Nursing Entrance Exam for RN and LPN Programs

Nursing Entrance Exam

Overview

Students seeking admissions to Trocaire’s Practical Nurse (PN) or Registered Nurse (RN) programs are required to complete the HESI Admissions Assessment Exam (A2) as part of the admissions criteria. Applicants must complete an admission application to Trocaire and speak with an admissions counselor to discuss eligibility and admissions criteria for their program of interest. The Health Education Services Inc. (HESI), Admission Assessment Exam (A2), measures competencies and academic readiness into the PN and RN nursing programs. Students are eligible for nursing admission based on their prior education, 5-year CGPA, meeting prerequisite requirements, and HESI A2 scores.

Topics Covered

For the PN program, students are tested on the following categories: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and Basic Math Skills. A category score of 73% in each section is the benchmark score for admission into the program.

For the RN program, students are tested on the following categories: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and Basic Math Skills. A category score of 75% in each section is the benchmark score for admission into the program.

Study Resources

Preparation is an integral part of achieving success on the HESI A2 entrance exam. It is of utmost importance students have a solid understanding of the topics covered on the exam. Study guides in the form of a HESI A2 practice booklet are available for purchase at Trocaire’s Bookstore offered through Barnes and Noble (copy and paste ISBN # 9780443114090 into the search bar). Students should plan to prepare for the exam by reading practices questions and understanding the topics that will be covered (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and Basic Math Skills). Additional study guides for the HESI A2 can be found online.

The Palisano Learning Center offers free tutoring sessions to help students prepare to take the exam. To schedule a session, please email palisanolearningcentermail@trocaire.edu for more information.

In-Person Testing

The HESI A2 exam is offered in-person throughout the week. This exam is proctored by one of our staff members and offers you the testing experience on-campus. To schedule for one of our in-person sessions, you may REGISTER HERE.

Remote Proctored Testing (1st time testers only)

Remote proctored testing is available for applicants who are taking the HESI A2 exam at Trocaire College for the first time. For instructions on how to create your accounts and register to take the exam remotely, follow these instructions: https://www.proctoru.com/portal/elsevier-hesi.

Retesting

Retesting is offered to applicants that do not achieve the required scores on each of the exam sections. Additional attempts at the exam will be at the testers expense, and runs about $60. You will only be required to take the exam sections where you scored below the required threshold. Retests are only offered in-person and can be SCHEDULED HERE.

Exam Results

Test result are immediate. In order to access your exam results, log back into your Elsevier Evolve account. Once logged in, click on “Student Access” and “My Exams.” All test results will be listed. The PN program benchmark scores are a 73% in each of the required sections. The RN AAS program benchmark score for admissions is a 75% in each of the required sections. After completing the A2 exam, your scores will be sent to the Admissions office for review as part of the admissions application process. Upon completion your application will be reviewed for a decision.

Remediation

Free online tutoring remediation is available through Elsevier Evolve – HESI to those who take the exam and do not achieve the needed scores to assist with preparation for the second attempt. Directions for HESI remediation can be found here: HESI Remediation