The HESI A2 Math test focuses on practical arithmetic and basic algebra skills used in health-care and college-readiness contexts. Students should expect questions involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, measurement conversions, word problems, and simple equations. The best prep usually starts with arithmetic accuracy, then moves into proportions and conversions because those skills appear again and again in nursing-style word problems.
Because nursing programs choose their own HESI A2 requirements, students should verify the exact sections, timing, retest policy, and score requirement with their school. Elsevier’s official HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review, 6th Edition describes admission exam topics including math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology. Tarrant County College’s HESI A2 information page, as one testing-center example, lists math as a 55-question section with an on-screen calculator, while individual programs determine required sections.
ViewMath is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier, HESI, Evolve, or any nursing school admissions program. For official review-book information, see the Elsevier HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review page. For school-specific testing details, check your nursing program’s official admissions or testing-center page. One example testing-center reference is Tarrant County College’s HESI A2 exam information.
Common HESI A2 Math Format Details
| Feature | What Students Should Know |
|---|---|
| Question style | Computerized multiple-choice questions are common. |
| Math section size | Many testing-center pages list 55 math questions, but students should verify locally. |
| Calculator | Testing centers commonly provide an on-screen calculator; do not assume personal calculators are allowed. |
| Required sections | Programs may require different HESI A2 sections. Math may be one of several required sections. |
| Passing score | Schools set their own minimum score rules and retest policies. |
Start With a Diagnostic, Not a Full Cram Session
Before studying everything, take 20 to 25 mixed math questions and label each miss. Use these labels:
- Arithmetic: fraction, decimal, percent, or signed-number calculation error.
- Proportion setup: the equation was set up incorrectly or units were crossed.
- Conversion: the student knew the operation but used the wrong unit relationship.
- Algebra: the equation-solving steps were not controlled.
- Reading: the student answered a different question than the one asked.
If most errors are arithmetic, do not rush into timed tests. If arithmetic is strong but proportions are weak, focus on labels, units, and equivalent ratios.
HESI A2 Math Topics
- Whole-number operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and order of operations.
- Fractions: simplifying, comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
- Decimals: place value, operations, rounding, and conversion between fractions and decimals.
- Percentages: percent of a number, percent increase/decrease, and converting among fractions, decimals, and percents.
- Ratios and proportions: setting up equivalent ratios and solving for missing values.
- Measurement conversions: common customary and metric conversions, including health-care style unit thinking.
- Basic algebra: evaluating expressions and solving one-step or two-step equations.
- Word problems: choosing the correct operation, proportion, or conversion.
Highest-Value Skills to Master First
If study time is short, prioritize the skills that support many question types:
- Fraction-decimal-percent conversions: for dosage-style rates, discounts, proportions, and comparisons.
- Ratio tables: for scaling a quantity up or down without guessing.
- Metric conversions: especially kilo-, centi-, milli-, liters, grams, and meters.
- One-step and two-step equations: for translating short word problems into a solvable form.
- Estimation: for catching answers that are unreasonable before submitting them.
Sample HESI A2 Math Questions
1. Find 3/4 + 2/3.
2. Convert 0.375 to a fraction in simplest form.
3. What is 18% of 250?
4. A medication label says 2 tablets contain 500 mg. How many mg are in 5 tablets at the same rate?
5. Solve 4x + 7 = 31.
6. Convert 2.5 liters to milliliters.
7. A patient drinks 3/5 of a bottle of water. The bottle holds 20 ounces. How many ounces did the patient drink?
8. A ratio is 4:7. If the first quantity is 20, what is the second quantity?
9. A solution is mixed at a ratio of 3 parts concentrate to 5 parts water. If 24 parts of concentrate are used, how many parts of water are needed?
10. Convert 750 milligrams to grams.
11. A student answers 44 questions correctly out of 55. What percent is correct?
12. Solve 3x – 4 = 2x + 11.
13. A nurse walks 1.2 miles each shift for 5 shifts. How many miles is that in all?
14. Which is greater: 0.62 or 5/8?
Answer Key
1. 3/4 = 9/12 and 2/3 = 8/12, so the sum is 17/12 or 1 5/12.
2. 0.375 = 375/1000 = 3/8.
3. 0.18 x 250 = 45.
4. 500 / 2 = 250 mg per tablet. 5 tablets contain 1250 mg.
5. 4x = 24, so x = 6.
6. 1 liter = 1000 milliliters, so 2.5 liters = 2500 mL.
7. 3/5 x 20 = 12 ounces.
8. 4 to 7 scales by 5 to reach 20, so the second quantity is 7 x 5 = 35.
9. 3 parts concentrate scales to 24 by multiplying by 8. Water also scales by 8: 5 x 8 = 40 parts water.
10. 1000 mg = 1 g, so 750 mg = 0.75 g.
11. 44 / 55 = 0.8, so the score is 80%.
12. Subtract 2x from both sides: x – 4 = 11. Add 4: x = 15.
13. 1.2 x 5 = 6 miles.
14. 5/8 = 0.625, so 5/8 is greater than 0.62.
Four-Week HESI A2 Math Prep Plan
| Week | Focus | Practice Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fractions, decimals, percents | Convert accurately and solve short arithmetic sets. |
| 2 | Ratios, proportions, and conversions | Set up proportions without guessing the operation. |
| 3 | Basic algebra and word problems | Translate sentences into equations and solve step by step. |
| 4 | Timed mixed practice | Build speed while reviewing every missed question. |
Day-by-Day Routine for Each Week
Use the same weekly rhythm with a different topic focus:
- Day 1: review examples and write a one-page formula or conversion sheet.
- Day 2: complete 15 untimed questions and correct every miss.
- Day 3: complete 15 new questions with a light time limit.
- Day 4: do word problems only, writing labels beside each number.
- Day 5: take a mixed set and sort mistakes by topic.
- Day 6: redo missed questions without looking at the answer key.
- Day 7: rest or do a short conversion drill.
What to Do the Final Week
- Review fraction-decimal-percent conversions daily.
- Memorize common metric relationships such as 1 L = 1000 mL and 1 kg = 1000 g.
- Practice proportion setups using labels.
- Take at least two timed mixed sets.
- Stop studying brand-new topics two days before the exam.
Common HESI A2 Math Mistakes
Setting Up Proportions Without Units
Write units on both sides of the proportion. For example, tablets should line up with tablets and milligrams should line up with milligrams. If the labels cross, the setup is probably wrong.
Converting Too Early or Too Late
When a problem uses mixed units, convert everything into one unit before calculating. This is especially important with milliliters and liters, grams and milligrams, and feet and inches.
Relying on the Calculator for Understanding
An on-screen calculator can reduce arithmetic load, but it cannot choose the correct operation. Students should still estimate first so they can spot a misplaced decimal or unreasonable answer.
Memorizing Without Practicing Word Problems
Knowing that 1000 mL = 1 L is helpful, but the test-like skill is deciding when to multiply, divide, or set up a proportion. Include word problems in every study week.
ViewMath HESI A2 Math Resources
ViewMath HESI A2 Math resources are built for focused math review and practice. Students who are rebuilding math foundations should begin with guided review and worked examples. Students who already know the topics should move into mixed practice sets. Browse ViewMath HESI A2 Math when you want a structured path through arithmetic, conversions, proportions, word problems, and timed practice.
