What it is
Most nursing programs require an entrance exam to show you're ready for the coursework. The two main ones are the ATI TEAS 7 (used by roughly 60% of programs) and the HESI A2 (roughly 40%). Programs usually require one, not both — and the program chooses, so check your target school's admissions page first. (These are the entrance exams; the NCLEX licensure exam comes after you graduate.)
Format & structure
- ATI TEAS 7A fixed blueprint: 170 questions in 209 minutes across four sections — Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English & Language Usage. TEAS 7 added newer item types (select-all, fill-in-the-blank, ordering).
- HESI A2Variable — your program picks which subject exams you sit, from up to about eight sections (Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading), and it may include a learning-style/personality component. Heavier on science than the TEAS.
How it's scored
Both report percentage/scaled scores by section and overall. There's no universal passing score — each program sets its own minimum (and may weight sections differently, especially science). Research shows TEAS scores correlate with later NCLEX success, which is why programs use them. Check your school's required score.
Registration & cost
Register through ATI (TEAS) or Elevate/Evolve (HESI), or sometimes directly through your prospective school. Fees vary (often around $70–$120). You can usually send scores to programs; note retake waiting periods.
Test dates & timing
Offered year-round at testing centers and (for some) online with proctoring. Test with enough lead time before your application deadline, and leave room for a retake if needed.
How to prepare
- Confirm which exam your school requiresDon't study the wrong test — check the admissions page
- Use official prepATI's and HESI's own study guides and practice tests match the real format best
- Prioritize your weak sectionsEspecially science on the HESI, and math/science on the TEAS
- Practice timedThe TEAS is a fixed, timed blueprint — pacing matters
Strategies & tips
- Aim above the program's minimumCompetitive programs admit well above the floor
- If a school takes both, pick your strengthTEAS is more balanced; HESI is science-heavy
- Answer every questionNo penalty for wrong answers
- Retake strategicallyPrograms may take your highest or most recent — check the policy
How scores are used
Programs use the score as a key admission factor alongside your GPA (especially prerequisite science grades), and sometimes for placement or scholarships. A strong score can make a competitive application; a low one may require a retake before you're considered.
Accommodations & support
Accommodations for documented disabilities are available through ATI or HESI — request them ahead of your test date.
Frequently asked questions
- TEAS or HESI — which do I take?Whichever your program requires (most require one). Check the admissions page.
- Is one harder?Neither is reliably harder; the HESI is more science-heavy, the TEAS more balanced.
- What score do I need?Each program sets its own minimum — verify with your school.
- Is this the NCLEX?No — TEAS/HESI are entrance exams; the NCLEX is the licensure exam after you graduate.
- Can I retake it?Yes, with a waiting period — check your program's retake rules.
Key facts
- TestsATI TEAS 7 · HESI A2
- WhoNursing/allied-health applicants
- TEAS 7170 Q · 209 min · Reading, Math, Science, English
- HESI A2Variable sections (science-heavy)
- Which oneThe program chooses
- Used forNursing-program admission
Where to learn more
Confirm which exam your program requires and current details: