TEAS vs. HESI A2: Which Nursing Entrance Exam Do You Need?

Two entrance exams dominate BSN admissions: the ATI TEAS and the HESI A2. Which one you take depends entirely on the schools you're applying to, and some applicants need both. Before you register for either test, it helps to see where you stand: check your admission chances free against the schools on your list. Here's how the two exams compare and how to prepare.

What each exam covers

ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) has four sections:

• Reading
• Mathematics
• Science (the heaviest section: anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry)
• English and Language Usage

HESI A2 (Admission Assessment) is modular: schools choose which sections to require. Common ones:

• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Math
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Sometimes Biology, Chemistry, and a personality/learning-style profile

How they're scored

• The TEAS gives section scores and a total percentage, plus a performance level (e.g. "Proficient" or "Advanced"). Many programs set a minimum total or per-section percentage.
• The HESI A2 reports a percentage per section and often a composite. Schools commonly require a composite of 75%+, though it varies widely.

Which schools use which

There's no universal rule. It's school by school:

• Many programs use the TEAS (the more common choice nationally).
• Schools like Baylor and Texas A&M use the HESI A2.
• Some programs accept either exam, and a few require no entrance exam at all (see our list of nursing schools that don't require the TEAS).

Always check each target school before you register for a test date.

How to prepare

1. Confirm the exam and the minimum score for every school on your list first.
2. Use the official prep materials. ATI sells a TEAS study manual and practice tests; Elsevier offers HESI A2 prep. These mirror the real format best.
3. Prioritize the Science / Anatomy & Physiology sections. They're the hardest and often the most heavily weighted.
4. Know the retake rules. Most schools cap attempts (often 2 or 3 within 12 months) and require a waiting period between tries, so don't waste an attempt unprepared.

Remember that your exam score is only half the equation: programs weigh it alongside your grades, so check what GPA you need for nursing school while you plan your prep.

Match exams to your school list

Before you book an exam, see which test each of your target programs requires and the score you'll need. Browse all programs to compare entrance-exam requirements across BSN programs side by side, then check your admission chances free to see how your scores and GPA stack up at each school.

*This guide is for planning purposes only. Always confirm the current exam and score requirements on each school's official admissions page.*