Is 70 a good HESI A2 score?

Usually not, for the programs we checked. If you score 70% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at 1 of the 14 programs we checked. That's Lone Star College (Vocational Nursing).

Is 75 a good HESI A2 score?

It depends on the program. If you score 75% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at 6 of the 14 programs we checked. The other 8 ask for at least 80% on one or more sections.

Is 80 a good HESI A2 score?

For most programs we checked, yes. If you score 80% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at 12 of the 14 programs we checked. The ones that ask for more: Houston Christian University at 85% and UTHealth Houston at 85%.

Is 85 a good HESI A2 score?

Yes, for the programs we checked. If you score 85% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at all 14 programs we checked.

Is 90 a good HESI A2 score?

Yes, for the programs we checked. If you score 90% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at all 14 programs we checked.

Is there a passing score for the HESI A2?

No universal one. Each program chooses which sections you take and sets its own minimum. In our table, 11 of the 14 programs ask for 75% or 80%, and minimums run from 60% to 85%.

How is the HESI A2 cumulative score calculated?

We found no single Elsevier formula. The University of Arizona calculates its score as the average of its four required sections, and Temple College's Vocational Nursing program sets a cumulative minimum across three sections. This calculator averages the sections you enter. Most programs in our table set a minimum on each section instead. If your report already shows a cumulative or composite score, use that number.

What is a 900 or 850 on the HESI?

That isn't an A2 section score. Elsevier's HESI score, used for the Specialty and Exit exams taken during nursing school, typically runs from 0 to 1,500. Elsevier calls 850 the acceptable benchmark and 900 the recommended one. On the A2, programs list section minimums as percentages. On the school pages we checked, numbers like 700, 750 or 800 are for the separate Critical Thinking section.

Can I combine my best sections from two attempts?

It depends on the program. Baylor says scores from multiple attempts can't be combined. Mercer County Community College lets you send two results, for example English from one attempt and Math from the other.

HESI A2 · Score tool

HESI A2 score calculator

Enter the percent you scored on each HESI A2 section you took. You'll get your cumulative score (the average of those sections), your English composite and how you compare with the minimums at 14 nursing programs. There is no universal passing score: each program sets its own.

Enter your section scores

Leave a box empty if you didn't take that section. Learning Style, Personality Profile and Critical Thinking aren't part of the cumulative score.

Type at least one section score to see your result.

This is an estimate. We found no Elsevier formula for combining sections, so we average the sections you enter, as programs like the University of Arizona do. Your HESI report and your program's rules are what count.

Is my HESI A2 score good? Quick answers

Is 70 a good HESI A2 score?

Usually not, for the programs we checked. If you score 70% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at 1 of the 14 programs we checked. That's Lone Star College (Vocational Nursing).
Is 75 a good HESI A2 score?

It depends on the program. If you score 75% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at 6 of the 14 programs we checked. The other 8 ask for at least 80% on one or more sections.
Is 80 a good HESI A2 score?

For most programs we checked, yes. If you score 80% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at 12 of the 14 programs we checked. The ones that ask for more: Houston Christian University at 85% and UTHealth Houston at 85%.
Is 85 a good HESI A2 score?

Yes, for the programs we checked. If you score 85% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at all 14 programs we checked.
Is 90 a good HESI A2 score?

Yes, for the programs we checked. If you score 90% on every section your program requires, you meet the published score at all 14 programs we checked.
Is there a passing score for the HESI A2?

No universal one. Each program chooses which sections you take and sets its own minimum. In our table, 11 of the 14 programs ask for 75% or 80%, and minimums run from 60% to 85%.
How is the HESI A2 cumulative score calculated?

We found no single Elsevier formula. The University of Arizona calculates its score as the average of its four required sections, and Temple College's Vocational Nursing program sets a cumulative minimum across three sections. This calculator averages the sections you enter. Most programs in our table set a minimum on each section instead. If your report already shows a cumulative or composite score, use that number.
What is a 900 or 850 on the HESI?

That isn't an A2 section score. Elsevier's HESI score, used for the Specialty and Exit exams taken during nursing school, typically runs from 0 to 1,500. Elsevier calls 850 the acceptable benchmark and 900 the recommended one. On the A2, programs list section minimums as percentages. On the school pages we checked, numbers like 700, 750 or 800 are for the separate Critical Thinking section.
Can I combine my best sections from two attempts?

It depends on the program. Baylor says scores from multiple attempts can't be combined. Mercer County Community College lets you send two results, for example English from one attempt and Math from the other.

HESI A2 minimums at programs we checked

11 of these 14 programs ask for 75% or 80%. Each one picks its own sections, so the same scores can pass at one school and fall short at another. Rules change each admission cycle, so check your program's own page.

Program60%70%80%90%100%
University of Arizona College of Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 75% average of Reading, Vocabulary, Math and Biology Program page
Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 80% Math; 80% English composite (Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar) Program page
Mercer County Community College Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 80% Math; 80% English composite (Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar) Program page
Lone Star College ADN · checked Oct. 2026 80% on each of Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Anatomy & Physiology and Math Also Critical Thinking 750 (not in this calculator). Program page
Lone Star College Vocational Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 70% on each of Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Anatomy & Physiology and Math Also Critical Thinking 700 (not in this calculator). Program page
Temple College ADN · checked Oct. 2026 80% on each of Reading, Vocabulary and Math Program page
Temple College Vocational Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 80% cumulative (Reading, Vocabulary, Math) Program page
Central Texas College Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 80% on each of Math, Reading and Vocabulary; 60% Anatomy & Physiology Program page
Austin Community College ADN · checked Oct. 2026 75% on each of Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Reading, Vocabulary and Grammar Program page
Central New Mexico Community College Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 75% on each of Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary, Biology, Chemistry and Math Also a 75% composite. Program page
Heritage University Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 75% on each of Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Math, Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology Program page
Lehman College (CUNY) BS in Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 75% on each of Reading, Math and Anatomy & Physiology Also Critical Thinking 800/1000 (not in this calculator). Program page
Houston Christian University Nursing · checked Oct. 2026 85% on each of Reading, Grammar, Math and Anatomy & Physiology Program page
UTHealth Houston BSN · checked Oct. 2026 85% on each of Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology and Chemistry Recommended, not a hard minimum. Program page

How this calculator works

Your cumulative score is the plain average of the sections you enter. Programs choose which sections count, so enter only the ones yours requires.
The English composite is the average of Reading, Vocabulary and Grammar. It shows only when all three are filled in.
"More correct answers" uses the scored question counts school pages list for each section (50 for English and Math, 25 for each science).
Program checks use only the published HESI A2 minimum. Critical Thinking, GPA and other parts of your application aren't included.

Sources

Elsevier, HESI A2 and A-la-carte Remote Proctoring Faculty Guide (PDF) Accessed October 15, 2026.
Elsevier, Understanding the HESI score: predicting NCLEX success (2025) Accessed October 15, 2026.
University of Arizona College of Nursing, HESI Admission Assessment Accessed October 15, 2026.
Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing, HESI A2 Information Accessed October 15, 2026.
Mercer County Community College, HESI Nursing Admission Assessment Exam (PDF) Accessed October 15, 2026.
Lone Star College, HESI Test Accessed October 15, 2026.
Temple College, HESI A2 Requirements & FAQ Accessed October 15, 2026.
Central Texas College, HESI A2 Exam information sheet (PDF) Accessed October 15, 2026.
Austin Community College, ADN HESI A2 Test Information Accessed October 15, 2026.
Central New Mexico Community College, HESI A2 Exam Accessed October 15, 2026.
Heritage University, HESI Admission Assessment Accessed October 15, 2026.
Lehman College (CUNY), Testing and Exams Accessed October 15, 2026.
Houston Christian University, Nursing Placement Tests Accessed October 15, 2026.
UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing, HESI Accessed October 15, 2026.

HealthcareExams is an independent study resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier. HESI is a registered trademark of Elsevier Inc.