. You might dedicate one day to math, another to reading and vocabulary, and another to science review.
Keep the schedule realistic enough that you can stick with it. A consistent hour of focused study several times a week can be more productive than an ambitious schedule that’s difficult to maintain.
4. Spend More Time on Your Weakest Subjects
You don’t need to divide your study time equally among every HESI section. If practice questions show that one subject is consistently giving you trouble, devote more time to it.
For math, that might mean reviewing fractions, percentages, ratios, conversions, or basic algebra. For language sections, you may need additional practice with grammar rules, vocabulary, or reading comprehension. Science preparation may include anatomy and physiology and other foundational concepts covered on the exam.
5. Use a Mix of HESI Study Resources
Using more than one type of study resource can make your preparation more effective and keep study sessions from becoming repetitive.
Your HESI preparation might include:
- A current HESI exam review book
- Practice tests
- Flashcards
- Educational videos
- Study apps
- Notes from previous courses
Practice materials can be especially useful because they help you become familiar with the types of questions you may encounter, but it’s important to be selective about third-party resources. Older study guides or unofficial online questions may not reflect the current exam as closely as newer materials.
6. Practice Without Looking at Your Notes
Reading notes can make information feel familiar, but the exam requires you to recall and apply that information on your own. After reviewing a topic, close your notes and test yourself. Try working through a math problem without looking at an example, defining vocabulary terms from memory, or explaining an anatomy concept in your own words.
If you can’t recall something without checking your notes, that’s a good sign that the topic needs more review.
7. Review the Questions You Miss
Practice questions are most useful when you understand why you got each question wrong. When you answer something incorrectly, ask yourself why. Did you misunderstand the concept? Forget a formula? Misread the question? Narrow the answer down to two choices and select the wrong one?
Go back to the underlying topic and review it before trying a similar question again. You can also keep a running list of difficult concepts. As your HESI date approaches, that list can become a personalized review guide.
8. Practice Under Test-Like Conditions
As you get closer to your exam date, spend some time practicing in an environment that resembles the actual testing experience. Find a quiet space, put away your phone and notes, and work through a longer set of practice questions without interruptions. This can help you work on pacing and concentration and also makes the testing experience feel more familiar when exam day arrives.
What HESI Score Do You Need at ACC?
The required HESI score depends on the program. Associate Degree in Nursing applicants must earn a minimum passing score of 75%. Scores are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Ultrasound Technologist applicants have two ways to meet the requirement:
- Earn a cumulative score of at least 70% across all required sections, including Science, or
- Earn at least 75% when Science is excluded from the calculation and at least 30% on the Anatomy & Physiology portion of the Science section.
Applicants using the second Ultrasound Technologist pathway must complete ACC’s required Anatomy & Physiology preparatory or remediation program before the program start date.
Can You Retake the HESI at ACC?
Yes. Applicants who do not earn the required HESI score can retake the exam up to three times before a one-year waiting period applies.
After the first unsuccessful attempt, applicants must wait at least seven calendar days before retaking the exam. If an applicant does not pass on the second attempt, they must wait 30 days from the date of the second attempt before taking the exam a third time. Applicants who do not pass after three attempts may begin the process again after a minimum of one year from the first attempt.
ACC also allows students to combine section scores from multiple HESI attempts to create a composite score as long as the exams were taken within a 90-day period. Retaking only selected sections still counts as a full retake under ACC’s policy.
How Long Are HESI Scores Valid at ACC?
HESI exam scores are valid for three years from the original test date. ACC may also accept HESI scores from another college or institution if the results were obtained within three years of the student’s enrollment date. That can be helpful for applicants who have already completed the HESI elsewhere and are considering an ACC program.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass the HESI?
An unsuccessful attempt does not necessarily mean starting over. Use your score report to identify the areas that need the most improvement before your next attempt. Since ACC allows applicants to combine section scores from multiple exams taken within a 90-day period, improving a weaker section on a later attempt may help strengthen your overall result.
Preparing for Your Healthcare Education at ACC
For students applying to ACC’s ADN or Ultrasound Technologist program, the HESI is one part of the admissions process. Understanding your program’s required score, reviewing subject areas, and giving yourself time to practice can help you approach the exam with confidence.
Whether you’re interested in ACC’ 20-month Associate Degree in Nursing program and the steps involved in getting into nursing school or you’re interested in diagnostic medical imaging, explore ACC’s 20-month Ultrasound Technologist program.
Not sure which healthcare program is the right fit for you? Try out ACC’s healthcare career quiz or browse our healthcare training programs available at our three campuses in Southern California, our newest campus in Dallas Fort-Worth, and online.
