2026
HESI A2 Admission Assessment 2026:
Comprehensive Math, Reading, and
Science Study Guide for Nursing School
Applicants
The author wants the reader to feel
A. As though the game of Bridge is too hard for novices to learn.
B. Frustrated and confused about playing bridge.
C. Confident and excited about learning the game of bridge
D. Overwhelmed by all the rules for the games of Bridge.
Correct Answer: C. Confident and excited about learning the game of bridge
Rationale: The passage presents Bridge in an encouraging and approachable way, aiming to build
confidence and enthusiasm. The other options suggest negative emotions that are not supported
by the tone of the passage.
Throughout this passage the word suit means:
A. A set of clothing to be worn together
B. Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided.
C. To be convenient or right for
D. To request or appeal persistently
Correct Answer: B. Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided.
Rationale: In the context of a card game, “suit” refers to hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. The
other options define unrelated meanings of the word.
In the passage, a trick is described as
A. A special look given to your partner across the table
B. A book that gives strategies on how to win a Bridge.
,2026
C. A collection of one card played by each of four players.
D. A specific card the dealer gives to the person to her right.
Correct Answer: C. A collection of one card played by each of four players.
Rationale: A trick in Bridge is a round where each player plays one card. The other options
incorrectly describe non-existent or unrelated actions.
The passage explicitly states
A. That the highest card within the "trump" suit always wins the trick.
B. The Ace card is always the lowest card.
C. That there is a pile of leftover cards placed in the middle of the game table.
D. That if a player cannot follow suit, she loses her turn to the next player.
Correct Answer: A. That the highest card within the "trump" suit always wins the trick.
Rationale: This rule is directly stated in the passage. The other options either contradict standard
rules or introduce information not mentioned.
The passage implies that
A. Playing bridge requires concentration.
B. Bridge is an extremely easy game to play
C. Bridge is only for older people
D. Bridge is only for women
Correct Answer: A. Playing bridge requires concentration.
Rationale: The detailed explanations suggest focus and attention are needed. The other options
are unsupported stereotypes or exaggerations.
The author’s reason for writing this piece seems to be to
A. Inform the reader
B. Teach the reader
C. Persuade the reader
D. Entertain the reader
Correct Answer: A. Inform the reader
,2026
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about the Golden Gate Bridge without trying
to persuade or entertain. The tone is informational rather than instructional.
What body of water does The Golden Gate Bridge cross?
A. San Francisco Bay
B. Pacific Ocean
C. Marin Strait
D. Golden Gate Strait
Correct Answer: D. Golden Gate Strait
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the bridge crosses the Golden Gate Strait. The other
options are nearby bodies of water but not correct.
Why was the roadway so dangerous to build?
A. There weren't enough materials available to build the road
B. The workers might get hit by passing cars.
C. The men would fall to their deaths.
D. If the road wasn't balanced, it would collapse.
Correct Answer: D. If the road wasn't balanced, it would collapse.
Rationale: The passage emphasizes structural balance as the main danger. The other options are
not supported by the text.
In the passage the word embark means to:
A. Put or go on board a ship
B. Remove the covering from a tree
C. Speak harshly to others
D. Begin an undertaking
Correct Answer: D. Begin an undertaking
Rationale: In context, “embark” refers to starting a major project. The other definitions do not fit
the sentence meaning.
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Which part of the bridge was built first?
A. Cables
B. Anchorage
C. Roadway
D. Towers
Correct Answer: B. Anchorage
Rationale: The passage clearly states that the anchorages were constructed first. The other parts
were built later in sequence.
Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion?
A. One of the worst voice qualities is harshness.
B. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw.
C. Your voice will sound unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too
nasal.
D. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than
men, which usually makes them less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political
candidates.
Correct Answer: B. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat
and jaw.
Rationale: This statement presents a cause-and-effect claim that can be scientifically supported.
The others are value-based judgments or generalizations.
What is stated in this paragraph?
A. Some men have harsh voices.
B. Relaxed people often have harsh voices.
C. Women make less appealing political candidates.
D. Not everyone finds a harsh voice irritating.
Correct Answer: C. Women make less appealing political candidates.
Rationale: The paragraph explicitly states this claim. The other options are not directly
mentioned.
HESI A2 Admission Assessment 2026:
Comprehensive Math, Reading, and
Science Study Guide for Nursing School
Applicants
The author wants the reader to feel
A. As though the game of Bridge is too hard for novices to learn.
B. Frustrated and confused about playing bridge.
C. Confident and excited about learning the game of bridge
D. Overwhelmed by all the rules for the games of Bridge.
Correct Answer: C. Confident and excited about learning the game of bridge
Rationale: The passage presents Bridge in an encouraging and approachable way, aiming to build
confidence and enthusiasm. The other options suggest negative emotions that are not supported
by the tone of the passage.
Throughout this passage the word suit means:
A. A set of clothing to be worn together
B. Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided.
C. To be convenient or right for
D. To request or appeal persistently
Correct Answer: B. Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided.
Rationale: In the context of a card game, “suit” refers to hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. The
other options define unrelated meanings of the word.
In the passage, a trick is described as
A. A special look given to your partner across the table
B. A book that gives strategies on how to win a Bridge.
,2026
C. A collection of one card played by each of four players.
D. A specific card the dealer gives to the person to her right.
Correct Answer: C. A collection of one card played by each of four players.
Rationale: A trick in Bridge is a round where each player plays one card. The other options
incorrectly describe non-existent or unrelated actions.
The passage explicitly states
A. That the highest card within the "trump" suit always wins the trick.
B. The Ace card is always the lowest card.
C. That there is a pile of leftover cards placed in the middle of the game table.
D. That if a player cannot follow suit, she loses her turn to the next player.
Correct Answer: A. That the highest card within the "trump" suit always wins the trick.
Rationale: This rule is directly stated in the passage. The other options either contradict standard
rules or introduce information not mentioned.
The passage implies that
A. Playing bridge requires concentration.
B. Bridge is an extremely easy game to play
C. Bridge is only for older people
D. Bridge is only for women
Correct Answer: A. Playing bridge requires concentration.
Rationale: The detailed explanations suggest focus and attention are needed. The other options
are unsupported stereotypes or exaggerations.
The author’s reason for writing this piece seems to be to
A. Inform the reader
B. Teach the reader
C. Persuade the reader
D. Entertain the reader
Correct Answer: A. Inform the reader
,2026
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about the Golden Gate Bridge without trying
to persuade or entertain. The tone is informational rather than instructional.
What body of water does The Golden Gate Bridge cross?
A. San Francisco Bay
B. Pacific Ocean
C. Marin Strait
D. Golden Gate Strait
Correct Answer: D. Golden Gate Strait
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the bridge crosses the Golden Gate Strait. The other
options are nearby bodies of water but not correct.
Why was the roadway so dangerous to build?
A. There weren't enough materials available to build the road
B. The workers might get hit by passing cars.
C. The men would fall to their deaths.
D. If the road wasn't balanced, it would collapse.
Correct Answer: D. If the road wasn't balanced, it would collapse.
Rationale: The passage emphasizes structural balance as the main danger. The other options are
not supported by the text.
In the passage the word embark means to:
A. Put or go on board a ship
B. Remove the covering from a tree
C. Speak harshly to others
D. Begin an undertaking
Correct Answer: D. Begin an undertaking
Rationale: In context, “embark” refers to starting a major project. The other definitions do not fit
the sentence meaning.
, 2026
Which part of the bridge was built first?
A. Cables
B. Anchorage
C. Roadway
D. Towers
Correct Answer: B. Anchorage
Rationale: The passage clearly states that the anchorages were constructed first. The other parts
were built later in sequence.
Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion?
A. One of the worst voice qualities is harshness.
B. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw.
C. Your voice will sound unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too
nasal.
D. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than
men, which usually makes them less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political
candidates.
Correct Answer: B. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat
and jaw.
Rationale: This statement presents a cause-and-effect claim that can be scientifically supported.
The others are value-based judgments or generalizations.
What is stated in this paragraph?
A. Some men have harsh voices.
B. Relaxed people often have harsh voices.
C. Women make less appealing political candidates.
D. Not everyone finds a harsh voice irritating.
Correct Answer: C. Women make less appealing political candidates.
Rationale: The paragraph explicitly states this claim. The other options are not directly
mentioned.
