Nursing Program HESI A2 Exam Information
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This page includes:
Information on setting up the HESI A2 exam for ALL Nursing applicants.
The HESI A2 is required for ALL Nursing applicants.
Find information about the TOEFL iBT test for non-native English speaker (NNES) students here.
The TOEFL iBT test is required for non-native English speaking students only. The TOEFL iBT must be taken before the HESI A2.
The TOEFL iBT test is not available through LMC, but is available online. Online testing requires a computer with internet access and a Windows operating system. For more information or guidance on the TOEFL iBT test, contact esl@lakemichigancollege.edu.
HESI A2 Registration Information
Information for Nursing Applicants preparing to take the HESI A2 admission assessment
- Call or email the LMC Testing Services office at (269) 927-6173 or email TestingServices@lakemichigancollege.edu to get the current payment ID code for the HESI A2 exam.
- Create an Evolve account: See instructions below for “Registering for your HESI A2 Exam – Nursing Program”
- Register for the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking 1st Time Test. Use the Payment ID code provided by Testing Services to pay for the exam. The current fee is $64 per attempt.
- Make your HESI A2 test appointment with Testing Services. To take the HESI A2 at the Benton Harbor campus, please use the online scheduling system by choosing an option under "Out of Class Testing" on the Testing Services page: https://www.lakemichigancollege.edu/mylmc/testing-center PLEASE NOTE: Those wishing to take the HESI A2 at the South Haven campus should email Testing Services and indicate they wish to take the exam at the South Haven campus. The South Haven Coordinator will contact you directly with appointment availability.
- Study and prepare for the exam: There are many resources you can use to study for the HESI A2. Nursing applicants are required to take the Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Mathematics, and Critical Thinking portions of the exam. Please focus your studies on these areas.
- You can purchase the HESI Study Guide.
- Free online resources include:
- Take the exam: To take the exam, follow instructions given to you by Testing Services after making your appointment. Please be prepared for your exam at least 10 minutes before your scheduled testing time. Students must present a photo ID to test; acceptable forms include passports, drivers’ licenses, or student ID cards. Once you have checked in and logged in to the exam, you will have access to the entire HESI A2 exam, but you only need to take the Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Mathematics, and Critical Thinking portions of the exam.
The exam is not timed, but it may take you approximately 3 hours to complete the exam, so plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum score required for Nursing?
-
English Combined (the average of your Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Vocab scores): 75% minimum
- Mathematics: 75% minimum
- Critical Thinking: no minimum score, but scoring higher will make you more competitive
You will be able to see your score immediately after completing the exam. Scores will be entered into the system by Testing Services shortly after exam completion.
Didn’t receive the score you expected and want to know how to improve or where to study more? You can access remediation information in your Evolve account within 48 hours of exam completion. The Nursing program does not provide specific entry exam tutoring beyond LMC tutors and resources that students have access to in the Library, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and online.
Can I retake the exam?
Yes. See the HESI A2 Testing & Retest Policy at the bottom of this webpage.
You will need to contact LMC Testing Services for a separate "2nd time" test code before paying for the HESI A2 test again.
If I passed the HESI A2 in the past, do I have to take it again?
HESI A2 exam scores taken at LMC are valid for 5 years from the date they were taken. If you took the HESI A2 at another institution, you must take it again at LMC for admission into the nursing program.
I learned English as a Second Language – what else do I need to do?
Students who learned English as a Second Language or are non-native English speakers MUST take the TOEFL iBT Test before they take the HESI A2. The TOEFL iBT requires a minimum overall score of 84, and a minimum speaking subscore of 26. All TOEFL iBT scores must be submitted to Lake Michigan College DIRECTLY from ETS.
Students may be exempt from taking the TOEFL iBT test if they meet one of the following criteria:
a.) earned a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. college
b.) attended a U.S. high school for four years and successfully graduated from a U.S. high school
c.) are from a country where English is one of the official languages
To discuss TOEFL iBT exemptions, students should contact their Academic Advisor or the LMC Health Sciences Office at HealthSciences@lakemichigancollege.edu
Are accommodations available for the HESI A2 Exam?
Upon request, students with disabilities, with documentation on file in the Student Outreach and Support Services Office, will be provided special testing accommodations. Please contact Testing Services to confirm accommodations once you have made your testing appointment. Students may request disability-related test accommodations through Student Well-Being and Accessibility at (269) 927-8866.
Registering for your HESI A2 Exam
On the Evolve website, select "I’m a student."
Select "Register for Results and Remediation."
Select "Register."
Select "Checkout/Redeem."
You may be taken to a page where you need to add information about your account. When you complete that account information and submit, you will be back to the "My Cart" page.
When you select "Checkout/Redeem" for the second time, you will see the information box that confirms there will be a HESI Assessment section in your Content List.
Go back to My Evolve. You will now see "HESI Assessment" in "My Content."
Select "Student Access."
Select the "Payment tab." Use the payment ID code given to you by the Testing Center to continue.
Enter your payment method and complete the remainder of the information to purchase.
HESI A2 Testing and Retest Policy
You are encouraged to take the HESI A2 at least one (1) semester before applying to the program to allow enough time for remediation and re-testing if necessary. The HESI A2 exam MUST be completed before the posted Program Application deadlines:
- May 12 for Fall Cohort consideration (September program start)
- September 12 for Spring Cohort consideration (January program start)
Students have two (2) attempts at the HESI A2 in one calendar year. There is a 60-day waiting period between attempts. If a student does not meet the minimum required scores in two (2) attempts, they may re-test after one (1) calendar year from the last exam date.
Passing scores are valid for five (5) years from the exam date.
The Mathematics portion of the HESI A2 is required for all students applying to Fall 2020 and onward. If a student never took the Math portion of the exam, they have two attempts to meet the minimum score. If they are not successful within two attempts, the student must wait one calendar year from the last exam date to re-test. Students do not need to repeat the other portions of the HESI A2 if scores are within five years and meet the minimum score requirement.
If a student meets the minimum score in one portion of the exam, but not the other (for example, a student successfully completes the Mathematics portion, but does not meet the score of 75 minimum on the Combined English section) they may re-take the portion of the exam where they were not successful. This will count as a repeat and the fall under one-year wait period. Remediation is strongly encouraged.
Questions?
If you have questions about the testing process or the HESI A2 exam, please contact:
- Health Sciences Office at healthsciences@lakemichigancollege.edu
- LMC Testing Services at testingservices@lakemichigancollege.edu
- Academic Advising Office at advisor@lakemichigancollege.edu