HESI A2 VERSION 2 EXAMINATION
Comprehensive Academic Readiness Assessment for Nursing Program Admission
Academic Year 2026/2027 | 243 Multiple-Choice Questions + 8 Reading Passages | 4-5 Hours
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
• Total Questions: 243 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) plus 8 reading passages across 7 academic
domains.
• Total Testing Time: Approximately 4-5 hours (computer-based, proctored format via Elsevier Evolve).
• Passing Score: Program-dependent; typically 75-80% composite or 70% minimum per section.
• Calculator Policy: Basic calculator permitted for mathematics section only.
• For Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) items, clearly marked, select all options that apply.
• Questions in bold; correct answers in bold #FF007D; rationales in italic with lavender background.
• Aligned with Elsevier HESI A2 Version 2 Test Blueprints and nursing program admission standards.
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Grammar 40 Parts of Speech, 16%
Sentence Structure,
Punctuation, Subject-
Verb Agreement
Mathematics 50 Fractions, Decimals, 21%
Ratios, Dosage
Calculations, Algebra,
Conversions
Reading Comprehension 8 Passages Main Idea, Inference, 3%
Vocabulary-in-Context,
Critical Thinking
Vocabulary & General 50 Medical Terminology, 21%
Knowledge Word
Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes,
Context Clues
Biology 25 Cell Structure, Genetics, 10%
Evolution, Cellular
Respiration,
Homeostasis
Chemistry 25 Atomic Structure, 10%
Periodic Table,
Chemical Bonds,
Acids/Bases, pH
Anatomy & Physiology 25 Body Systems, 10%
Homeostasis, Tissues,
Organ Functions
TOTAL 243 + 8 Passages Comprehensive 100%
Academic Readiness
DOMAIN SCORE TRACKER
Domain Questions Your Score Percentage Pass/Fail
Grammar 40
Mathematics 50
Reading 8 Passages
Comprehension
Vocabulary & 50
General
Knowledge
, Biology 25
Chemistry 25
Anatomy & 25
Physiology
TOTAL 243 + 8 Passages
DOMAIN 1: GRAMMAR
Parts of Speech | Sentence Structure | Punctuation | Subject-Verb Agreement | Common Errors
1. Which word in the following sentence is an adverb? 'The nurse quickly administered the
medication to the anxious patient.'
A. nurse B. quickly
C. administered D. anxious
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often ending in '-ly.' In this sentence,
'quickly' modifies the verb 'administered' by describing how the action was performed. 'Nurse' is a noun,
'administered' is a verb, and 'anxious' is an adjective modifying 'patient.' Therefore, 'quickly' is the only
adverb in the sentence.
2. Identify the pronoun in the following sentence: 'She told them that the results were
confidential.'
A. told B. results
C. She D. confidential
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. 'She' is a subject pronoun that replaces a
female person's name, and 'them' is an object pronoun replacing a group of people. While both 'She' and
'them' are pronouns, the question asks to identify a pronoun, and 'She' is the first one and is listed as an
option. 'Told' is a verb, 'results' is a noun, and 'confidential' is an adjective.
3. Which word is a preposition in the sentence? 'The patient rested on the bed beside the
window.'
A. rested B. bed
C. on D. window
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the
sentence. 'On' is a preposition that shows the spatial relationship between the patient and the bed. 'Beside'
is also a preposition in this sentence, but it is not among the answer choices. 'Rested' is a verb, 'bed' is a
noun serving as the object of the preposition, and 'window' is a noun.
4. What part of speech is the word 'recently' in the following sentence? 'The hospital recently
expanded its emergency department.'
A. Adjective B. Adverb
C. Noun D. Preposition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word 'recently' is an adverb because it modifies the verb 'expanded' by describing when the
action took place. Adverbs frequently end in '-ly' and answer questions such as how, when, where, or to
what extent. It is not an adjective because it does not modify a noun, not a noun because it is not a person,
place, or thing, and not a preposition because it does not show a relationship between nouns.
5. Which word is a conjunction in the sentence? 'The doctor ordered blood tests, and the
nurse prepared the exam room.'
A. ordered B. and
C. blood D. prepared
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses. 'And' is a coordinating conjunction that joins
the two independent clauses in this compound sentence. The other coordinating conjunctions include 'but,'
'or,' 'nor,' 'for,' 'yet,' and 'so.' 'Ordered' and 'prepared' are verbs, while 'blood' is a noun functioning as an
adjective modifying 'tests.'
,6. What type of sentence is the following? 'The surgeon completed the operation, and the
patient was moved to recovery.'
A. Simple B. Compound
C. Complex D. Compound-complex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction or semicolon. This sentence has two independent clauses: 'The surgeon completed the
operation' and 'the patient was moved to recovery,' connected by the coordinating conjunction 'and.' A
simple sentence has only one independent clause, a complex sentence has one independent clause and at
least one dependent clause, and a compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and
one dependent clause.
7. Which of the following is a complex sentence?
A. The nurse checked the vitals and documented B. The nurse checked the vitals, and the doctor
the results. reviewed them.
C. After the nurse checked the vitals, the D. The nurse checked the vitals, and the doctor
doctor reviewed them. reviewed them, but the patient remained
unconscious.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate)
clause. In option C, 'After the nurse checked the vitals' is a dependent clause introduced by the
subordinating conjunction 'after,' and 'the doctor reviewed them' is the independent clause. Option A is a
simple sentence with a compound predicate, option B is a compound sentence, and option D is a compound
sentence with three independent clauses.
8. Identify the compound-complex sentence.
A. Although the patient was in pain, the nurse B. The nurse administered the medication, and the
administered the medication. doctor documented the reaction.
C. Although the patient was in pain, the D. The nurse administered the medication quickly
nurse administered the medication, and the and efficiently.
doctor documented the reaction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause. Option C has the dependent clause 'Although the patient was in pain' and two
independent clauses: 'the nurse administered the medication' and 'the doctor documented the reaction.'
Option A is complex (one dependent + one independent), option B is compound (two independent, no
dependent), and option D is simple (one independent clause with a compound predicate).
9. Which sentence is a simple sentence?
A. The patient, who had been admitted overnight, B. The patient was discharged, and the family was
was discharged in the morning. relieved.
C. The patient was discharged from the D. Because the patient improved, the doctor
hospital this morning. discharged him, and the family celebrated.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A simple sentence contains exactly one independent clause and no dependent clauses. Option C
has a single independent clause with one subject and one predicate. Option A is complex because it contains
the dependent clause 'who had been admitted overnight.' Option B is compound because it joins two
independent clauses with 'and.' Option D is compound-complex because it has two independent clauses and
one dependent clause.
10. What type of sentence structure is used below? 'When the lab results arrived, the
physician reviewed them carefully because she wanted an accurate diagnosis.'
A. Simple B. Compound
C. Complex D. Compound-complex
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a complex sentence because it contains one independent clause ('the physician reviewed
them carefully') and two dependent clauses ('When the lab results arrived' and 'because she wanted an
accurate diagnosis'). A complex sentence only requires one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause; having multiple dependent clauses does not make it compound-complex. It would only be
compound-complex if there were two or more independent clauses present.
, 11. Select the correct verb to complete the sentence: 'The group of nurses _____ scheduled to
work the night shift.'
A. is B. are
C. were D. have been
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The subject of the sentence is 'group,' which is a collective noun and takes a singular verb. The
prepositional phrase 'of nurses' modifies 'group' but does not change the subject. Therefore, the singular
verb 'is' agrees with the singular subject 'group.' Collective nouns like team, committee, and group
generally take singular verbs in American English unless the members are acting individually.
12. Choose the correct verb: 'The doctor, along with the interns, _____ attending the
conference.'
A. are B. were
C. is D. have been
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When phrases such as 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'together with,' or 'in addition to' intervene
between the subject and verb, they do not affect the number of the subject. The actual subject is 'doctor,'
which is singular, so the verb must also be singular. 'Is' is the only singular verb among the choices. This is
a common trap on standardized tests because the intervening phrase 'along with the interns' makes the
sentence sound plural.
13. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The list of symptoms were reviewed by the B. The list of symptoms was reviewed by the
attending physician. attending physician.
C. The list of symptoms have been reviewed by the D. The list of symptoms are reviewed by the
attending physician. attending physician.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The subject 'list' is singular, so it requires a singular verb. 'Was' is the singular past tense verb
that agrees with 'list.' The phrase 'of symptoms' is a prepositional phrase that modifies 'list' but does not
change the subject's number. Options A, C, and D all use plural verbs ('were,' 'have been,' 'are') that do not
agree with the singular subject 'list.'
14. Select the correct verb: 'Neither the patient nor the family members _____ informed of
the delay.'
A. was B. has been
C. were D. is
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When 'neither...nor' connects a singular and a plural subject, the verb must agree with the
subject closest to it. This is called the rule of proximity. 'Family members' is the subject closest to the verb,
and it is plural, so the plural verb 'were' is correct. If the sentence were reversed ('Neither the family
members nor the patient ___ informed'), the singular verb 'was' would be correct because 'patient' would
be closest.
15. Choose the correct verb: 'Each of the students _____ required to complete the clinical
rotation.'
A. are B. is
C. were D. have been
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word 'each' is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular and requires a singular verb.
Even though 'students' is plural, the true subject is 'each,' which is singular. 'Is' is the only singular verb
among the options. Other indefinite pronouns that are always singular include 'every,' 'everyone,'
'everybody,' 'anyone,' 'nobody,' 'someone,' and 'no one.'
16. Select the correct pronoun: 'Every patient must sign _____ consent form before the
procedure.'
A. their B. his or her
C. they're D. there
Correct Answer: B
Comprehensive Academic Readiness Assessment for Nursing Program Admission
Academic Year 2026/2027 | 243 Multiple-Choice Questions + 8 Reading Passages | 4-5 Hours
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
• Total Questions: 243 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) plus 8 reading passages across 7 academic
domains.
• Total Testing Time: Approximately 4-5 hours (computer-based, proctored format via Elsevier Evolve).
• Passing Score: Program-dependent; typically 75-80% composite or 70% minimum per section.
• Calculator Policy: Basic calculator permitted for mathematics section only.
• For Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) items, clearly marked, select all options that apply.
• Questions in bold; correct answers in bold #FF007D; rationales in italic with lavender background.
• Aligned with Elsevier HESI A2 Version 2 Test Blueprints and nursing program admission standards.
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Grammar 40 Parts of Speech, 16%
Sentence Structure,
Punctuation, Subject-
Verb Agreement
Mathematics 50 Fractions, Decimals, 21%
Ratios, Dosage
Calculations, Algebra,
Conversions
Reading Comprehension 8 Passages Main Idea, Inference, 3%
Vocabulary-in-Context,
Critical Thinking
Vocabulary & General 50 Medical Terminology, 21%
Knowledge Word
Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes,
Context Clues
Biology 25 Cell Structure, Genetics, 10%
Evolution, Cellular
Respiration,
Homeostasis
Chemistry 25 Atomic Structure, 10%
Periodic Table,
Chemical Bonds,
Acids/Bases, pH
Anatomy & Physiology 25 Body Systems, 10%
Homeostasis, Tissues,
Organ Functions
TOTAL 243 + 8 Passages Comprehensive 100%
Academic Readiness
DOMAIN SCORE TRACKER
Domain Questions Your Score Percentage Pass/Fail
Grammar 40
Mathematics 50
Reading 8 Passages
Comprehension
Vocabulary & 50
General
Knowledge
, Biology 25
Chemistry 25
Anatomy & 25
Physiology
TOTAL 243 + 8 Passages
DOMAIN 1: GRAMMAR
Parts of Speech | Sentence Structure | Punctuation | Subject-Verb Agreement | Common Errors
1. Which word in the following sentence is an adverb? 'The nurse quickly administered the
medication to the anxious patient.'
A. nurse B. quickly
C. administered D. anxious
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often ending in '-ly.' In this sentence,
'quickly' modifies the verb 'administered' by describing how the action was performed. 'Nurse' is a noun,
'administered' is a verb, and 'anxious' is an adjective modifying 'patient.' Therefore, 'quickly' is the only
adverb in the sentence.
2. Identify the pronoun in the following sentence: 'She told them that the results were
confidential.'
A. told B. results
C. She D. confidential
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. 'She' is a subject pronoun that replaces a
female person's name, and 'them' is an object pronoun replacing a group of people. While both 'She' and
'them' are pronouns, the question asks to identify a pronoun, and 'She' is the first one and is listed as an
option. 'Told' is a verb, 'results' is a noun, and 'confidential' is an adjective.
3. Which word is a preposition in the sentence? 'The patient rested on the bed beside the
window.'
A. rested B. bed
C. on D. window
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the
sentence. 'On' is a preposition that shows the spatial relationship between the patient and the bed. 'Beside'
is also a preposition in this sentence, but it is not among the answer choices. 'Rested' is a verb, 'bed' is a
noun serving as the object of the preposition, and 'window' is a noun.
4. What part of speech is the word 'recently' in the following sentence? 'The hospital recently
expanded its emergency department.'
A. Adjective B. Adverb
C. Noun D. Preposition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word 'recently' is an adverb because it modifies the verb 'expanded' by describing when the
action took place. Adverbs frequently end in '-ly' and answer questions such as how, when, where, or to
what extent. It is not an adjective because it does not modify a noun, not a noun because it is not a person,
place, or thing, and not a preposition because it does not show a relationship between nouns.
5. Which word is a conjunction in the sentence? 'The doctor ordered blood tests, and the
nurse prepared the exam room.'
A. ordered B. and
C. blood D. prepared
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses. 'And' is a coordinating conjunction that joins
the two independent clauses in this compound sentence. The other coordinating conjunctions include 'but,'
'or,' 'nor,' 'for,' 'yet,' and 'so.' 'Ordered' and 'prepared' are verbs, while 'blood' is a noun functioning as an
adjective modifying 'tests.'
,6. What type of sentence is the following? 'The surgeon completed the operation, and the
patient was moved to recovery.'
A. Simple B. Compound
C. Complex D. Compound-complex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction or semicolon. This sentence has two independent clauses: 'The surgeon completed the
operation' and 'the patient was moved to recovery,' connected by the coordinating conjunction 'and.' A
simple sentence has only one independent clause, a complex sentence has one independent clause and at
least one dependent clause, and a compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and
one dependent clause.
7. Which of the following is a complex sentence?
A. The nurse checked the vitals and documented B. The nurse checked the vitals, and the doctor
the results. reviewed them.
C. After the nurse checked the vitals, the D. The nurse checked the vitals, and the doctor
doctor reviewed them. reviewed them, but the patient remained
unconscious.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate)
clause. In option C, 'After the nurse checked the vitals' is a dependent clause introduced by the
subordinating conjunction 'after,' and 'the doctor reviewed them' is the independent clause. Option A is a
simple sentence with a compound predicate, option B is a compound sentence, and option D is a compound
sentence with three independent clauses.
8. Identify the compound-complex sentence.
A. Although the patient was in pain, the nurse B. The nurse administered the medication, and the
administered the medication. doctor documented the reaction.
C. Although the patient was in pain, the D. The nurse administered the medication quickly
nurse administered the medication, and the and efficiently.
doctor documented the reaction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause. Option C has the dependent clause 'Although the patient was in pain' and two
independent clauses: 'the nurse administered the medication' and 'the doctor documented the reaction.'
Option A is complex (one dependent + one independent), option B is compound (two independent, no
dependent), and option D is simple (one independent clause with a compound predicate).
9. Which sentence is a simple sentence?
A. The patient, who had been admitted overnight, B. The patient was discharged, and the family was
was discharged in the morning. relieved.
C. The patient was discharged from the D. Because the patient improved, the doctor
hospital this morning. discharged him, and the family celebrated.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A simple sentence contains exactly one independent clause and no dependent clauses. Option C
has a single independent clause with one subject and one predicate. Option A is complex because it contains
the dependent clause 'who had been admitted overnight.' Option B is compound because it joins two
independent clauses with 'and.' Option D is compound-complex because it has two independent clauses and
one dependent clause.
10. What type of sentence structure is used below? 'When the lab results arrived, the
physician reviewed them carefully because she wanted an accurate diagnosis.'
A. Simple B. Compound
C. Complex D. Compound-complex
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a complex sentence because it contains one independent clause ('the physician reviewed
them carefully') and two dependent clauses ('When the lab results arrived' and 'because she wanted an
accurate diagnosis'). A complex sentence only requires one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause; having multiple dependent clauses does not make it compound-complex. It would only be
compound-complex if there were two or more independent clauses present.
, 11. Select the correct verb to complete the sentence: 'The group of nurses _____ scheduled to
work the night shift.'
A. is B. are
C. were D. have been
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The subject of the sentence is 'group,' which is a collective noun and takes a singular verb. The
prepositional phrase 'of nurses' modifies 'group' but does not change the subject. Therefore, the singular
verb 'is' agrees with the singular subject 'group.' Collective nouns like team, committee, and group
generally take singular verbs in American English unless the members are acting individually.
12. Choose the correct verb: 'The doctor, along with the interns, _____ attending the
conference.'
A. are B. were
C. is D. have been
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When phrases such as 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'together with,' or 'in addition to' intervene
between the subject and verb, they do not affect the number of the subject. The actual subject is 'doctor,'
which is singular, so the verb must also be singular. 'Is' is the only singular verb among the choices. This is
a common trap on standardized tests because the intervening phrase 'along with the interns' makes the
sentence sound plural.
13. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The list of symptoms were reviewed by the B. The list of symptoms was reviewed by the
attending physician. attending physician.
C. The list of symptoms have been reviewed by the D. The list of symptoms are reviewed by the
attending physician. attending physician.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The subject 'list' is singular, so it requires a singular verb. 'Was' is the singular past tense verb
that agrees with 'list.' The phrase 'of symptoms' is a prepositional phrase that modifies 'list' but does not
change the subject's number. Options A, C, and D all use plural verbs ('were,' 'have been,' 'are') that do not
agree with the singular subject 'list.'
14. Select the correct verb: 'Neither the patient nor the family members _____ informed of
the delay.'
A. was B. has been
C. were D. is
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When 'neither...nor' connects a singular and a plural subject, the verb must agree with the
subject closest to it. This is called the rule of proximity. 'Family members' is the subject closest to the verb,
and it is plural, so the plural verb 'were' is correct. If the sentence were reversed ('Neither the family
members nor the patient ___ informed'), the singular verb 'was' would be correct because 'patient' would
be closest.
15. Choose the correct verb: 'Each of the students _____ required to complete the clinical
rotation.'
A. are B. is
C. were D. have been
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word 'each' is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular and requires a singular verb.
Even though 'students' is plural, the true subject is 'each,' which is singular. 'Is' is the only singular verb
among the options. Other indefinite pronouns that are always singular include 'every,' 'everyone,'
'everybody,' 'anyone,' 'nobody,' 'someone,' and 'no one.'
16. Select the correct pronoun: 'Every patient must sign _____ consent form before the
procedure.'
A. their B. his or her
C. they're D. there
Correct Answer: B
